National park tips: Paul Revere had 16 kids. March on this Boston trail to see his home

Most of Boston National Historical Park follows the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile-long walkable route through downtown Boston, the North End and Charlestown neighborhoods. You’ve never seen a history lesson fortified by so many bars and restaurants, so much street life.

Don’t miss Faneuil Hall, where democracy seethes upstairs (in the debate-friendly Great Hall) while capitalism roars in the stalls downstairs. Also on the route: the Old State House, Old South Meeting House, the Charlestown Navy Yard and the Paul Revere House. (Fun fact: Between revolution-making and silversmithing, Revere found time to father 16 children.) Allow a full day.

In honor of this year’s National Park Service centennial, the Travel section is posting 100 park travel ideas and tips based on trips staff travel writer Christopher Reynolds has taken, along with photo-op advice from Times photographer Mark Boster. We’ll post one per day through Dec. 31.

Follow Reynolds on Twitter: @MrCSReynolds

See travel videos by Reynolds from around the world.

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