The Freedom Trail, whose sites are held by a hodgepodge of federal, state and city authorities, private organizations and churches, has survived and steadily grown in popularity. Park rangers and interpreters are available at some sites to answer questions or to present special programs. There you'll find exhibits, free maps, restrooms, information on ranger-guided tours and a good little bookstore that stocks Charles Bahne's Complete Guide to Boston's Freedom Trail . This comprehensive booklet, small enough to carry in pocket or purse, is organized to accompany you site to site. There's history, anecdotes and peeks around corners and up side streets.
Charts list admission prices where they are charged, hours, wheelchair access and telephone numbers.
Allow at least a full day for the Freedom Trail. That will give you time to spend at sites of particular interest and to stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants of Quincy Market or the North End. Some visitors split the walk between two days, doing the Boston part one day and the Charlestown segment the next. That's a wise plan if you want to cross the bridge to the Navy Yard and the USS Constitution with plenty of energy. Exploring the ship and such Navy Yard sites as the ropewalk and anchor chain foundry could be daunting after a walk across Boston.