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State House Directions

With its instantly recognizable golden dome, the Charles Bulfinch-designed State House is centrally located in downtown Boston on Beacon Street at the top of Park Street.  It is situated directly across the street from the Boston Common and is easily reached by public transportation or those navigating the city streets on foot.  The Ashburton Park entrance of Bowdoin Street is wheelchair accessible.  Parking rates can be expensive downtown but for those driving into the city, relatively affordable rates can be found at the underground Boston Common Garage (http://www.mccahome.com/bcg_rat.html).  Its entrance is on Charles Street across from the Public Garden.
By Foot

By Foot

The State House is located within short walking distances of several MBTA stations, including Park Street, Downtown Crossing, Government Center, Bowdoin (restricted hours), Boylston, Haymarket and State.

The State House is also one of many stops along the acclaimed Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile walking path marked by a red brick trail connecting 16 historical landmarks.  Although the Freedom Trail, which begins in the nearby Boston Common Visitor Center, was designed as a pedestrian tour, commercial trolley tours that stop at the Trail’s historical sites are also available.

Click on the links below for further information:
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/maps/maps.html
http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/

By MBTA

By MBTA

The State House is easily accessible by public transportation.

The State House can be reached by MBTA bus lines, the Green Line, the Orange Line, the Red Line and Silver Line.  Visitors can also reach the State House via commuter rail lines arriving at South Station, North Station and Back Bay Station, each of these stations being within walking distance of Beacon Hill.  Connecting lines from these stations are also available and will take you to Downtown Crossing, Park Street and Government Center, bringing you even closer to the State House.

Further details, including interactive maps, can be obtained by clicking on the links below.

Park Street (Green and Red Lines)
Downtown Crossing (Orange Red and Silver Lines)
Government Center (Blue and Green Lines)
Silver Line: (SL4 and SL5 routes run within close proximity to the State House)

Bus Lines: (Many MBTA bus routes pass through or terminate in downtown Boston, either within walking distance to the State House or to connecting lines that can bring you even closer to the State House.  Routes 43 and 55 are the only bus ones that stop directly across the street from the State House.
MBTA bus schedules and maps
MBTA bus route 43
MBTA bus route 55

By Car

By Car

From the North

From Interstate 93 South, take Exit 26, following signs towards Storrow Drive.  Staying in the left lane through the tunnel, take the Government Center exit that comes up almost immediately on your left.  Traveling straight across the intersection and under the Red Line T stop, continue up Charles Street for five blocks through the shopping district, taking a left turn onto Beacon Street.  The State House is on the left at top of the hill.

From the South

From Interstate 93 North, take Exit 23 from the Tip O’Neill Tunnel towards Government Center, staying in the left lane and bearing left as you approach street level.  At the traffic light, continue straight across the intersection through two more traffic lights and take a left turn onto Congress Street.  At the end of the block, take a right turn at the traffic light.  With the Old State House on your left, travel a short distance up State Street and cross Washington Street at the light.  State Street now becomes Court Street.  Take a left turn at the next traffic light onto Tremont Street.  Continue through two more sets of lights, taking a right at the third set onto Park Street.  The State House is at the top of the hill.

From the West

From the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90), take Exit 22 towards Copley Square and continue straight, along Stuart Street, through five sets of traffic lights, taking a left turn at the sixth one onto Charles Street.  Continue through two sets of lights and take a right turn onto Beacon Street at the third.  The State House is on the left at top of the hill.

From Logan Airport and the North Shore via Sumner Tunnel

Take the Sumner Tunnel towards Boston and follow the signs for Government Center, taking a left at the first traffic light onto New Chardon.  Take a left at the second traffic light onto Congress Street.  Continue on Congress through three sets of lights, passing Boston City Hall on your right. At the fourth light, take a right onto State Street.  With the Old State House on your left, travel a short distance up State Street and cross Washington Street at the light.  State Street now becomes Court Street.  Take a left turn at the next traffic light onto Tremont Street.  Continue through two more sets of lights, taking a right at the third set onto Park Street.  The State House is at the top of the hill.

From Logan Airport and the North Shore via the Ted Williams Tunnel

Take the Ted Williams tunnel west towards Boston and the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90), staying on the right and carefully following the signs for Interstate 93 North.  From Interstate 93 North, take Exit 23 from the Tip O’Neill Tunnel towards Government Center, staying in the left lane and bearing left as you approach street level.  At the traffic light, continue straight across the intersection, through two more traffic lights, and take a left turn onto Congress Street.  At the end of the block, take a right turn at the traffic light. With the Old State House on your left, travel a short distance up State Street and cross Washington Street at the light.  State Street now becomes Court Street.  Take a left turn at the next traffic light onto Tremont Street.  Continue through two more sets of lights, taking a right at the third set onto Park Street.  The State House is at the top of the hill.

From the Northwest

Take Route 2 East into Cambridge, along Fresh Pond Parkway.  Cross the Eliot Bridge onto Soldiers Field Road in Boston which becomes Storrow Drive.  Shortly after emerging from the Arlington Street underpass stay to the right and take the Government Center exit at David Mugar Way onto Charles Circle.  Take a right turn onto Charles Street.  Continue up Charles Street for five blocks through the shopping district, taking a left turn onto Beacon Street.  The State House is on the left at top of the hill.

Boston Common Garage Parking Information

http://www.mccahome.com/bcg.html