The Complete Guide to Boston's Freedom Trail

by Charles Bahne

1990 Newtowne Publishing 2-staple 64 page smaller brochure. Charles Bahne. The only step by step guide to walking the Freedom Trail. - Amazon

Genres: History, Travel, Reference, Nonfiction, American History

80 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1985

Reviews

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've worked on various sites on the Freedom Trail for a little over a year and sold tons of these to tourists, but I have only just now read through this guide myself. Happily, I can now tell customers that this is indeed a thorough and worthwhile guide to the Freedom Trail. I might even take this with me when I at long last make it across the river to see the Charlestown side of the Freedom Trail!

[Gary Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Boston history! and an ideal book for anyone planning to visit or has visited Boston who is interested in the city's history (with an emphasis on the Revolutionary War period). You'll learn about the old (and new) state houses, churches, burial grounds, the Boston Massacre site, the Battle of Bunker Hill, the U.S.S. Constitution, and much much more from this book and the Freedom Trail.

The book is well written and engaging. It includes sections describing each stop along the Freedom Trail, and many other lesser known tidbits of history. In between the stop descriptions, it describes the turns and includes maps to help you navigate the Freedom Trail. I originally thought that I might read the book as a guide, but I resorted to just using the map to help navigate and did not try to read the book as I walked the trail. If I were visiting with a very small, adult group and did not have young kids with me, I might read the book as I walked.

I bought it at the park store at the beginning of the Freedom trail and ended up reading it after I walked the Freedom Trail, but if I had known about the book beforehand, I would have bought and read it before walking the trail. Reading it after I walked the trail complimented my walking experience helped me reflect and added to what I learned while walking the trail.

[Henry Sturcke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before embarking on the Freedom Trail, I looked through the various guides on sale at the tourist center on Boston Common and concluded this was the best. I enjoyed having this to refer to at each stage of the trail. It is interestingly written, filled with historical nuggets and images, with a map located where it should be -- in the center spread, where it is easy to find. In the back there are lists of opening hours and entrance fees, as well as indications of wheelchair accessibility.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book on the first day of my trip to Boston. That night I read about all the items we would see the next day and it really added to my appreciation of what I saw. Afterward I read the rest and learned all sorts of new things I wish I had known on that first day.

The book is absolutely worthwhile! Read it before you go if possible.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this while in Boston to use as my guide for my 2 days on the Freedom Trail. Covers all of the major sights with commentary on the action, sight or person associated with it. It also has some side trips and recommends some things to check out that are slightly off the trail or also worth checking out. If you are walking the trail a must have.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may never get to walk all of Boston’s Freedom Trail but I learned a lot of history reading this guide book. This would be invaluable to anyone setting off on the trek through Boston’s Colonial and Revolutionary history.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely helpful guide to walking the Freedom Trail. Easy to use. Great little side trips and tips. I especially liked the intro with tips on how to GET to Boston and how much time to plan. We ended up taking mass transit, which was remarkably easy and inexpensive.

[Lori]

Bought this guide on my last day in Boston, after taking some guided tours. I'll be taking it back with me to tour it all again, at my own pace, with this guide in hand!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step-by-step guide to Boston's Freedom Trail. A great book to use on your adventure.

[Phil Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great companion to a guided tour of the freedom trail. Whether you read it before or after you walk the trail it provides some interesting historical facts and stories.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a history junkie--visiting historical sites is high on my life to-do list. Before going, I like to read up on the place, what happened there, and what's happened to it since. Bahne's little 80 page handbook about sites along the Freedom Trail was perfect for my visit to Boston. I bought it in a gift shop near Old North Church and was well rewarded. The author gives a page or two of history on each site along the Freedom Trail, presenting readers with interesting details, but not so many that you get overloaded. It travels well (being small and all) and is a great companion for a pleasant walk around fascinatingly historic Boston. Should you visit, it's worth the $7.00.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little guidebook for anyone to take with them as they walk the Boston Freedom Trail. This book, dedicated to Samuel Adams, details every stop of the trail and tells the historical significance of it. I loved Boston, and would love to visit this historic city again some day.

[Joy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly a gem of a guide book. Excellent directions to each sight and short side trips off the main path that add to your appreciation of this historic city. Enough description to enlighten and inform without overwhelming. A definite buy when touring the historic sites of Boston.