Boston Common vs Boston Old State House: which should you do first?

If you only have time for one, do Boston Old State House first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 88 against 83 for Boston Common, and it has 88 ranked ways to see it versus 103. Boston Common is the cheaper entry at $22, so it is the better pick on a tight budget. With a full day in Boston, pair them: plan Boston Common in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.

Boston Common

Boston Common

Boston Old State House

Boston Old State House

Side by side

Boston Common compared with Boston Old State House in Boston
Boston CommonBoston Old State House
Ranked experiences10388
Top Outty Ranking9597
Average ranking (top 10)8388
Cheapest experience$22$25
Average time needed2.2h2.4h
Free cancellation100% of options100% of options
Free to visitYesNo

Best ways to see Boston Common

  1. 1. Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

    Outty Ranking 95 · from $39 · 2.5h

  2. 2. Boston's Food and History: North End, Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill

    Outty Ranking 91 · from $61 · 5h

  3. 3. Boston's Freedom Trail and Charming Beacon Hill Tour

    Outty Ranking 86 · from $25 · 2h

  4. 4. Boston: Underground Railroad History Tour of Beacon Hill

    Outty Ranking 85 · from $35 · 2.5h

  5. 5. Boston City View Bicycle Tour: History and Landmarks

    Outty Ranking 80 · from $78 · 2.5h

All 103 Boston Common experiences

Best ways to see Boston Old State House

  1. 1. The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small-Group Boston Walking Tour

    Outty Ranking 97 · from $59 · 3h

  2. 2. Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

    Outty Ranking 95 · from $39 · 2.5h

  3. 3. Boston's Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour

    Outty Ranking 92 · from $31 · 2.5h

  4. 4. Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Bunker Hill and USS Constitution

    Outty Ranking 92 · from $79 · 4h

  5. 5. Boston's Food and History: North End, Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill

    Outty Ranking 91 · from $61 · 5h

All 88 Boston Old State House experiences

Frequently asked questions

Boston Common or Boston Old State House: which is better?

If you only have time for one, do Boston Old State House first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 88 against 83 for Boston Common, and it has 88 ranked ways to see it versus 103. Boston Common is the cheaper entry at $22, so it is the better pick on a tight budget. With a full day in Boston, pair them: plan Boston Common in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.

Which is cheaper, Boston Common or Boston Old State House?

Ranked experiences at Boston Common start from $22 and at Boston Old State House from $25 per person. Boston Common can also be visited for free; paid options add guides, skip-the-line access or transport.

How long do you need at Boston Common and Boston Old State House?

Experiences at Boston Common run 2.2 hours on average and at Boston Old State House 2.4 hours, so both fit in one day in Boston with a break in between.

Can you do Boston Common and Boston Old State House on the same day?

Yes. Book the longer visit for the morning when crowds are lighter, and keep the afternoon for the other. 100% of Boston Common options and 100% of Boston Old State House options offer free cancellation, which makes it easy to adjust.

What is the best tour of each?

For Boston Common: Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour (Outty Ranking 95, from $39). For Boston Old State House: The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small-Group Boston Walking Tour (Outty Ranking 97, from $59).

More Boston matchups

Best things to do in BostonBoston city guideBoston tours comparedHow the Outty Ranking works