Location: Boston
Top Things to do in Boston
Things to do in Boston, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Museums
Walk the Freedom Trail the first time you visit Boston and you'll quickly get a sense of this coastal city's revolutionary spirit and history. But make sure you also explore some of Boston's fine museums (try the Isabella Stewart Gardner, featuring masterpieces displayed in their collector's mansion) and old neighborhoods (like the North End, Boston's Little Italy). You can't claim to have experienced real Boston culture, though, until you've watched a Red Sox game from the bleachers.
Restaurants in Boston
1. Museum of Fine Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,156 reviews
Boston's oldest, largest and best-known art institution, the MFA houses one of the world's most comprehensive art collections and is renowned for its Impressionist paintings, Asian and Egyptian collections and early American art.
Reviewed By Laura843 - Boston, United States
Some suggested ideas for planning your trip: • Weekends: Try and go as close to opening time as possible on Saturday and Sunday [10am.] There are less crowds early in the day on weekends • Limit What You See: Plan to take in a limited number sections of the museum if possible. It's a lot easier to remember/savor what you've seen if you don't overwhelm yourself. You can preplan your route by looking at the museum floorplans & exhibitions online. • Audio Tours or Guided Tours: Try to add on an audio tour, or tour an exhibit with a guide who knows more about the artwork. Learning about the people who made that art, how they made it and the time period that the art was created is fun! Check the website mfa.org Programs>Gallery Activities & Tours for the schedule • Eat at the New American Cafe: Although it's pricey, and has a limited menu, the food is nice with fresh ingredients...and it's a great way to sit down for a bit and savor the museum experience while sitting in the cavernous open-spaced courtyard next to the new New American wing of the museum. • John Singer Sargent Murals in the Rotunda & Grand Staircase: Although technically part of the building, and not an exhibit... There are some beautiful murals painted in the ceiling and surrounding area of the Rotunda painted by John Singer Sargent on canvas, and then adhered to the walls. See the photo I posted below. • Parking: It's not easy or inexpensive to park in this neighborhood... if you can take the "T" it's just a short walk to the MFA from the Museum stop on the "E" Heath Street MBTA's Green Line. • Discounts: This can be an expensive trip... kids between 7 and 17 are admitted free after 3pm on weekdays, and some of the combo tickets for Boston include MFA admission. The museum occasionally does free days... check the website... but be forewarned they can be crowded. Many universities have institutional memberships so a current student ID is useful!
2. Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Free Admission! The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts is the oldest chartered military organization in the western hemisphere. On display in the Museum are military artifacts, weaponry, uniforms, medals, and gifts to the company. Items span all conflicts from the Revolution to the battlefields of Desert Storm. A special display houses items from the Honorable Artillery Company of London. You will also notice as you tour items from the Swiss Guard. Special collections present the personal stories and materials for scholarship and research. Display cases showcase the uniform and Congressional Medal of Honor of Major George Maynard one of many recipients who have been a part of the AHAC. Also on display is an exhibit of President John F. Kennedy with the company roster opened to show his signature and a photograph of the president elect being interviewed by CBS. At the far end of the Armory are a very special set of stairs… the Stairway of the Constitution!
Reviewed By christyc117 - Mount Pleasant, United States
We visited on a cold March afternoon and were greeted by Charles Fazio, who was a host and curator who showed us many historic items. My husband’s ancestors were members and this felt very personal. We came from Charleston South Carolina for this very special trip. So glad we got to go!
3. Boston Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 975 reviews
Highlights of this interactive museum include the "Science Playground," featuring giant soap bubble-making tools and the "New Balance Climb," which teaches kids the laws of physics while navigating through a two-story-high maze.
Reviewed By 479pattid - Hudson, United States
Spent the day at the Boston Children’s museum. There is a lot of hands exhibits for kids to interact with. We went on a Monday holiday and the place was packed. Next time I would not go on a holiday. They have a nice gift shop, but felt like it was geared for younger children. Make sure to see if your library offers museum passes, it will save you some money.
4. John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,920 reviews
Relive the Kennedy era in this dynamic combination museum and library, where your visit starts with a short film and then leaves you on your own to explore a series of fascinating exhibits, including the Kennedy-Nixon debate, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the space program, 1960s campaign paraphernalia and displays about Jacqueline and other Kennedy family members. The striking, I.M. Pei-designed building overlooks the water and the Boston skyline.
Reviewed By IllyCoffeeDrinkers - Flagstaff, United States
One of us and two friends visited the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library on a cloudy Saturday morning in October. The facility itself is beautiful. There were no lines when we arrived in the morning and the introductory film was well worth watching. While no person is perfect, it was amazing to be reminded of how intelligent, passionate, charming, glamorous and successful the President and First Lady were. It was also inspiring to be reminded of all President Kennedy accomplished, dreamed to accomplish and inspired others to accomplish. There are numerous exhibits and short films which cover various aspects of President Kennedy’s life and career including his campaigns, his significant speeches, the Peace Corps, the Space Program and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Among the displays are numerous artifacts, photos and documents (some real and some facsimiles) which exquisitely personalize and dramatize the lives and careers of the President, the First Lady and his brothers Bobby and Ted (photos of a few of the items are attached). It was also awe inspiring to take the time to reread some of the President’s speeches and marvel at how he adeptly sought to inspire all Americans to work together in support of causes greater than themselves (photos of a few excerpts are also attached). Bottom line, if you are looking to be inspired or are a history buff, we highly recommend you spend a few hours at this wonderful Museum and Library. On the way out, the café and gift shop are both worth a visit too. Enjoy. If you found this review helpful and/or our photos helpful or pleasing, we hope you will click the “helpful/thank you” button. Those of us who write detailed reviews appreciate the feedback and it encourages us to write additional reviews for everyone’s consideration. Thank you.
5. New England Holocaust Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,507 reviews
The six glass towers of this striking memorial serve to represent the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, six main Nazi death camps and the candles on a menorah.
Reviewed By Gonen2014 - Haifa, Israel
This is a monument in memory of the Jews murdered in the Holocaust. The monument includes six square glass towers that symbolize the six nillion Jews who perished in the Holocaust, and the six largest concentration camps. Under each glass tower there is a niche that symbolizes an extermination camp from which smoke is rising. On the boards around you can read about the history of the Holocaust along with things that Holocaust survivors said. A very emotional monument that brings teatrs to your eyes as you walk along it. This is a must visit for everyone!
6. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,261 reviews
At the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, you can be a part of the famous event that forever changed the course of American History! It’s more than a stroll through historic artifacts – it’s an adventure! Located on the Congress Street Bridge in Boston, Massachusetts, this floating museum is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Live actors, high-tech, interactive exhibits, authentically restored tea ships and the stirring, multi-sensory documentary “Let it Begin Here,” are just a taste of what you’ll see, hear and feel. Meet the colonists, explore the ships and dump tea overboard just as the Sons of Liberty did on that fateful night of December 16, 1773. Stop in at Abigail’s Tea Room for teatime and visit the Gift Shop for special souvenirs. It’s educational, entertaining and enlightening — an experience not to be missed by adults and children of all ages. Your tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum will last approximately one hour and will take you through a variety of displays that are interconnected. The tour is designed to give you the opportunity to participate, explore and learn about the people, events and consequences that led up to the American Revolution in the order in which they actually occurred more than 230 years ago.
Reviewed By GingerH0 - Boston, United States
The Boston Tea Party excursion is a wonderful, interactive journey through one of the most important times in our nation’s history. Talented actors/actresses recreate the important scenes leading up to the Boston Tea Party including the famous Town Hall Meeting where Samuel Adams leads the citizens to rally against England. Participants feel a part of the rebellion by voicing shouts of “here, here!” For raucous agreement and “hissssss” for disagreement! You can even have a speaking role if you wish! After the town hall meeting, participants are then led to the boats where they can participate in “throwing the tea overboard.” While the first half of the tour includes many fun and interesting tidbits about his rebellion, it ends with an short film about the Battle of Lexington and the importance of the Tea Party as a catalyst for our nation’s freedom! Fun for kids and adults!
7. USS Constitution Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,605 reviews
At the USS Constitution Museum you don't just learn about history, you EXPERIENCE it! Furl a a sail, fire a cannon, and scrub the decks to learn what life was like at sea over 200 years ago. Located across from the ship in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard. The Museum is private non-profit Museum and is operated separately from USS Constitution (the Ship).
Reviewed By 780PaulB780 - Anchorage, United States
Located in the Boston Naval Yard across from the actual ship the USS Constitution the Museum itself gives a great education into the history of the ship. From the decision to build the ships, complete construction, the launching and the service as a frontline warship, and its journey into a symbolic and devoted piece of American history. It’s also a good place to cool off on hot summer days, get yourself a water, take a restroom break and learn about a historical ship before or after seeing the actual ship which is located across the yard. A key note is that Museum is free, they do accept Donations.
8. Old State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,366 reviews
Relive the drama and excitement of the American Revolution with fun and engaging programs and tours, interactive exhibits, beautifully restored period rooms and unsurpassed 18th century treasures. Celebrating 300 years as America's oldest and most historic colonial building, the Old State House is now Boston's Revolutionary Museum. Visit us at the heart of the Freedom Trail and only steps away from Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market and the New England Aquarium.
Reviewed By TheAviator0765 - Ripon, United Kingdom
This really is a 'must-see' on the Trail. Not only is the building beautifully kept and steeped in history in its own right, the museum will guide you around the story of Boston and allow you to fully understand the part it and its people played in the War Of Independence. Access is via the Visitors' Centre desk in the gift shop. The fee is well worth it, for inside the exhibits and interpretation boards describe clearly and in chronological order what happened in the famous city. Now as a Brit, I was curious on what slant the events would be described, but rest assured the story is sold factually without a hint of partisanship. That said, I fully recognise George III was best described as an absent landlord who saw the Colonies as a cash-cow, while the British Army's idea of defence diplomacy of the era was to pour more fuel onto the nearest available spark! But the collection of exhibits in its own right amounts to a truly fascinating collection. There are also a number of tours throughout the day. Do try and catch one; the briefers are knowledgable and full of enthusiasm, and add immensely to the overall experience. There is a gift shop on the ground floor, well stocked with good quality and interesting products; all things to do with the Revolution. Plan to spend at least an hour here. It's not a 'poke head inside and tick off' kind of place. We spent nearly two hours here, but felt much the richer for it.
9. Museum of Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,274 reviews
Please note: In a preemptive measure to protect visitors, staff, volunteers and our animals from the rapidly evolving exposure to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), The Museum of Science has temporarily closed to the public, but launched a new digital Museum experience for audiences, MOS at Home. With multiple live presentations throughout the day, creative engineering projects, podcasts, kid-friendly activities, and more, the Museum is inviting the community to visit remotely for new content daily. Just imagine getting up close and personal with a 65-million-year-old Triceratops fossil, witnessing an indoor lightning storm in the iconic Theater of Electricity, walking among butterflies, or taking a journey inside the human body! With 700 interactive exhibits, exciting exhibitions, daily presentations, hands-on activities, and live animals, there is something for everyone! Create, experiment, and have fun at the Museum of Science!
Reviewed By Correa0192
I appreciated the social distancing and cleaning that was done by the staff. We visited the Pixar exhibit and had a blast!
10. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,108 reviews
A Venetian palace in the middle of Boston, Gardner's home is now a museum displaying her impressive, eclectic collection of European, American and Asian art, including sculpture, paintings, furniture, ceramics and textiles. Visitors can stroll or rest in a spectacular skylit courtyard filled with plants and flowers.
Reviewed By JacksBack05101 - Westminster, United States
Too much to say to Fit here but... John Singer Sargent’s El Jaleo is amazing, you’ll see the empty frames from the nations most notorious art heist too. This place is frozen in time on purpose. Please visit to find out why!
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