Old North Church
The Old North Church, officially Christ Church in the City of Boston, is a historic landmark in the North End neighborhood of Boston and the oldest standing church building in the city. It is best known for the two lanterns hung in its steeple on April 18, 1775, a signal tied to Paul Revere's warning that British troops were on the move. Entry is ticketed, with a self-guided Discovery Pass starting at $10 for adults, and the church is open every day. This page covers Old North Church tickets, hours, how to get there, what happened here in 1775, and how to fit the church into a Boston Sightseeing tour.
Location And How To Get There
The Old North Church is at 193 Salem Street in Boston, Massachusetts, in the North End. The nearest T station is Haymarket, on the Orange and Green Lines, about half a mile away on foot. From there, the walk takes you into the North End's narrow streets, so leave a little extra time to find your way.
If you are on a Boston Sightseeing bus, the closest stop is Stop 9, Historic North End. The details are in the tour section below.
History Of Old North Church
Construction began in 1723, and the first service was held that December. That makes Old North Church the oldest standing church building in Boston. Today it is an active Episcopal congregation, and it has held services for more than 300 years.
The Lantern Signal Of April 18, 1775
On the night of April 18, 1775, sexton Robert Newman and Captain John Pulling climbed the steeple and briefly hung two lanterns in its windows. The signal warned Patriots in Charlestown that British troops were crossing the Charles River on their way toward Lexington and Concord. Paul Revere had arranged the signal, and he rode out that night to spread the alarm. The first battles of the Revolutionary War followed the next day, April 19.
Longfellow's 1860 poem made the lanterns famous, with its line "one if by land, and two if by sea." The poem has Revere watching for the lights himself, which is not what happened. One lantern would have signaled a march overland, and two meant a crossing by water. Two were hung.
What To Do At Old North Church
Visitors can walk through the sanctuary and the crypt on a self-guided visit, with an audio guide and a family scavenger hunt. Guided options go deeper: a 25-minute Bell Chamber Tour takes small groups up to the bells that Paul Revere rang, and seasonal after-hours Crypt Tours cover the crypt's burials and recent archaeology. The Unearthing Childhood exhibit is free and family friendly.
The church also holds worship on Sundays at 11 a.m. In-person attendance requires registration, and the service is streamed online.
Old North Church Tickets, Hours, And Tours
Prices and hours below were checked in October 2026. Confirm them on the church's official site before you go, since both can change.
Old North Church Tickets
Tickets are required for general admission. The Discovery Pass covers the self-guided visit of the sanctuary and crypt and costs $10 for adults and $5 for youth, with children 5 and under free. Adding the Bell Chamber Tour brings the total to $15 for adults and $10 for youth. The Unearthing Childhood exhibit and Sunday worship are free.
Old North Church Hours
The church is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hours can change on holidays and for special events, so check before a visit.
Tours At Old North Church
The Bell Chamber Tour runs about 25 minutes for groups of 1 to 20 people and involves two sets of steep stairs. After-hours Crypt Tours cost $20, run about 45 minutes and are offered on selected evenings. Visitors who prefer to go at their own speed can use the Discovery Pass with the audio guide.
Nearby Attractions
The Old North Church sits in Boston's North End, a lively neighborhood known for its Italian heritage and its restaurants, cafes and pastry shops. A stroll along Hanover Street is an easy way to take it in, and things to do in Boston's North End covers the rest of the neighborhood.
The church is also a stop on the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile walking path linking 16 historic sites. It sits between the Paul Revere House and Copp's Hill Burying Ground, so all three are within a short walk of each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need tickets to visit Old North Church?
Yes. General admission is ticketed, and the self-guided Discovery Pass starts at $10 for adults and $5 for youth, with children 5 and under free. Sunday worship and the Unearthing Childhood exhibit are free. Confirm current prices on the church's official site.
What are the Old North Church hours?
The church is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday and event hours can differ, so check before you go.
Where is Old North Church located?
Old North Church is at 193 Salem Street in Boston's North End, on the Freedom Trail. The nearest T station is Haymarket, on the Orange and Green Lines, about half a mile away.
Is Old North Church the oldest church in Boston?
It is the oldest standing church building in Boston. Construction began in 1723 and the first service was held that December.
Why is Old North Church famous?
On April 18, 1775, two lanterns were hung in its steeple to warn Patriots that British troops were crossing the Charles River toward Lexington and Concord. Paul Revere had arranged the signal, and the first battles of the Revolution followed the next day.
What does "one if by land, two if by sea" mean?
It describes the lantern signal. One lantern in the steeple would mean British troops were marching overland, and two would mean they were crossing by water. Two lanterns were hung on April 18, 1775.
Are services held at Old North Church?
Yes. Worship is held on Sundays at 11 a.m. In-person attendance requires registration, and the service is also streamed online.
How do I get to Old North Church on the Boston Sightseeing bus?
Get off at Stop 9, Historic North End, and walk to 193 Salem Street. Stop 9 is on the Boston and Charlestown hop-on hop-off tours (Stops 1 to 11), and it is not included on the Single Ride Pass or the All Day tour, which cover Stops 1 to 8.
Planning a Tour with Boston Sightseeing
The Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus serves this part of the city at Stop 9, Historic North End, which our tour map lists alongside Old North Church, the Paul Revere House and Copp's Hill Burying Ground. Stop 9 is included in the Boston and Charlestown hop-on hop-off tours (Stops 1 to 11). The Single Ride Pass and the All Day tour cover Stops 1 to 8 and do not reach it, so compare the options on the tour packages page before you buy. Church admission is separate and is purchased through the church.
Tickets for the bus can be bought online or on board, and commentary along the route covers Boston's history and landmarks. Allow time for the walk from the stop to the church, since the North End's streets are narrow and winding. Boston Sightseeing can help you plan a full day around the North End and the rest of the Freedom Trail.
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