Getaway idea: Boston African American national historic site
Most Americans know that Boston, Massachusetts is a city rich in history. But in addition to Puritans, minutemen, Paul Revere and the Boston Tea Party, the city has a rich African American history and was at the center of some of the most viral protests against slavery and a hotbed of unbridled support for the Union cause during the Civil War.
The Boston African American national historic site is the largest area of pre-Civil War black-owned homes, churches and businesses in the country. It includes the Museum of African American History and the Black Heritage Trail, which begins at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial and ends at the African Meeting House.
Visitors who want to experience the Black Heritage Trail with a national park ranger as their guide should reserve their spot prior to their trip. Tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 2 p.m. during the winter season and at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. during the summer season.
This destination comes from the National Park Getaways series, which helps people find new places to reconnect with nature, history, family and friends.
Each Wednesday, the National Park Service posts a new getaway idea on its website, nps.gov/getaways. There's a new park idea every week and most of the activities listed are free, so they're good, budget-friendly vacation options.