
Old Corner Bookstore Boston
Boston's oldest commercial building, once a literary hub for American classics, now a historic landmark housing a restaurant.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best for photos & history

Old Corner Bookstore Boston
Best Time
Best for photos & history

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Boston's oldest commercial building, once a literary hub for American classics, now a historic landmark housing a restaurant.
"It's a historic building, but don't expect to find books; it's now a Chipotle."

📚 Not a Bookstore Anymore
It's a Chipotle! Visit for the history, not for book browsing.
📍 Freedom Trail Essential
A key stop on the Freedom Trail, learn about its publishing past.

Quick Facts
Rating
3.5 · 58 reviews
Type
Book Store
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Architecture
283 Washington Street
Built in 1718, this is downtown Boston's oldest commercial building. Admire its historic facade.

Literary History Plaque
Exterior of the building
Discover where literary giants like Thoreau and Hawthorne published their seminal works.

Freedom Trail Landmark
Freedom Trail
An essential stop on the Freedom Trail, offering a glimpse into Boston's rich past.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Historic Building, Modern Use
Freedom Trail Stop
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📚 Not a Bookstore Anymore
It's a Chipotle! Visit for the history, not for book browsing.
📍 Freedom Trail Essential
A key stop on the Freedom Trail, learn about its publishing past.
📜 Look for the Plaque
A commemorative plaque details its literary significance.
📸 Historic Facade
Admire the architecture of Boston's oldest commercial building.
Tips
from all over the internet
📚 Not a Bookstore Anymore
It's a Chipotle! Visit for the history, not for book browsing.
📍 Freedom Trail Essential
A key stop on the Freedom Trail, learn about its publishing past.
📜 Look for the Plaque
A commemorative plaque details its literary significance.
📸 Historic Facade
Admire the architecture of Boston's oldest commercial building.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors acknowledge the Old Corner Bookstore's historical significance as Boston's oldest commercial building and a former publishing hub for American literary classics. However, many express disappointment that it now houses a Chipotle restaurant, rather than a bookstore or museum, leading to mixed feelings about its current state.
"I don’t know how to review it. It came up in every search for rare books that I made while staying in Boston, but it’s not a bookstore. It WAS a bookstore a hundred years ago. If you’re the kind of bibliophile who wants to eat in a Chipotle located where a bookstore used to be, rush right over. If you’re hunting rare books go to Commonwealth Books and Old Prints right around the corner."
Will Langston
"CHIPOTLE!! What a disgrace - honor such a spot with something meaningful. Even if that means a bookseller who has a chipotle as a small side food option....TERRIBLE"
Louis
"Know before you go:
This is a preserved building, not a museum. If Boston maintained every historic building as it's initially, there'd be nothing new. It's a spot to see along the freedom trail as a point of reference. It's leased out to help the historical society pay to preserve as much as it can
This former book shop / publishing house was where Walden, The Midnight Ride, Scarlett Letter and more were first published. There is a commemorative plaque and the building and brick itself is beautiful"
Chelsea King
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Old Corner Bookstore is located at 283 Washington Street in downtown Boston, a central point on the Freedom Trail. It's easily accessible via public transportation. The MBTA's Green Line (Government Center or Park Street stations) and Red Line (Park Street station) are nearby. Many bus routes also stop in the vicinity.
Yes, the Old Corner Bookstore is a significant landmark on Boston's Freedom Trail, marking a point of historical interest in the city's development.
Walking is the best way to explore the area, especially if you're following the Freedom Trail. Many other historic sites are within easy walking distance.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No ticket is required to see the exterior of the Old Corner Bookstore. While it's a historic building, it currently houses a Chipotle restaurant, so there's no admission fee to view the outside.
The Old Corner Bookstore building itself doesn't have specific 'visiting hours' as it's a commercial space. However, the Chipotle restaurant inside operates typical business hours, usually from late morning to evening.
You can go inside the building, but it is currently occupied by a Chipotle restaurant. You can dine there, but it is no longer a bookstore.
There is no entrance fee to view the historic exterior of the Old Corner Bookstore. If you choose to enter, it will be to patronize the Chipotle restaurant.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
You can see the historic 1718 building, which is Boston's oldest commercial structure. Look for the commemorative plaque detailing its past as a publishing house for American literary classics.
No, the Old Corner Bookstore is no longer a functioning bookstore. It was a significant publishing house in the 19th century but now houses a Chipotle restaurant.
The Old Corner Bookstore was home to Ticknor and Fields, a major 19th-century publishing house. They published seminal works like Thoreau's 'Walden,' Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter,' and Longfellow's 'The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.'
There are no interactive exhibits within the Old Corner Bookstore building itself, as it is now a restaurant. The historical significance is primarily conveyed through the building's architecture and the external commemorative plaque.
Its significance lies in its age as Boston's oldest commercial building and its history as the publishing hub for Ticknor and Fields, which released many foundational American literary works.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The Old Corner Bookstore building currently houses a Chipotle Mexican Grill, offering a variety of burritos, bowls, salads, and tacos.
Yes, you can eat inside the building by patronizing the Chipotle restaurant located there.
Yes, the area around the Old Corner Bookstore, particularly near Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, offers a wide array of dining options, from casual eateries to sit-down restaurants.
📸 📸 Photography
The best photo opportunities are of the historic building's exterior, capturing its architecture and its place on the Freedom Trail. The commemorative plaque also makes for an interesting detail shot.
Yes, it is perfectly fine to take photos of the exterior of the Old Corner Bookstore. It's a popular spot for tourists and history enthusiasts.
Daytime offers the best natural light for photographing the building's architecture. Early morning or late afternoon can provide softer light and fewer crowds.
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Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit