John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site

I don’t know why this doesn’t have more reviews this was such a wonderful tour and place to vist. To actually get to stand where jfk once was is something to be treasured forever. Walking down the street made you feel what it must feel like to be walking down an American dream with how the houses had wrapped around patios and shade trees everywhere

Non descript residence in an older neighborhood… very well restored and in addition to the library, worth a visit. Recommended.

An unusual park site still in the middle of a residential area with almost no parking (one spot in front of the house). After the assasinaton the current owner was getting so many visitors the Kennedy family bought the house from her with the intent of donating it to the nation. Rose Kennedy decorated the house from memory to be as it wash when John lived there as a child. Some of her memories may be a bit circumspect (John’s favorite book as a child was King Arthur?) but the overall feel was authetic. As always for the park service an informative and well presented experience. The visitor center is in the back of the house in the cellar. You get a free ticket here to tour the house with a ranger.

First of all, I have to say thanks to the rangers for not judging that I was headed in here after a run and was all sweaty. They didn’t turn me away and even offered me the free headset (which I’m sure they cleaned pretty completely after I left!
I didn’t have a lot of time as I was rushing back to get ready for a family event, but I wanted to visit as I’ve been to Boston countless times and passed this site during many of my trips and haven’t stopped in.
The house was really interesting, the rangers knew all sorts of fun tidbits (and talked through a lot of it since I was in a rush and couldn’t listen to all of the recordings on the rooms).
I love that everything is put together so well and that the original furnishings are there (that story about the dining room table is unreal — I can’t believe what good shape it’s in!). I liked that the bedspreads in the master bedroom are just like the ones we had that my sister and I basically tore to shreads by using them as kids.
The narration was great — the house was very neat and the staff made the trip really pleasant.
Also, they have open house times (this is when I visited) so you can look at your own pace — check the website!

So close to Coolidge Corner, where I stayed in Boston. Didn’t really know about this place until someone mentioned that it was walking distance from my hotel. The place is on a residential street but the big American flag and plaque in front of the house make it easy to spot this historical place.
Usually open at 9:30am but the ranger guided tours start at 10am, 30 minutes tour through the 2 story house. Self guided tours are available but from 1pm-​3pm. Reason they do this is because the house can only fit about 9 people at most, especially the second floor. Good history behind the story of the 35^th American President.
If you walked in from Harvard St, you can actually pass by the Devotion Elementary School that JFK attended, along with the temple.
About 2 – 3 blocks from the birthplace, is the 2^nd home that the Kennedys moved into. That one is a private residence so you can only check out the outside.
A tiny little gift shop located on the basement of the house. But there are signs everywhere so you don’t get lost.
Best of all, all the ranger and self guided tours are FREE. Best use of my last morning in Boston. I probably would have regretted if I missed this, especially since it was super close to me.

The JFK Birthplace proves that big things come in small packages. We came to the site with family interested in the Kennedy family history. The young intern that provided our 30 minute tour was very good. We left with a clear understanding of the impact Joe and Rose had on their children in those early years in Brookline. It was fascinating to «follow the line» of Kennedy’s political interests and achievements all the way back to his Brookline youth. This kind of historic house museum is that lights my fire: a house that opens a window onto the past through objects, stories, and social history.

As a Boston native, I cannot believe I hadn’t visited this place sooner. Tucked away in the back streets of Coolidge Corner, the JFK birthplace serves as an important stop in Kennedy family history. The house can be toured alone (if you go after 4pm), and if you choose this option, you get a handheld audio guide that Rose Kennedy narrates. I found this pretty interesting (if you go during the day, you will be on a guided tour with a park ranger). Before entering, we got to see a short film narrated by Ted Kennedy about Rose Kennedy’s life. So, although this is JFK’s birthplace, it is heavy on Rose Kennedy information — this is not a drawback, but a pleasant and interesting surprise in a town obsessed with JFK.

Came across this during my time at BU, and I could not get enough JFK history. It’s a small house and they offer 30 minute tours of what life was like during the nineteen teens and twenties. I thought it was interesting and I enjoy the JFK history angle. It’s open seasonally, not during the winter, so if you’re in Boston, just make sure to check when it’s open. And it’s in a residential area on a small street off of Harvard Ave. But it’s mid-​block with an old school street lamp in front. They also have walking maps of JFK’s school and other land marks

The JFK Birthplace is definitely a cool thing to check out in Brookline. Really, there’s no excuse not to go. It’s cheap and entertaining and close to Coolidge Corner.

I didnt know that JFK and I were from the same hood. Brookline that is. I stumbled upon his house one spring afternoon, during my weekly pilgrimage to the collige corner for some homemade foods.
Its small but inexpensive ($ 3), you get a little tour of the actual house and then you can watch the movie about the whole Kennedy family.
Be aware that tt has very weird hours and is closed for the winter.
I really like the color of the house. This darkish greenish blue.
Definitely worth a stop, its a cool local historical landmark.

Not surprised that it’s not reviewed more often. More of a landmark — paying homage to — site rather than a museum. It’s open for a short part of the day (10a to 2p?) and the house didn’t seem so large that it would accommodate a long tour. Now if you take the local tour of JFK’s early haunts (school, church, homes) you might follow the brochure and see a second home around the corner in the same neighborhood. That one is actually inhabited, so be polite and refrain from nosying about!

I really liked visiting the JFK Birthplace. I had been seeing signs for it for years before I took the time to visit. Admission is cheap and you get a little tour of the house with interesting tidbits about its history. Additionally, you can also watch a little documentary on the Kennedys afterwards.
If you enjoy local history, definitely stop by. It’s inexpensive and something fun to do after pigging out at Zaftigs.