The 23 Best Museums You'll Want to Visit in Boston

Boston has an incredible selection of museums highlighting everything from art (and bad art) to historical life and vintage cars. The next time you’re looking for something to do, consider heading to one of these fascinating spots. Pro Tip: you can get <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/free-discounted-tickets-to-19-museums-cruises-and-other-attractions-with-your-boston-public-library-card-boston-431210">free or discounted admission</a> to many museums through the Boston Public Library.  by Celina Colby <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/isabella-stewart-gardner-museum-general-admission-boston-365042">Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum</a> Where: Fenway Cost: Adults $20, Students $13 Info: This one-of-a-kind museum was created by Isabella Stewart Gardner, a wealthy art collector in the nineteenth century. She curated each room herself in the Venetian palace-inspired building and it features a gorgeous courtyard full of lush flowers. A new addition hosts contemporary exhibitions as well. Pro Tip: The museum is free every first Thursday of the month from 3-9pm. Tickets go fast, follow us on Instagram to be reminded when they’re up for grabs. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-children-s-museum-boston-406168">Boston Children's Museum</a> Where: South Boston Cost: $20, Infants under 1 get in free Info: Designed to create an educational and fun world for kids, the Boston Children’s Museum has a wide array of exhibitions that are both active and mentally engaging. Kids can pretend to shop in a grocery store, make art, engage in STEAM activities, and much more. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/harvard-museum-of-natural-history-cambridge-407397">Harvard Museum of Natural History</a> Where: Harvard Square Cost: Adults $15, Students $10 Info: Visitors of all ages can delve into the natural world at this museum. Learn about shark behavior, visit a display of thousands of <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/glass-flowers-the-ware-collection-of-blaschka-glass-models-of-plants-cambridge-404566">glass flowers,</a> walk among dinosaur models, learn how to preserve our forests, and much more.   Pro Tip: The museum is free to Massachusetts residents (with a valid ID) every Sunday from 9am-12pm year round.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/harvard-art-museums-cambridge-407920">Harvard Art Museums</a> Where: Harvard Square Cost: Adults $20, Free to students Info: The collection of three Harvard Art Museums—the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum—offers a robust collection and plenty of educational programming to learn more about the works.  Pro Tip: Attend <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/harvard-art-museums-at-night-cambridge-404112">Harvard Art Museums at Night</a> on the last Thursday of every month for free admission, live music, and after-hours access to the galleries. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/mit-museum-cambridge-407921">MIT Museum</a> Where: Kendall/MIT Cost: Adults $18, Students $10 Info: Innovation is at the heart of MIT and of its museum. Learn about the groundbreaking work that’s been done at the university, explore the inner workings of AI technology, probe gene theory, and much more.  Pro Tip: Once a month the 21+ crowd can enjoy the museum after hours during <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/mit-museum-after-dark-cambridge-396069">MIT Museum After Dark</a>, a ticketed event with a cash bar, appetizers, interactive play, and lively conversation. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/museum-of-fine-arts-boston-boston-407922">Museum of Fine Arts</a> Where: Fenway Cost: Adults $27, Ages 7-17 $10 Info: Peruse a collection of nearly 500,000 incredible works of art at this storied Boston art museum. You’ll find art from around the globe spanning centuries and telling the stories of our human experience.  Pro Tip: On the first full weekend of every month Bank of America card holders can get one free ticket to the museum. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-museum-of-science-boston-406176">Museum of Science</a> Where: West End Cost: Adults $29, Ages 3-11 $24 Info: The Museum of Science is New England’s most visited cultural institution, welcoming five million people a year to explore our world and the science that makes it work. Enjoy interactive exhibits about space, electricity, plants, animals, and much more.  Pro Tip: The SubSpace: Adult Experiences series puts on programs specifically for the adult crowd that are both fascinating and fun. Plus, Level 3 of the MoS parking garage is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Boston skyline. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/institute-of-contemporary-art-boston-boston-407925">Institute of Contemporary Art</a> Where: Seaport Cost: Adults $20, Students $15 Info: The Institute of Contemporary Art is Boston’s go-to spot for bold and innovative artworks primarily by living artists. The highly curated museum offers a few exhibitions at a time as well as live performance and video installations. Pro Tip: The museum is <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/?search=Free+Thursdays+at+the+ICA">free every Thursday night</a> from 5-9pm.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-peabody-museum-of-archaeology-and-ethnology-cambridge-407949">The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology</a> Where: Harvard Square Cost: Adults $15, Students $10 Info: Harvard’s Peabody Museum explores cultural heritage around the world in everything from objects and celebrations to daily routines of life. Here you can learn about different cultural practices from around the globe. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/john-f-kennedy-presidential-library-and-museum-boston-407951">John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum</a> Where: Dorchester Cost: Adults $18, Students $11 Info: Learn about JFK’s legacy and our democratic governmental system at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The property alone is worth a visit, the museum is situated on ten acres overlooking the ocean.  Pro Tip: On nice days you can grab lunch from the on-site cafe and eat it outdoors overlooking the Boston Harbor Islands.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/metropolitan-waterworks-museum-boston-407952">Metropolitan Waterworks Museum</a> Where: Cleveland Circle Cost: Free Info: Located directly across from the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum tells the story of one of the country’s oldest urban water systems. They even have some of the original equipment to demonstrate with.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/mit-list-visual-arts-center-cambridge-407955">MIT List Visual Arts Center</a> Where: Kendall/MIT Cost: Free Info: Art and innovation meet at this unique art museum where you can see exhibitions utilizing technology in artistic practice. Keep an eye on the schedule for regular free artist talks in the galleries. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/museum-of-african-american-history-boston-407957">Museum of African American History</a> Where: Beacon Hill Cost: $10 Info: The Museum of African American History is New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans to the region’s history. Tour historic properties, view exhibitions, and hear powerful stories of Black Boston.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-museum-of-the-national-center-of-afro-american-artists-roxbury-407959">The Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists</a> Where: Roxbury Cost: $5 Info: The Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists celebrates Black visual artists and art history through dynamic exhibitions and events. The center is also responsible for the annual production of “Black Nativity” performed during the holidays.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/tour-the-nichols-house-boston-404320">Nichols House Museum</a> Where: Beacon Hill Cost: $16 Info: At the Nichols House Museum you can tour a historic Boston residence dating back to the nineteenth century and learn about what life was like at that time. They offer specialized and seasonal tours throughout the year in addition to the standard tour.  Pro Tip: Snag a free tour of the home on <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/free-international-women-s-day-tours-boston-406542">International Women’s Day</a>.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/old-state-house-museum-boston-407961">Old State House Museum</a> Where: Downtown Cost: Adults $15, Students $14  Info: The Old State House Museum memorializes the many important moments in the Revolutionary War that occurred in Boston and even in this very building. Through exhibitions, historical artifacts, and performances, you can learn more about the city’s history.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/old-south-meeting-house-boston-407964">Old South Meeting House</a> Where: Downtown Cost: Adults $15, Students $14  Info: When it was built in 1729, the Old South Meeting House was the largest building in colonial Boston and it remains a looming historical figure today. Here you can learn about early American gatherings and how those dialogues led to the Revolutionary War.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/uss-constitution-museum-charlestown-407965">USS Constitution Museum</a> Where: Charlestown Cost: Adults $10-15 Info: The USS Constitution Museum collects, exhibits, and interprets the history around “Old Ironsides,” the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the United States. Pro Tip: Stick around for sunset! The USS Constitution fires a cannon every day at that time and it really brings the experience to life. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/rose-art-museum-waltham-407966">Rose Art Museum</a> Where: Waltham Cost: Free Info: The Rose Art Museum has been putting on dynamic exhibitions of avant-garde artists for decades. The free museum offers rotating shows and a robust calendar of concurrent educational programming. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-tea-party-ships-museum-boston-407967">Boston Tea Party Ships &amp; Museum</a> Where: South Boston Cost: $34 Info: Learning about history is great, but it’s way more fun to experience things firsthand. At the Boston Tea Party Ships &amp; Museum you can reenact one of the events that started the Revolutionary War: throwing British tea into the Boston Harbor.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-bunker-hill-museum-charlestown-407969">The Bunker Hill Museum</a> Where: Charlestown Cost: Free Info: The Bunker Hill Museum is dedicated to the history of the Battle of Bunker Hill, a crucial altercation during the early stages of the Revolutionary War.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-museum-of-bad-art-boston-407973">The Museum of Bad Art</a> Where: Dorchester Cost: Free Info: As the title implies, this museum is dedicated to the collection of truly terrible art. The museum found a new home last year at Dorchester Brewing Company so you can now sip a beer while you view the works.  <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/larz-anderson-auto-museum-brookline-407976">Larz Anderson Auto Museum</a> Where: Brookline Cost: Adults $12, Students $7 Info: Car lovers assemble! The Larz Anderson Auto Museum is packed with vintage vehicles dating back as far as the early days of the car.  Pro Tip: If you’ve got a car you want to show off yourself join in the model specific car shows they host regularly on the lawn.

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S22: conversations

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The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

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What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

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S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

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S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

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S28: calendar experiences

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Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

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Top 20 things to do in Boston

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S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

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The 23 Best Museums You'll Want to Visit in Boston

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