Granary Burying Ground
Granary Burying Ground
4.5
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The burial ground for famous American patriots like Paul Revere, John Hancock and Sam Adams, is also the final resting place for Mother Goose.
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Neighborhood: 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
- Park St • 2 min walk
- Downtown Crossing • 3 min walk
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- RayGCincinnati_OH270 contributionsGranary Burying GroundThe Granary Burying Ground was first used in 1660. It is the final resting place of loads of famous Bostonians. John Hancock, Paul Revere (Paul Revere!) and Samuel Adams plus some signers of the Declaration of Independence. This cemetery is right in the heart of Boston and is small enough that you can see the whole thing in 30 minutes. But that half-hour is pretty special when you see all the fabulous gravestones.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 10, 2024
- hoben57Houston, Texas96 contributionsA Must VisitOf all the burying grounds on the Freedom Trail, this is the most notable with folks like Paul Revere and John Hancock located there. It is a nice walk with good information presented on signs. You can view the markers up close without getting on the grass. We found a layout on line before we went which was very helpful. The slate headstones have very clear markings making it easy to read names/dates. The place attracted a lot of people in this quiet period in May so the high season will be busy indicating you should go early in the day. A must visit on the Freedom Trail.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 11, 2024
- charlieg71Lexington, South Carolina206 contributionsMust see for history lovers!This is a must see for history lovers. It is the final resting place of many recognizable people. Pay attention to the artistry on each of the gravestones. They are so unique and interesting! You can walk the grounds on your own, but it seems to be better to do it with a tour so you can hear all of the stories that go along with the burial sites.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 22, 2024
- nowpackingDallas, Texas3,770 contributionsGranary Burying GroundSuch notables buried here - Franklin’s parents, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and even the possible “Mother Goose”! The hand carved headstones are works of art! Tread softly and reverently.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Peter Graysinp
Cos Cob, CT166 contributions
Sep 2019
As you enter, there is a man who will ask if you know who is on your own shirt. Then you enter a minefield of goose turds that the city seems to just leave there. There are little paper maps lying about but you have to return them, which makes no sense to me. If people could roll in their graves, the founders would cause an earthquake here. Step it up Marty.
You cannot eat in the park, and the odd man at the front did not allow our doordash delivery person to enter the park, so we had to refund our order.
You cannot eat in the park, and the odd man at the front did not allow our doordash delivery person to enter the park, so we had to refund our order.
Written January 22, 2020
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.
SneakinDeacon
Christiansburg, VA1,643 contributions
Jul 2019
I recently took a Bus Tour to Boston and during our tour we stopped at the Quincy Market for lunch and a couple of hours of shopping. I decided to use the time to walk along the Freedom Trail which brought me to the Granary Burying Ground. It is only about a half mile walk from the the Market to the Cemetery. Upon entering the cemetery I found a couple of costumed guides who explained the history of the cemetery and pointed out some of the more notable grave. One thing that I found interesting was that there are only slightly more than 2,300 graves stones in this cemetery and there may be as many a 5,000 people resting here. Entering the cemetery I Made an immediate left turn and found the graves of Samuel Adams and the Victims of the Boston Massacre. These two sites are easy to find and are visible from Tremont Street. The notable grave of John Hancock is on the extreme Left side of the cemetery, while the Grave of Paul Revere is located toward the back center of the cemetery beyond the Franklin Pyramid. Both are easy to find. The entire cemetery is really very small. I am not sure if the costumed guides are and every day feature in the cemetery or part of an organized private tour, but they were more than happy to answer questions and help anyone who approached them. The more notable graves are easy to find and there are several story board located throughout the cemetery documenting the history of the Cemetery and the notable people who are resting here, I ended up spending about an hour here and enjoyed the tremendous amount of history that is here.
Written February 1, 2020
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.
Dave48838
Greenville, MI659 contributions
Aug 2022
The site is on the Freedom trail but also accessible to any visitor of the city center because of its central location. This peaceful green space is worth a break from the heat of the day. For the casual visitor, a stroll of less than a half hour reveals the final resting place of several notable patriots. There is no charge to enter and to get the most for your time, follow the peripheral path as it passes the most important graves. This is good for all ages and our kids enjoyed the wording and death-head ornamentation of the stones.
Written August 7, 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.
kelseybundra
155 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
My mom and I decided to save some money and not do a tour through this burial ground. This was entirely possible with labeled information plaques in the cemetery. Some of the most prolific actors in the revolution are buried here. It’s a chance to experience history.
Written July 19, 2020
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.
Kelli M
Athens, Georgia, USA17 contributions
Jul 2021
This was one of my favorite stops along The Freedom Trail. There were many interesting and significant individuals laid to rest here. If you are stopping by and exploring on your own, I would recommend printing out a map or finding a self guided tour on your phone. I did find some of the graves to be slightly more difficult to find without assistance. There are signs with a lot of information along the way, but even with those, I was unclear as to where some of the burial plots were. As a whole, it was really interesting to see such an old burial ground with so many notable contributors to America's history.
Written July 14, 2021
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.
Gary B
Missoula, MT160 contributions
Sep 2019
Wow! This cemetery is fascinating for various reasons. The age of the cemetery. The people buried here. The beauty of the ancient grave markers.
With a little searching, one can find the markers of John Hancock, Paul Revere, Sam Adams, and even the woman, Mary Goose, who was the mother-in-law of an early publisher of the Mother Goose nursery rhymes (no, not really Mother Goose).
Something like 2300 grave markers are still standing, though historians believe something close to 5000 people were buried here. That is a lot of history in one place.
There is no admission to the cemetery. The Tremont Street entrance has a short flight of steps. There is an entrance toward the northeast side that may allow easier handicap entrance (check before going).
With a little searching, one can find the markers of John Hancock, Paul Revere, Sam Adams, and even the woman, Mary Goose, who was the mother-in-law of an early publisher of the Mother Goose nursery rhymes (no, not really Mother Goose).
Something like 2300 grave markers are still standing, though historians believe something close to 5000 people were buried here. That is a lot of history in one place.
There is no admission to the cemetery. The Tremont Street entrance has a short flight of steps. There is an entrance toward the northeast side that may allow easier handicap entrance (check before going).
Written January 16, 2020
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.
Wismickchick
Kenosha, WI157 contributions
Jul 2022
We visited the Granary Burying Ground as part of our guided Freedom Trail tour. While I enjoyed walking around and taking in a piece of history by visiting the graves of people like John Hancock and Samuel Adams, there were so many tours walking through that it was so difficult to take the time to stop and read things. We always felt rushed through so the next group could get close. I think they need to manage the groups that come through here a little better so that there is better flow of traffic.
Written August 6, 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.
nowpacking
Dallas, TX3,770 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Such notables buried here - Franklin’s parents, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and even the possible “Mother Goose”! The hand carved headstones are works of art! Tread softly and reverently.
Written July 8, 2024
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.
Larry-Calif
San Francisco, CA366 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
On the Freedom Trail, our next stop was the Granary Burying Ground that was over 250 years old.
The many fully grown trees provide the much need shade on a hot humid mucky day. This place has a very cool, calm, and peaceful atmosphere for Samuel Adams, Peter Faneuil, Janes Hancock, James Otis, and Paul Revere.
It is truly a HEAVENLY PLACE at the Granary Burying Place.
The many fully grown trees provide the much need shade on a hot humid mucky day. This place has a very cool, calm, and peaceful atmosphere for Samuel Adams, Peter Faneuil, Janes Hancock, James Otis, and Paul Revere.
It is truly a HEAVENLY PLACE at the Granary Burying Place.
Written August 6, 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.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN5,804 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
This is a free activity that doesn’t take up too much time and is near other attractions. Many famous Revolutionary War characters including Paul Revere, John Hancock, victims of the Boston Massacre. Samuel Adams. Some really cool, old stones (no grave rubbing allowed)! People born in the 1600s and died in the 16 and 1700s. It’s worth a stop. Please note it is VERY slippery in the ice and snow.
Written February 5, 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.
How long is a typical visit to the Granary Burying Ground?
Written March 4, 2018
It takes maybe 30 good minutes to walk and read the headstones.
Written March 6, 2018
Can you do gravestone rubbings? My hubby is a HUGE fan of Adams and I know this would be an awesome keepsake to be framed when we return home!
Written June 13, 2017
No absolutely no grave rubbing you are not even allowed to walk thru the stones you walk around the paved path, You still can see them all so no worries, worth the trip you won't be sorry.
Written June 14, 2017
Is there an index and plot map for locating individuals buried there? I have many ancestors buried there and am limited in my walking. Are there benches for resting?
Written May 30, 2017
There isn't an index at the burying ground but you can use the historic burying grounds website to locate specific individuals. There are no benches from my recollection but it isn't a large burying ground.
Written May 31, 2017
What time of day do they allow visitors to walk through the graveyard? We walked by this morning around 10:30 and the gates were closed.
Written February 19, 2017
I'm not actually sure either but I'm sure if you go to a visitor center, they can tell you. I saw this a little late, so you've probably already figured it out. I'm so sorry.
Written March 16, 2017
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