Massachusetts

Boston: Birthplace of American Liberty

Program No. 5717RJ
Explore Boston, a city of great social and cultural heritage, as you visit its landmarks and learn about revolutionary events alongside scholarly experts and friendly locals.

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At a Glance

Discover one of America’s most historic cities by retracing the steps of Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere. Learn how American independence was born in Massachusetts as you walk along the Freedom Trail. Led by expert instructors, explore the city’s historic sites such as Faneuil Hall and Bunker Hill, beacons of Boston’s revolutionary past.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2.5 miles per day; some cobblestones and hills.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore the Boston Massacre site, Granary Burying Ground, Old South Meeting House and the Old State House.
  • Visit Paul Revere’s home in Boston’s historic North End neighborhood, and see where the famed lanterns were hung at the Old North Church.
  • Relive the first days of the Revolution at Old North Bridge, along the path from Lexington to Concord.

General Notes

Public transportation and ferries used.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Charles Bahne
Charles Bahne is a historian, author and local expert, focusing on Boston and its role in the American Revolution. Charlie came to Boston for college and fell in love with the city. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he majored in urban studies and planning, focusing on urban history. He has been a seasonal park ranger at Boston National Historical Park, and has worked with many of the city’s guide companies and museums. His guidebook, “The Complete Guide to Boston’s Freedom Trail,” has sold more than 580,000 copies since its publication in 1985. Charlie has taught over 100 Road Scholar programs about Boston over the past 25 years.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Charles Bahne
Charles Bahne View biography
Charles Bahne is a historian, author and local expert, focusing on Boston and its role in the American Revolution. Charlie came to Boston for college and fell in love with the city. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he majored in urban studies and planning, focusing on urban history. He has been a seasonal park ranger at Boston National Historical Park, and has worked with many of the city’s guide companies and museums. His guidebook, “The Complete Guide to Boston’s Freedom Trail,” has sold more than 580,000 copies since its publication in 1985. Charlie has taught over 100 Road Scholar programs about Boston over the past 25 years.
Profile Image of Nancy Coolidge
Nancy Coolidge View biography
Nancy Coolidge graduated from Mount Holyoke College, and later attended the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in business administration and worked in a bank trust department. In 1979, she became a founding trustee of the Lynch Foundation. She later moved to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA), where she served as staff director from 1983 to 1992. She has since led groups to maritime Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and Antarctica. She continues her work with the Lynch Foundation.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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