Boston Public Library

Though the Boston Public Library includes dozens of branches, the main branch at 700 Boylston St. draws in the most visitors. Highlights include a trio of giant bronze doors designed by sculptor Daniel Chester French and the only known mural by artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes The central branch is also home to the Bates Hall reading room, the Norman B Leventhal Map & Education Center, and three cafés.

While anyone can visit the library, only residents and people who work or own property in Massachusetts are eligible for library cards. Joining one of the library's free tours is a better choice if you want to learn about the building's history. You can easily pair your visit with a Freedom Trailwalking tour, opt for sightseeing of Back Bay's brownstones, or stop by before a Boston Symphony Hall concert or a visit to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

• Art lovers should check out murals by John Singer Sargent and Edwin Austin Abbey in the McKim Building.

• Enjoy fancy refreshments, cocktails, and snacks at the Map Room Tea Lounge, located in the McKim Building.

• For a quick bite, stop by the Newsfeed Café in the Johnson Building.

• The library is wheelchair-accessible, with elevators in both buildings.

The library is near the Copley light rail station, on transit lines B, C, D, and E lines. You can also stop by while exploring the Back Bay, or book a hop-on hop-off tour or private tour, since most stop in nearby Copley Square. Boston Public Library tours offer convenient access to the building without the hassle of navigating public transit.

The library is open daily, with limited Sunday hours. It's closed on most major public holidays. You can stop by anytime to explore the books and art on display, or check the library's calendar for details on architecture tours and special events, such as the Winter Concert Series. Afternoon tea service—complete with petit fours and tea sandwiches—is available in the Courtyard Tea Room, Wednesday–Sunday.

Just a few blocks from the Boston Public Library you can find the Skywalk Observatory, offering panoramic views across the city. From the viewing deck 50 stories above ground level, you can spot landmarks like Boston Common, Harvard University, and Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox. You can pre-book admission to this attraction---which includes free audio guides---or buy the Boston CityPASS, an attraction and museum pass that will grant you access to several spots around town, including the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science Boston.

Yes, tourists can visit the Boston Public Library. The famed Copley Square location of the Boston public library system features in many sightseeing tours, from hop-on, hop-off trolley rides to self-guided walking tours. Beyond its ornate facade are marble sculptures, murals by John Singer Sargent, and a vaulted reading room.

No, you don't need a library card to visit the Boston Public Library. Staff-guided tours of the Central Library branch in Copley Square are free and open to all. Otherwise, you can explore on your own using booklets on the library's art and architecture that are free and available onsite.

Drinks and food are not allowed indoors at the Boston Public Library. One exception is within the Courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square—it even has chairs and tables. You can also buy coffee at the Central Library's Newsfeed Café, accessible from Boylston Street and Exeter Street.

Many tours of Boston include the Central Library. It's a featured stop on many hop-on, hop-off trolley tours of the city—some amphibious duck tours even pass through Copley Square. Other options include bicycle and e-bike tours, guided walking tours, and self-guided audio tours that work well for travelers seeking flexibility.

Yes, there are restrooms at the Boston Public Library. If you enter the McKim Lobby from Dartmouth Street, toilets are to the left. You can find additional bathrooms on the lower level and second floor. Family restrooms are inside the Children's Library section on the second floor (Boylston Street side).

Hours at Boston Public Library vary. The iconic Central Library in Copley Square is open 9am–8pm Monday through Thursday and 9am–5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, the library is open 11am–5pm. Departure times for hour-long tours of the Central Library's extraordinary art and architecture are on the website.