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Boston Landmarks and Boston Monuments
(Boston, Massachusetts (MA), USA)



It is hardly surprising that New England's largest and most important city is crammed full of spectacular landmarks and monuments.

Famous throughout the world, many of these date back hundreds of years and are in remarkable condition. Here are some of the top landmarks to visit.




Boston Landmarks: New State House - Beacon Street, Boston
Tel: +1 (617) 727 3676
The Massachusetts New State House sits at the top of Beacon Hill, overlooking Boston Common. It was designed by Charles Bulfinch and built in 1795 on land originally owned by John Hancock. This new State House remains the home of the Massachusetts legislature and the wonderful dome is covered in 23.5 carat gold leaf, making it very valuable. The State House is open daily for tours to the public and is part of The Freedom Trail walk.


Boston Landmarks: Paul Revere House - 19 North Square, Boston
Tel: +1 (617) 523 2338
This national historic landmark is the home from which silversmith Paul Revere, set out on his famous midnight ride in 1775 to warn his compatriots that the British were coming. Built in 1680, it is the oldest house in downtown Boston and is located in one of the city's most historic districts. Containing 17th- and 18th-century furnishings and memorabilia, several of Revere's belongings are also now on display along with his silver creations, including a 90-pound bell in the back yard.

Boston Landmarks: Bunker Hill Monument - Monument Square, Charlestown, Boston, 02129
Tel: +1 (617) 242 5641
This 67 meter / 220 feet granite tower commemorates the Patriots' undaunted bravery in defeat at the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the Revolutionary War's earliest confrontations. British troops incurred heavy losses here on Breed's Hill and the monument was built and dedicated to this battle in 1843. It contains a 294-step spiral staircase, leading to the very top, with superb panoramic views of Boston. Exhibits and memorabilia explain how the British won the battle, while confirming America's hopes of winning the war.

Boston Landmarks: Beacon Hill - Boston
The famous Boston Brahmin neighborhood is full of red brick sidewalks, cobblestone streets, elegant townhouses and gas street lamps. You can easily find Beacon Hill by looking for the huge gold dome of the Massachusetts State House and the undulating rows of brick houses that surround it. This is without doubt Boston's most affluent neighborhood and was once home to the Brahmins, who ran the town many years ago.
From here you can watch the parliamentary maneuvers of the state legislature when it is in session and can also see many of Boston's top attractions. When Oliver Wendell Holmes called Boston the 'hub of the universe', he was thinking mainly of Beacon Hill.

Boston Landmarks: Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum - Congress Street Bridge, Boston, 02210
Tel: +1 (617) 338 1773
Learn about one of the most significant events of pre-revolutionary America through exhibits, films and memorabilia, when visiting this full-size replica of one of the original Boston Tea Party ships, boarded by the colonists in 1773. You can even participate in a re-enactment of the famous revolt protesting 'taxation without representation'. Visitors may walk the decks, explore the galley, crew's quarters, cargo hold and may even take part in throwing a bale of tea. The Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum offers a wide range of exhibits, films and memorabilia.

Boston Landmarks: Boston African American National Historic Site - 14 Beacon Street, Suite 503, Boston, 02108
Tel: +1 (617) 742 5415
This historic site presents pre-Civil War structures relating to the African-American community of 19th-century Boston. All of the sites are linked by the Black Heritage Trail.

Boston Landmarks: Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site - 99 Warren Street, Brookline, Boston, 02445
Tel: +1 (617) 566 1689
Named after the man who was the founder of landscape architecture in the US, Fredrick Law Olmsted's home and office are included in the site, together with thousands of documents, drawings and design records of his, dating back to the 1860s. He was also heavily involved with the actual creation of the national park service.

Boston Landmarks: Granary Burial Ground - Tremont Street, Boston
The Granary Burial Ground dates back to 1660 and contains some of the finest headstone carvings in New England. This is where the three signatories of the Declaration of Independence, Robert Paine, John Hancock and Samuel Adams rest in peace. It is also the final resting place of Paul Revere.

Boston Landmarks: Harrison Gray Otis House - 141 Cambridge Street, Boston
Tel: +1 (617) 227 3956
The house was constructed in 1796 by Charles Bulfinch for Harrison Gray Otis and his wife. Otis made his fortune as a very successful developer of Beacon Hill and he later served as a Representative in Congress and Mayor of Boston. The house itself is full of classic architecture and elegant furnishings, signifying the extravagant life led by Boston's aristocracy and governing class that emerged shortly after the Revolution.

Boston Landmarks: King's Chapel - Tremont and School Streets, Boston
Tel: +1 (617) 523 1749
The notable structure of King's Chapel was built in 1754, although lack of funds prevented it being finished with the steeple that its architect, Peter Harrison, had envisioned. The chapel's bell is Paul Revere's largest and the Georgian interior is elegant and well proportioned.
Adjacent is the King's Chapel Burying Ground, the city's oldest cemetery where John Winthrop and other prominent citizens are buried. Next to the entrance is the 1704 gravestone for Elizabeth Pain, who was Nathaniel Hawthorne's inspiration for Hester Prynne in his novel 'The Scarlet Letter'.

Boston Landmarks: Old North Church - 193 Salem Street, Boston, 02113-1198
Tel: +1 (617) 523 6676
Originally built in 1723 as a house of prayer for all Bostonians, the Old North Church is nicknamed 'Christ Church'. From here in its steeple, Robert Newman hung two lanterns signaling Paul Revere on his famous 'midnight ride'. A re-enactment takes place every year on April 19th. There are also excellent views from the top of Hull Street.

Boston Landmarks: Old South Meeting House - 310 Washington Street, Boston, 02108
Tel: +1 (617) 482 6439
The meeting place where 5,000 colonists protested the taxation on tea. Learn about historical events that shaped the United States through the multimedia exhibit 'Voices of Protest'.

Boston Landmarks: New England Holocaust Memorial - Boston, MA, USA
The six glass towers of this striking memorial serve to represent the six million Jews who tragically perished in the Holocaust.

Boston Landmarks: Massachusetts Archives and Commonwealth Museum - Boston, MA, USA
This library preserves historical and legal records of Massachusetts for its citizens and the museum offers many formal exhibits displaying interesting artifacts.

 
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