Ranger conducts a tour of the Henry Longfellow House in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
Visitors to Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site can see the interior of the Longfellow House by guided tour only. Tours are typically held from late May until the end of October on Fridays through Mondays. For the most updated schedule for all tours, be sure to check out the National Park Service’s Guided Tours web page for the park.
Tour options include the Standard Tour, a one-hour tour that visits the first and second floors of the house. This is held every hour starting at 10 AM, with the last tour at 4 PM. If you are short on time, the Express Tours is a half-hour version that only visits the first floor. A third option is the Deep Dive Tour. This is not held on a regular basis. It is longer than the Standard Tour, but the main difference is that it focuses on both Longfellow and George Washington. The Standard and Express tours pretty much only discuss Longfellow’s life. For photos and information about the rooms in the house, please visit the Standard Longfellow House Tour web page here on National Park Planner.
There is a limit of 12 participants per tour, and while there is no fee, you do need to get a ticket. It is possible to call the park starting at 9:30 AM (617-876-4491) to reserve a spot for later that day only, or you can show up at the house and get a ticket for the next available tour. If you have a group of six or more people and want to make sure everyone gets on the same tour, you can make a reservation in advance for a Thursday tour. Email the park to make a reservation (email link is on the Guide Tours web page).
Tickets are given out in a small building on the backside of the house that serves as the Visitor Center. In addition to getting a ticket, there is a small book and souvenir store inside, and you can pick up a park brochure. Tours begin here as well—you actually enter the house from this addition. Backpacks and bags are not allowed on the tour, but there is a storage area available.
Visitor Center at the back of the Henry Longfellow House in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
Interior of the Visitor Center at Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
The park is not that popular, and from talking with a Ranger it didn’t sound like there is ever much of a wait to get on a tour. I’ve taken the tour twice in August, and neither time were there more than six people on the tour.
Those in wheelchairs or with other mobility problems can access the first floor of the house via an elevator, but there are no elevators to the other floors. The Visitor Center is also wheelchair accessible. Please call ahead if you need any other type of special accommodations.
There is not much to do at Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site other than tour the house, so if you want to attend a specific tour, arriving a half hour in advance will give you plenty of time to get a ticket, talk with a park Ranger or knowledgeable volunteer, and take a walk outside in the gardens and yard. If you don’t care which tour you take, just show up at any time and get on the next one available.
There are also numerous special events held each season such as concerts, lectures, and historical reenactments. For a schedule, see the National Park Service’s Calendar web page for the park.
Garden at the Longfellow House in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
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Last updated on March 29, 2026
