Boston Massacre Site
Boston Massacre Site
4
About
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
Address
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
- State • 1 min walk
- Government Center • 3 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
281 reviews
Excellent
78
Very good
111
Average
84
Poor
7
Terrible
1
greglinmon
Las Cruces, NM1,042 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Amazing spark that contributed to the start of the events that changed the world. Was powerful to be there, yet I expected more interpretation. The grave site of the victims in the granary cemetery adds to this site. If walking freedom trail, a must see
Written May 30, 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.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,455 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 June 15, 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.
Traveller
New York City, NY3,304 contributions
Nov 2021
I looked at the Boston Massacre Site in November 2021 as part of doing the Freedom Trail. It is a plaque embedded in the sidewalk located near the Old State House. It takes two minutes to look at if that. Both the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House have exhibits which cover the Boston Massacre so if you are interested in history and doing the Freedom Trail, you should consider looking at those exhibits first. The victims of the Boston Massacre are buried in the Granary Burying Ground.
Written December 1, 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.
Jack
Alexandria, VA3 contributions
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 January 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.
Jerry F
Shreveport, LA238 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
Better seen during the day. We came by at night and saw the site but it would be easier to read during the day. If there is a lot of foot traffic people walk over it while trying to take a pic. Cool spot to see. Right in front of the Old South Meeting house.
Written November 17, 2019
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.
Wanderer
99 contributions
Oct 2019
In downtown Boston, near the Old state house, the massacre of 5 citizens who protested, by the British soldiers in March 1770, is marked by a metal plate in the sidewalk. This is an important part of history of the freedom struggle. The local guide will help detailing about it.
Written November 17, 2019
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.
Debbie S
Dexter98 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
The Boston Massacre site is a must see for history buffs! Its even better if you visit it with a knowledgeable guide!
Written October 8, 2019
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.
Todmordenbanjoplayer
Ripponden, UK138 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Well it’s a bit rich calling it a massacre...
Going by today’s standards , blink and you will miss it . Maybe a statue or sculpture would be more fitting .
Going by today’s standards , blink and you will miss it . Maybe a statue or sculpture would be more fitting .
Written September 16, 2019
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.
Rammgm
San Antonio, TX423 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
The Boston massacre site is small. When you think about it, it is a moving site. The fire was lit there. If you go to Boston then you need to see this. At the very least, to be there. This is one of the most important sites in American history. Please note, the location is marked but not honored by the passers by. It is stepped on.
Written September 27, 2018
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.
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK7,288 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
As we understand it from our guide on the Freedom Trail Tour the actual spot is believed to me in the middle of this road junction but "common sense" put it in the pavement instead.
As some people have already commented, this is difficult to call. There were six scared young soldiers surrounded by a mob. Apparently one weapon was set off accidentally which caused the crowd to revolt and the other soldiers to think they should shoot to defend themselves. Those shot died layer of their wounds.
There are various versions of the outcome of the soldiers trial.
The Tea Party Ship says they were found guilty of murder, branded and sent back to England. The historian who did our tour said they were acquitted. You takes your choice!
As some people have already commented, this is difficult to call. There were six scared young soldiers surrounded by a mob. Apparently one weapon was set off accidentally which caused the crowd to revolt and the other soldiers to think they should shoot to defend themselves. Those shot died layer of their wounds.
There are various versions of the outcome of the soldiers trial.
The Tea Party Ship says they were found guilty of murder, branded and sent back to England. The historian who did our tour said they were acquitted. You takes your choice!
Written June 17, 2018
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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