by Shelly Barclay

Created on: May 10, 2010

When I was a young girl, it was nothing to go to the Boston Common and start to walk some or all of the Freedom Trail's roughly 2.5 miles without taking in what I was seeing. Sure, I saw the Old State House, the burying grounds of the Freedom Trail, its churches, etc. However, somehow I missed the significance. Now that I am older, and admittedly a American Revolution history fanatic, I can truly appreciate these sites. The experience isn't as magical as I wish it would be, but it does have its draws.

Boston's Freedom Trail takes you right through the heart of Boston. I love this city. However, I do not love trying to take pictures or simply enjoy a piece of history while tour groups crowd in front of Paul Revere's grave or someone bumps right into me, without so much as a "by your leave." The modern bustle of an otherwise great city really takes away from the Freedom Trail. However, don't let me turn you off from it, for that is my only complaint. I get the feeling that walking it in the dead of winter would alleviate those annoyances.

The only burying ground that is truly difficult to enjoy with a crowd is, unfortunately, the one you don't want to miss. It's the Park St. Church burying ground. Be patient and you may find that you can get a glimpse of the way it once was. You just have to wait until all of the tourists have moved to one side. Another difficult, but noteworthy site is the Old North Church. Viewing from the front without getting hit by a car is nearly impossible. However, if you take your time and enjoy it on your approach from the rear, you can get a sense of what it was like. Gems that are easily accessible include the second and third floors of Faneuil Hall, the Constitution and the USS Constitution museum.

Everything on the Freedom Trail is worth seeing at least once. Here, you can reach out and touch American Revolution era Boston. You can walk where Paul Revere and Samuel Adams have walked. You can see the grave of the little known midnight rider, William Dawes. Nothing beats it, if you love history. The only catch is that to see the city through the eyes of the patriots who once lived there, you have to have a good imagination.

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