Heights of Success

Come for the forgotten history. Stay for the view.

he site of one of the most pivotal moments in American history is not only off the beaten trail—it offers one of the best unknown views of Boston and the surrounding harbor. That’s because there’s a 115-foot-high monument on the top of Dorchester Heights commemorating the incredibly sneaky way George Washington got the occupying British to evacuate the city by secretly surrounding them with 59 cannon dragged 300 miles by oxen from Fort Ticonderoga, New York, on the night of March 4, 1776. When they awoke to find the cannon pointing down at them, the Brits withdrew. Climb the 93 steps for an amazing vantage point of the city and the harbor islands. Vitale

Shhhh! It’s actually in South Boston.

Shhhh! Also a sneaky way for city
workers to get St. Patrick’s Day off, since
Evacuation Day is conveniently marked
by a city holiday each March 17.

Shhhh! Leave time for a stroll around the
beautiful grounds of surrounding Thomas Park

Shhhh! Washington chose the site
precisely because of its elevation and
commanding view of Boston Harbor.