Visiting the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum: A Must-Do Family Experience in Boston
- Lori S.
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 19
Affiliate Disclosure:
This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tours and experiences I genuinely believe are helpful for visitors to Boston.
If you’re looking for a Boston attraction that truly brings history to life—and keeps kids fully engaged—the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum should be high on your list. This isn’t a “walk quietly and read plaques” kind of museum. From the moment the tour begins, you and your family become part of the story.
It’s one of those rare experiences where learning feels like play, making it perfect for families visiting Boston with kids, teens, or even reluctant history buffs.
You’re Not Just Watching History—You’re In It
The experience starts the second you enter. Costumed actors greet you as fellow colonists and immediately pull you into the tension of December 16, 1773. You’re assigned a role, given a name, and suddenly you’re no longer a tourist—you’re part of the resistance.
Throughout the tour, the actors stay fully in character, debating, storytelling, and encouraging participation. Kids especially love this part because they’re treated as equals in the story, not just observers. Questions are welcomed, reactions are encouraged, and no two tours feel exactly the same.
Tossing “Tea” Into Boston Harbor (A Family Highlight)
One of our family’s favorite moments—and the one my kids still talk about—was stepping aboard the replica ships and throwing “tea” overboard into Boston Harbor.
It’s hands-on, energetic, and incredibly memorable. The guides explain what each crate represents, then invite everyone—kids and adults alike—to take part. Watching children gleefully toss tea while learning why it mattered is exactly what makes this museum so special.
You truly feel the urgency and emotion of the night when the tea was dumped into the harbor.
Explore the Replica Ships Up Close
You’ll board authentically recreated 18th-century tea ships, including the Beaver and the Eleanor. Walking the decks helps kids (and adults) understand just how bold—and risky—the Boston Tea Party really was.
The guides do an excellent job explaining daily life aboard the ships, what the tea meant to the British Crown, and how this single event helped ignite the American Revolution. Book a Tour on the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum
Powerful Storytelling and Multimedia Moments
The museum blends live performance with immersive multimedia, including dramatic films that place you right in the middle of Revolutionary-era Boston. You’ll learn about Paul Revere, the growing unrest in the colonies, and how this moment rippled across history.
Even better, the storytelling focuses on the human side of the event—fear, courage, disagreement, and unity—which makes it easier for kids to connect emotionally.
Relax at Abigail’s Tea Room After the Tour
After the high-energy experience, Abigail’s Tea Room is the perfect place to slow down and relax. This surprised us in the best way.
You can grab a snack or a cup of tea and sit at tables designed with historical games built right in, including Shut the Box. It’s a great way for families to unwind while still staying in the historical theme.
Kids can keep playing, adults can rest their feet, and everyone gets a moment to reflect on what they just experienced.
Why This Is Perfect for Families Visiting Boston
Fully interactive from start to finish
Actors keep kids engaged the entire time
Hands-on moments like throwing tea into the harbor
Walkable location near other downtown attractions
Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Educational without feeling like school
This is one of those attractions that works just as well for first-time visitors as it does for locals—and it’s especially ideal if you want to introduce kids to American history in a way that actually sticks.
