Take a Tour

Join one of our docents to experience the beauty of the Atheaeum’s iconic building on a one-hour tour. Learn about the library’s history and its remarkable collections while walking through grand spaces and cozy nooks.

Art & Architecture Tours

Reserve your spot here!

Join a Boston Athenæum docent for a tour focused on the history of the Athenæum, its iconic building, and its remarkable collections. Whether you are visiting for the first time or are a member who frequents the building, the stories are sure to fascinate you as you walk through the historic library.

Members and their guests is included with membership
Adults (ages 12 and up) $15
Students/Educators/Military $10 (valid ID required)
Children (ages 11 and under) $8
Card to Culture $4
NARM/ROAM card holders $5

Group Tours

Academic Groups

Request an academic group visit

We are pleased to welcome K-12, homeschool, higher education and lifelong learning groups to the library either in person or virtually.

Your group visit may include a tour of the Athenaeum’s historic landmark building, a live presentation of materials from Special Collections, or both. We will work with you to tailor an experience to your group’s learning goals, including selecting materials from Special Collections and designing activities or guiding questions for studying the materials.

Our special collections support learning across all fields of study, with particular strengths in Boston history, New England history, English and American literature, and art and art history.

Private Tours

Request a private tour

We invite groups of five or more people to schedule private tours to experience the beauty of the Athenaeum’s iconic building with a docent. Learn about the library’s history, its enduring home at 10½ Beacon Street, and its remarkable collections. Groups may add a live presentation of materials from Special Collections tailored to the group’s interests.

Fees for Group Tours

Private group tours have a guiding fee of $100 per 10 people, plus a $5 per-person admission rate. See the rate chart below.

Service	Rate	Description
Guiding fee	$100 per 10 people	The guiding fee applies to all private tours. Fees listed below are added based on services requested for a visit.
Athenaeum Tour	$5 per person	Applies to all group tours of the BA’s historic building and admission to the Athenaeum’s public spaces on the same day.
Gallery Talk option	$5 per person	For gallery talks in the current gallery exhibition and admission to the BA’s public spaces on the same day.
Study Center option	$10 per person	For visits to the Study Center to view or work with materials from the BA’s special collections. The rate includes admission to the BA’s public spaces on the same day.