Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum: Interactive Guided Tour

Throw tea overboard and step into the night that sparked a revolution

The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is an interactive guided tour in Boston where you board replica sailing ships, toss tea into the harbor as part of a reenactment, view the Robinson Tea Chest (the only surviving chest from the actual 1773 event), and watch a multi-sensory film about the American Revolution. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide and ends with tea service in Abigail's Tea Room. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boston Tea Party history

• Join Sons and Daughters of Liberty
• Board replica ships Beaver and Eleanor
• Toss tea into Boston Harbor
• View Robinson Tea Chest
• Watch multi-sensory film "Let it Begin Here"
• Visit Abigail's Tea Room for tea time

The experience

You board the replica brigs Beaver and Eleanor, full-scale 18th-century sailing ships, and join the Sons and Daughters of Liberty in reliving December 16, 1773. The guide narrates the events leading up to that night, and you participate in the central act: tossing the tea into Boston Harbor. It's the hands-on core of the experience, not a passive viewing.

After the ships, you move through the museum to see the Robinson Tea Chest, the single known surviving tea chest from that fateful night. Then comes the multi-sensory film "Let it Begin Here," which places you inside Paul Revere's midnight ride and the battle where the "Shot heard 'round the world" was fired. The sequence moves from the harbor action to the artifact to the broader story of what followed.

The tour wraps at Abigail's Tea Room, where you sit down for tea service as part of your admission. Check in on-site 15 minutes before your tour time. The museum runs daily from 10am to 5pm (10am to 4pm in winter), and is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

What’s included

• Live narrated guided tour with an English-speaking guide.
• access to both replica ships, the Beaver and Eleanor.
• viewing of the Robinson Tea Chest.
• multi-sensory film "Let it Begin Here".
• tea service in Abigail's Tea Room.

Information

Lasts 1h, runs every day, 13 start times, from US$ 36 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30 and 16:00Another time? ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.1 with pickup ›

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Is this one for you?The tour runs about an hour, which fits into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day. If you're planning a longer Boston itinerary, this leaves time for other neighborhoods or attractions nearby.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I do on the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum tour?

You board two replica sailing ships, the Beaver and Eleanor, and participate in tossing tea into Boston Harbor as part of a guided reenactment of the December 16, 1773 event. You also view the Robinson Tea Chest, watch a multi-sensory film about the Revolution, and end with tea service in Abigail's Tea Room.

Is the Robinson Tea Chest really from the original Boston Tea Party?

Yes. The Robinson Tea Chest is the only known surviving tea chest from the actual Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, and it is on display during the tour.

How long does the whole experience take?

The tour takes about an hour from start to finish, including the ships, the museum exhibits, the film, and tea service at the end.

What time should I arrive for my tour?

You must check in on-site 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Anyone not checked in within 15 minutes of the tour start may be considered a no-show and their seat may be reassigned.

What are the museum's hours and is it open every day?

The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm (10am to 4pm during winter season). It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.