Plan Your Visit

Boyhood in Brookline

Visitors from all around the United States and the world travel to John F. Kennedy's birthplace in Brookline each year to explore his childhood home as his mother recreated it in the late 1960s. Visitors travel back in time to 1917 to discover the values and expectations that shaped JFK's character. This "Plan Your Visit" section will help you make the most of your visit. The site is open seasonally. Be sure to check our operating hours and seasons before you come. You can also learn about things to do and directions to help plan your visit. Need more information? Inquire about brochures or check our Frequently Asked Questions. Below you will find brief information and links on popular topics.

For information on special events, please see the Calendar and News sections of this website and/or like us on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information.

A wintery scene at 83 Beals Street from February of 2013.

NPS Photo

The site is currently closed for the off season through May 28, 2026.

During the off-season, tours can be arranged by appointment only, Wednesdays and Fridays, with at least two weeks advance notice and are dependent on staff availability. Weekend tour times are not available. For a listing of already known blackout dates, please check the alerts section of our website. Tours are thirty-minutes long and free-of-charge.

If you would like to schedule a tour in the off-season, please email us, letting us know the date of your intended visit, your preference for a morning or afternoon time, the number of people in your group, and your contact information. A member of our staff will then contact you to arrange the visit.

*Please know that for the safety of our visitors and staff, tours during the winter season may be postponed or cancelled due to inclement weather.*

• Operating Hours and Seasons including opening and closing dates.

  2026 Reopening

  John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site (NHS) is pleased to announce that the site is reopening for the 2026 season on Friday, May 29, the same date that John F. Kennedy was born in the 83 Beals Street home, and will remain open through Friday, October 30, 2026. Brand new exhibits have been installed in the site’s visitor center to enhance the overall experience.

  During the first three days of the open season, May 29 – 31, the site will be open exclusively for self-guided open house visitation.
  
  Visitor hours in 2026 are from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The site is closed Monday-Wednesday.

  Starting on June 4, guided tours of JFK’s birthplace will be available on the hour and the half-hour from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Self-guided options are not available during these times. From 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., self-guided options are available.
  
  All tours are free. Reservations for guided tours are not made for groups fewer than five as tours are mostly offered first-come-first-served. If you have a group of five or more, please make a reservation.

Parking and Public Transportation

The John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site is located in a residential neighborhood. Free, two-hour parking is available on Beals Street. Please note that no vehicle may idle while parked in the residential area. The site is also easily accessible by public transit or check out our detailed directions by car or transit.

Accessibility

John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site is happy to make accommodations to visitors with accessibility needs. Our newly renovated visitor center is fully accessible. Please visit our accessibility page, and then contact us before your visit to discuss how your needs may be accommodated.

Stewards of the Future celebrate Rose Kennedy's birthday

NPS