Faneuil Hall Basics
Faneuil Hall is one of the stops of the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile long path that highlights Boston's 16 historically and culturally significant landmarks. Faneuil Hall is worth taking the time to investigate and discover and, best of all, it's free.
If you're taking the T, Boston's subway service, Faneuil Hall is within walking distance of the State Street and Government Center T stops. If traveling by car, there are plenty of parking garages in and around the hall, but be prepared to spend some serious money. Sometimes, discounts for parking are available at the 75 State Street Garage.
Faneuil Hall is open daily from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. National Park Service rangers offer tours of the Hall every 30 minutes, starting at 9:30 and ending at 4:30 pm.
Faneuil Hall
The Hall's first floor is a marketplace that offers souvenirs and other knick-knacks. The second floor houses the meeting hall, which is still used for many city meetings and debates. The other floors are maintained by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts (AHAC).
The AHAC, a chartered military organization, is the third-oldest of its kind still existent in the world. You can tour the armory, library and museum and see the member's artifacts and uniforms, the portraits of past commanders and an exhibit that highlights JFK's ties to the AHAC. The armory, library and museum are open from 9 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays.
In and Around the City
After your tour, peruse the many food and drink options at the adjacent Quincy Market or continuing exploring the Freedom Trail. Faneuil Hall is located near the Old State House and the Boston Massacre Site. Perhaps all the talk about Samuel Adams has piqued your interest, and you want to celebrate your patriotism in a different way. Well, the Samuel Adams brewery is at 30 Germania Street, in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Simply take the T to the Stony Brook stop on the Orange Line and taste a bit of history.
