A friend recommended this art collection in this beautiful space so I reserved tickets online for…read moretoday at 11 when it opened. You can buy your tickets in person as well. It's a separate entrance line than the preordered tickets. They do check your bags and tell you to leave your water bottles at the coatcheck on the 1st floor or downstairs at the lockers. We started upstairs on the 3rd floor, and worked our way down. Every room is specifically designed to highlight some theme by Isabella, from the brocade on the walls to the ceiling to the doors to the artwork/furniture everywhere. Because it's a three story mansion, it's decorated as such and has less of the feel of a gallery as a luxuriously decorated estate. Most of the artwork is not identified as it would be in a museum, but it can still be appreciated. There were a few signs along the way that explained the theme of the room according to Isabella. From the third floor especially, the live music in the central garden could be heard so well because of the magnificent acoustics. (There was music in honor of Juneteenth today). If it's your first time there, pay attention to the plaque by the elevator on the 1st floor that states it was the entrance that Isabella herself had used. Apparently that was the original entrance to the museum for a long time and the glass encased current entrance used to be greenhouses. We spent 1.5 hrs there and enjoyed exploring and appreciating the unique museum experience together. Highly recommend!!

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum was commonly mentioned as a must see in Boston, so we decided to…read morecheck it out on a rainy Sunday during our trip. It seems like everyone else had the same idea as well because the museum was packed! Definitely recommend booking tickets at least a few days in advance because some time slots were sold out. We booked the 10:30am-11am time slot and it was already crowded at this time. Check in was straightforward and there are lockers in the basement to secure large bags. This is very different to the standard art museums. Isabella Stewart converted a home into a museum and it is amazing how much time and effort went into the process. There are three stories, each having several rooms to walk through. A couple rooms have limited capacity so we had to wait in line for 10-15 minutes to enter. My personal favorite part of the museum was the courtyard - very pretty with all the plants and statues. We also witnessed a proposal! I'm usually not a huge museum fan, but this was definitely worth checking out. Many people suggested listening to the audio guide available on the website, and while it was interesting, it was a bit slow and I wasn't able to listen to everything - wish the recordings had 2x speed. This is a very popular museum so the crowds made it feel a bit chaotic. I recommend going on a weekday!

I had a great time here at the Boston Museum of science. It was very big and there was so much…read morehands-on stuff to do with kids of all ages. They have a little food court inside of this museum and there is a parking garage that connects right to the museum as well. There is definitely a wide variety of things to learn and see here. I feel like just one day at the museum was not even enough. They do offer memberships and I can see why lol. This museum is definitely a place kids will want to go back to. One of my favorite parts of the museum was the brain area where they have a human brain and someone that explains all about it. I just thought it was pretty cool that they had a human brain on display. They even had exhibits that I did not get to see, simply because there was just not enough time in one day like I said. Highly recommend for a rainy day activity or a fun play date!

Now my kids are 8 and 3 years old…read more We still adore the Museum of Science and find their membership valuable. Looking forward to the new wing (currently under construction).

Stopped in just for the gift shop to get some more tea from when I was here last. They have…read moreexpanded with their tea selection too! Tons of different flavors now. There are a lot of other Boston themed gift items too!

I came to visit this museum mainly for the tea tasting. My friend and I didn't do the ship…read moreexperience where visitors get to throw "tea" off the ship. To enter the tea room, you have to go through the gift shop and exit the door on the left to walk down the ramp to Abigail's Tea room. Once you arrive you can go to the counter to order a meal (salads, sandwiches), or snacks like cookies, brownies or scones. There is an option to taste 5 different types of teas that were aboard the ships (and were eventually dumped into the water). You can opt for a cup ($5), Souvenir mug for $10.95, or a tea platter ($20) which includes a pot of tea and two scones and it says it serves up to 4 people. I opted for the $5 cup since it's unlimited refills. The tea shop has a big dining area with a view of the ships and the wharf. The 5 tea offerings included: *Young Hyson - "Early spring green tea typically picked before the end of April" *Singlo - " Chinese green tea varieties picked later in the season than early spring Hyson" *Bohea - "Black tea from one of the oldest and most famous tea growing areas of china, the Wuyi Mountains." *Congou - "a black tea, refers to a tea made with the highest mastery or artful skill to produce thin, light strips without breaking the leaves" *Souchong - "a classic black tea from the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian province in China with a very distinctive smoky aroma" I thought most of the teas were good, my favorite being the Congou, but the Souchong was not my favorite due to the smoky flavor. The gift shop was fun and full of neat souvenirs like teas, teapots, general Boston kitschy items, and things for the 250th anniversary of America. Well worth the visit if you are in the area!

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!!!

Boston Public Library is one of those places that feels like more than just a library. We walked…read moreinto a building that combines history, architecture, and art in a way that makes walking through the space feel closer to visiting a museum. The exterior is impressive, but the interior is where the building really stands out, with grand marble staircases, detailed murals, and historic design elements throughout that immediately signal this is not a standard public library. The sense of history is palpable from the moment you step inside, and the building's design invites you to slow down and appreciate the details rather than rushing through. The main reading room is the highlight of the visit. The tall ceilings, long rows of desks, classic lamps, and quiet atmosphere create a space that feels almost cinematic. We found ourselves pausing to take in the scale of the room, with the natural light filtering through the tall windows and the rows of green lamps casting a warm glow across the tables. It has a timeless quality that makes you want to slow down and actually take in the details rather than just walk through for photos. The surrounding rooms also have their own character, with artwork and architectural details around almost every corner, each space offering something slightly different. The murals and ceiling paintings add depth to the visit, and the blend of architectural styles across the different rooms keeps the experience from feeling uniform. The courtyard is another standout area, offering a completely different feel from the grand interior. The open space, fountain, and seating areas make it a relaxing place to spend a few minutes away from the busy city streets. We stepped out and found the contrast between the formal interior and the calm, open courtyard added a nice balance to the visit. The courtyard feels like a hidden pocket of quiet in the middle of the city, and the sound of the fountain adds a layer of peace that makes it easy to sit for a while and take a break from walking through the building. One of the best parts is that admission is free, making it an easy stop whether you are sightseeing or just looking for a quiet place to explore. The library can get busier during peak times, especially around the popular rooms, but there are plenty of areas to walk through and appreciate. We noticed a mix of visitors, from tourists taking photos to locals settling in with books, and the space accommodated both without feeling overcrowded. The flow of the building makes it easy to wander at your own pace, and the staff are present but not intrusive, allowing you to explore freely. Overall, the Boston Public Library is one of the most beautiful public spaces in the city. The combination of architecture, artwork, and peaceful atmosphere makes it worth visiting even if you are not there specifically to read or study. It feels like a landmark that showcases Boston's history and design in a way that anyone can enjoy, offering a visit that feels both educational and serene.

To think we almost left Boston without stopping into the library. It would have been our loss. This…read morelibrary was so impressive. We entered the new section by the cafe. The staff were very friendly and helpful. There were people at almost every table on three different floors. The children's section was very cute. The library appeared to have an extensive collection for both adults and children. We walked into the older section of the library and we were amazed. It was definitely more like a museum. The murals on the wall and ceiling were stunning. The outside fountain area was beautiful. There were people taking photos for special events and many people like us just in awe of our surroundings. What a great find!

What a treat it was to be able to see this in my lifetime and to spend some time on the grounds of…read moreHarvard University. So much in this museum I don't think you could possible see the whole place in one day. We spent 4-5 hours here and may have seen 50%. I so wish I lived closer so I could take it all in over several visits. The mineral and rocks area especially drew lots of my attention and I spent way too much time there and slowed us down a good bit. It's was so freaking cool though! Giant wads of gold and precious metals everywhere. Things I have never seen. Wonderful things! Also.... They have dinosaurs and so many cool things. Glass flowers, ancient artifacts, rare finds from around the world all housed in the historic University of Harvard campus. Check out my pics. I even have one where I am the last link in the evolutionary chain, LOL. Totally worth a trip here if you can. So many wonderful things to see!! '26 - 29

This museum is a must if you are visiting Harvard campus especially if you are a tourist. The…read moremuseum is huge with collections of fossils, taxidermies, plants, and it also has detailed explanation of each items that you see there. They also have rocks and gems on display here. It took 3-4 hours to see everything here. Admission is about $15 and free for students.

My kids and I enjoyed the MIT museum! Lots of cool history and innovation! The museum is kept clean…read moreand staff is friendly and helpful throughout our trip. Be sure to check out the gift shop on your way out!

Fun and interactive, but not worth the $20 admission (even $10 for students feels a bit high). Some…read moreexhibits feel dated, especially the AI section, which is less impressive than what you can explore at home. Would love to see more student projects or newer innovations. Overall nice, just a bit anticlimactic. It is nice though that they have free lockers for visitors.

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This was such a fun and interactive space. Admittedly, timing is a gamble game because…read moreLarge groups in front or behind you can affect your experience with moving through the exhibits. Staff we friendly. I would not recommend this place for younger children.