Boston Museums: So Much Culture in one City!
Boston is extremely rich in history and culture. The Boston Tea Party, the Revolutionary War and Paul Revere’s famous ride are just the beginning of the amazingly long list of things you can learn about here. There are so many Boston Museums we aren’t sure if you will find another city with as many museums per square mile as this one.
One of the things that makes Boston truly unique is not just the buildings that house interesting facts and history but numerous walking tours and interactive experiences as well. You will definitely be smarter after visiting Boston!
The Top 4 Most Well-Known Boston Museums
The following museums are very popular destinations in Boston. Later, we will list some lesser-known, but equally interesting museums and educational spots to consider on your quest for knowledge of American history.
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Today the MFA is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world and welcomes more than one million visitors each year. Their collection encompasses nearly 500,000 works of art including exhibits on ancient Egypt, Art of the Americas, and European, Asian, and African art. In 1876, the Museum established the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In 2016, the School became part of Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences, making it the only art school in the United States that is part of a research university and also affiliated with a major art museum.
Boston Museum of Science
In 1830, six men interested in natural history established the Boston Society of Natural History, which has grown into the one of the world’s largest science centers and Boston’s most attended cultural institution. The Museum attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors a year through its vibrant programs and 700 interactive exhibits.
A few of the Museum’s main features include:
The Boston Science Museum is also the country’s ONLY science museum that has the National Center for Technological Literacy® (NCTL®) .The NCTL promotes the knowledge of engineering and technology for people of all ages and to inspire the next generation of engineers, inventors, and scientists.
The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
The ICA offers a robust variety of exhibitions, music, dance, film, talks, tours, family activities, and teen programming throughout the year. It was founded in 1936 as a sister institution to New York’s MoMA, and has paved the way for other museums of “contemporary art,” artists’ spaces, and alternative venues.
Boston Children’s Museum
Boston Children’s Museum is the second oldest, and one of the most influential children’s museums in the world. The exhibits and programs emphasize hands-on engagement and learning. that focus on science, culture, environmental awareness, health & fitness, and the arts. You can enjoy numerous programs and activities on:
- literacy
- performing arts
- science and math
- visual arts
- cultures
- health and wellness
The Museum is also one of the few children’s museums in the world to maintain a collection. The Museum’s collections of Americana, Natural History, Global Culture, Native American, Dolls and Dollhouses, and Japanese artifacts encompass more than 50,000 items.
Additional Boston Museums You Don’t Want to Miss
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner was one of the foremost female patrons of the arts and traveled the world to amass a remarkable collection of master and decorative arts.
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum 
This museum is dedicated to the memory of JFK, and is a vibrant tribute to his life. You will learn about the life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy, conveyed in his enthusiasm for politics and public service, and illustrates the nature of the office of the President.
The Museum of African American History is New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving, conserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans. In Boston and Nantucket, the Museum has preserved four historic sites and two Black Heritage Trails® that tell the story of organized black communities from the Colonial Period through the 19th century.
USS Constitution Museum
The Museum i located next to the ship itself and is a is a “must see” for everyone visiting Boston. Interactive galleries take adults, families and children of all ages on a 200-year voyage.
Old State House
The Old State House, the oldest surviving public building in Boston, was built in 1713 to house the government offices of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It stands on the site of Boston’s first Town House of 1657-8, which was destroyed by fire in 1711. As the center of civic, political, and business life, the Old State House was a natural meeting place for the exchange of economic and local news. The National Historic Sites Commission has called the Old State House one of the most important public buildings in Colonial America.
Staying in Boston
If you are planning a trip to enjoy the many Boston Museums and all the rich history that Boston has to offer, consider staying in a short-term apartment rental rather than a hotel. You can experience one of Boston’s historic neighborhoods like a local and have all the conveniences of home in one of our gorgeous apartments. We have several locations spread out throughout the city to choose from. Give us a call today and start planning your next trip to historic Boston.
