The aim of this study was to compare free stall housing with access to an identical bedded area without stall partitions. Groups (n = 8) of 12 cows each were provided access to identical pens with free stalls partitions installed or all such partitions removed to create an open lying area. After a 7-d adaptation period, each group was tested on the two treatments for 3 d each, with treatment order counterbalanced between groups. The "no-choice" phase was followed by an 8-d choice phase during which cows had simultaneous access to both options. Behavior was scored using scan sampling at 10 min intervals for 24 h/d. Observations from multiple days and cows were averaged to form a mean value per group for each treatment condition. The effect of housing on cows' behaviors was tested using a mixed model (SAS), with group specified as a random effect and the effect of housing (1 df) tested against the residual error (7 df). During the no-choice phase, cows spent more time lying down (54.3 ± 1.09 vs. 52.0 ± 0.87 %; F1,7=6.7 P<0.037) and standing with all 4 hooves (4.0 ± 0.63 vs. 1.7± 0.49 %; F1,7=22.7, P<0.002) in the open lying area than in the free stall. During the choice phase cows spent a greater proportion of time lying down (30.0 ± 1.09 vs. 24.5± 1.27%; F1,7=10.9 P<0.013) and standing with 4 hooves (2.4 ± 0.48 vs. 0.48± 0.01%; F1,7=22.0, P<0.002) in the open lying area versus the stalls. When provided access to an open lying area cows also reduced the time spent standing in the alley and standing with the front 2 hooves in bedding area, behaviors associated with increased risk of lameness. In conclusion, cows preferred lying and standing in an open lying area than in the free stalls.