Old South Meeting House, Boston: Hours, Address, Old South Meeting House Reviews: 4/5
Old South Meeting House
Old South Meeting House
4
Speciality & Gift Shops • Historic Sites • History Museums
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9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
No Tax on Tea! This was the decision on December 16, 1773, when 5,000 angry colonists gathered at Old South Meeting House to protest a tax...and started a revolution with the Boston Tea Party! Built in 1729, Old South Meeting House was the largest building in colonial Boston. From outraged protests over the Boston Massacre, to the night when Samuel Adams gave the secret signal to throw 340 crates of tea into Boston Harbor, colonists came to the Meeting House to protest British rule. Our museum and historic site is an important stop on your Freedom Trail Tour or visit to Boston, and our award-winning Museum Shop is a favorite of tourists and locals alike! From our informative exhibits, 3D map of colonial Boston, and scavenger hunts, to taking in the beauty of our historical meeting house interior, to browsing the titles, locally-sourced goods, and revolutionary gifts of our museum shop, we have something for everyone.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
The largest area of the city, Downtown is rich with historical and iconic sites in Boston. Stroll through one of Boston’s most famous green spaces, the Boston Public Gardens, check out and make way for duckling statues, picnic under a beautiful tree overlooking the pond, and walk over the iconic footbridge where, during summer time, you will catch a swan boat toting children and eager tourists through the pond. Have your camera ready to capture its peaceful beauty in the middle of a bustling city. Continue on through the Gardens and take in some open green space at the Boston Common, where you can spend time throwing a frisbee, sitting on a park bench, or, in the winter time, skating on the frog pond. Head north from the end of the Common to see the golden dome of the State House, and travel through government center to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, both a historic and popular destination worth a quick visit for a first time to Boston. Head to Long Wharf to visit the Aquarium, or catch a boat to Charlestown or even Cape Cod.
How to get there
- State • 3 min walk
- Downtown Crossing • 3 min walk
Best nearby
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
317 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
131
Average
54
Poor
7
Terrible
2
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL3,809 contributions
Solo
I stopped by the Old South Meeting House after visiting the Old State House. There are fewer exhibits here, but I did enjoy sitting in old wooden boxes and browsing around the historic building. The British trashed this structure during the 1775-1776 occupation of Boston which led George Washington to remark how the British didn’t even respect houses of worship. It’s worth visiting by itself, but I recommend also visiting the Old State House as more information on the meeting house can be found in some of those exhibits.
Written April 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
christopherbO9687MP
Acton, MA474 contributions
The Old South Meeting House contains a museum covers both the history of this Revolutionary War era historic building and its role in free speech debates that have occurred over the centuries. The interior has been restored to its Revolutionary War appearance as a church (at one point it was used as a riding stable during the British Army's occupation of Boston). Displays and soundtracks highlight the many debates conducted inside the building; highlighting the importance of free speech. Anyone interested in Revolutionary War or in some of the major debate topics over the years will find this a worthwhile visit.
As other reviewers have pointed out, this is on Boston's Freedom Trail, and the admissions ticket covers both this building and the nearby Old State House. I'd allocate several hours to visit both sites.
As other reviewers have pointed out, this is on Boston's Freedom Trail, and the admissions ticket covers both this building and the nearby Old State House. I'd allocate several hours to visit both sites.
Written April 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA1,586 contributions
This is a Puritan Congregational church. The outside, with the steeple, is certainly worth a pic or two. Inside, the bottom level contains pews and pew boxes that were paid for by certain families. The upper levels are open to everyone else. It is rather worth seeing. There is a restroom downstairs. I was told this building is still in use today for certain events/meetings. Note: You can purchase one ticket for both this and the Old State House.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
colony guy
1 contribution
Inside this place, it is warm and also a place where we did our meetings. I liked it because I felt safe and with my god, as it was a church. I would recommend bringing a jacket for the winter because it can get cold and we have long winters. Some food and water because there is no food inside. Why people should come to my colony is because we have religious freedom. We also have very good farms because we have long warm summers and also very good soil for planting. One more reason is we have the best thanksgiving, well we were the ones who made it so if you come and celebrate you will be stuffed the next day with very delicious food grown on our farms.
Written December 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
blairkk25
New Jersey2,926 contributions
I visited the Old South Meeting House as part of doing the Freedom Trail in November 2021. I bought the combination ticket for $14 which covered both the Old South Meeting House and the Old State House. I thought it was worth it because of my interest in American history. If you are not that interested in history then it may not be worth it. Inside the Old South Meeting House were white box pews and an upper level. The small museum was very interesting for me. It covered the events and history of key historical events such as the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre and the beginning of the American Revolutionary War and the battles of Concord, Lexington and Bunker Hill. I think it was worthwhile.
Written December 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
drichrx
Brooklyn, NY1,213 contributions
Nice museum on the Freedom Trail dedicated to expression of freedom. Admission ticket combined with Old State House, which has more exhibits about the Revolutionary War. This one has a few but is mostly about seeing how people met (and still meeting) to discuss controversial topics of the time. Best bathroom of the two sites.
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Adam T
York, UK741 contributions
When we visited there was nobody else inside, which made for a quiet break from the rest of the busy freedom trail. There isn’t a huge amount to see here, but the addition of the free audio guides (through your phone using their free wifi) and the scavenger hunt made it quite enjoyable. Despite these though, it took less than 30 minutes to feel like we’d seen enough. Even if you’re only coming in for a cool sit down, it’s still worth a quick visit though since it’s free.
very quiet, good audio guide bits but remember headphones. Scavenger hunt too. Took less than 30 mins to feel like we’d seen enough. Good for a sit down though.
very quiet, good audio guide bits but remember headphones. Scavenger hunt too. Took less than 30 mins to feel like we’d seen enough. Good for a sit down though.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wesley C
Tucson, AZ8,235 contributions
Another stop on the Freedom Trail. Built as a Puritan Church in 1729. Site of many anti-British protests preceding the Revolutionary War. Birthplace of the Boston Tea Party. Free admission with your ticket from the Old State House!
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
carlosm1951
Houston, TX216 contributions
Couples
The Old South Meeting House is on the Freedom Trail so it is easily accessible. Admission is $6 (not too expensive). The building is very well preserved. It is worth a stop since in many ways the American Revolution had its start here. The Boston Tea Party was probably planned here. It is a window into the past that we do not see very often. It is worth a brief stop and you can rest your feet too.
Written October 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave T
Atlanta, GA88 contributions
Solo
Look for connections to Franklin, Wheatley, & Emerson in this building which was built in 1729 as a Puritan congregation. It is fortunate that this large hall has been preserved, for being inside gives an accurate feeling for how an important part of colonial Boston looked. It is easy to visualize a Puritan service, or the crowd of 5000 assembling to protest the tea tax. This building has a long history of continually being a house where free speech has been exercised. An impressive field trip was in progress when I toured. Students seated in the pews were freely speaking the pros and cons of the independence movement, as the crowd cheered in parliamentary fashion.
Written June 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hayley1607
Kent, UK118 contributions
How long is the tour?
WeBeTraveling
194 contributions
It is self guided.
Frequently Asked Questions about Old South Meeting House
- Old South Meeting House is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Old South Meeting House tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 43 Old South Meeting House tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Old South Meeting House:
- Guided Walking Tour of the Downtown Freedom Trail in Boston (From $30.00)
- Walk the Historic Freedom Trail (From $20.00)
- Walking Tour: Downtown Freedom Trail plus Beacon Hill to Copley Square/Back Bay (From $45.00)
- Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 14 Stops (From $50.40)
- Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Costumed Guide (From $26.00)
- Hotels near Old South Meeting House:
- (0.08 mi) Club Quarters Hotel Faneuil Hall, Boston
- (0.10 mi) Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston
- (0.10 mi) Omni Parker House
- (0.12 mi) Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel
- (0.09 mi) Oakwood At The Devonshire
- Restaurants near Old South Meeting House:
- (0.01 mi) The Dubliner [boston]
- (0.01 mi) Trillium Garden On The Greenway
- (0.01 mi) Cha Feo
- (0.01 mi) Mochinut
- (0.01 mi) Plantpub