With five richly decorated floors of literature and fine art on display, the Boston Athanaeum is a haven for literary and art enthusiasts alike. The Athanaeum, founded in 1807, was born out of an organization known as the Anthology Society, which was formed by a group of Boston residents working on publishing a monthly anthology magazine. In conjunction with the magazine, the group created the Athanaeum as a space for the people of Boston to gather, appreciate, and discuss fine… Read More

The Boston Public Library decidedly holds the top spot on our must-see list in Boston. As the very first public library in the country, the Boston Public Library has become part of the city’s identity, drawing locals and visitors from near and far for over 150 years. The library first opened its doors to the public in 1854. Originally located in a former schoolhouse, the library almost immediately needed a new home in order to sufficiently hold its collection of… Read More

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum provides an illustration of the climactic political event that inarguably defined the course of revolutionary history. Immersive and interactive, the experience is both enjoyable and enlightening for its impressive multisensory vividness.   A rich array of unique resources – from beautifully restored 18th-century sailing vessels to all manner of historic ephemera and even lively holograms – come together to recreate the landmark protest which, in an act of brave defiance against the British… Read More

The Harvard Art Museums offer visitors three delightfully diverse collections of art, exhibited in three distinct museums: the Fogg Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. After a recent renovation, the museums are now housed in the same building while maintaining the unique character of each. For the first time ever, visitors can see all three collections under one roof – and it is a striking glass roof at that – while still appreciating their individuality. To… Read More

Housed in the Harvard University campus at the University Museum building on 26 Oxford Street, the Harvard Museum of Natural History is a worthy addition to your itinerary when visiting Cambridge. Intended to display the work of three of the university’s museums – the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard Mineralogical and Geological museum, and the Harvard University Herbaria – the museum’s exhibitions draw from the prestigious institution’s rich natural history collections which are perfectly complemented by the faculty’s expertise… Read More

The Institute of Contemporary Art opened its doors in 1936 as an affiliate of New York City’s renowned Museum of Modern Art, aka the MoMa. Thus, the Institute was originally called the Boston Museum of Modern Art. The museum quickly grew in size and recognition, and acquired its current name in 1948 to disassociate with the MoMa and to reflect its innovative take on the world of contemporary art. With constant strategic planning and forward thinking, the ICA remains one… Read More

Isabella Stewart Gardner was born in New York City on April 14th, 1840 to a well established family who made their fortune importing fine Irish linens among other lucrative investments. She was raised in the West Village and began her education in New York only to finish abroad. Her Paris classmate, introduced her to the man who would later become her husband, John "Jack" Lowell Gardner Jr. In 1860 a few days before she turned 20, Isabella Stewart married Jack… Read More

Overlooking the shores of the 35th US president’s beloved Boston Harbor, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum stands as a thorough, immersive tribute to JFK’s enduring legacy. Chinese-American luminary I.M. Pei, favored by Jacqueline Kennedy among the many notable architects proposed for the project, designed the stately building. The split-level design is in many ways meant to emphasize Kennedy’s love of the ocean—not only by virtue of its location but also through details such as the deliberate use… Read More

Located in Boston’s stunning Christian Science Plaza Center, The Mary Baker Eddy Library houses a plethora of books and exhibitions related to the history and beliefs of Christian Science. Visit the library to learn about the life of Mary Baker Eddy, the impact of her most notable written work which became the basis for Christian Science, and the evolution of The Christian Science Monitor, the global news publication founded by Eddy in 1908. As the library’s namesake, and the founder… Read More

If you plan to explore Cambridge during your visit to Boston, the MIT Museum is sure to be an informative and inspirational stop on your journey through the neighborhood. The museum showcases the history of the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology and how the work of its students and faculty have changed the world. For those seeking intellectual stimulation, a visit to Boston is not complete without venturing across the Charles River to explore this prestigious university – and what… Read More

The Museum of Fine Arts opened its doors to the world on July 4th 1876, the first Centennial of the United States. At the time the museum housed around 5,600 works of art and was located in nearby Copley Square. During its first several years, the museum grew exponentially both by art acquisition and number of visitors. By 1909 the Museum of Fine Arts moved to its present day home on Huntington Avenue - The Avenue of the Arts, a… Read More

Educating and inspiring visitors for 180 years and counting, Boston’s Museum of Science is one of the largest and most established science centers in the world. Home to more than 700 exhibits, the Museum of Science welcomes approximately 1.5 million visitors per year – more than any other museum in Boston. With exhibits on topics ranging from astronomy to nanotechnology, the Museum of Science offers a seemingly unlimited array of learning opportunities. Some of the museum’s most popular exhibits include… Read More

For animal lovers and marine-life enthusiasts, a visit to the New England Aquarium is sure to be a memorable outing. With thousands of aquatic creatures, an IMAX theater boasting the largest screen in New England, and opportunities to interact directly with exotic sea animals, the New England Aquarium has something for everyone. Visitors of the aquarium have the opportunity to look at shark species from all over the world, learn about unique coral reef habitats, view a four-story ocean tank… Read More

A successor to the long-standing East India Marine Society (est. 1799) of Salem, Massachusetts, the Peabody Essex Museum is a must see landmark for its unparalleled richness and historical significance. Conceived in 1992 as the result of a merger between the Peabody Museum of Salem and the Essex Institute – both well-established cultural institutions predating the turn of the century – the Peabody Essex Museum houses a satisfyingly plentiful collection of pieces ranging from ancient Eastern art to modern-day masterworks.… Read More

Showcasing the groundbreaking medical advances made at Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital since its founding more than two centuries ago, the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation tells a remarkable piece of Boston’s history. Known as one of the best hospitals in the world, Massachusetts General Hospital is perhaps the most globally impactful part of the city. Named after Paul S. Russell, MD, a renowned thoracic surgeon, professor at Harvard Medical School, founder of the New England… Read More

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is the place to learn about all things Senate related – history of the United States Senate, the role the Senate plays within the larger United States government, and the typical day to day work of a US Senator. From being greeted at the door with “Welcome, Senator” to taking part in a mock vote in the Institute’s full-size replica of the Senate Chambers, visitors leave with a true understanding… Read More

As the oldest commissioned US Navy ship afloat today, the USS Constitution is one of many historical gems of Boston. During your visit, climb aboard the ship, meet current active duty Navy sailors, and tour the adjacent museum to learn about the ship’s involvement in the War of 1812 and its journey to the present day. As the ship is still owned and operated by the US Navy, visitors have the opportunity to get a rare glimpse of life in… Read More