The Athens of America

Boston, Massachusetts

In Boston, the art scene is as rich and flavorful as a cup of clam chowder, with a pinch of history and a dash of innovation. The city's art museums are like a treasure chest, each one more glittering and unexpected than the last. From the classical to the contemporary, Boston's art museums serve up a smorgasbord of artistic styles and periods, enough to satisfy the most discerning of art connoisseurs or the most curious of tourists.

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston The fourth largest museum in the United States, the MFA is home to over 450,000 works of art. It's like the Hogwarts of art - you'll turn a corner and run into a 4,000-year-old Egyptian statue or a piece of contemporary abstract art that looks suspiciously like a pile of laundry.
  • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Housed in a Venetian-style palace with an enchanting courtyard garden, this museum is as much a work of art as its eclectic collection. It's also the site of the largest unsolved art heist in history, which is either thrilling or deeply frustrating, depending on how you feel about unsolved mysteries.
  • Institute of Contemporary Art This waterfront museum is like the cool, hipster cousin of Boston's art scene. With its cutting-edge exhibitions and striking architecture, the ICA is the place to go if you want to see art that's so fresh, it's practically still wet.
  • Boston Center for the Arts The BCA is not just a museum, but a thriving arts complex offering performances, exhibitions, and artist studios. It's like an all-you-can-eat buffet for art lovers!
  • Harvard Art Museums Comprising three museums in one, the Harvard Art Museums are like the academic triple threat of the Boston art world. Plus, it's Harvard, so you can feel smarter just by walking through the door.
  • MIT List Visual Arts Center Where art and technology collide, you'll find the MIT List Visual Arts Center. Here, you can explore the latest in contemporary art, and maybe even learn a thing or two about quantum physics.
  • Boston University Art Galleries BU's Art Galleries are like the underdog of Boston's art scene: small but mighty, with a focus on innovative, contemporary art and photography.
  • The Rose Art Museum Located at Brandeis University, the Rose Art Museum combines cutting-edge modern and contemporary art with a commitment to social justice. It's like a superfood smoothie for your brain and your conscience.
  • The McMullen Museum of Art Located at Boston College, the McMullen Museum is like a hidden gem, offering a diverse array of exhibitions in a serene setting.
  • deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum With its 30-acre sculpture park and contemporary art museum, deCordova is like a playground for art lovers. Plus, it's in Lincoln, so you can get your art fix and go apple picking all in the same day.