HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS | BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
  • Freedom Trail Tours
    • In The Footsteps of Paul Revere
    • Freedom Trail Audio Tour
    • The Boston Massacre Tour
    • Boston Civil War Tour
    • The Boston Massacre Lesson Plan
    • Paul Revere's Neighborhood
    • Paul Revere's Row to Charlestown 4/18/1775
    • The Boston Massacre per the Pennsylvania Gazette
    • Paul Revere Lesson Plan
  • Revere Bells Index
    • The Stickney Revere Bell Listings of 1976
    • Paul Revere Bell of Beverly
    • Revere Bells in Boston >
      • Paul Revere Bell Old South Meeting House
    • California's 2 Paul Revere Bells
    • Paul Revere & Son's Bell Westborough Massachusetts
    • Falmouth, Massachusetts
    • Revere Bell Fredericksburg VA
    • Revere Bell Hampton NH
    • First Parish Church of Kennebunk
    • Revere Bells in Maine
    • Revere Bell in Mansfield
    • Revere Bell of Michigan
    • Revere Salem Mass Bell
    • Roxbury First Unitariarn Universalist Church and their Revere Bell
    • Revere & Son Bell, Savannah Georgia
    • Singapore Revere Bell
    • Tuscaloosa Bell >
      • History of the St John and Leavens Patriarchs
      • Samuel St John Jr Estate Genealogy
      • Authenticating the Revere Tuscaloosa Bell
      • Joshua B Leavens Last Will and Testament
      • 20th Century Tuscaloosa bell
    • Revere Bells Lost in Time
    • Revere Bells Washington DC
    • Revere Bell in Wakefield, Mass
    • Revere Bells Woodstock VT
  • Bostonians
    • Edward F Alexander of The Harvard 20th Civil War Regiment
    • Polly Baker
    • John Wilkes Booth
    • The Mad Hatter, Thomas, Boston Corbett who Killed John Wilkes Booth
    • Richard-Henry-Dana-Jr
    • James Franklin
    • Benjamin Harris of Publick Occurrences
    • Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
    • William Lloyd Garrison
    • USS Thomas Hudner DDG116
    • Edward Hutchinson Robbins Revere
    • Amos Lincoln
    • King Philip
    • Mayor's of Boston
    • Mum Bett & Theodore Sedgwick
    • James Otis
    • Paul Joseph Revere
    • Reverend Larkin's Horse
    • John Rowe >
      • John Rowe's Diary Entries
      • John Rowe's Dinner Party
      • John Rowe and the Jail Fire
      • Hang John Rowe?????
      • John Rowe the Fisherman
      • Joh Rowe's Tea Ship
    • Be Proud to be Called a Lucy Stoner
    • Rachel Wall , Pirate
    • Paul Revere the Coroner of Boston
    • Deborah Sampson
    • Who was Mrs. Silence Dogood?
    • Dr. Joseph Warren's Dedication
  • History Blog
  • Lilja's of Natick
    • Lilja Brothers Military History
    • Lilja's Family Album
    • Memorials and Tributes to the Five Lilja Brothers
    • Lilja Family Tree
    • Lilja Historical Family Tree Documents
    • Lilja References
  • Collage of Boston
    • 4th of July Parade, Bristol RI
    • Boston Harbor
    • The Customs House
    • Forest Hills Cemetery
    • Georges Island
    • Nonviolent Monument to Peace - Sherborn
    • The Battle Road
    • Skate bike and scooter park
    • Cassin Young & USS Cassin Young
    • MIT
    • Historic Charles River
    • The Roxbury Standpipe on Fort Hill
    • John & Abigail Adams National Park
  • Boston's Racial History - Ante-Bellum

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.​
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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: 


  • 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:


  1. Sign into the app using the same account you created when you purchased the tour from voicemap.me
  2. Select Account from the menu at the bottom of the screen and tap on Purchased
  3. 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.
FAQ for the Freedom Trail Audio Tour
​
Can I wonder off route or stop for something to eat?
Yes, hit the pause button if you're stopping briefly, or stop it if you're taking a longer break. When you return to the route, just hit resume. We offer some suggestions for refreshment and restaurants.

How many people can use the tour purchased?
The tour is fee based per person.

What if wifi is not available around Boston?
Boston has area WIFI but the tour works off GPS. Once downloaded via WIFI you are free to move about.

Can I read or listen to the tour at home?
Yes, the tour can be heard virtually.  If the tour does not move to the next location click on the red pinpoint on the map for the next location.

Is this a difficult walk?
We begin at the highest point in Boston and walk entirely down hill.  The route is ADA compliant except the four steps necessary to enter the Granary Burial Ground that can be viewed from street level.

Do I need an amplifier?
No, plug in your ear buds or hearing devices.  Our tour work very well with bluetooth devices.

What about Boston weather?
Well, its always good to check the forecast and get out early.  April through October are excellent months for outdoor touring.  You will be surprised how you can ignore the winter weather while listening to our tumultuous Boston history. 


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Submit

 Tours can be modified to be ADA compliant

mailto:walkbostonhistory@gmail.com


An association of tour guidES for educators, amateur historians, and the general public looking to walk beyond the Freedom Trail, concentrating on the legal, philosophical, emotional and political events of Boston.

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​

  • Freedom Trail Tours
    • In The Footsteps of Paul Revere
    • Freedom Trail Audio Tour
    • The Boston Massacre Tour
    • Boston Civil War Tour
    • The Boston Massacre Lesson Plan
    • Paul Revere's Neighborhood
    • Paul Revere's Row to Charlestown 4/18/1775
    • The Boston Massacre per the Pennsylvania Gazette
    • Paul Revere Lesson Plan
  • Revere Bells Index
    • The Stickney Revere Bell Listings of 1976
    • Paul Revere Bell of Beverly
    • Revere Bells in Boston >
      • Paul Revere Bell Old South Meeting House
    • California's 2 Paul Revere Bells
    • Paul Revere & Son's Bell Westborough Massachusetts
    • Falmouth, Massachusetts
    • Revere Bell Fredericksburg VA
    • Revere Bell Hampton NH
    • First Parish Church of Kennebunk
    • Revere Bells in Maine
    • Revere Bell in Mansfield
    • Revere Bell of Michigan
    • Revere Salem Mass Bell
    • Roxbury First Unitariarn Universalist Church and their Revere Bell
    • Revere & Son Bell, Savannah Georgia
    • Singapore Revere Bell
    • Tuscaloosa Bell >
      • History of the St John and Leavens Patriarchs
      • Samuel St John Jr Estate Genealogy
      • Authenticating the Revere Tuscaloosa Bell
      • Joshua B Leavens Last Will and Testament
      • 20th Century Tuscaloosa bell
    • Revere Bells Lost in Time
    • Revere Bells Washington DC
    • Revere Bell in Wakefield, Mass
    • Revere Bells Woodstock VT
  • Bostonians
    • Edward F Alexander of The Harvard 20th Civil War Regiment
    • Polly Baker
    • John Wilkes Booth
    • The Mad Hatter, Thomas, Boston Corbett who Killed John Wilkes Booth
    • Richard-Henry-Dana-Jr
    • James Franklin
    • Benjamin Harris of Publick Occurrences
    • Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
    • William Lloyd Garrison
    • USS Thomas Hudner DDG116
    • Edward Hutchinson Robbins Revere
    • Amos Lincoln
    • King Philip
    • Mayor's of Boston
    • Mum Bett & Theodore Sedgwick
    • James Otis
    • Paul Joseph Revere
    • Reverend Larkin's Horse
    • John Rowe >
      • John Rowe's Diary Entries
      • John Rowe's Dinner Party
      • John Rowe and the Jail Fire
      • Hang John Rowe?????
      • John Rowe the Fisherman
      • Joh Rowe's Tea Ship
    • Be Proud to be Called a Lucy Stoner
    • Rachel Wall , Pirate
    • Paul Revere the Coroner of Boston
    • Deborah Sampson
    • Who was Mrs. Silence Dogood?
    • Dr. Joseph Warren's Dedication
  • History Blog
  • Lilja's of Natick
    • Lilja Brothers Military History
    • Lilja's Family Album
    • Memorials and Tributes to the Five Lilja Brothers
    • Lilja Family Tree
    • Lilja Historical Family Tree Documents
    • Lilja References
  • Collage of Boston
    • 4th of July Parade, Bristol RI
    • Boston Harbor
    • The Customs House
    • Forest Hills Cemetery
    • Georges Island
    • Nonviolent Monument to Peace - Sherborn
    • The Battle Road
    • Skate bike and scooter park
    • Cassin Young & USS Cassin Young
    • MIT
    • Historic Charles River
    • The Roxbury Standpipe on Fort Hill
    • John & Abigail Adams National Park
  • Boston's Racial History - Ante-Bellum