Marriott Custom House Boston
Marriott Custom House Boston is the historic Boston Custom House at 3 McKinley Square, a granite landmark with a clock tower that stands out on the Financial District skyline. Many people search for it as the Boston Customs House, and the building did serve as the city's customs house before it became a Marriott Vacation Club resort in 1997. The original Greek Revival building dates to the 1840s, and the tower was added between 1913 and 1915. This page covers the address, the history, what the resort offers, the observation deck and clock tower, and the Boston sights nearby. It also shows how to fit the Custom House into a day with Boston Sightseeing, since the tour map lists it near Stop 1.
Location
The Marriott Custom House is at 3 McKinley Square, Boston, MA 02109, in the Financial District near State Street and the waterfront. The building stands on State Street, and a historic preservation group describes it as a short distance from Long Wharf and the waterfront. That puts it between the waterfront and the historic center, so visitors can pair it with Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Freedom Trail and a walk along Boston Harbor. The Financial District page covers the neighborhood around the tower.
On a Boston Sightseeing tour, the tour map lists the Custom House among the places near Stop 1, New England Aquarium. The Aquarium stop is also the closest stop to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, so one stop covers several sights.
History Of The Custom House
The Custom House opened in the 1840s as the place where the federal government collected duties on ships entering Boston Harbor. Ammi B. Young won the design competition in 1837, and the original Greek Revival building has a granite base and a dome. Sources give 1847 for the opening and 1849 for the finished building, so you will see both dates. Visitors who search for the Boston Customs House are usually looking for this building.
The clock tower came much later. Peabody and Stearns added it between 1913 and 1915, and the clock began keeping time on April 6, 1916. Each of the four clock faces is 22 feet across. The tower made the Custom House the tallest building in Boston until the Prudential Tower passed it in 1964. Some sources also call it the tallest in New England, but Hartford's Travelers Tower, completed in 1919, was taller, so this page limits the claim to Boston. The original clock hands were replaced with carbon fiber in December 2020.
Customs work later moved to a federal building, and the City of Boston bought the Custom House. After several redevelopment attempts, it opened as a Marriott Vacation Club resort in 1997. A history group notes that the sale preserved public access to the top of the building. The Custom House District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and Boston named the building a city landmark in 1986.
Facilities
The Marriott Custom House is a vacation club resort, so it works differently from a standard hotel. Its resort page describes one-bedroom suites of about 450 square feet and offers availability for rentals as well as owner access. The page lists its amenities and dining, but amenities and hours can change, so confirm them with the resort before you book.
Rooms, Fitness And Amenities
The resort lists a fitness center, a movie theater, an activities center, a family game room, a concierge, high-speed wireless internet and laundry machines. It does not list a pool, so do not plan around one. Call the resort at 617-310-6300 if a specific amenity matters to your trip. The resort page also notes a facade improvement project on the exterior, which it says will not affect accommodations, services or amenities. Part of the building may be wrapped when you visit, which matters if you want photos of the tower.
The Observation Deck And Clock Tower
The resort lists an observation deck on the 26th level with 360 degree views of the city. For most travelers this is the main reason to visit, since the deck sits close to the clock faces. Third-party listings report free visits by advance reservation, about once a day on select days and usually not on Fridays. They say you book through the front desk at 617-310-6300 at least 48 hours ahead, that each booking covers up to 8 people and that backpacks are not allowed. Weather can cancel a visit. Other sources describe different schedules, so call before you plan around it.
Dining
The resort page lists two places to eat: The Counting Room and Custom House Bar. Check their hours with the resort, since dining options change.
Nearby Attractions
The Custom House puts several major sights within reach of the waterfront.
- New England Aquarium: On the harbor, and Stop 1 on the Boston Sightseeing Blue Route.
- Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market: The marketplace area, also listed near Stop 1 on the tour map.
- Old State House: A Freedom Trail stop in the historic center and Stop 2 on the Blue Route.
- Boston Common: The oldest city park in the United States, and Stop 4 on the Blue Route.
- North End and Old North Church: Boston's Italian-American neighborhood and the church where the lanterns were hung in 1775.
- Boston Waterfront: Harbor views and parks along the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Marriott Custom House in Boston?
It is the historic Boston Custom House at 3 McKinley Square, now operated as a Marriott Vacation Club resort. The original building dates to the 1840s, and the clock tower was added between 1913 and 1915.
Where is the Marriott Custom House in Boston?
It is at 3 McKinley Square, Boston, MA 02109, in the Financial District near State Street and the waterfront.
Is the Marriott Custom House a hotel?
It is a vacation club resort with one-bedroom suites. The resort page offers rentals through an availability calendar, and owners also stay there.
Can you visit the Custom House tower observation deck?
Yes, by reservation. The resort lists a 26th-level observation deck, and third-party listings report free visits booked through the front desk at 617-310-6300. Schedules differ by source, so call to confirm.
How tall is the Custom House Tower?
Sources give slightly different heights, so this page does not quote one number. The tower was the tallest building in Boston from 1915 until the Prudential Tower opened in 1964.
What was the Custom House in Boston used for?
It was the federal customs house where duties were collected on ships entering Boston Harbor. Customs work later moved to another federal building.
When was the Custom House built?
The original Greek Revival building opened in the 1840s, with sources giving 1847 and 1849. The tower was added from 1913 to 1915, and the clock began running in 1916.
Is the Custom House near a Boston Sightseeing stop?
Yes. The tour map lists the Marriott Custom House near Stop 1, New England Aquarium. The All Day ticket covers Stops 1 to 8.
Does the Marriott Custom House have a pool?
The resort page lists a fitness center, a movie theater and other amenities but does not list a pool. Call the resort at 617-310-6300 to confirm.
Tour Planning With Boston Sightseeing
Boston Sightseeing runs a hop-on hop-off double-decker bus with guide commentary, so you can get off at any stop and catch the next bus. The tour map lists the Marriott Custom House near Stop 1, New England Aquarium and Faneuil Hall. A simple plan is to start at Stop 1, see the Custom House exterior and the harbor, then ride on to Stop 2 Old State House, Stop 3 Downtown and Park Street, and Stop 4 Boston Common.
If you want the observation deck, reserve it first and plan the rest of your day around the time slot. The All Day ticket covers Stops 1 to 8, and the Boston and Charlestown ticket covers Stops 1 to 11. The Cruise Terminal ticket covers Stops 1 to 8 and 12 to 15. See the ticket cards below for current options, and use the hop-on hop-off tour map to see every stop and route.
Our Tour Packages
Single Ride Pass
$33.25
Explore Boston in 90 Minutes
Ride above the crowd and enjoy the panoramic view of Boston
- Boston City Tour Single Ride Pass
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour
- Charlestown Sightseeing Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off All Day
$41.55
Boston City Sightseeing Tour
Experience historic Boston with unlimited hop-on hop-off at your own pace.
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Shuttle Bus Service
- Charlestown Tour
Hop-on Hop-off Boston & Charlestown Tour
$48.65
Boston & Charlestown Tour
Experience the charm of Boston & Charlestown with Boston Sightseeing at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$70.40
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Tour
Explore Boston & Charlestown with Boston's first double-decker bus at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 2 Days Validity
Cruise Terminal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$52.00
200 Minutes Hop-on Hop-off
Get onboard from Boston Cruise terminal and explore the historic beantown with Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop 1-8, 12-15
- Blue & Purple Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 200 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Charlestown Tour
Boston & Cambridge City Tour
$63.00
Guided Photo & City Tour
A 3.5-hour guided shuttle tour featuring Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods, Cambridge highlights, waterfront views, and curated photo opportunities.
- Guided Boston & Cambridge sightseeing tour
- Approximately 3.5 hours
- Curated stops and photo opportunities
- Climate-controlled shuttle bus transportation
- Live local tour guide
- 45-minutes Quincy Market lunch break
- Same-day tour experience
- Double-Decker Bus Service
- Hop-on, hop-off service
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