Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum?
What makes it 90% Kids-Friendly: Kids help dump “tea,” explore bunks, and watch a 3D film, turning history into play; child tickets, elevators, and gift-shop toys help, but ship stairs ban strollers and require supervision.
Positives:
- Hands-on Engagement: Kids receive colonial identity cards and join the tea-toss for active learning.
- Interactive Technology: Holograms and a 3D film keep children entertained between ship activities.
Challenges:
- Narrow Ship Spaces: The ships have steep stairs and tight corridors—unfolded strollers cannot board.
- Advance Ticketing: Tours sell out—reserve tickets online at least one day in advance.
What is Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum?
- A floating history museum aboard full-scale replicas of the 18th-century vessels Beaver and Eleanor
- A museum devoted to the 1773 Boston Tea Party, with multimedia exhibitions, live-reenactment spaces and original artifacts such as the Robinson Tea Chest
- Housed in a restored 18th-century warehouse and pier complex, complete with a period-style tearoom overlooking Boston Harbor
What is so special about Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum for with kids?
- Interactive living-history tour where kids help toss tea.
- Hands-on ship exploration with liftable tea chests and bunks.
- Holographic debates and 3D film appeal to short attention spans.
- Tea room break offers child-friendly snacks with harbor views.
- Stroller parking and carrier-friendly boarding make it family-ready.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: A 2-3 hour visit covers the guided tour, interactive exhibits, tea break, and souvenir browsing without rushing.
Kids-Friendly Activities in Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Guided Immersive Tour:
Join a 60-minute living history show with costumed actors and help dump tea into the harbor.
Tip: Book the first tour of the day to get front-deck space and quieter decks for kids.
Interactive Ship Exploration:
Climb aboard the Beaver or Eleanor to explore crew bunks, hoist a tea chest, and touch historical replicas.
Tip: Swap your stroller for a baby carrier at the dock to board more easily.
Abigail’s Tea Room Snack:
Sample scones, tea, lemonade, and light fare while overlooking the Boston Harbor.
Tip: Go mid-afternoon when the tea room is less busy for quicker seating.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
- Use Dockside Stroller Parking: Leave strollers at the dock’s free parking area to board the ship easily.
- Combine with Nearby Attractions: Plan a Liberty Trail walk before the tour to maximize your morning in the Seaport district.
Reviews of Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Carolus van Leeuwen
I was slightly hesitant to visit, worried it might be overly touristy, but it really exceeded expectations. The actors are excellent at reading the room and engaging visitors without overdoing it. You are given a character card at the start, and the actors refer to your character during the experience, which makes it far more immersive. Even as a solo traveler, staff were happy to help with filmi...
Ady Choque
We had a small group of five, but the actors gave a lively, engaging performance that made the history come alive. The experience felt personal and well done, and throwing the tea into the harbor was a highlight. It went above and beyond expectations! I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Boston. We come to Boston from NJ annually for my kids dance convention and this was such a wonderful addition t...
Annette Wilcox
The Boston Tea Party Museum was part of our trip. It’s interactive, engaging, and incredibly well done, making history come alive in a fun and memorable way. From the knowledgeable reenactors to the immersive exhibits, you really feel like you’re part of the events that shaped our country. Tossing tea into the harbor and learning the stories behind the protest added such a unique, hands-on element...
H.S
What a wonderful experience! You can really feel that the people working here genuinely love what they do, and that passion makes the entire experience incredibly engaging and fun. I’ve visited many live experience history museums, and this is easily the best one I’ve been to. They’re also wonderful with children, and the experience itself is very rich and well designed. I’d recommend arriving a f...
Amber
Awesome and educating experience, we bought our tickets in advance. We had no problem being greeted by our fair old time characters at check in and were ushered into a great reenactment. Without giving too much away, you will enjoy yourself! Even those who aren’t big into history. You will get to learn about the Boston tea harbor and so much more, you’ll learn about the people involved and why it’...
When is the best time to visit Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum (Boston, United States)?
Summer afternoons can be breezy on deck—bring a light jacket. Winters may have icy dock paths—wear non-slip shoes.
Explore These Activities
Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 2 Adult Tickets | USD 68 |
| 2 Child Tickets (3–12) | USD 50 |
| Tea Room Snacks and Drinks | USD 15 |
| Total Estimated | USD 133 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Address: 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA
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About Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+1 617-338-1773Explore Popular Things to Do
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