Old Corner Bookstore, Boston - brown brick building with glass windows
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Old Corner Bookstore Boston

3.5
·58 reviews·Boston, United States

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime

Best for photos & history

CrowdMedium
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Old Corner Bookstore, Boston - brown brick building with glass windows

Old Corner Bookstore Boston

Best Time

Daytime

Best for photos & history

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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

3.5
(58 reviews)

"It's a historic building, but don't expect to find books; it's now a Chipotle."

Vertical photo
TIP

📚 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.

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Architecture

Historic Architecture

283 Washington Street

Built in 1718, this is downtown Boston's oldest commercial building. Admire its historic facade.

Literary History Plaque

Literary History Plaque

Exterior of the building

Discover where literary giants like Thoreau and Hawthorne published their seminal works.

Freedom Trail Landmark

Freedom Trail Landmark

Freedom Trail

An essential stop on the Freedom Trail, offering a glimpse into Boston's rich past.

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Planning Your Visit

Historic Building, Modern Use

The Old Corner Bookstore is a historic landmark, but it's no longer a functioning bookstore. It now houses a Chipotle restaurant. While the building's exterior is preserved, don't expect to browse shelves inside. Visit for the history and architecture, not for book shopping.

Freedom Trail Stop

This iconic spot is a key point on Boston's Freedom Trail. While the interior is a restaurant, the building's significance as a former publishing hub for American literary classics is undeniable. Look for the commemorative plaque.

Best Times

When
Daytime
Why
Best for photos & history
Crowd
Medium
When
During Freedom Trail tours
Why
Contextual historical insights
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Wait until you see the interactive train in the kid’s room 🚂📚✨Beacon Hill’s newest 5 story book store, cafe, and wine bar truly feels like a fairytale ✨📖🥂#boston #books #explore #thingstodo #Foodie #tea #kids #massachusetts #travel #read #nerdy #bookworm #fall #cozy #newengland
@bostontourguide
111.7K likes • 932K views

📚 Not a Bookstore Anymore

It's a Chipotle! Visit for the history, not for book browsing. Reddit+1

📍 Freedom Trail Essential

A key stop on the Freedom Trail, learn about its publishing past. InstagramReddit

A hidden secret in Boston. Have you been here before? 📚 #cornersofboston #BookTok #bookstore #bookworm #bostonlife #bostontiktok #backbay #slowliving #fypシ
@brianpuruiz
32.6K likes • 174.5K views
The Old Corner Bookstore reminds us of the power of words. Built in 1718, it first housed a bookstore in 1828. From 1832 to 1865 one of the most important publishing houses of the time, Ticknor & Fields, operated here, and hosted New England’s most famous authors. In response to the list of words this administration seeks to edit out of government websites, curricula, and other materials, we vis...
silencedogoodboston
581 likes • 9.5K views

📜 Look for the Plaque

A commemorative plaque details its literary significance. Reddit

📸 Historic Facade

Admire the architecture of Boston's oldest commercial building. Reddit

Ufficialmente meno 100 giorni a Natale e oggi vi porto con me da Old Corner Christmas al 11 di School Street a Boston. Situato all’interno dell’iconico edificio Old Corner Bookstore a downtown, Old Corner Christmas offre un’ampia varietà di classici a tema natalizio: ornamenti, orpelli, palline dedicate a Boston e addobbi a tema New England senza dimenticare Halloween e spaziando dai temi più tra...
raffaella_catania
0 likes • 6.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

📚 Not a Bookstore Anymore

It's a Chipotle! Visit for the history, not for book browsing. Reddit+1

📍 Freedom Trail Essential

A key stop on the Freedom Trail, learn about its publishing past. InstagramReddit

📜 Look for the Plaque

A commemorative plaque details its literary significance. Reddit

📸 Historic Facade

Admire the architecture of Boston's oldest commercial building. Reddit

What Travellers Say

3.5
(58 reviews)

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

Historic architecture
Literary history
Freedom Trail location

What People Dislike

Now a Chipotle
Not a bookstore

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. Instagram

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. Instagram

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. Instagram

🎫 🎫 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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit+1

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. Reddit

🎫 🏛️ 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. InstagramReddit

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. Reddit+1

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.' InstagramReddit

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. Reddit

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. InstagramReddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The Old Corner Bookstore building currently houses a Chipotle Mexican Grill, offering a variety of burritos, bowls, salads, and tacos. Reddit+1

Yes, you can eat inside the building by patronizing the Chipotle restaurant located there. Reddit+1

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. Instagram

📸 📸 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. InstagramReddit

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. Instagram

Daytime offers the best natural light for photographing the building's architecture. Early morning or late afternoon can provide softer light and fewer crowds. Instagram

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

📚 Bibliophiles & History Buffs

For those who love books and history, the Old Corner Bookstore is a must-see, albeit with a caveat. While it's no longer a place to buy books, its past as the publishing house of Ticknor and Fields means it's where literary giants like Hawthorne and Thoreau had their works published. Seek out the commemorative plaque to learn more about this rich history. For actual book shopping, nearby Commonwealth Books and Old Prints is highly recommended. Reddit+1

Appreciate the building's architecture as Boston's oldest commercial structure. Imagine the literary discussions and publishing decisions that took place within its walls centuries ago. It's a place to connect with the roots of American literature, even if the current tenant is a fast-food chain. Instagram

🚶‍♀️ Freedom Trail Explorers

As a key point on the Freedom Trail, the Old Corner Bookstore is an unmissable stop. It represents the evolution of Boston's historic sites and offers a glimpse into the city's commercial and literary past. Your guide will likely share its story, highlighting its role as a publishing house for iconic American authors. InstagramReddit

Take a moment to admire the building's exterior and read the historical marker. While you can't browse books inside, you can still absorb the historical atmosphere and understand its significance in the context of Boston's revolutionary and literary heritage. It's a great spot for a quick photo and a dose of historical context. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

A Legacy of American Literature

The Old Corner Bookstore, built in 1718, holds a profound place in American literary history. From 1832 to 1865, it was the headquarters of Ticknor and Fields, one of the most influential publishing houses of the 19th century. This was the crucible where many foundational works of American literature first saw the light of day. Imagine authors like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow walking through these doors.

Ticknor and Fields were instrumental in shaping the American literary canon. They published Thoreau's groundbreaking 'Walden,' Hawthorne's enduring 'The Scarlet Letter,' and Longfellow's iconic 'The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.' The building itself, as Boston's oldest commercial structure, stands as a testament to the city's enduring connection to its past and its role in fostering intellectual and artistic movements. InstagramReddit

While the building no longer functions as a bookstore or publishing house, its historical significance is preserved through its architecture and a commemorative plaque. It serves as a tangible link to a pivotal era in American culture, reminding visitors of the power of words and the enduring impact of these literary giants. Reddit

From Bookstore to Burritos: A Modern Transformation

The transformation of the Old Corner Bookstore into a Chipotle Mexican Grill is a point of contention for some visitors, as noted in reviews. While the building's historical integrity is maintained from the exterior, the interior now serves a very different purpose. This shift reflects the ongoing challenge of preserving historic urban spaces while adapting them to contemporary economic needs. Reddit+1

Many visitors express surprise or disappointment upon discovering that the 'bookstore' is now a fast-casual restaurant. The sentiment is often that such a historically significant site could be honored with a more culturally aligned business, such as a dedicated bookseller or a museum. However, the current arrangement allows the historic building to remain economically viable and preserved, with revenue from the restaurant potentially contributing to its upkeep. Reddit+1

Despite the change, the Old Corner Bookstore remains a vital stop on the Freedom Trail. It offers a unique juxtaposition of historical significance and modern urban life. Visitors can still appreciate the building's architecture and learn about its literary past, even if the experience of 'visiting' involves ordering a burrito rather than browsing shelves. Instagram

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