Statue of Benjamin Franklin
Statue of Benjamin Franklin
4
About
America's first portrait statue portrays a half-smiling, half-serious Franklin. Next to the statue is a marker for the site of the first public school in the United States, where Franklin -- among other luminaries -- was a student.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Statue of Benjamin Franklin
The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown
The largest area of the city, Downtown is rich with historical and iconic sites in Boston. Stroll through one of Boston’s most famous green spaces, the Boston Public Gardens, check out and make way for duckling statues, picnic under a beautiful tree overlooking the pond, and walk over the iconic footbridge where, during summer time, you will catch a swan boat toting children and eager tourists through the pond. Have your camera ready to capture its peaceful beauty in the middle of a bustling city. Continue on through the Gardens and take in some open green space at the Boston Common, where you can spend time throwing a frisbee, sitting on a park bench, or, in the winter time, skating on the frog pond. Head north from the end of the Common to see the golden dome of the State House, and travel through government center to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, both a historic and popular destination worth a quick visit for a first time to Boston. Head to Long Wharf to visit the Aquarium, or catch a boat to Charlestown or even Cape Cod.
How to get there
- State • 3 min walk
- Government Center • 3 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,574 within 3 miles
Attractions
953 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
128 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
58
Average
37
Poor
1
Terrible
3
hoben57
Houston, TX101 contributions
May 2024 • Family
The statue and location of the first school is a short stop on the Freedom Trail. It's in a small courtyard with benches where you can sit and relax. The area is well kept. Read about before you visit or take one of the Freedom Trail tours. It's a worthwhile stop albeit a short stop.
Written 11 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom W
Katy, TX3,304 contributions
May 2019 • Family
The statue of Benjamin Franklin is located on the Freedom Trail (School Street) by the old City Hall and Ruth Chris.
It takes a few minutes to enjoy and photograph this memorial of Benjamin Franklin.
Here is a little history of the Benjamin Franklin Statue:
"Bronze tablets depict scenes in the life of this famous Bostonian. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a gifted writer, inventor, experimenter with lightning and a signer of a treaty with France."
It takes a few minutes to enjoy and photograph this memorial of Benjamin Franklin.
Here is a little history of the Benjamin Franklin Statue:
"Bronze tablets depict scenes in the life of this famous Bostonian. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a gifted writer, inventor, experimenter with lightning and a signer of a treaty with France."
Written 9 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tRAVellerOfTheW0rld
Almere, The Netherlands1,723 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
We came by the Statue of Benjamin Franklin while walking the Freedom Trail during our three days visit to Boston. The Statue itself seems not that impressive, but Benjamin Franklin himself was. He was one of the most extraordinary human beings the world has ever known. Born in Boston in 1706, he grew up in a large family. His father was a candle maker. Benjamin Franklin became the most famous American of his time. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He was a writer, inventor, diplomat, businessman, musician, scientist, humorist, civic leader, international celebrity and genius. Benjamin Franklin died at an age of 84 in 1790 and is buried in Philadelphia. Still today he is one of the icons of the USA. His portrait appears on $100 bills and on several coins. Many streets, schools, cultural and science institutions are named after Benjamin Franklin. His Statue is placed at the former location of the first public school of America, the Boston Latin School, founded in 1635. Don't miss the Statue!
Written 15 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adventurepursuit
Beverly Hills, CA54 contributions
Mar 2011
Why bother?
Might as well put a statue up of anyone who has passed through Boston
Might as well put a statue up of anyone who has passed through Boston
Written 24 March 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel R
Rochester, MN2,029 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Very cool statue next to the old city hall. Memorializing a very important historical figure in the United States and the Boston area.
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL5,461 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
I was somewhat surprised to learn about Benjamin Franklin’s roots in Boston as he is more associated with Philadelphia. The statue stood out as I walked around. While not a must-see attraction, it is a nice tribute to Franklin.
Written 14 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KPD522
Nevada36 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
A good photo op. I enjoy looking at statues and monuments of events and people I think are important, especially to our history. Ben Franklin was an important part of our gaining independence. Yes, there isn't really anything to "do" here but I still enjoyed seeing it. I like that not all the Freedom Trail stops take a long time, otherwise we'd never finish it!
Written 26 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HOCKPOOH
Boonton, NJ479 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
Come on, it's Benjamin Franklin, the man credited for discovering electricity. Who wouldn't want to see his statue. The statue is along the Freedom Trail, just past King's Chapel at Old City Hall.
Written 8 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J M
Boston, MA41 contributions
Dec 2015
Considering how very wealthy he was, you'd think he could have done better than this lifeless chunk of metal. It doesn't move, or make any sounds. We were very disappointed. At least they could have attached a kite with a key on it. Also it's not lit up so it's hard to see at night.
Written 10 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gooner10-8
Dublin, Ireland1,954 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
If you follow the "Freedom Trail" on leaving the impressive King's Chapel, you re-trace your steps a little, and head down School Street, heading towards the Old South Meeting House. Not far down this street, we encountered two further landmarks of Boston's rich history.
First, we noticed an elaborate mosaic plaque embedded in the pavement (in Boston, you learn to look down as well as up!). This commemorates the founding here (1645) of America's oldest public school : the Boston Latin School - so-called because of its emphasis on the Latin Classics, as the basis for an educated mind. In later years, its distinguished alumni included signatories (signers) to the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine & William Hooper.
But the other landmark we observed here honours a most distinguished "Drop-out" from "Boston Latin" : Benjamin Franklin, whose statue is positioned just off the street. Franklin's father, apparently, could only afford two years schooling for Benjamin at this well-respected School, and he left aged 10 years, without completing his formal studies.
Self-educated thereafter, he left Boston at 17, over the years achieving success & considerable fame as author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, statesman, and more besides. He was a signatory (signer) to both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin, always proud of his Boston working-class roots, spent most of his life in Philadelphia, were he died at the age of 84. We have visited his grave at Christ Church Burial Ground (just across from the National Park Service Visitor Centre). His Gravestone is simply inscribed "Benjamin and Deborah Franklin", and passers-by frequently throw coins onto it - somewhat bizarre, really, when you remember, as we did, that this outstanding American's portrait adorns the $100 Bill!
First, we noticed an elaborate mosaic plaque embedded in the pavement (in Boston, you learn to look down as well as up!). This commemorates the founding here (1645) of America's oldest public school : the Boston Latin School - so-called because of its emphasis on the Latin Classics, as the basis for an educated mind. In later years, its distinguished alumni included signatories (signers) to the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine & William Hooper.
But the other landmark we observed here honours a most distinguished "Drop-out" from "Boston Latin" : Benjamin Franklin, whose statue is positioned just off the street. Franklin's father, apparently, could only afford two years schooling for Benjamin at this well-respected School, and he left aged 10 years, without completing his formal studies.
Self-educated thereafter, he left Boston at 17, over the years achieving success & considerable fame as author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, statesman, and more besides. He was a signatory (signer) to both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin, always proud of his Boston working-class roots, spent most of his life in Philadelphia, were he died at the age of 84. We have visited his grave at Christ Church Burial Ground (just across from the National Park Service Visitor Centre). His Gravestone is simply inscribed "Benjamin and Deborah Franklin", and passers-by frequently throw coins onto it - somewhat bizarre, really, when you remember, as we did, that this outstanding American's portrait adorns the $100 Bill!
Written 18 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing