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.

Even as someone who isn't usually a fan of art museums, this was AWESOME…read more Things to love: - art that is really cool to look at and impressively made - admission is pay what you want with suggested donations - the front is a craft store!! - artists in residence - apparently they also have classes - gorgeous waterfront views!!

Cute place check for free days and events on site stopped here after a long walk I'd definitly go…read moreback

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!!!

CRAIG HOCKENBERRY…read more There was so much history here and the staff was so amazing. I could have stayed there several hours. The National Park does it right! Also, I did stop at the first Al resting place of our 2nd and 6th President as well as the one and only Abigail Adams. Craig Hockenberry Ohio

Visitor Center located in a busier part of Quincy, parked on street a few blocks away. The Historic…read morePark is spread out at several locations which encompasses the major spots. The Visitor Center is nicely done, staffed by knowledgeable Rangers & Volunteers. It has a gift shop & restrooms. The grounds around Historic buildings are well maintained along with the buildings. They had a program which covered the history of the location. Well worth a visit especially for history buffs !!!

I very much enjoyed seeing the owls. They are very impressive. I understand they also rehabilitate…read moreinjured raptors.

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.

(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.

This Historic Building in the City of Boston Massachusetts for JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY PRESIDENT of…read moreTHE UNITED STATES of AMERICA Located on the Banks of Boston Harbor over looking the City of Boston and the Ocean is truly the Best Location this Presidential Library can have. The Kennedy Family loved the ocean and sailing and what a way to memorialize JFK! I had to go back because there is so much to learn and absorb in one time! I meticulously going exhibit by exhibit to learn and understand this Presidency! I know they change exhibits and add others and today was the 250th Birthday of the DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE, which I wanted to re-read once again! So, if you take your time and sit and watch the many movies they have and marvel at the Medals and Gifts and all the photos of the 1960's as President and the outfits Jacqueline Kennedy on display will show you her slim look and exquisite style ! Go and spend a day there and browse and stop at the Cafe and have Coffee overlooking the harbor and airport! Pick up a souvenir and take lots of photos!

YAY. This place…read moreopened in the late 1970's - too late for me to get in a class trip, of which I am certain there are many. I have been to a few of these presidential museums now. Clinton's was great, and I am looking forward to Obama's very much. I just think this might have been one of the first and they just weren't saving all the good stuff to show off in a museum. (First lady dresses, fan mail, etc) That said, it was a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon. and easy to get to by T and shuttle bus.

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.