About John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
JFK’s parents never expected that their second son would grow up to be president. Yet in his birthplace home he learned values that inspired a life in public service. His mother, Rose Kennedy, recreated her family’s first home to share her memories of those early years with visitors. We commemorate not only his early life, but the ideas and principles he left behind.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Typical New England Weather: Warm, humid summers and cold winters. Any available outdoor programs take place rain or shine but may be modified or canceled due to high heat index.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Massachusetts. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Hours for the visitor center and house at John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site vary by season. The grounds are open year-round, dawn to dusk. The site is currently closed for the off season. During the off season, late-October through late-May, the house and visitor center are closed to the public, with tours available Wednesdays and Fridays, by appointment, with at least two weeks advanced notice. In the open season, late-May through late-October, the site is open Thursdays through Sundays.
Activities
Current Alerts
Due to heavy rains and wind, the neighborhood tour has been cancelled for 9/26 and 9/27.
Tours by appointment are not available on the following dates: November: 6-13, 25-27 December: 24-25, 31 January: 1
Until further notice, the landscape will have limited accessibility on Mondays and Tuesdays due to a painting project. Visitors will not be able to access the side or back of the building. The site is regularly closed on these days.
Getting There
By Subway: Take Green line ("C" -Cleveland Circle) trolley to Coolidge Corner stop. Walk four blocks north on Harvard Street, turn right on Beals Street and continue to number 83. By Car: From Exit 18 (I-90 E) or Exit 20 (1-90 W) follow the Allston/Brighton exit ramp, merge onto Cambridge Street and go one mile. At the fourth light, turn left on Harvard Street and proceed about one mile. Turn left on Beals Street and go to number 83. Limited Street Parking available.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Watch "The Shaping of a President, The First Home of John F. Kennedy"
Watch "The Shaping of a President, The First Home of John F. Kennedy," the site film for John Fitzgerald Kennedy…
Visitor Centers
Visitor Center
The John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site visitor center is located in the basement of the historic home. During the open season, it provides visitor…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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