Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site adventure.
The house at 83 Beals Street is the birthplace and childhood home of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. Not only can you tour the parlor and kitchen of the future president, but you can also see the upstairs master bedroom in which he was born.
JFK's mother, Rose Kennedy, recreated the family home. Her husband, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., bought it in August 1914 in preparation for their marriage. The family lived in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood of Brookline, Massachusetts, until 1920. The Kennedy clan had grown so large by then, they purchased a bigger home a few blocks away.
The home's basement serves as the National Park visitor center. Check out the exhibits and photographs and watch a film. Take the free 30-minute tour, "From Beals Street to the White House" that leads you into the dining room. Here you'll see Rose's formal wedding china and a large collection of Kennedy artifacts. The piano in the living room was a wedding gift from two of Rose's uncles. The nursery is furnished with a bassinet that held each of the nine Kennedy children. Childhood photos and favorite books bring the legendary Kennedy family to rich life.
If you just can't get enough JFK, take the 45-minute "In Jack's Footsteps" tour through the neighborhood. Or, a 90-minute tour of Boston's North End that traces the origins of the Fitzgerald and Kennedy families.
This historic site closes from late October through mid-May, but weekday tours are available by appointment. In season, the free guided tours are offered hourly and half-hourly. You can also do a self-guided tour during specified times if you prefer.
Stay a little longer — view all nearby options for camping on both public campgrounds and private land by diving deeper into Hipcamp.