Attraction · Boston
Boston Public Library, Central Library: free entry days, tickets & hours
The McKim Building on Copley Square: Bates Hall reading room, Sargent and Puvis de Chavannes murals and an Italianate courtyard.
Independent guide, not the official Boston Public Library website. Official links are under Sources.
Boston Public Library is free to enter.
- Open today 09:00–20:00.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Guided Historic Library Tours run several times a week. Register online up to a month ahead.
- For a self-guided visit, the BPL guide on the Bloomberg Connects app has a 30-minute audio tour.
- Commercial tour guides are not allowed to lead tours inside the library.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeFree entry to the historic Central Library during opening hours | everyone | Explore on your own any time during open hours. Groups over 30 must register in advance. | No |
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Boston Public Library
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 09:00–20:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:00–20:00 |
| Wed | 09:00–20:00 |
| Thu | 09:00–20:00 |
| Fri | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 11:00–17:00 |
Mon-Thu 9am-8pm; Fri-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm. Individual departments keep their own hours.
700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Boston Public Library
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- bpl.org/art-tours/ · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.