Reviews of Adams National Historical Park (Park)

Cathi La Sota

Tour is well worth the $15. Lasts about 2 hours. Tickets are first come, first served, and they sell out fast. 30 minute video can be seen here. Nice gift shop. And helpful, knowledgeable rangers.

Cameron Dean

Parking at the President's galleria is free if visiting the Adams visitors center. Trolley will take you to the different sites for $10. This is also the only way to tour the inside of the houses.

Karin Nordlander

Tours are very well organized by the NPS. Lots of historical facts.

Adam Sherlip

Excellent historical tour

Samuel Matthews

Amazing place

Isadora Manoela

Very good

Ray Theberge

Historical treasure , should be seen by all

Rob Leising

Not much to do at the glorified gift shop, and while you can visit the actual house, it needs to be done by reservation and is a 2 hour guided tour in which you take a trolley from the gift shop to the site.

Female DallasTx

It's $10 per person and you can only view houses by trolley. It's feels a little rushed. Not much time to snap photos or videos outside because they shuffle you back on the trolley for the next group. So as soon as you step off the trolley on both stops make sure to start snapping away photos and videos. No photos or videos are allowed inside any of the houses. They forgot to tell us that on all house tours today. Go to YELP for better reviews and photos. It's easier to upload multiple photos there

Darlene Dupras

A lot of history and very interesting. The home is full of actual family possessions. Ie: paintings, China, furniture. The massive Library, it's own building has thousand of books. From I believe 5 generations. The lawn is also very impressive.

Jeanmarie Boyd

Very well presented.

Chris M

Highly recommend the trolley tour and short video beforehand narrated by Tom Hanks. Lots of history in the homes and library. If you live in Quincy or are just visiting take this tour!

Matt Kakas

Very historical and good tours!

Kathleen Domenicucci

Excellent customer service and they advised us where to go even though we were early

Sam Miceli

Excellent historical and architectural property for adults and kids with a tour of other historic homes.

Bryce Caster

In order to tour this park, you must go on a two part guided tour that leaves from the visitor center is downtown Quincy. Here are the two parts of the tour: 1. The birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Simple homes with some period pieces. 2. The family's estate. This home has housed 4 generations of Adams' and has almost all of the existing family heirlooms. The house and its history is nothing short of incredible.

Frank Rauseo

A wonderful place to visit. Makes one grateful for patriots like John Adams and all involved in creating this truly amazing country. God bless the USA!

Usanus Siritararatn

Good

Larry Steingraber

The city really grew around the homes. Trolley made touring possible.

Erik Andersen

Very historical.

Geoff Penney

The tour provides such a great story of relatively humble beginning to such prominence. Stone library is amazing, but the home housed generations of Adams. The place has this great history, but an almost lived in sense as well. Been to many historical sites. This is one of the best so far.

Suzanne Routhier

Wonderful National Park! Thanks, Ranger Rick for the tour.

Carolyne Volpe Curley

My tween daughter and I visited July 7 and had an excellent experience. But you do need to know some things in advance: 1. We arrived at 2:30pm. That's a tricky time period because a) the film is 30 minutes long b) the tours are at 2 1/2 hours long - and the one before us had left already, and then next (and last) wasn't until 3:15pm c) we also needed to get to the Burial Ground at the United First Parish Church, Quincy - which closes at 4pm We ended up buying the tickets - going right to the Church - coming afterwards to see about 10 minutes of the film - and then going on the tour. Obviously I wish I had done that all better. 2. In the rush I forgot to get our Parking ticket validated. You get a sticker that goes on the card. When you buy your ticket - get your parking sticker at the same time. 3. The film is very well done and I am going to search to see if it's online because I would have loved to see all of it. 4. There were about 20+ persons in our tour group - and we all got onto the trolley. There was a seat for everyone, but that's it - no extra room. 5. Our first stop was John Adams Birthplace - it seemed like it had barely been touched since Colonial Days it was very easy to imagine the time period. I particularly enjoyed being in the larger room where John Adams' father Deacon John Adams would host meetings that younger John sat in on and developed his own character. 6. Then we all walked over to John and Abigail’s Home: the John Quincy Adams Birthplace. I was happy to be in the place where the Massachusetts Constitution was written which became the cornerstone of our US Constitution. It was also quite easy to picture Abigail here raising (and nursing) her family alone while husband John was away at work and in Philadelphia starting the Nation. 7. Then it's back on the trolley and we drove a bit to John and Abigail's second home they named "Peace Field." This was a much more grander and modernized location as it served to be not only their homestead but continued to be a family location into the 20th Century. It is kept exactly as the family wants it to be displayed. Even though it was a notable historic location, as well as a political gathering place for the times - it definitely felt lived-in, warm and inviting. 8. From there we walked to The Stone Library - which I loved. Here Charles Francis Adams wrote many noteworthy histories of the Family and the country. 9. We then got on the Trolley again and returned to the Park Station, which was by then closed so plan your gift shop purchases ahead of time if you take the last tour. If you love America - you will love this tour. I highly recommend it.

Calvert's Convertibles

Limited but informative. Graciously hosted by docents who enjoy showing guests the property.

Kwan Chan

Staffs are friendly and knowledgeable. The houses are well kept and neat. The tour was timely and well guided. Overall was excellent.

David Day

Love the friendly and informative tour!

Kathleen Steingraber

Considering this park is in a very urban areas, they did a great job with a trolley getting people around. I love visiting national parks.

G Aquino

This listing is the Visitors Center for the Adams Historical Park. This should be your first stop if you're visiting as this is where you check in and wait for the trolley that takes you to the actual homes of Presidents Adams and Quincy Adams. Visitors are not allowed to visit those homes on their own. This is also the only site within the 'national park' with restrooms, so plan your restroom use accordingly. While waiting for the trolley, you can watch a short film on the Adamses or check out the gift shop. Tours are seasonal and are offered from May to early November. Check their website to see the actual dates. The tour lasts two hours and takes you to two places. The first site has two humble homes where the Presidents were born. The other site, called Peacefield, is more affluent and is where they lived later in their lives. The tour was informative and well presented. For same-day tickets, call ahead and ask for ticket availability. You can buy them online otherwise. If you're arriving from downtown Boston, you can take a train (red line) to the Quincy Center train station, and walk 5 minutes to the Visitors Center. A one-way train ride takes about half an hour, but you have to factor in the train wait times. Always a good idea to plan your visit around the train schedules, which you can check online.

Lynda Domincovich

Well worth the admission of $15 If you admire Pres. Adams or like American history, you will enjoy this tour. The guides are very knowledgeable.

anthony monnat

Awesome place.

Dianna Wass

The people that live in this area ,DO NOT KNOW HOW LUCKY THEY ARE TO LIVE AROUND THIS MUCH. HISTORY ,!! GO check it all out

Mary Linnihan

This tour was phenomenal...worth the time & money. Guides very knowledgeable. Loved it!

Steven Smith

Worth the visit - see the Adams sites :-)

Francis Moran

Fantastic historical site. Worth visiting

Richard Willens

Great place to visit, guides are great

Blake Beers

Wonderful tours in an authentic setting with artifacts that belonged to this influential family.

Katharine Seay

The tour guides were so well informed, I was bummed they asked us not to take photos and some of the history was a little rushed, but I had a really nice experience and recommend this while it's still open. It's free with a student ID also!!

Candy Kelly

BEAUTIFUL PARK

John T

History comes alive during some of the tours

Cecelia CHANDLER

Check it out!

Mike McCormick

Great look into one of the great, but somewhat forgotten, founding father and founding mother. Leave plenty of time to take the tour (you MUST go to the Visitors Center first before seeing the houses), but was worth every bit of time spent there. Kid had a great time earning his Junior Ranger too. Highlight of the tour for me was the stone library of John Quincy Adams.

Frank Connor-Hughes

Fantastic place and incredible to see the original items and even wallpaper from such an historic time

Barbara Morshead

FANTASTIC for both Our Colonial to Independence has been preserved for us. For me it is also personal to my Ancestry. I have always been rivited by Braintree. I found out that this was substantiated by not only by The Adam's but by my GGF+ Gregory Belcher who built the house in (1639) Deacon Adam's bought ..Which made the rest History for the Adam's. Thank You, Barbara Waldemar

David Liming

Very informative, free and interesting

Rad Pal

History, presented as it was. Abigail's cairn is just up the road...

Alisan Z

How often do you get to see a newly opened National Park? I love this place, it is full of history, and is absolutely lovely. Take the tour to see and hear more about our American Revolution and the great men and women who made it possible.

Jeff Petersen

Very interesting! Nice tour but can be confusing since the tour doesn't start at the homes. Tour guides were friendly and very knowledgeable.

Phillip P.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Peter Nieland

Toured it

Muriel Rand

Excellent tours of historic homes. The National Park service has done a terrific job of making American history come alive. Plan on 3 hours.

Keli Wolfe

Everyone who worked at the park and visitors center were absolutely perfect! They were caring and courteous. They took time out to answer my questions and help me navigate the city, I'm not a local. They also offered more Adams sites off the tour that I may enjoy. I am definitely coming back.

Meghan Pronovost

Great historical tour given by the rangers.

Nourhan Ali

The GPS did not find the location.

Marian Stier

Wonderfully informative tour. Clearly the Ra ngers love their jobs.

Duarte Aguiar

Amazing for any person interested in colonial history.

Bridget Delaney

Amazing! It was an experience.

Guess It Was Fate

Such an AMAZING place to learn about our second and sixth presidents. The tour starts at John Adams birthplace and continues to the "Peacefield" mansion. Over 12,000 books in the beautiful library and incredible furnishings and paintings adorn this wonderful Historic National Park. I lost it when I actually saw the desk where John Adam's wrote to Thomas Jefferson after 25 years of silence hoping to rekindle their friendship. A must see especially for history buffs.

Jason Roux

Sad day when you have to pay to see the history of this country. Our taxes should pay for this.

Floyd Bartrom

A great historical site with a great deal of information from the guides.

Tyler Godefroy

I enjoyed visiting the houses, you take a trolley from the visitor center to the birth house and second house, you tour both house then get back on the trolly to go to the much bigger house Peace fields

James Watanabe

It was Amazing! Definitely recommended. You even get to travel 250 years back in time and meet Adams himself in the flesh and bone. We must look like Aliens to him but he doesn't make it awkward at all!

Trevor Alm

Awesome stop. The parking situation is a little odd but makes sense once you know where to go. The two birth places are worth seeing but the peacefield house is the star of the show for sure. The tour guide Jane was probably the best guide I have ever had at a historic site. Super friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable (not to mention beautiful). As a great admirer of John Adams I was thrilled with this stop. I would also mention that hopping across the street from the visitor center to see the Adams crypt is also very much worth the time.

Tony C

Great for education ... The kids loved it...

Brian Hacker

Beautiful, historic, just wish I'd had more time to look around.

kirtesh wagulde

Great history and amazing rangers. We took the bus tour and I highly reccomend that.

Hansel Taveras

Did a photo shoot and the mother nature was fabulous, a lot vegetation and super clean and well treatment

Kirby Mckenzie

A lot of history very nice

אמנון ויתקון

(Translated by Google) not interesting (Original) לא מעניין

Spencer R Day

These rangers really know their stuff. History buffs all. Great subject matter: Adams family in American history. Tours available for old birthplace houses and the beautiful Peacefield house and library.

E. M.

The tour was amazing. It is so nice to see that part of history and walk where they walked. The history is phenomenal and it was nice to be there and remember what America was like when it had intellects in office.

Walter Lapatovich

Very educational expose of our early history not covered in textbooks. Take the children and see how public service was inspired through generations.

Rob Nickel

Fantastic. Love John Adams

Christine Anderson

Walk into history at the Adams National Historic Park. I loved every minute I was there. The guides are friendly and quite knowlegdable and they don't rush you through the homes. the gift shop is a bit pricey but overall I think its a great experience.

Backpackerwdogs 1

Very nice historical tour of our 2nd and 6th Presidents

kristen koseski

What a delightful experience we had at this hidden gem in Quincy, Massachusetts. The rangers that greeted us at the visitors center were warm and informative (even so far as recommending a delightful cafe for lunch) we bored a trolly and visited the birthplaces of both John Adams and John Quincy Adams then we proceeded to "peacefield", A lovely manor home that would house 4 generations of Adams before becoming a national museum in the 1940's. The rangers at all three locations were passionate and informative, but the ranger at Peacefield had to have been the single most enthusiastic tour guide I have ever encountered in 50 years of visiting historical sights!! She had a love for the history of the family and the property that was contagious. I have not enjoyed a tour this much in recent memory!!

Ethan Bodine

I liked the place a lot because they are my 7th and 8th great grandfather.

Clifford Cole Jr

Really a site to see

Chris Vertiz Malpica

it sucked

David Switzer

I love Presidential sites, and with this one, you get two for one. The shuttle service between sites was well organized. The four buildings on the tour are very well interpreted and maintained. My only regret is that I couldn't see the video at the HQ. If you go, park in the garage, take your ticket in, and the ranger will validate it so your parking is free. Otherwise you pay about $9 in that garage. Also, the church where both presidents and first ladies are entombed is across the street from the HQ, so don't miss that. It's not part of the park because it's still in use as a church.

Peter Luttik

Inspiring stories of presidents their wifes and kids. Worth an extra trip. Takes half a day Incl church with memorials written by the sons of the presidents.

Joshua Olson

This is where tour tickets are acquired to get you inside the birthplace homes at the corner of Presidents Ave & Franklin St. as well as their Peace field home at the corner of Adams St. and Newport Ave. A wonderful place to go for people interested in history and/or John Adams and John Quincy Adams. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and the Peace field home is almost all original. You can bring your camera but no pictures are allowed inside the homes.

ben beltran

Very cool memorial. Awesome place to visit.

Liz bowman

My parents donated my books there when I was a young child. One signed By President Lincoln,another by President Adams. Such a history rich city.

Kay Plucker

Great docents. Abigail's flower garden is amazing. Don't miss John's library on the grounds.

Lynn Volpini

Great service and good food

Robert Orsini

Cool overall

James Kellner

Great tour!!

hila

Guided tour in 2 historic houses with a trolly. Very informative and a great guides. There is a very good movie in the visitor center, and very good kids activity. Be sure to ask here or in any other no for the junior ranger activity book.

Mandy Kirby

Fantastic part of history. Unfortunately, they system they have set up is a little inconveint. You first have to go to the visitor center which is a few miles away. They will have you take a trolley to the park where you will then have to take a tour to go in the houses. I don't mind the tour part, it's just having to drive all over that is impractical. There is plenty of room on the grounds for the visitor center and for those that are traveling, this is too much extra effort.

VanGo Adventures

No adequate signs for parking or visitor center. Parked in a parking garage that damaged our van. The ceiling height was very low.

Dave Robison

Stop and think of how the actions of a very brave populace 250 years ago affected our lives today. Touring Peace field and other historic sights with knowledgeable docents is enlightening and educational.

John Hansen

We spent a week in Boston / Cape Cod and this was the highlight of my trip. I could not have enjoyed it any more than I did. I love and respect John and Abigail Adam's to the fullest. And seeing where their legacy began and ultimately continued was a personal honor. God bless the Adam's and God bless America.

Madeline Tarte

It very hot but interesting

Neha Gupta

Not for kids under 10

Xtarnisher

I enjoyed my experience very much! Thanks to the amazing Tour Guide! Thx, X Misrahi

George Rohlfing

Everyone should visit John Adams Homestead and learn what he did to help a fledgling nation. He and his family sacrificed a lot for our country.

Jindi Farmer

Adams National Historical Park, formerly Adams National Historic Site, in Quincy, Massachusetts, preserves the home of Presidents of the United States John Adams and John Quincy Adams, of U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, Charles Francis Adams, and of the writers and historians Henry Adams and Brooks Adams. The national historical park's eleven buildings tell the story of five generations of the Adams family (from 1720 to 1927) including Presidents, First Ladies, U.S. Ministers, historians, writers, and family members who supported and contributed to their success. In addition to Peacefield, home to four generations of the Adams family, the park's main historic features include the John Adams Birthplace (October 30, 1735), the nearby John Quincy Adams Birthplace (July 11, 1767), and the Stone Library (built in 1870 to house the books of John Quincy Adams and believed to be the first presidential library), containing more than 14,000 historic volumes in 12 languages. There is an off-site Visitors Center less than a mile (1.6 km) away. Regularly scheduled tours of the houses are offered in season (April 19 to November 10), by guided tour only, using a tourist trolley provided by the Park Service between sites. Access to United First Parish Church, where the Adamses worshipped and are buried, is provided by the congregation for which they ask a small donation. The church is across the street from the Visitors Center.

S R

Fabulous!

James Watt

the tour was very good. one of the best historical tours I've done. the stone library was the coolest part, unfortunately you spend the least amount of time there.

Doug Atkins

This is one of the most incredible historical places I've ever been. The Adams home was completely original! So interesting!

Stan Barrowman

I’ve recently found out that since my wife’s grandmother passed away last year and a ancestral book was given to my wife that her grandmother was an Adams and my wife is the great great great great granddaughter of John Quincy Adams. The book traces the ancestry to my wife’s Father. Now how cool is that. We are planning a trip there in August 2018.

David MacIndoe

This is a very informative experience. I highly recommend going if you are visiting the area and want to learn more about the Adams family and how much they contributed to the building of our nation. Even if you live here, it's well worth the trip! The tour was just the right amount of time. Not too long where you get bored, not too short where you feel like not much was put into it. I like how you can wander around and look at the property too. Just a heads up, if you plan to see the caskets that they rest in, you will have to go into the Unitarian church downtown then make your way downstairs to the basement where they have you pay a small donation. It's up to you...it's not much to look at since they're just big stone caskets, but the money also helps to keep the place maintained.

Vic Laskorski

Extremely well run and cared for!

Joseph Callaway

Great history and well preserved. Recommended for an educational trip.

Lynne Redmond

The buildings have been maintained with great care.

Judy Meier

Great houses, all original, preserved, furnishings of the Presidents.. Love the Library stone building.

Matey Checko

It was a fabulous experience and fun too. We had a fun tour.

James Kogler

Super awesome place to visit. It's really cheap and on some beautiful grounds. You start the tour from quincy center at the national park visitor center, then take a bus/trolley to the house. The grounds are amazing as is the library at the end. A wonderful way to learn about American history.

Jen C

A must see for every American.

Karen Bassett

Very interesting historical landmark

Luke Ely

Great place to learn about John Adams and JQA

Hong Pua

A place to get back in touch of the dreams of the founding fathers and to reflect on how we want for the future. Knowledgeable rangers. Very well kept and outside garden give a sense of town refuge.

M R

Everything is an authentic antique in the home where 4 generations of Adams lived until 1927. The home and grounds are beautiful and worth a visit.

Jill Helser

This is a wonderful site. Be aware it is very disjointed it does not start at home. You must start at the visitors center and take a trolley to get the full story. The park folks do a wonderful job. The town of Quincy is a crazy layout and hard to make your way around. You'll need your Google maps at the ready. Too bad urban growth was allowed to smother this historic site.

Becca Berger

Excellent tours and historical homes. The tour covers three Adams homes. The first smaller homes mostly have period pieces inside but that's because the final home has all their original furnishings.

Chet Bush

Great place to visit. The Adams are this countrys first political dynasty and the tourist gets a feel for their dedication to public service that Monticello, despite Jeffersons noted accomplishments through his life and career, lacks. The tour guide, while very knowledgeable, was a little rude as I recall.

pat lee

Great place the tour is nice looks great in the summer

Bill Finnerty

Rangers were very informative. The transportation worked well.

Thomas Wiczek

Be here early not to miss out on tour.

R D

What a treat to visit and learn about t h e Adams families. A piece of American history that all ages need to experience.