The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is a living history attraction on the Fort Point Channel waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts. It features costumed interpreters, two full-scale replica 18th-century sailing vessels, and interactive exhibits centred on the events of 16 December 1773. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, transport, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the detail and just book your tickets, head here.
Last updated: February 2026. The museum operates two distinct seasonal timetables that many guides do not distinguish between. During the off-season (1 November–31 March), the last tour of the day starts at 4:00 PM — not 5:00 PM, which is the in-season cut-off. If you are visiting in winter and using a guide that lists the last tour as 5:00 PM, you may arrive too late. Additionally, the museum uses dynamic pricing: adult tickets start from $35 on off-peak weekdays and rise to $37–38 on busy days. Fixed prices quoted in many guides are inaccurate.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 306 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210 |
| In-season hours (1 Apr–31 Oct) | Daily, first tour 10:00 AM · last tour 5:00 PM |
| Off-season hours (1 Nov–31 Mar) | Daily, first tour 10:00 AM · last tour 4:00 PM |
| Gift shop & Abigail’s Tea Room | Daily, 9:30 AM–5:00 PM (off-season). Daily, 9:30 AM–6:00 PM (main season) |
| Closed | Thanksgiving Day · Christmas Day |
| Ticket price – adult | From $35 (dynamic pricing; up to $38 on peak days) |
| Ticket price – child (3–12) | From $26 (dynamic pricing) |
| Children aged 2 and under | Free |
| Tour duration | 1 hour (guided, timed entry) |
| Nearest public transport | South Station (MBTA Red Line & commuter rail) – approx. 10-minute walk |
| Parking | Discounted at Atlantic Wharf Garage and Farnsworth Street Garage (validation required at ticket booth) |
| Typical visit duration | 1–1.5 hours (tour only); allow 2 hours including tea room and gift shop |
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum opening hours
The museum operates on two seasonal timetables. During in-season hours (1 April to 31 October), tours run from 10:00 AM with the last tour starting at 5:00 PM. During off-season hours (1 November to 31 March), tours run from 10:00 AM with the last tour starting at 4:00 PM. The gift shop and Abigail’s Tea Room remain open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM in the main season (closing an hour earlier in the off-season) and do not require a museum ticket.
The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum ticket prices
The museum uses dynamic pricing, meaning adult ticket prices vary by date and demand. Adult tickets start from $35 on off-peak weekdays and typically reach $38 on busy weekends and during peak season (summer and school holidays). Child tickets (ages 3–12) start from $26. Children aged two and under are free.
Advance booking is strongly recommended. The museum operates entirely on timed, guided tours with limited capacity, and frequently sells out — particularly on summer weekends, public holidays, and during school holiday weeks. A small number of walk-up tickets are held back each day, but these can sell out early, especially in the peak season.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
5 great Boston experiences to book
- ⚾ See why Boston has America’s most beloved baseball ground on a Fenway Park tour.
- 🚶 Get a history crash course on a small group walking tour along the Freedom Trail.
- 🌅 See the skyline from the water on a sunset harbour cruise.
- 🎓 Hear the stories behind America’s oldest university on a campus walking tour of Harvard University.
- 🍩 Indulge in Boston’s best donuts on a sweet treats walking tour.
How to get to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
The museum is located on the Congress Street Bridge over the Fort Point Channel, on the edge of the Seaport District and the Financial District. South Station (MBTA Red Line and all commuter rail lines) is approximately a 10-minute walk via Congress Street, making public transport a practical option for most visitors. Several MBTA bus routes also serve the area; South Station is the primary interchange. Rideshare and taxi drop-off is available directly in front of the museum on Congress Street. The site is also accessible by bicycle.
Parking at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
There is no on-site car park. The museum directs visitors to two nearby garages where discounted validation is available. In both cases, visitors must bring their parking ticket to the museum’s ticket booth to receive the discount; payments are accepted by credit card only.
Atlantic Wharf Garage (280 Congress Street, tel. 617-603-7195) is approximately a one-minute walk (0.1 miles) from the museum entrance. Museum visitors receive a $20 flat rate on Monday to Friday (valid if entering after 10:00 AM and exiting before 3:00 AM the following day). At weekends the rate is $10 all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors must park on the P6 level (lowest level) to qualify for the museum rate.
Farnsworth Street Garage (17 Farnsworth Street, tel. 617-737-8161) is a short walk from the museum. Museum visitors receive $2 off the standard rate with ticket validation at the booth. Advance reserved parking at both garages can also be booked at reduced rates via SpotHero.
How long to spend at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
The guided tour itself lasts one hour. Visitors who also want to visit Abigail’s Tea Room and browse the gift shop should allow approximately 1.5 to 2 hours in total. The museum does not currently offer a self-guided option; all visitors move through the experience with a costumed interpreter. Each ticket is valid for one tour only and does not permit re-entry on the same day.
Accessibility at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
The museum is wheelchair accessible. Within the two replica ships, the vessel Eleanor has ramp access to the top deck; for the most accessible boarding experience, the museum recommends booking a tour that starts at the top or the bottom of the hour, as Eleanor tours are more likely to be scheduled at these times. The museum building contains a lift for access between levels. Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow on request. Closed captioning is available on all interactive exhibits. ASL interpreters can be arranged with a minimum of two weeks’ advance notice; contact the museum before booking to arrange this. Translation guide booklets (and downloadable PDFs) are available for tours in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Strollers and pushchairs are not permitted inside the museum, the gift shop, or Abigail’s Tea Room. A designated stroller parking area is available adjacent to the ticket booth, supervised by staff.
Inside the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum: what to see
The experience begins in a recreated 18th-century meeting house, where a costumed interpreter leads visitors through the political events of 1773, including the debate over the Tea Act and the decision to act against the British East India Company’s cargo. Visitors are assigned the role of a colonist and participate in the drama of the evening’s events.
From the meeting house, visitors proceed to Griffin’s Wharf, where they board one of two full-scale replica vessels: the Beaver and the Eleanor. On board, visitors can throw replica tea chests overboard into the Fort Point Channel, replicating the destruction of the tea on the night of 16 December 1773.
Inside the museum building, the permanent collection includes the Robinson Tea Chest — one of only two surviving tea chests from the original Boston Tea Party, and the only one on public display in the world. Interactive exhibits cover the causes and consequences of the event, with a focus on the political philosophies that underpinned colonial resistance.
The Minuteman Theatre screens a short film, Let It Begin Here, covering the broader context of the American Revolution that followed the Tea Party. The film is included with general admission.
Abigail’s Tea Room (no ticket required) is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and serves tea, freshly baked goods, sandwiches, and light meals. The gift shop is also accessible without a museum ticket.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book in advance | The museum operates entirely on timed, guided tours with limited capacity. It frequently sells out, especially on summer weekends and during school holidays. Walk-up tickets are available in limited numbers and cannot be guaranteed. |
| Arrive 15 minutes early | All guests must check in between 15 minutes and 5 minutes before their stated tour time. Visitors who have not checked in within 5 minutes of their tour start may have their tickets re-allocated. Late arrivals will be placed on the next available tour subject to availability. |
| Photography rules | Photography and video are permitted in the meeting rooms, on the ships, and on the open air decks. They are not permitted inside the museum’s interior exhibit areas. |
| Bags | The museum does not offer bag storage or a left-luggage facility. Standard carry-on size bags may be brought on the tour but must be carried and attended at all times. Unattended bags are not permitted. |
| The tour is mostly outdoors | A significant portion of the experience takes place on the ships and open air decks, and is therefore weather-dependent. Dress appropriately for outdoor conditions, particularly in winter. |
| Parking validation | Bring your parking ticket from Atlantic Wharf or Farnsworth Street garages to the museum ticket booth. Validation is by credit card only. |
| Busiest periods | Summer (June–August), US public holidays, and school holiday weeks in spring and autumn are the busiest periods. Weekday morning tours are generally quieter. |
Frequently asked questions about the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum? | Yes, advance booking is strongly recommended. The museum operates timed, guided tours with limited capacity and regularly sells out, particularly in summer. Walk-up tickets exist but cannot be guaranteed. |
| Is the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum open every day? | Yes, daily, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. |
| Is the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum suitable for children? | Yes. The interactive, theatrical format is well suited to children. Children aged two and under are free. Strollers are not permitted inside; a supervised stroller park is available at the ticket booth. |
| How long is the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum tour? | The guided tour lasts one hour. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours in total if visiting Abigail’s Tea Room and the gift shop. |
| Can you visit the gift shop without a museum ticket? | Yes. The gift shop and Abigail’s Tea Room are both accessible without a museum admission ticket, daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. |
| Is the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum wheelchair accessible? | Yes. The ship Eleanor has ramp access; book a tour starting on the hour for the most accessible experience. A lift is available in the museum building. Wheelchairs are available on request. |
| What is the refund policy? | Reservations are non-refundable but can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before the tour time. A 100% satisfaction guarantee applies: visitors dissatisfied with their experience can request a full refund. |
| Are strollers allowed at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum? | Strollers are not permitted inside the museum, gift shop, or tea room. A supervised stroller parking area is available adjacent to the ticket booth. |
Things to do near the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
The following attractions are within walking distance of the museum or a short MBTA journey away, and can be combined in the same trip.
Old South Meeting House – Located on Washington Street in downtown Boston, approximately 0.5 miles from the museum. The building where the final meeting took place before the Tea Party of 1773 is now a historic site and museum with permanent and special exhibitions.
Freedom Trail (free to walk; some sites paid) – A 2.5-mile marked walking route connecting 16 sites of significance to the American Revolution, beginning at Boston Common. The museum ia near the southern end of the trail.
New England Aquarium – Located on Central Wharf, approximately 0.7 miles from the museum. Features a four-storey ocean tank, penguin colony, and harbour seal exhibit, with whale-watching tours departing seasonally.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace – A historic market complex approximately 0.8 miles from the museum, with shops, restaurants, and street entertainment. Faneuil Hall itself is a free historic site and public meeting space.
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston – Located in the Seaport District, approximately 0.7 miles from the museum. The building features a cantilevered design over Boston Harbour, with rotating contemporary art exhibitions.
South Station – Boston’s main rail and bus terminal, approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the museum and a convenient starting or finishing point for a visit by public transport. Connections to Logan Airport, Amtrak services, and the MBTA Red Line are available here.
More Boston travel
Other Boston travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Learning the legends of Harvard on a campus tour before visiting the Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Discovering the story of baseball, starting at Fenway Park.
- Review of the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.
- Tackle the key sites on the Freedom Trail: The Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Paul Revere House and the Old North Church.
- Use the Boston CityPass to visit the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Franklin Park Zoo and View Boston observation deck.
