Boston / Downtown Sights

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Fanueil Hall, early morning

For the tourist, the area of downtown Boston together with its neighboring districts contains the bulk of the main attractions of Boston.

• Massachusetts State House, Beacon & Park Streets (T: Park Street), ☎ +1-617-727-3676 (fax: +1-617-973-4858), www.sec.state.ma.us/trs/trsidx.htm. Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 16:00. The Massachusetts State House was built in 1781 on top of land once owned by John Hancock. The dome of the State House was recently refurbished with glittering gold leaf, and makes for a spectacular view at sunset from the Massachusetts Avenue bridge.

• Boston Common, (T: Park Street or Boylston), www.cityofboston.gov/parks/emerald/Boston_Common.asp. Founded in 1634, this is one of the oldest public parks in the United States. Over the years, many large gatherings have been held here, from British encampments in the revolutionary period to anti-war protests in the 1960s. A nice spot for walking around and people-watching at all times of year. The Frog Pond in the center of the Common has wading in the summer and ice skating in the winter.

• Park Street Church, 1 Park Street (T: Park Street), ☎ ''+1 617'' 523-3383, www.parkstreet.org. Founded in 1809, and still an active house of worship, this church is known for a number of historical firsts. Among other things, William Lloyd Garrison delivered his first anti-slavery address here, and "My Country Tis of Thee" was first sung on the front steps.

• Granary Burying Ground, Tremont St. between Park and School Streets (T: Park Street or Government Center), www.cityofboston.gov/parks/HBGI/hbginfo.asp?ID=16. Many famous figures from the American Revolution are buried here, including Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Crispus Attucks.

• King's Chapel, 64 Beacon St. (T: Park Street or Government Center), ☎ 617-523-1749, www.kings-chapel.org. Founded as an Anglican congregation in 1686. The bell in the bell tower was originally hung in 1772, cracked in 1814, and was recast by Paul Revere in 1816: this bell is still in use today.

• King's Chapel Burying Ground, (T: Park Street or Government Center). Predating King's Chapel, this cemetery was founded in 1630, and is the oldest in Boston. Notable figures buried here include John Winthrop and William Dawes.

• Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St. (T: Downtown Crossing or State), ☎ 617-482-6439, www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org/default.aspx. 9:30 AM to 5 PM (Apr-Oct), 10 AM to 4 PM (Nov-Mar). An important meeting place for centuries: currently a museum. In 1773, a group of colonists attacked a tea ship after a meeting here, in what became known as the Boston Tea Party. $5.

• Old State House, 206 Washington St. (T: State or Government Center), ☎ 617-720-1713, bostonhistory.org. 9 AM to 5 PM (4 PM in Jan, 6 PM in July and Aug). The former seat of government in Boston, and the oldest surviving building. In 1770, the Boston Massacre took place just in front of the State House, and in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians from the balcony. $7.

• Fanueil Hall (The Cradle of Liberty), (T: Government Center, State, or Aquarium), www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/fh.htm. 9AM-5PM. First built in 1742 as an old market building at the town dock. Town meetings, held here between 1764 and 1774, heard Samuel Adams and others lead cries of protest against the imposition of taxes on the colonies. The building was enlarged in 1806. Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and Lucy Stone brought their struggles for freedom here in the 19th century. Market stalls on the first floor service shoppers much as they did in Paul Revere's day. Free.

• Fanueil Hall Marketplace, Faneuil Hall Market Pl (T: Government Center, State, or Aquarium), ☎ (617) 248-0399, www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM. This plaza with its conglomeration of shops, a variety of restaurant types, and bars across several buildings is quite popular with tourists. Outdoor performance artists are common.