It was my pleasure to visit the Eustis Estate Museum for the first time during their Open House…read morelast year. Their original furniture shall not be touched, as evidenced by the ropes gently blocking one's way. Other furniture, you could not only touch but even sit up on, as they were replications. It wasn't the largest estate I've visited - the top floor was also off limits - but it was amazing to realize that this place was a relatively recent acquisition by Historic New England portfolio.

Lovely estate that is decorated for the Christmas season. It is basically a mini version of a…read moreNewport mansion. One of the staff members was awesome and let us sit in front of the couch to take a picture with the Christmas tree. (They rent out the space for filming & photoshoots. There are bathrooms available for visitor use.) It offers both guided and self guided tours. There are two floors open for visitors and a large front porch where they have rocking chairs in the summer to see the view. There are also walking trails that go through the estate. It will look spectacular with the fall leaves.

(if you think this review is too long, just scroll to the bottom for my more "humorous"…read moreobservations) If you're driving on Adams Street towards Lower Mills or the other way towards East Milton Square, you might overlook this spot. If you're into historical sites and museums, this might be worth a look. Otherwise, you might just want to go to one of the many higher-profile museums in the area, like the Adams Historical Site the town next door. You have to reserve a spot in one of the scheduled tours to enter the museum. I went for a 1 pm tour and the next one was at 3. Trust me, the tour is really 2 hours long. The positive of this museum is that while the house is not that large in terms of square feet, you do get your bang for your buck. The tour guide was generally polite and rather informative. However, she always seemed to ask historical questions every time we entered a room and wanted us to answer - really got irritating as the tour went along. If I wanted to answer historical questions, I would've gone to a bar for stump trivia. Lastly, if you're not into this stuff, you will be bored out of your mind and will resort to utilizing the futuristic item called a smartphone. The Forbes family was involved in various historical events/periods and some of those rooms each had a theme from a time period. The family was involved in the China trade, so there's a decent collection of old Chinese furniture in the parlor. It doesn't compare to the Peabody Essex Museum, granted, but it's something. There is a room for the Forbes involvement in the Civil War and Abolition. Another room described the Forbes charitable endeavors during the Great Famine in Ireland during the mid-1800's. So you'll get some learnin' from various periods. Compared to other historical spots around the area, this one doesn't seem to be maintained well and needs better restoration. There was significant water damage in a few rooms and exhibit pieces (like beds, plates, etc.) seemed to be arranged worse than a 5-year old. The house needs a paint job in the worst way. Also compared to other historical sites, this one was rather dirty. There is a "gift shop", and by "gift shop", I mean a small glass case in the foyer containing books for sale. p.s. - you'll likely have older folks in your tour group that think "oriental" is still an acceptable way to describe Asians. p.p.s. - there's a nice Chinese junk model. It's in a glass case, and not in some sort luggage storage box or something. So you can't say there's junk in the trunk. *rim shot* :-P

Most people would drive by this historic home without paying much attention but the small staff is…read morevery friendly and often you can get a private or near-private tour of this gorgeous 1830's greek revival home which is filled with varying antiques but what is of particular interest is the vast array of objects collected by the Captain during the China trade years of the 1800's. Also, one of the previous owners was an avid collector of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia. The museum is set up more like a home and objects are easy to see and some can even be handled (kitchen area). The architecture inside and out is beautiful and the grounds keep with the feel of the home. The tour can be done on your own or guided. Great place to relax and take your time admiring the collection.

Krista and Carla were our educational leaders. They have so much knowledge!…read moreThey gave so much information about all the weather apparatus and the use of this observatory! The view is amazing! Definitely need to go back in the spring!

Free water for dog and 2$ designer water. Best bargain I've received this month with a great view.read more

This is a cute concept, and since this is the reason I dropped by, I'll review this highlight…read moreinstead of the Dorchester Brewery. It is more like a collection of art around the brewery, but the signs are funny and it's interesting to note paintings that were donated vs. found in a thrift store vs. found in the garbage. It ranges from funny proportions to some truly bizarre. It's a great activity to giggle at with friends or make up fun commentary on a date. It's a fun little concept, free, and open late, so it's a funs stop in. The brewery features a full bar, arcade and board games and BBQ food as well. The owner even showed us an old cigarette dispensing machine now filled with chocolate packs. There's a lot going on and it is apparent a lot of thought and creativity went into the space. It's certainly not like a traditional "museum" but sometimes you need to see some bad art to really appreciate some good art elsewhere. You'll end up laughing at something.

Okay, so museum may not be the exact right word. This is kind of like a gallery in a brewery. I had…read moreseen an ad for this place on Instagram, and filed it away in my brain. I pulled it out of the file and went to see bad art. We walked in and the guy at the bar was very nice and pointed out the "route" of the paintings. The art was so fun--some worse than others. I really did understand what some of what the artists were thinking, and in other cases I just laughed and scratched my head It's small and we weren't there more than 20 minutes, but it was fun. Btw--it's free!!!

" GOD is Love " It's a well kept museum . It has an…read moreexhibition of Mary Baker Eddy life . The founder of Christian Science ; nice museum about this . Nice to have this museum in my neighborhood of chestnut hill . GOD is love indeed !

Outstanding museum dedicated to one of the most well-known woman at the turn of the 20th century,…read moreMary Baker Eddy. Allow plenty of time to enjoy the huge library and collection.

Very well preserved. Beautiful gardens and library. Guided tour is a must. Highly recommended for…read moreany history buff.

I'm so disappointed, I barely even know what to write…read more I'm a huge presidential history "nerd". In fact, I'm reading a biography on each president in order. Visiting the Adamses birthplaces, their home at Peace Field and their final resting places has been on my "bucket list" for YEARS! In fact, I hope to visit every president's birthplace and final resting place. My wife and I spent the last week in Boston from San Antonio (planned the trip months in advance). Honestly, no - I didn't think to check when the homes would be open for tours; I just assumed a National Historic Park would be accessible more than just a handful of months per year (silly me!). When I found out we'd be there after the season ended - I called the park - and finally got someone on the phone. They were friendly, but dismissive. Bottom line: I traveled 2,000 miles to see some of the most historic places on earth and fulfill part of my "bucket list", only to find out the homes were closed and the park refused to entertain someone willing to pay for a private tour. The main office/visitor center/gift shop was disappointing. They did not have the T-shirt I wanted in my size, and I just felt the selection of keepsakes/mementos, in general, was lacking.

If you like animals, this a really cute way to spend an hour (or more) for $5…read more We arrived at the end of the day, and saw the whole museum/zoo are in about 45 minutes - but absolutely could have spent more time. Indoors they have several educational areas and some live native animals with medical needs or with protection status - snakes, rodents, a skunk, some owls. They also have some taxidermy animals and exhibits on animal sounds. We didn't check out the gift shop this time around, but made a bee lline for the outdoor animals after we made the rounds inside. We loved the otter the best - but there were some beautiful owls, and other birds, a fox, a deer. This museum is very family friendly and wholesome - but we were not the only childless adults there to see the animals! It is also obviously very convenient to hiking and a great bonus to a hike.

Had a wonderful hike and got to see animals before the trail great hiking spot for all ages I agree…read morewith Abigail

Located in Dedham, the oldest timber house is packed with lots of interesting details. We went on…read morean introductory tour and they have a cool model of the house. The docent is very knowledgeable and friendly. A small parking lot is available on site. Currently, it costs $15 for a tour.

Visited here not too long ago. Although very nice structure, we weren't allowed in because we…read moredidn't buy tickets "online". Why would they not allow a cash or cc for entry payment option?? Why only online. There was no line and no one was inside but the hostess refused to accept payment to allow us entry. So us and another couple left. The museum lost out on money because of this policy. Furthermore the hostess was rude and condescending when speaking with us. Better service and better payment options are needed.

This tremendous floating Naval Museum is truly a glimpse in the past that changed the world!…read moreIt's a very powerful and moving tribute to those in the Service of their County and for all of us need to reflect on their sacrifices to make us live Free! This Quincy BUILT Heavy Cruiser is permanently docked by Fore River Bridge! In 1994 came back home to her birthplace to stay! This Shipbuilding Floating Museum should not be missed!

The Salem is a very unique museum ship as it is the only US heavy cruiser from the WW II era still…read morein existence. There is a light cruiser up in Buffalo NY but that is a different class of ship. These heavy cruisers were really attractive ships back then and Salem was brought into service soon after the war ended. Her class of cruisers had the new rapid fire 8" guns that soon went out of style as we entered into the missile age. They were at the time the peak of naval gun technology. I visited the Salem on Sunday, the day after going to Battleship Cove in Fall River. This ship is only open on Fri, Sat and Sun and I was looking forward to visiting her since I have never been on a cruiser before (obviously). It was a little difficult finding her berth as it is located in an industrial section of Quincy. Parking spaces are few in their small main lot and then they have an overflow area that is also small. I was beginning to understand that with the small parking area and being only open on weekends that Salem doesn't get many visitors. Her berthing space is deplorable next to some old beached barges on one side that are junk. Onboard she is in the same shape as the ships at Battleship Cove. That means a lot of visible rust, very poor signage, no tour markers so you are on your own with their supplied map finding your way around. Going forward on the main deck I found grass growing in many of the screw holes on the teak deck. This ship is in poor shape and not suitable for the general public to tour it in my opinion. I am sure there a well meaning group of volunteers here but the maintenance schedule is so far behind they will never catch up with it. The ship needs a large infusion of money from state and local governments and/or private foundations to pay skilled shipyard workers to bring her back to glory. Considering her location and limited visiting hours unless something is done soon this ship will be lost forever and relegated to the scrap heap like all of her predecessors from WW II. That would mean no surviving heavy cruiser from that era and they would be a shame. I wish them luck but I am not optimistic. I hate writing this review. By the way the only reason I am giving Salem a 3 score and not a 2 like I did at Battleship Cove is because below decks they have several well appointed spaces dedicated to some of the other services and their members with nice exhibits in them. That part is reasonably well done.