Grave Undertakings: Historic Boston Burying Grounds Tour
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels given the gentle walking pace and short duration
Overview
Discover Boston’s oldest burying grounds on a 1.5-hour walking tour revealing Puritan customs, gravestone art, and burial traditions. Unearth stories from the city’s past on this one-of-a-kind experience.
Grave Undertakings: Boston's Burying Grounds
Dig deeper into downtown Boston's historic burying grounds
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About This Adventure
Embark on a captivating 1.5-hour tour through three historic burying grounds in downtown Boston. Discover the intriguing customs of death in Puritan New England, explore the evolution of gravestone art, and learn about burial practices. This unique experience reveals the rich symbolism and traditions that make Boston's cemeteries truly memorable.
Duration, Distance, Terrain
1.5 hours 1 mile at a moderate pace, stopping at various sites along the tour Mostly flat surfaces and little to no inclines
About
Explore three of downtown Boston's burying grounds and learn about the customs surrounding death and dying in Puritan New England. Dig deeper into the religious views, practices, symbolism, and traditions of death in Boston.
Beginning at King's Chapel Burying Ground, this tour will lift the veil of mystery surrounding gravestone art and how styles of gravestones changed over the years, how the poor were buried when there wasn’t room for a potter’s field, how the evolution of small, haphazardly laid out graveyards to modern-day suburban cemeteries was spearheaded in the Boston area.
Who knew death could be so much fun?
Meeting location:
Meet your guide outside the entrance to King's Chapel Burying ground on Tremont St
Finding Your Guide: All guides carry an 8×11 sign that says “Boston By Foot Walking Tours.”
Nearest Accessible MBTA Station: Park St (Green and Red lines)
What to bring
Comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, water bottle
Adventure Tips
Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes
The tour covers uneven cemetery grounds and city sidewalks, so sturdy, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Bring a Water Bottle
Stay hydrated during your 1.5-hour tour, especially during warmer months.
Respect Quiet Zones
Maintain a respectful tone in the burying grounds to honor the historic sites and visitors.
Arrive Early to Secure Seating
Arriving a few minutes early ensures you get a good spot for the tour in case of limited group size.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Sparrows that frequent the trees and bushes
- Eastern gray squirrels seen darting among the gravestones
History
Boston’s burying grounds date back to the 1600s and serve as resting places for many prominent colonial figures.
Conservation
Local organizations work to preserve these historic sites through careful maintenance and community education.
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Adventure Hotspots in Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Provides support and ease during the walking tour over varied terrain.
Water bottle
Helps keep you hydrated during warmer weather tours.
summer specific
Light rain jacket
Useful for unexpected spring showers to stay dry and comfortable.
spring specific
Warm layers
Necessary for staying warm during colder months when touring the outdoor sites.
winter specific