Back to museums

Boston Athenæum

ArtHistoryLiteratureClosed · Opens 9amFrom $11Park Street (Red & Green Lines)

Fondato nel 1807, il Boston Athenæum è una delle più antiche biblioteche private su abbonamento degli Stati Uniti. Custodisce circa mezzo milione di volumi, circa 100.000 opere d'arte e la più cospicua parte superstite della biblioteca personale di George Washington a Mount Vernon. I non iscritti possono accedere al pianterreno acquistando un biglietto d'ingresso (11 $ per gli adulti), che consente di visitare la Norma Jean Calderwood Gallery, le installazioni d'arte e collezioni speciali nella Bayard Henry Long Room e gli storici spazi architettonici del piano terra. Il tour guidato di un'ora dedicato ad arte e architettura, prenotabile in anticipo sul sito ufficiale della biglietteria dell'Athenæum, permette di scoprire più a fondo l'edificio e il suo patrimonio, includendo anche l'accesso al pianterreno; i gruppi sono ridotti e i posti si esauriscono spesso con giorni di anticipo. Per accedere ai piani superiori dell'edificio di dodici piani – tra cui la celebre sala di lettura al quinto piano con la sua terrazza – è invece richiesta una tessera giornaliera da 40 $.

What's On

Now
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

10½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108, United States

Nearest station: Park Street (Red & Green Lines)

Show on map

Hours

Mon09:00–20:00
Tue09:00–20:00
Wed09:00–20:00
Thu09:00–20:00
Fri09:00–17:00
SatToday09:00–17:00
SunClosed

Admission

From $11

First-floor admission (includes the Calderwood Gallery and special collections installations): $11 for visitors 14 and up, $8 students/educators/military with valid ID, $5 for children 13 and under accompanied by an adult, $2 per adult with an EBT, WIC or ConnectorCare card under the Card to Culture programme, free for members and for NARM/ROAM cardholders. A one-day membership giving access to all 12 floors, including the fifth-floor reading room and terrace, is $40 online or at the welcome desk. One-hour docent-led Art & Architecture Tours (groups of seven or fewer) are ticketed separately through events.bostonathenaeum.org and include first-floor admission; they often sell out several days in advance and members book free tickets for themselves plus up to three guests. Private group tours for 8–20 people cost $25 per person and must be requested at least three weeks ahead. Academic tours are $5 per student. Research appointments in Special Collections are free and open to all.

Accessibility

The Athenæum publishes an accessibility guide covering access to the building's many levels. Contact Member and Visitor Services on (617) 720-7604 for accommodations or for information beyond the guide.

Nearby

Nichols House Museum

Architecture4 min walk

Museum of African American History

Architecture4 min walk

Old State House

Architecture5 min walk

Otis House

Architecture5 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Boston Athenæum cost?
Standard adult admission to Boston Athenæum is $11. First-floor admission (includes the Calderwood Gallery and special collections installations): $11 for visitors 14 and up, $8 students/educators/military with valid ID, $5 for children 13 and under accompanied by an adult, $2 per adult with an EBT, WIC or ConnectorCare card under the Card to Culture programme, free for members and for NARM/ROAM cardholders. A one-day membership giving access to all 12 floors, including the fifth-floor reading room and terrace, is $40 online or at the welcome desk. One-hour docent-led Art & Architecture Tours (groups of seven or fewer) are ticketed separately through events.bostonathenaeum.org and include first-floor admission; they often sell out several days in advance and members book free tickets for themselves plus up to three guests. Private group tours for 8–20 people cost $25 per person and must be requested at least three weeks ahead. Academic tours are $5 per student. Research appointments in Special Collections are free and open to all.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Boston Athenæum?
Boston Athenæum is open The Athenæum's first-floor gallery is open on the building's public hours: Mon–Thu 09:00–20:00, Fri–Sat 09:00–17:00, closed Sundays. These are public/visitor hours, not member-only hours; the upper floors and the fifth-floor reading room need a $40 one-day membership. Early closing at 13:00 on 25 November 2026, and closed on Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026), Christmas Eve (24 Dec 2026), Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026), New Year's Eve (31 Dec 2026) and New Year's Day (1 Jan 2027).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Boston Athenæum?
Boston Athenæum is located at 10½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108, United States, in the Beacon Hill area of Boston. The nearest station is Park Street (Red & Green Lines).
What can I see at Boston Athenæum?
Storica biblioteca privata fondata nel 1807 a Beacon Hill: mostre temporanee al pianterreno, i volumi di George Washington e visite guidate. Current highlights include Nazione immaginata (Imagined Nation), Where's Boston? 50 anni dopo (Where's Boston? 50 Years Later), Rileggere le Special Collections (Re-Reading Special Collections).
Do I need to book Boston Athenæum in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Boston Athenæum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Boston Athenæum accessible?
The Athenæum publishes an accessibility guide covering access to the building's many levels. Contact Member and Visitor Services on (617) 720-7604 for accommodations or for information beyond the guide.

ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

DirectionsVisit Website