State House Tour Information
State House tours are conducted by the staff of the Tours and Government Education Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office and by volunteers well-versed in the history and architectural background of the State House. The tours are given weekdays year-round from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, and are free of charge. The building is open from 8:45 am to 5 pm. The Massachusetts State House is closed on weekends and holidays.
Tours last approximately 30-45 minutes and include an overview of the history and architecture of the State Capitol. Visitors can see the House and Senate Chambers, learn about the Ladybug (our state insect) and of the “Sacred Cod”.
Advance reservations are requested for conducted tours. Please call 617-727-3676 to arrange for a tour for groups from one to fifty people. Please use our email address to request additional information or for general inquiries. However, we only accept reservations by phone.
Self-guided materials are available if visitors do not wish to join a conducted tour.
Information sheets in several foreign languages are also available.
Instructional aids are available for teachers planning tours of the State House. They are sent at the time the tour is booked. Educational material is also available on request for teachers who have included units on state government in their curriculum.
Tours for school classes and other groups of ten or more should be scheduled at least three weeks in advance. Please address any inquiries to the address listed above.
Directions: The State House is at the corner of Beacon and Park Streets. It is accessible by MBTA via the Red or Green lines at the Park Street Station. (Also see Directions for other Public Transportation) Visitors should enter at the General Hooker entrance which is just to the right of the main gate if you are facing the State House. Visitors can proceed past the statue of Civil War General Joseph Hooker, then once inside after going through security, go to the left, past the State Bookstore and at the end of the hallway on the left take the elevators up to the second floor. (For stairs, proceed past elevators and take another left -near room 190) The State House Tours & Information Desk is located in Doric Hall on the second floor. Visitors should check in for guided tours or other information. Handicap entrances are located at Ashburton Park.