Massachusetts State House

Designed by architect Charles Bullfinch, the neo-Palladian State House was designed to embody the democratic ideals of the 1775-1783 American Revolution. Today, it’s the functioning home of the Massachusetts House, Senate, and General Court; and the Governor of Massachusetts’ offices. Visitors can explore for free, either alone or on an in-house guided tour.

The State House is a staple on all Boston tours. Choices include guided Freedom Trail walks and city-wide tours that pause outside to chart its story before covering other landmarks. For more time to explore the interior, opt for self-guided mobile-app tours to sightsee your own way, or customizable private tours that let you explore the attractions you want as you wish. Also popular are Boston’s hop-on hop-off trolley tours: all stop outside.

• The Massachusetts State House is a must-see for first-time Boston visitors.
• The building is stroller and wheelchair accessible, with a wheelchair entrance on Bowdoin Street.
• On-site amenities include restrooms and free Wi-Fi.

The State House faces Boston Common from Beacon Street and is easily reached using Boston’s “T” public transport system. Several buses stop outside, and Green, Orange, and Red Line trains run to nearby subway stations. For drivers, paid parking is available at various local garages. Otherwise, reach the building by foot via the Freedom Trail, or hop-on hop-off trolleys, or sightseeing tours.

The State House is open Monday-Friday, and closed on public holidays. In-house tours run at intervals each weekday for around 30-40 minutes—advance reservations are recommended to secure your place at a time convenient to you. Although the building gets busy when the Senate and House are in session, it’s still open and visitors can choose to see the chambers in action by sitting in the visitors’ galleries.

Must-sees at the building include the marble Hall of Flags, a magnificent Doric Hall graced with busts of American heroes, and the “Sacred Cod”—a wooden cast of a codfish symbolizing Massachusetts’ cod industry that hangs in the House of Representatives. Admire the building’s golden dome, too: it’s topped with a pine cone that honors the state’s lumber industry.