The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is a chance to step back in time and relive one of the most important events in the United States’ history. This article shares a full preview of the Boston Tea Party Museum, who it’s good for, your food and drink options, and whether I recommend it (I do!)
It’s an immersive experience with live performances and interactive exhibits that bring all your senses into play. You’ll step on board full-scale replica ships, and hear from live actors as you take part in a historical reenactment. You can also see genuine artifacts like the only surviving tea chest from the Boston Tea Party.
I visited the Boston Tea Party Museum with my sons in summer 2025, and we all had a fantastic time. Read on to find out why I think it’s one of the best things to do in Boston.
What was the Boston Tea Party?
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest organized by a group known as the Sons of Liberty. It was a pivotal moment in the events that led up to the American Revolution.
After dark on December 16, 1773, 60 colonists boarded three British ships that were moored in Boston Harbor: the Beaver, the Dartmouth, and the Eleanor.
They dumped 342 crates of tea into the waters of Boston Harbor, protesting against “taxation without representation”, the Tea Act, and the British East India Company’s monopoly. This defiant protest became known as the Boston Tea Party.
What is the Boston Tea Party Museum?
The Boston Tea Party Museum is an interactive, immersive experience that explores the events of December 1773.
Although it’s described as a museum, the actual museum is only a small part of the experience. The rest of it is more of a reenactment attraction, which helps bring historical events to life.
It’s a fun way for kids to learn about one of the most significant events in United States history, and adults will enjoy the experience too.
What can you do at the Boston Tea Party Museum?
A visit to the Boston Tea Party Museum is a guided tour led by historical reenactors. There’s plenty to see and do as you step back in time to 1770’s Boston.
The Meeting House
Your tour starts in the Meeting House, where you’ll meet your 18th century host, Samuel Adams. Each visitor receives a character card and a script so you can take part in a colonial town meeting.
Other actors dressed in period costumes will also take part in the town meeting. This part of the visit is an interactive exploration of the grievances that led to the Revolutionary War. It is part-play, part-history lesson, and a lot of fun.
Explore the Tea Ships
Next, you’ll head out onto Griffin’s Wharf, the exact location where the real Boston Tea Party took place. The museum has a large open air deck and two full-scale sailing ships.
Known as Brig Beaver and Eleanor, they are replicas of the original vessels at the Boston Tea Party.
Your guide for this part of the tour will play the role of one of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty. They’ll explain the day’s events and then take you inside one of the ships.
My sons enjoyed looking around the ship, which we thought was surprisingly small. They especially liked turning the ship’s wheel and pretending they were steering it out on the water.
The most fun part of the visit comes when you take part in a reenactment of the “Destruction of the Tea” and throw tea into the harbor. It’s just a styrofoam box covered in fabric, and there’s a rope attached to the box so the museum staff can pull it back in for the next guests. But my sons loved this part of the tour and thought it was great fun.
Learn more in the Museum
After you’ve explored Griffin’s Wharf, you go into a small but fascinating museum.
The exhibits include a small vial of tea from the actual Tea Party and the only known original tea chest from the events of December 16, 1773.
The Robinson Tea Chest has been preserved for more than 250 years and handed down through the generations.
We thought it was pretty cool to see genuine historic artifacts from such an important event and to learn about their history.
The museum brings history right up to date with 3D holographic videos sharing the perspectives of people involved in the 18th-century events. The images come to life, a bit like the talking paintings in Harry Potter. They retell letters from the main characters on both sides and even argue with each other.
You can also watch the multi-sensory award-winning documentary “Let It Begin Here®” in the museum’s Minuteman Theater. The film depicts the events that led to the American Revolution in April 1775, including Paul Revere’s “Midnight Ride”. The huge panoramic screen makes you feel as if you’re right in the middle of history.
The movie was surprisingly poignant, really bringing you into the tension leading up to the start of the war.
Food and Drink at the Boston Tea Party Museum
When you’ve finished looking around the museum, refreshments are available at Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace. They serve a range of light lunches, grab-and-go sandwiches, and sweet treats along with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You could even have a cup of tea!
And you’ll find plenty of interesting gifts and keepsakes in the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum gift shop. As I always do, I bought a Christmas tree ornament, the perfect way to remember a trip!
How to visit the Boston Tea Party Museum
You’ll find the Boston Tea Party Museum at 306 Congress Street on the Congress Street Bridge. It’s near other popular things to do in Boston like Boston Common and historic sites such as the Paul Revere House and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
You can easily reach the museum by public transportation. If you drive to Boston, parking is a short walk away at Farnsworth Street Garage and Atlantic Wharf Garage.
The Boston Tea Party Museum is open every day except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving. Admission is by timed entry, and advance booking is recommended. A small number of admission tickets are available each day for walk-ups, but there’s no guarantee of availability for your chosen time.
You can take a carry-on sized bag or purse into the museum, but you’ll need to carry it at all times. There’s no storage for bags or strollers available at the museum.
Would I recommend the Boston Tea Party Museum?
My sons and I found the Boston Tea Party Museum really interesting, and we all really enjoyed our visit. It offers a good balance of fun and education, it’s super immersive, and the actors who present the live reenactments are very passionate about their roles.
There’s a lot for kids to see and do, and my sons got very excited talking about the history they were experiencing. But the Boston Tea Party Museum isn’t just for kids, and adults will also get a lot out of their visit.
The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum will give you new insight into the famous events of December 1773. Overall, I’d say it’s well worth a visit and highly recommended!
After the museum, check out other family-friendly activities like Puttshack Boston and the New England Aquarium.
