Best historical monument for winter high jinks

It's impossible to live in Boston for very long without getting hit with the weight of tradition. From the Old North Church to Old Ironsides, this city is all about the age of America. But the Grinch in you still harbors a few doubts about whether anyone ever really cleaned up after the infamous Tea Party, and you're sick to death of the confusion of downtown streets, which hark back to the cow paths of colonial times. Well, get in touch with the rollicking fun side of history with a jaunt along the Freedom Trail, and take it out to Charlestown's Bunker Hill Monument. This memorial, built between 1827 and 1843, may be responsible for establishing the Boston habit of taking pride in our patriots for not losing as badly as usual, a tradition that still resonates at Foxboro Stadium. Sport around without creating a bloodbath on the surrounding hill: the slopes formerly known as Breed's Hill are perfect for body sledding and re-creating the epic battle with armfuls of snow. A key element of the colonial defense against the British, which resulted in heavy Redcoat losses, was a rail fence set up as an obstacle. Its modern counterpart is the iron railing ringing the historic site -- if you're going to tray (that is, slide down the hill on a cafeteria tray), plan carefully or look death in the face. To shake the numbness out of your limbs, try climbing the 294 concrete steps that spiral up to the top of the monument. From the claustrophobic room at the top, you can survey Boston and its surroundings 362 days a year. It's hours of fun, and oh-so-budget-friendly.