Boston Massacre Site
Boston Massacre Site
4
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A circle of cobblestones in the street outside the Old State House marks the spot where British soldiers fired on a crowd, the event which many believe was the start of the Revolutionary War.
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Downtown
The largest area of the city, Downtown is rich with historical and iconic sites in Boston. Stroll through one of Boston’s most famous green spaces, the Boston Public Gardens, check out and make way for duckling statues, picnic under a beautiful tree overlooking the pond, and walk over the iconic footbridge where, during summer time, you will catch a swan boat toting children and eager tourists through the pond. Have your camera ready to capture its peaceful beauty in the middle of a bustling city. Continue on through the Gardens and take in some open green space at the Boston Common, where you can spend time throwing a frisbee, sitting on a park bench, or, in the winter time, skating on the frog pond. Head north from the end of the Common to see the golden dome of the State House, and travel through government center to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, both a historic and popular destination worth a quick visit for a first time to Boston. Head to Long Wharf to visit the Aquarium, or catch a boat to Charlestown or even Cape Cod.
How to get there
- State • 1 min walk
- Government Center • 3 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
277 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
108
Average
84
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Jaskel08
California234 contributions
Jun 2023
It’s basically a marker. It’s also really historic since it really was the precipice for the Revolutionary War. Having been on the Freedom Trail, our guide explained to was the significance, how and where specifically it went down. Without being on a guided tour, it’s basically a plaque and would be hard to appreciate and understand.
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael G
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Not much to say, it’s a circle thing of cobble stones near Quincy market. It was cool to get a photo next to it so we can brag about it on social media and write a review about our experience.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee L
Valhalla, NY1,920 contributions
Nov 2022
Along the Freedom Trail and just outside the Old State House is this monument of cobblestones which memorializes the 5 colonists who died confronting British Soldiers during the Boston Massacre. It is the general area, I believe it has been moved because when I was here 25 years ago, I remember it being in the street while it it is now on the sidewalk.
Written 17 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kay-cee-1138
Houston, TX443 contributions
Sep 2022
Often a simple marker is important for what it represents, rather than what it is. That is the case with the Boston Massacre Site downtown. The circular set of bricks that are emplaced in front of the old State House may not be the precise original spot, but it's close enough; and it recalls well enough the 1770 incident that helped precipitate the American Revolution some years later.
Tip: for a better look, visit the Old State House and look out one of the second floor windows overlooking the Site, in order to get a good snap of both the present circle of bricks as well as the busy traffic intersection 20 or so yards further east where the incident really happened (and where a marker was originally placed).
Tip: for a better look, visit the Old State House and look out one of the second floor windows overlooking the Site, in order to get a good snap of both the present circle of bricks as well as the busy traffic intersection 20 or so yards further east where the incident really happened (and where a marker was originally placed).
Written 23 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel R
Rochester, MN1,710 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
A very significant site in history, but you should k or they have moved that circle a number of times over the years and is more identifying the general area than the exact spot.
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia17,664 contributions
Apr 2022
We all learnt about the Boston massacre which was one of the triggers towards the American Revolution.
I am glad I had the opportunity to visit this place now in my 50's.
It's a circle cobblestone marker on the ground in front of the Old State House.
An important stop on the Freedom Trail and nice photo op.
I am glad I had the opportunity to visit this place now in my 50's.
It's a circle cobblestone marker on the ground in front of the Old State House.
An important stop on the Freedom Trail and nice photo op.
Written 15 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ekelleman88
Hammond, IN171 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
It's just a large plaque on the ground commemorating the site of the Boston Massacre. Go see it just for the historical aspect.
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
XSki007
New Jersey1,356 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Really just a plaque on the ground celebrating the site. History still, and it was worth stopping by.
It’s very close to several other historical areas as well.
It’s very close to several other historical areas as well.
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmieMo
Provo, UT70 contributions
Nov 2021
It was nice to see where this historic event occurred, and a pretty picture of the building, yet not impressed.
Written 16 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Alexandria, VA1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Business
A colleague and I, both of us professional historians, visited the site on a slushy, snowy day like March 5, 1770. The actual site of the massacre is in the intersection in adjacent to the marker. The British soldiers stood not far from the corner where State Street Bank is located, and the victims a few yards away closer to the middle of the intersection — point blank range for the muskets fired at them. We know this from a schematic drawing entered into evidence at the soldier’s trial, which ought to be displayed at the site, outdoors near the circle so visitors understand that the action was a few yards away, not right underfoot. Don’t be deceived by arguments that a few dead don’t make a massacre. Four people gunned down by an army of occupation in a city of that size would be like 300 killed in modern Washington DC. Yes, the soldiers were afraid for their lives — an unsympathetic jury decided that when it found them not guilty of murder and convicted them of the lesser charge of manslaughter — but the British army in Boston was a hostile army of occupation in a city of people increasingly angry at having an army imposed on their daily lives in order to intimidate them. There are two sides to the incident, but as to the occupation that led to it, there’s no legitimate argument for the British side. The whole thing is a cautionary tale about the tyranny involved in using the army to control, or attempt to control, civilians. It’s Tienanmen Square in miniature. And Kent State, and other tragic places where soldiers have killed their own people in the name of order.
Written 7 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Boston Massacre Site
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Boston Massacre Site:
- Walking Tour of the Downtown Boston Freedom Trail - History & Architecture (From ₹ 2,500.83)
- Guided Walking Tour of Copley Square to Downtown Boston Freedom Trail (From ₹ 3,751.25)
- Walking Tour: Downtown Freedom Trail plus Beacon Hill to Copley Square/Back Bay (From ₹ 3,751.25)
- Walk the Historic Freedom Trail (From ₹ 1,667.22)
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- Hotels near Boston Massacre Site:
- (0.05 km) Oakwood At The Devonshire
- (0.07 km) Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston
- (0.27 km) Club Quarters Hotel Faneuil Hall, Boston
- (0.33 km) Marriott Vacation Club Pulse at Custom House, Boston
- (0.33 km) Canopy by Hilton Boston Downtown
- Restaurants near Boston Massacre Site:
- (0.02 km) SideBar Grille
- (0.03 km) The Well
- (0.05 km) Boston Shawarma
- (0.06 km) Boston News Cafe
- (0.13 km) The Oceanaire Seafood Room