Birth home of John Adams, Adams National Historical Park
The birth homes of John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, as well as John’s Old House at Peace Field (the house he bought as an adult when married to Abigail), are open to the public, typically from June until the end of October on Wednesdays through Sundays. The schedule is constantly fluctuating, so for the most current information, visit the National Park Service’s Operating Hours and Seasons web page for Adams National Historical Park.
Entrance into the Peace Field mansion is by Ranger-guided tour only. The birth homes of John and John Quincy, both located side by side at Penn’s Hill (141 Franklin Street), are also open for guided tours if you opt for the 2.5-hour Legacies of Leadership Extended Park Tour. Otherwise, just show up at the houses anytime during operating hours for a self-guided tour. Rangers are on duty to answer any questions. The number of people allowed into the houses at one time is limited, so if the Legacies tour group arrives, you may have to wait to get in. Walk-up visitors typically tour one house while the group tours the other, so if there is any wait, it usually is not long.
Regardless of which houses you would like to visit, there is an entrance fee for Adams National Historical Park that is paid in person at the Visitor Center on Hancock Street. There is no extra charge for the Peace Field Tour or the Legacies Tour, but you must get a ticket. Spots on both tours are limited and are taken on a first come, first served basis. National Park annual passes are valid for entry. For the current prices, see the National Park Service’s official Fees and Reservations web page for the park.
A park shuttle bus runs on a 45-minute loop whenever the houses are open for tours: Visitor Center to Birth Homes to Peace Field. If you must get to Peace Field (135 Adams Street) quickly for a tour, it is just a 10-minute walk from the Visitor Center. Only street parking is available, so if the bus is not an option, I highly suggest walking if you are physically able and it is not raining. The Birth Homes are a one-mile walk from the Visitor Center (20 minutes for most people). Again, there is only street parking available, and spots are extremely hard to come by during the day. Unfortunately, the two locations are in opposite directions from the Visitor Center. It is a three-mile round trip between the three locations.
Park shuttle bus arrives at John and John Quincy Adams’ birth homes at Adams National Historical Park
Luggage, large bags, and backpacks are not allowed in the houses. There is no place to store such items at the Visitor Center, so leave them in your car, home, or hotel room. All you really need is a bottle of water and a camera. The only restrooms are at the Visitor Center.
Plan to spend about three to four hours if visiting both locations (including walking). Keep in mind that you need to be at Peace Field at a specified time for the guided tour. While there is nothing to do at the birth homes except tour the houses, there are gardens that you can explore on your own at Peace Field.
Garden at the Old House at Peace Field, Adams National Historical Park
Only the lower floors of the Birth Homes are open to visitors, so those in non-motorized wheelchairs or with other mobility problems can enter the houses (if you only have a motorized wheelchair, you can borrow a non-motorized chair at the park). The tour of the Old House at Peace Field ventures upstairs, so while the first floor is accessible, disabled visitors cannot see the second floor.
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Last updated on October 22, 2025
