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Old South Meeting House

310 Washington St · Boston, MA

Why you should go…

Built in 1729, Old South Meeting House could hold about 5,000 people, and on December 16, 1773 a crowd of 5,000 to 7,000 met here to protest the Tea Act before tea was dumped in the harbor. Benjamin Franklin was baptized here and poet Phillis Wheatley was a member. Today Revolutionary Spaces runs it as a museum with exhibits and gallery talks, and one ticket also covers the Old State House.

  • #freedom trail
  • #boston tea party
  • #historic site
  • #history museum

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Old South Meeting House, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Revolutionary Spaces

    Under $25

    Boston's Old State House and Old South Meeting House, twin landmarks of the American Revolution.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Old State House

    Under $25

    Tour Boston's oldest surviving public building, where the Declaration of Independence was read from the balcony in 1776.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Granary Burying Ground

    Free

    A 1660 burial ground on the Freedom Trail where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and John Hancock rest among slate headstones.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Paul Revere House

    Under $25

    Walk through the North End home Paul Revere owned at the time of his midnight ride, built around 1680.

    0.5 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family favorite

    Boston Children's Museum

    Under $25

    Three floors of hands-on play in a Fort Point warehouse, climb the three-story maze, blow giant bubbles, and step inside a real Kyoto silk merchant's house.

    0.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    The Sports Museum

    Under $25

    Boston sports history museum inside TD Garden.

    0.7 mi awayMore like this