Wanna know how I know I’m getting old? When I climb up 294 steps to see a view only after going through a serious battle in my head, having to draws on years of false justification to do something that I know won’t be that rewarding.
We didn’t do anything significant like walk the entire Freedom Trail … because that would have been stupid given the weather in Boston this weekend and with the combination of fatigue and a bout of excellent food poisoning from “Market in the Square“, walking the Freedom Trail would have resulted in some sort of homicide.
In terms of the monument itself, there isn’t really that much
- The obelisk of course
- A small green area
- Some statues of major figures involved in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
That being said, there is a small museum across the street from the park which is worth a short stopover, particularly if you want more information on the history of the battle and the monument. On weekends, parking around the monument is free and open (there’s permit parking during the week)
You can climb the monument for free, which is definitely an experience. Ensure you have one of the following, unless you’re a tri-athlete
- Inhaler
- Paper bag
- Sherpa
- Oxygen tank
Keep those things in mind if you plan on climbing Bunker Hill Monument. If you are asthmatic, pregnant or claustrophobic, I don’t recommend it. The journey up Bunker Hill Monument is not for the faint. The interior is narrow, rather dark, and winding, with just enough room for two people to go by one another–if you’re claustrophobic, I don’t recommend it.
There are 294 steps to the top, which was more difficult than it sounded to me – then again, aren’t most things more difficult than they initally sound?
I got to the top and you’re rewarded with a nice view of Boston within fogged windows.
It left me wobbly-legged and sore the next day.
Here is your video at the top …