Bunker Hill Monument is a commemorative obelisk in Charlestown, Boston, marking the Battle of Bunker Hill, fought at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
It makes a history-focused outing from Cambridge, with a museum across the street and a steep climb for those able to take the stairs. A Cambridge House Inn provides a Cambridge base for the visit.
- Location: Charlestown, Boston; the Bunker Hill Museum is across the street from the monument grounds.
- Hours: The monument has seasonal opening hours and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Admission: Free for the monument and museum.
- Climb: 294 steps in a tight spiral stairway.
What the Bunker Hill Monument commemorates
Bunker Hill Monument commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill, an early battle of the American Revolutionary War. Its obelisk stands on the grounds in Charlestown, giving the site a clear focus for a visit centered on the battle and its place in the war.
To add context before or after seeing the monument, cross the street to the Bunker Hill Museum at 43 Monument Square, Charlestown, MA 02129. Its exhibits cover the battle, the monument’s construction and Charlestown neighborhood history. Park staff are available to answer questions, and public restrooms are available inside.
How do you get from North Cambridge to Charlestown?
Charlestown is a regional outing from Cambridge. Check a current route before setting out; local transport options around Cambridge may help with planning.
For a day that also includes Cambridge sights, the one-day Cambridge itinerary can help plan that part of your schedule separately. The monument is in Charlestown, not Cambridge, so leave room for the journey between the two areas rather than treating the site as another nearby Cambridge stop.
Access, hours and visitor rules
The monument’s opening hours change by season, and access to the climb can depend on safety conditions. From October 13 through May 28, it is open Sunday and Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and closed Monday and Tuesday.
During standard hours, it is open Sunday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, also closed Monday and Tuesday. Check the National Park Service official site before you go for current hours and access information.
The last climb begins 30 minutes before closing. No more than 25 people may be inside the monument at one time, and climbing may stop because of weather or other safety considerations. Admission to both the monument and museum is free; reservations are strongly recommended for groups of 10 or more.
The Bunker Hill Lodge and the monument’s base are accessible by ramps, and an elevator reaches all floors of the museum. The top is accessible only by the 294-step spiral stairway, and service animals cannot be accommodated inside the monument.
If you cannot or prefer not to climb, touch-screen kiosks in the lodge provide live views from the top. Ranger-led programs are available year-round.
The monument and museum close on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; the monument also closes on New Year’s Day.
The monument and nearby historic sites
Pair the monument grounds with the museum across the street to connect the battle, the obelisk’s construction and Charlestown’s neighborhood history. The museum’s exhibits and staff offer context for the site, while the monument itself marks the commemorative grounds.
The climb is a distinct part of the visit, but it is not the only way to engage with the monument. If the spiral stairway is not suitable, the lodge’s live-view kiosks offer a look from the top without climbing. Ranger-led programs are another year-round way to learn about Bunker Hill.
Allowing time for the return trip
Plan your return around the monument’s closing time and your chosen route back to Cambridge. The last climb starts 30 minutes before closing, so arriving near the end of the day may leave little time for the stairs, museum and return journey.
The guide to getting around Cambridge by subway, bus, bike and on foot offers local transport context; allow your schedule to accommodate any change in access to the climb.
FAQs
Is admission to Bunker Hill Monument free?
Yes. Admission to the monument and the Bunker Hill Museum is free. Reservations are strongly recommended for groups of 10 or more.
How many steps are in Bunker Hill Monument?
The climb has 294 steps in a tight spiral stairway. Live views from the top are available on touch-screen kiosks in the Bunker Hill Lodge.
Is the Bunker Hill Monument accessible without climbing?
The monument’s base and the Bunker Hill Lodge are accessible by ramps, and an elevator serves all museum floors. The top can be reached only by the spiral stairway; kiosks in the lodge show live views from the top.
When is Bunker Hill Monument open?
Hours vary seasonally, and the monument is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Check the National Park Service official site before your visit for current hours and access details.