Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Freedom Trail
Follow America’s riotous founders on the path to revolution and independence with Walk Boston History's self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail. Explore at your own pace with automatic GPS playback using the VoiceMap audio tour app.
ABOUT the FREEDOM TRAIL AUDIO Tour
Our self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail goes beyond the history textbooks to reveal undercurrents that you won't hear about on other walking tours. It also allows you to explore at your own pace, without joining a group or booking a private tour, because you can stop the tour and then resume it whenever you like.
Along the way, you'll hear about:
You'll also get answer to the following questions:
We guarantee that every step you take with us walks you closer to the foundation of freedom, democracy, and the roots of our Constitution. Ultimately, we let history entertain you!
Along the way, you'll hear about:
- Paul Revere’s copper plating business, which was one of his 13 successful careers. I'll tell you about his importance to the American and Industrial revolutions. You'll see his sketch of the site used in the three Boston Massacre trials and see Paul’s midnight ride from the perspective of his horse.
- John Hancock, a fascinating character that textbooks don't mention often enough! He most famously added his signature to the Declaration of Independence, but I'll also examine his challenges to the British Admiralty, his long courtship, his waning fortunes, and the trouble caused by his love of Madeira wine.
- Samual Adams' personal failures, which were in sharp contrast with his devotion to and success in gaining America's independence. Contrary to current belief he did not ruin a brewery, although he may have committed financial fraud as a town tax collector. With Sam's help, I'll open your eyes to the manipulations behind the Boston Massacre, initially called “The Riot on King’s Street.”
- The five Founding Fathers that may or may not be buried at the ancient Granary Burial Ground . The impact of a hurricane gives us some doubt. We'll visit some of the other famous people buried there too.
- The first fraudulent land transaction in America and Puritan doctrine.
- The story behind four infamous guests that stayed or worked at the famous Boston Parker House Hotel including a presidential assassin, a hero or a madman of the abolitionist's cause, a President that bested the United States in a foreign war, and an assassinated Muslim minister.
You'll also get answer to the following questions:
- Why did the Puritans establish this nation's first public school?
- Which of Paul Revere’s several rides is considered his greatest accomplishment?
- Did you need a medical degree to be a coroner in 18th Century Massachusetts?
- What did Fort Wagner of the Civil War have to do with Boston?
- Who was “the little woman that started this big war,” as expressed by Abraham Lincoln?
- Why did Boston delay Ronald Reagan's first budget?
- Why was Bill Clinton refused service at a bakery in the North End of Boston?
- Who was the most reviled person to speak at Faneuil Hall, called the cradle of Liberty?
We guarantee that every step you take with us walks you closer to the foundation of freedom, democracy, and the roots of our Constitution. Ultimately, we let history entertain you!
How our Self-Guided Tour Works
Buying the tour
You can buy Walk Boston's Freedom Trail audio tour for $7.99 from VoiceMap by clicking here. Just click on the price, and then follow the steps to create an account and pay for the tour.
The VoiceMap audio tour app
We recommend using the VoiceMap app to do the tour. It gives you turn-by-turn directions, so you can focus on your surroundings, not the map on your screen, and it works offline, without a data connection.
If you have an iPhone, you can get the app here. If you have an Android device, it's available through Google Play here.
If you've purchased the tour at the link provided, through VoiceMap's website, then follow these steps to download it to your device:
- Sign into the app using the same account you created when you purchased the tour from voicemap.me
- Select Account from the menu at the bottom of the screen and tap on Purchased
- Select Freedom Trail Audio Tour, from Boston Common to Granary Burial Ground and then tap on Download
You can also buy the tour in the VoiceMap app using your Apple App Store or Google Play accounts. Just select Boston from the list of destinations and then select our Freedom Trail tour.
Starting the tour
Once you've downloaded the tour, you'll see a screen directing you to the starting point at the Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St. Once you're there, just tap on Start Tour, then put your device away and let us guide you.
The tour covers about one and a half miles and ends in the historic North End of Boston at the oldest standing structure in Boston, Paul Revere’s first home, built in 1660. There are 87 Italian restaurants in the North End where you can stop to replenish and imagine you are in Tuscany.
Support
If you have any questions, please email walkbostonhistory@gmail.com. We can also be reached by phone at 781-591-2955.