Things To Do

The town of Brookline placed this bronze, bas-relief plaque in the front yard of 83 Beals Street in 1961 to recognize the birthplace of the newly elected president.  Below a portrait of Kennedy, the text reads: “Birthplace of John F. Kennedy  35th President of the United States  Born May 29, 1917 on this site  83 Beals St., Brookline, Mass”

The site is currently closed for the off season through May 28, 2026.


During the off-season, tours can be arranged by appointment only, Wednesdays and Fridays, with at least two weeks advance notice and are dependent on staff availability. Weekend tour times are not available. For a listing of already known blackout dates, please check the alerts section of our website. Tours are thirty-minutes long and free-of-charge.

If you would like to schedule a tour in the off-season, please email us, letting us know the date of your intended visit, your preference for a morning or afternoon time, the number of people in your group, and your contact information. A member of our staff will then contact you to arrange the visit.

*Please know that for the safety of our visitors and staff, tours during the winter season may be postponed or cancelled due to inclement weather.*
  • Operating Hours and Seasons including opening and closing dates.

    2026 Reopening

    John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site (NHS) is pleased to announce that the site is reopening for the 2026 season on Friday, May 29, the same date that John F. Kennedy was born in the 83 Beals Street home, and will remain open through Friday, October 30, 2026. Brand new exhibits have been installed in the site’s visitor center to enhance the overall experience.

    During the first three days of the open season, May 29 – 31, the site will be open exclusively for self-guided open house visitation.

    Visitor hours in 2026 are from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The site is closed Monday-Wednesday.

    Starting on June 4, guided tours of JFK’s birthplace will be available on the hour and the half-hour from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Self-guided options are not available during these times. From 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., self-guided options are available.

    All tours are free. Reservations for guided tours are not made for groups fewer than five as tours are mostly offered first-come-first-served. If you have a group of five or more, please make a reservation.






When the Kennedy family donated the house at 83 Beals to the National Park Service as a "gift to the American people," the president's mother hoped that future generations would be able to visit and "get a better appreciation of the history of this wonderful country." Today, visitors can experience Mrs. Kennedy's recreation of these early years through a variety of experiences.

For information on special events, please see the Calendar and News sections of this website, and/or like us on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.


From Beals Street to the White House
Join a ranger and learn about the early years of John F. Kennedy. During a free, 30 minute tour, you'll see the room where he was born, learn how Mrs. Kennedy managed a large family, discover John F. Kennedy's favorite childhood books and explore the influences that shaped him as child. View complete tour schedule.

The Enduring Qualities: the Origins of the Kennedy Family in Boston
Discover the origins of the Fitzgerald and Kennedy families in this 90 minute tour of Boston's North End. You'll see Rose Kennedy's birthplace, learn about the experience of Irish immigrants during the Great Famine in Ireland and how the city continues to celebrate the contributions of both the Fitzgerald and Kennedy families. Tour times and meeting location here.

Last updated: April 29, 2026

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

83 Beals Street
Brookline, MA 02446

Phone:

617-566-7937

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