Bunker Hill Monument

The Bunker Hill Monument stands at Monument Square in Charlestown, Boston, Massachusetts, marking the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution, fought on June 17, 1775. The granite obelisk, completed in 1843, rises 221 feet and is climbed by 294 steps, with no elevator, to an observation chamber at the top. The climb is free and is seasonally open, so visitors should check with the National Park Service for current hours. From the top, windows look across the Charles River to the Boston skyline, the harbor and the Charlestown Navy Yard. At the base, a small lodge holds exhibits and a statue of Colonel William Prescott, who led the colonial forces. The nearby Bunker Hill Museum, run by the National Park Service, explains the battle through a diorama and a short film. Despite the name, much of the fighting actually took place on Breed's Hill, where the monument stands. A typical visit takes 30 to 60 minutes, longer if visiting the museum. The monument is the northern end of the Freedom Trail, and visitors often combine it with the USS Constitution, about ten minutes' walk away. Good photo angles include the obelisk from the lawn in the square, framed by Charlestown's brick row houses, and the view from the top. Crowds are modest outside summer, and the climb is quietest in the morning on weekdays. The nearest MBTA stop is Community College on the Orange Line, followed by a ten-minute walk. Visitors with mobility limitations should note the stairs, though the grounds and museum are accessible, and there are benches at the base.