1st skyscraper built of granite instead of steel. Bldg erected as HQ of Ames Shovel Company who issued shovels for every war from Civil War to Korean War. Hotel since 2009. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Home of the Boston AIA (American Institution of Architects). Former warehouse from 1853. One of few surviving buildings from Great Fire of Boston of 1872. Learn more about this site via our blog. Read more.
Opened in 1765 by Jimmy Wilson, Boston's last town crier. Building dates to 1844. Pub has only closed during Prohibition. Was originally located near current site of City Hall. More info in blog<LINK> Read more.
Franklin was born here in 1706 as the 15th of 17 children. Actual home burned down in 1872 but builder ensured legacy would not be lost and carved a bust over front entrance. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Small block bordered by Scott Alley, Creek Square, Marsh Lane, Marshall St, Salt Lane. These were 1st streets of Boston. Named for city founder William Blackstone. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Most recognized building in Boston skyline. When built it was erected taller than legal city limit; allowed because it was a federal bldg. Observation deck but tours only 1x/day. More info in our blog Read more.
Formerly home to 1st town crier of Boston, William Courser. John Hancock's brother, Ebenezer resided here (1767). 1798-1963 was site of oldest continuously operated shoe store. More info in blog<LINK> Read more.
1st public mtg house in US. Built via donations from "The Jolly Bachelor" Peter Faneuil. 1st floor marketplace. 2nd floor former meeting house (free). 3rd floor military museum. More info via our blog Read more.
Grasshopper weather vane atop Faneuil Hall constructed 1742. During American Revolution people suspected as British spies were asked what was atop Faneuil Hall. More grasshopper tales via our blog Read more.
In 17th century was site of Boston's 1st jail, Stone Prison. Captain Kidd held here before deported to London to face execution. Hawthorne mentions this bldg in Scarlet Letter. More info in blog<LINK> Read more.
Outside front door to 1966 John F Kennedy Building. Plaque with words "The First Telephone" commemorates on 6/2/1875 Alexander Graham Bell transmitted sound for 1st time here. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Flour and Grain Exchange dates to 1890-1892. NW corner is a conical roof that looks like crown. Housed 2 corporate trade bodies which merged in late 19th century. More info on this site in our blog. Read more.
Referred to as "HQ of the Revolution." Original pub was located on Union St & established in 1654. Copper dragon outside front door turned green due to weather, thus its name. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Open-air fruit & vegetable market every Fri & Sat morning. Dates back to 1830. Cheap produce is acquired by vendors from wholesalers needing to make space for newer shipments. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
18' bronze sculpture by Gyuri Hollosy in remembrance of anti-Communist riots in Hungary on 10/23/1956. Notice heads at bottom & hole in flag. Artist removed Communist symbol. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Part of another walking trail in Boston (Irish Heritage Trail). Depicts family pre- and post arrival to America during Great Potato Famine. Read the 8 plaques around the plaza or read more in our blog Read more.
Curley was a popular politician from 1920-1950. He served as 4x Mayor, Congressman and 53rd Governor of MA. Best known for winning seat on Board of Alderman while in prison. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Founded 1686 by King James II who erected wooden chapel. Replaced by stone structure in 1754. Was supposed to have steeple but ran out of funds. Paul Revere cast bell in 1814. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Oldest cemetery in Boston. Established 1630 when city purchased Sir Isaac Johnson's vegetable garden. Reportedly one of most haunted locales in the city. These haunted tales and more in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Elizabeth Pain Grave - Hidden within family crest of 2 lions (on left) appears to be 1/2 the letter "A" (Adultery). Said to be inspiration for The Scarlet Letter. To find this grave & more info.<LINK> Read more.
John Winthrop Grave - 1st governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Served as governor 12 times over a 20 yr period (1630-1649). He also was in The Scarlet Letter. To find this grave & more info.<LINK> Read more.
Joseph Tapping Grave - former Boston shopkeeper stone was carved by "The Charlestown Stonecutter." Most noted engraving in yard featuring Death & Father Time. To find this grave & more info. <LINK> Read more.
Mary Chilton Wilslow Grave - Mary was 1st European woman to disembark Mayflower at age 12. She was one of 30 females who survived journey (her father did not). To find this grave & more info.<LINK> Read more.
Oldest Extant Grave - Dates to 1658 & belongs to Deacon William Paddy. Grave says 1672 but he passed away in 1658. His family could not afford a stone right away. To find this grave & more info.<LINK> Read more.
William Dawes Jr Grave - Dawes was 30 minutes away from being famous. Instead it was Paul Revere (the "other rider") who 1st notified all the British were coming. To find this grave & more info.<LINK> Read more.
3-story Georgian Revival bldg hidden in alley. Built 1930 with upper floors later addition designed by famed architect Charles Bulfinch. Was business branch of BPL until 2009. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Boston's most popular seafood restaurant, ironically located next to NE Aquarium. Their clam chowder has been served at every presidential inauguration since 1981. More info available via our blog. Read more.
Site of Stamp Act riot in 1765. Area was a former hot bed of British businesses. Another revolution is celebrated here via the Hungarian Revolution Memorial (check in here2!). More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Departure point for cruises to Boston Harbor Islands, Cape Cod, Logan Airport, dinner cruises, etc. Where immigrants arrived to Boston prior to Ellis Island. More info available via our blog. Read more.
1.3MM visitors per year can't be wrong. Learn about New England #Aquarium via our IWalked blog. Read more.
Work of San Francisco artist Stanley Saitowitz. Consists of 6 54' glass columns with numbers 1-6 million (# of Jewish victims). Air from vents said to represent human breath. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Originally location of Boston Latin School (1635)--1st public school. Benjamin Franklin attended school here. Boston's 3rd City Hall until 1969 when Government Center built. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Outside front gate (along School St) check out the ornate hop-scotch board called City Carpet by Lilli Ann Killen Rosenberg. Commemorates 1st public school formerly on site. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Features city's 1st portrait statue, Benjamin Franklin. In 1781 while serving as US Ambassador to France he drafted a letter to European academia encouraging a study of farts. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Outside is a statue representing the Democratic party. Symbol originated in 1828 when opponents called Andrew Jackson a jack***. Mr. Jackson made the jest his party's symbol. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Statue in yard of Josiah Quincy. 2nd mayor of Boston & 16th president of Harvard. Aided construction of Quincy Market. Sculpted by Thomas Ball in 1879. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Ascend the stairs at 1 Center Plaza. Enter brick area to right for marker of the former Old Howard, home to Boston's burlesque shows, Abbott&Costello, Rocky Marciano & more. It's history in blog<LINK> Read more.
Bldg w/183' steeple dates to 1729. Clock from 1770 still functional. Site of baptism of Ben Franklin. On 12/16/1773 5,000 colonists gathered here before Boston Tea Party. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Oldest public building in Boston. Built 1813. Once tallest building in city. Now a museum w/subway station below. Chicago almost purchased building in 1882 and moved it there. More info via our blog Read more.
Site of Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770. Now solely marked via a ring of cobblestones in a small traffic island on east side of building. (Beware traffic!) More info on this incident via our blog Read more.
Longest continuously operated hotel in U.S. John Wilkes Booth stayed here & practiced at nearby shooting gallery before his fateful journey to DC. Emeril Lagasse worked here. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Most haunted hotel in New England. Founder Harvey Parker said to haunt 10th floor. Guests have complained of rocking chairs creeking here despite none on premise. More info in haunted blog. <LINK> Read more.
Province House was grandest mansion in city. Built 1679 it was residence of last 8 Royal Governors of MA. The Royal Coat of Arms from it is now in Old State House. Razed 1922. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
More visitors per year than Disneyworld (18 million plus). Contains >140 restaurants, shops, pubs. Market building designed similar to London's Covent Garden w/22' Doric columns. More info in our blog Read more.
Rare cast iron building in Boston (since Boston was developed before its common use). Building dates 1850-60. 1st 5 floors constructed in Italy before being shipped to Boston. More info in our blog. Read more.
1926 Classical Revival building. Nicknamed Samuel Appleton Building after prominent Boston insurance industry figure. Above front door are elaborate bronze and stone friezes. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Crescent shape due to fact bldgs built to shape of original street. Sears Crescent (on left) is 6-story red brick bldg from 1816. 4-story granite neighbor is Sear Block (1843). More info in blog<LINK> Read more.
2' long hollow stone brought over from London in 1700 by painter Tom Childs who used stone as paint grinder. Said to be zero marker but this is actually the MA State House. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
1st integrated church in city created after white male (Timothy Gilbert) brought black friends to mass at Charles St Mtg House & was expelled. President Lincoln spoke here. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
City Hall was voted in 2008 via Virtualtourist as the UGLIEST BUILDING IN THE WORD. Original design intended to have a beer hall inside similar to those in Germany. More info via our blog.<LINK> Read more.
Building dates to 1714-17. UOH opened here 1826. Almost 1/2 of items on current menu were on 1st menu. 1st toothpick used here. Booth 18 upstairs is JFKs (who was a regular). More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Named for former Governor John Winthrop who had home on this site in 1644. Current bldg is 1st steel frame skyscraper in city. Notice bldg's gentle curve to fit street pattern. More info in blog<LINK> Read more.
