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    The Old State House

    4.0 (110 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    The Old State House Photos

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    Monika B.

    So much history! It was incredible to walk through and see/read everything there was to offer. Highly recommend stopping in while on the Freedom Trail.

    Michael C.

    Really great experience, love the architecture, fees associated are completely reasonable and I highly recommend this experience

    John S.

    Not only is the building beautiful, there's a subway stop beneath it. The first time I came here was from that stop. We walked outside and looked up to see the Old State House. Less than a mile down the street is Faneuil Hall and plenty of food options.

    at night
    Shwe N.

    it was breathtaking to see such old historical buildings right across modern ones, the cvs/ walgreens right across the street HAHAHA lov it

    Nico Samneil S.

    Pretty interesting history and great preservation. Definitely no parking space. Find a garage

    So fun to be able to dress up!
    Jennifer M.

    Amazing experience! Great opportunity for young children to learn something new, with the interactive exhibits. Also great for adults. Gave a lot of opportunities to reflect on our current political climate with fun ways to share your opinions. Worth getting the 13 dollar pass to also see the old south meetinghouse.

    Sunny P.

    The Old State House is right downtown and a stop along the Freedom Trail. This was the statehouse that was used during the Revolution and is known as the pace where Independence was born. Today, it operates as a museum and gift shop. Yours are cheap and worth the price of admission. Underneath is also the entrance to the State Street Station. From the window inside you can also see the marker for on the ground for the site of the Boston Massacre.

    Annette J.

    We were on a bit of a time crunch so we didn't pay for the admission into the State House Museum but we did pop into the store so I could get my National Parks passport cancellation. The Old State House is an official National Parks visitor's center for the Freedom Trail so there's plenty of info about the whole trail and the buildings/spaces that are part of it. The shop has cute knickknacks like shirts, revolutionary war-esque costume pieces for kids, reprints of the declaration of independence, etc. If you're someone who likes to collect these types of items I'd highly recommend a peek in. It's also incredible to walk in the same space that John Adams, John Hancock, and more debated the US Declaration of Independence. As a history nerd I basked in the energy, even if it was super crowded and tight in the common spaces like the spiral staircase and such. I wish we had the time to fully take in the historical aspect in the museum but we know for next time that it's a "must do" on our list.

    Sanjay G.

    one of the oldest public buildings in the United States... One of the landmarks on Boston's Freedom Trail, it is the oldest surviving public building in Boston, and now serves as a history museum operated by the Bostonian Society. Small, and cramped, but I guess that's what it used to be like, so I can't really blame the structure since it was made years back by ancestors. Lots of history and its part of the freedom trail which is good. The building has been nicely restored and inside it's furnished in the way it would have looked in the early days of Boston. The museum exhibits were well-organized and there were many interesting historical artifacts on display. The short-guided tour was educational and worth the time. You don't need to spend a lot of time at the Old State House, 20 or 30 minutes is more than enough time, so stop by and take in some history. The Boston Massacre spot is just near to it, was an incident in which British Army soldiers shot and killed five people while under attack by a mob. Heard every 4th of July they read the declaration of independence here.

    Jacqueline B.

    We went on the Free day to this place, so we didn't feel bad missing the upstairs tour. We will go when we come back to Boston. The rooms with the stories and artifacts were bustling and cramped. We were given cards with famous people as ID badges/souvenirs and told to watch for them throughout the exhibit. Good idea to keep people's attention. The use of maps and lights of famous places was a great way to illustrate history. WE were given only ONE coupon in our party for the gift shop, a free tote with any purchase. They must have sensed I am a sucker for a tote bag, so I bought a coaster and collected my bag.

    Mom and bro across the street from old state house relaxing.
    Anthony G.

    The site of so much important history for the US. Boston's Old State House was both the office of the British governor for the Massachusetts Colony as well as for a while the office of the American governor for the State of Massachusetts. It is an important part of Boston's freedom trail (which is marked throughout Boston with a red line. I took a picture for reference) as it is the site of the Boston Massacre. This is certainly an important place to visit for any student of history and certainly all Americans should as well as this one was one the watershed events that led to the creation of our republic. Architecturally and aesthetically speaking, it is a beautiful old brick building, and I certainly enjoyed viewing it in my tour of Boston. I enjoy how on one side they symbols of the British Monarch (The lion and the unicorn) contrast with the symbol of America (The eagle). I also love the contrast of this old building set against the backdrop of modern Boston. Personally I loved and laughed when I saw the unicorn as a friend of mine at the time, who will remain unnamed was texting about her obsession with Unicorns (cough cough Marilu cough cough). Another great stop on my vacation!

    Landmark
    Jean-Charles N.

    This was a really good surprise. The guide tour is very good. You can feel that these people are pationate. And cherry on top of the cake it is free for veterans

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    Great and inexpensive place to visit and learn more about the Boston Massacre And Declaration of Independence.

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    Boston Crime Tour - Film location for the famous bank robbery scene in "The Town".

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    5.0(1 review)
    0.1 miFinancial District

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    5.0(9 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    Certified professionals
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    Boston Town Crier - Tours of Freedom Trail
    Boston Town Crier - Tours of Freedom Trail

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    The Old State House - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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