About Boston African American National Historic Site
Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of 1800s Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice. These remarkable men and women, together with their allies, were leaders in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the early struggle for equal rights and education.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Boston African American National Historic Site is located in downtown Boston which can see extreme cold in the winter months, as well as extreme heat and humidity throughout the summer months. Walking tours may be cancelled during severe heat and/or weather events.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Massachusetts. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Boston African American National Historic Site rangers offer tours of the Black Heritage Trail seasonally. Please check the park calendar for available tours and programs.
Activities
Getting There
Site administrative offices are located at Faneuil Hall and the Charlestown Navy Yard. Seasonal ranger programs begin at either the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Beacon Street, or at the Museum of African American History at 46 Joy Street on Beacon Hill.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Join a Historic Town Meeting at Faneuil Hall
Join National Parks of Boston Rangers as we recreate historic town meetings.
Visit Historic Faneuil Hall
Visit the Historic Cradle of Liberty's marketplace, Visitor Center, Great Hall, and Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.
Walk the Black Heritage Trail®
Join a Park Ranger from the National Parks of Boston on a Black Heritage Trail® Tour to learn about the…
History at Sunset Walking Tours
Join a Park Ranger for a special guided tour exploring Boston's rich history as a city of revolutions.
National Parks of Boston: Find Your Park Anywhere
Find your park anywhere, from your home to your backyard, with activities spanning the National Parks of Boston.
Explore Boston with a Free Audio Tour
Explore Downtown Boston, Beacon Hill, and Charlestown with a self-guided audio tour!
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston African American National Historic Site
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston African American National Historic Site by learning about the sites along the Black Heritage Trail Trail® here…
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston National Historical Park
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston National Historical Park by learning about the sites along the Freedom Trail® here in Boston.
Explore the Black Heritage Trail®
Take a self-guided tour of the Black Heritage Trail® and learn about the contributions of Boston's Black Community in Beacon Hill.
Watch "Fighting for Freedom: Lewis Hayden and the Underground Railroad"
Watch a film that follows the story of Lewis Hayden and his family as they seek freedom on the Underground Railroad and…
Museum of African American History: Explore the Rich History of the 19th-Century Black Community on Beacon Hill
At the Museum of African American History visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of Beacon Hill's 19th century Black community…
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park!
Visitor Centers
Faneuil Hall Visitor Center
Located in the heart of downtown on the market floor of the historic 1742 building, the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center is the main visitor center…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences
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