5.0Museum of Fine Arts(8.257 reviews) - Great collection Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums
Boston's oldest, largest and best-known art institution, the MFA houses one of the world's most comprehensive art collections and is renowned for its Impressionist paintings, Asian and Egyptian collections and early American art.See more..
4.5Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum(3.245 reviews) - A must when visiting Boston Monday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Gardens • Art Museums
A Venetian palace in the middle of Boston, Gardner's home is now a museum displaying her impressive, eclectic collection of European, American and Asian art, including sculpture, paintings, furniture, ceramics and textiles. Visitors can stroll or rest in a spectacular skylit courtyard filled with plants and flowers.See more..
4.5Norman Rockwell Museum(2.526 reviews) - A MUST SEE if you're in the area! Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums
Founded in 1969, this museum has the world's largest and most significant collection of Rockwell drawings and paintings.See more..
Experience art and culture from New England and around the world at one of the region’s largest art museums. Explore the museum’s vast collections and changing exhibitions, ranging from modern art to photography to Asian art and culture. The museum campus features numerous parks, period gardens, and 24 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, the only example of Chinese vernacular architecture on display in the United States.See more..
5.0The Clark Art Institute(1.434 reviews) - So Good, We Had To Visit Again Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Art Museums
The Clark Art Institute is best known for its French Impressionist paintings by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and especially Pierre-Auguste Renoir, with more than thirty paintings by the artist. The collection is also rich in American paintings by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, George Inness, Frederic Remington, and Mary Cassatt; Italian and Northern Renaissance masterpieces; portraits and landscapes by European masters; and an extraordinary collection of silver, porcelain, and furniture. An active program of special exhibitions brings great works of art from around the world to the museum. Designed by renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, the recently opened Clark Center is the centerpiece of the Clark's campus. The center includes special exhibition galleries as well as retail and dining spaces. It overlooks a dramatic three-tiered reflecting pool, integrating indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a stunning visual connection to the woodland surroundings and other buildings located on the campus. This sweeping new landscape design transforms the Clark's 140-acre campus and underscores new sustainability initiatives. In 1950 the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute was founded as a permanent home for the private art collection of Sterling and Francine Clark. In 1955 Sterling-who was an avid horseman with strong family ties to Williamstown and Cooperstown, New York-and his wife Francine presided at the official opening of the museum, sharing their magnificent yet little-known collection with the world for the first time. Since the founding, the museum has gained international stature for the quality of its collection, innovative special exhibitions, and Research and Academic Program.See more..
4.5MASS MoCA(959 reviews) - Exceptional Contemporary Art Mauseum Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Art Museums
Housed on a restored 19th century factory campus, MASS MoCA is the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the country. Open year round with full schedule of live events, changing exhibitions and Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing Retrospective.See more..
4.5Sandwich Glass Museum(773 reviews) - Sandwich Glass Museum -- Wheelchair Accessible! Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Science Museums • Art Museums • History Museums
The museum details the history of the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company.See more..
4.5Worcester Art Museum(598 reviews) - fantastic Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums
This central Massachusetts museum houses a collection that includes works by European and American artists as well as Asian, Greek, and Roman art.See more..
4.5Springfield Museums(504 reviews) - Amazing museum cluster meets your every interest!! Monday: Spent More than 3 hours Natural History Museums • Science Museums • Art Museums • Children's Museums • History Museums
The Springfield Museums, located in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, is comprised of four world-class museums covering art, history, and science, plus the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.See more..
4.5Harvard Art Museums(490 reviews) - Amazing Museum Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums
The Harvard Art Museums, among the world’s leading art institutions, comprise three museums (the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Arthur M. Sackler Museums) all under one roof. Masterpieces among our more than a quarter million works include works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keefe, and Jackson Pollock; contemporary works by internationally recognized artists such as Kara Walker, Ai Weiwei, and Kerry James Marshall; and an array of remarkable objects from ancient cultures in the Mediterranean, Near East, and Far East. Our special exhibitions give us the chance to showcase an even wider range of works spanning diverse media, genres, and eras.See more..
The largest of its kind in New England, this sculpture park encompasses 35 acres, 20 miles northwest of Boston. The park features a constantly changing landscape of large-scale, outdoor, modern and contemporary sculpture and site-specific installations, and hosts more than 60 works, the majority of which are on loan. Year round activities include snowshoe tours, yoga in the park, birding tours, curator and artist conversations, and many special talks, screenings, and events.See more..
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a stunning, 40,000 square-foot facility in the heart of the Five College area of Western MA is loved by families, art aficionados and book lovers alike. The Museum houses three Galleries with rotating exhibitions of picture book art from around the world, and a permanent collection which includes works by artists such as Maurice Sendak, Leo Lionni, and Rosemary Wells. A hands-on Art Studio allows visitors to create their own masterpiece any time the Museum is open. The Auditorium hosts regular live performances, daily films, and frequent lectures and guest appearances by renowned authors and illustrators. The comfortable Reading Library is the perfect spot to settle in with a book and a friend, or take in Storytime. The Museum Shop, called by Parent's Choice "the very best bookstore for picture books in the entire world," is stocked with unique gifts and a beautiful array of picture books.See more..
4.5Williams College Museum of Art(257 reviews) - Great little art museum, just as much fun as the Clark. Monday: Spent < 1 hour Art Museums
WCMA sparks new ways of thinking about art and the visual world through its innovative exhibitions, programs, publications and projects. At the heart of the Williams College campus the museum draws on the collaborative and multidisciplinary ethos of the surrounding college to enliven the more than 15,000 works in its growing collection. The museum and its collection is a catalyst for student learning and community engagement. Situated in the rich cultural landscape of the Berkshires, WCMA is free and open to all.See more..
4.5Chesterwood Museum(226 reviews) - All things French Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Art Museums
Summer home, studio and gardens of America's foremost sculptor, Daniel Chester French (1850-1931), creator of the "Minuteman" (Concord, MA) and the Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial (Washington DC). Explore the historic artist's studio and gardens, and stroll through the woodland walks and annual contemporary sculpture show. Open May through October, Thursday - Monday, 10am to 5pm. Check website for details on guided tours and special events.See more..
5.0Atwood Museum(213 reviews) - So hospitable and welcoming. Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Art Museums • History Museums
Exhibit hours and days vary throughout the year. For details please visit our website. **Advance reservations are required during the pandemic.** Most, but not all exhibits may be open at this time. ** New exhibits this year include: - An outdoor Wetu (Wampanoag dwelling), - The Turning Point - Mayflower Exhibit, - WWII Commemoration, and - Honoring the Suffrage Movement. Explore Cape Cod of centuries past with 12 galleries in 14 exhibits, starting with a tour of a historical dwelling built circa 1752. Discover Cape Cod's captivating history, art, and culture at the Chatham Historical Society's Atwood House Museum. In addition to the 18th century Atwood House, Museum highlights include: a Mural Barn with works by Alice Stallknecht, the Nickerson North Beach Camp, a fishing gallery, Double Take Then and Now photo exhibit, Main Street Cape Cod, stories of the Pendleton and other shipwrecks, several rotating exhibits, a research facility, a popular gift shop and more.See more..
This museum features work by a number of art greats.See more..
4.5The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum(125 reviews) - Unlikely spot for this museum Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums • Children's Museums
He was born here and this museum came together toward the end of his life. He lived in California as an adult which seems the more likely place for this- however Springfield is where it is at. Nicely done exhibits laying out the story of his career. Definitely for children- as it should be.See more..
4.5Fruitlands Museum(123 reviews) - Lovely spring day at Fruitlands Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums • History Museums
Fruitlands Museum is comprised of four separate museums, showcasing Transcendentalists, Shakers, Native Americans and American paintings on 210 acres of meadows and woods with 2.5 miles of trails and a breathtaking view of the Nashua River Valley. The Fruitlands Museum Store sells fine crafts by local artists and the Museum Café, which is open during the main season (April 15 through November 7), focuses on locally sourced, sustainable cuisine reflective of the heritage of New England.See more..
The Addison Gallery is home to a world-class collection of American Art, along with a vital and adventurous exhibitions program. The museum is committed to serving the public through free admission and an education outreach program that reaches diverse audiences. The Addison’s size gives visitors an opportunity to experience its wide-ranging exhibitions in a more intimate setting than typical of larger museums. The Addison is just 30 minutes from Boston.See more..
The Rockport Art Association & Museum is one of the oldest and most active art organizations in the country. The Association has a long and distinguished history that has spanned 95 years. Each year the RAA&M welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world. The RAA&M continues to be one of Cape Ann’s most prominent cultural beacons. Since its founding, the Association has steadily increased in size and currently includes approximately 280 artist & photography members, and hundreds of contributing members. By promoting year-round programs of classes, lectures, demonstrations, exhibitions and community outreach, as well as an impressive museum collection, the RAA&M remains dedicated to its mission of making fine art appreciation accessible to all.See more..
The recently opened exhibition at the Mead Art Museum is vibrant and engaging. The exhibit titled Architectural Ghosts is educational and contains beautiful objects that tell multiple layers of stories. The 3-D replicas of objects invite children to touch and examine several of the works. However, I observed that the replicas equally invited adults to touch and explore. This a very well-done exhibit and I look forward to revisiting the Mead in the future.See more..
The Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) is a catalyst for learning, creativity, and community building. FAM is one of the most treasured cultural institutions in Central New England and serves the cities of Fitchburg and Leominster and surrounding communities in North Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. FAM was founded in 1925, and its four-building complex, with over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space, features exhibitions from its art historical collections as well as special loan exhibitions focused on regional contemporary art. Collections include 19th Century American Art, photography, African Art, Greek and Roman Art, and Egyptian Art.See more..
4.0Museum of Bad Art(41 reviews) - Definitely worth a visit! This location was reported permanently closed Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Art Museums
The Museum Of Bad Art (MOBA) is a unique institution that offers lively, fun, socially-distanced programs. MOBA brings a light hearted look at the world of museums, while raising important questions about the perception, appreciation, and valuation of art. Our gallery, inside the Dorchester Brewing Co. exhibits some of the works in our collection. Admission is free!See more..
4.5Davis Museum At Wellesley College(34 reviews) - A great collection and very thoughtfully curated Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums
This Place is Temporarily Closed. The Davis Museum at Wellesley College is one of the oldest and most acclaimed academic art museums in the United States. Dynamic gallery presentations and richly varied temporary exhibitions create an environment that encourages visual literacy, inspires new ideas, and fosters involvement in the arts as a vital element of cross-disciplinary teaching and study.See more..
4.5Whistler House Museum of Art(32 reviews) - Lovely little Treasure Monday: Historic Sites • Art Museums • History Museums
Just a block or two away from the Lowell National Park, the Whistler House is a microcosm of history and art. Besides the knowledgable staff, one can take their time enjoying the 19th century artwork, before going to the gallery behind the house, where modern artists and the artists in residence display their work. There is a lovely park dedicated to Whistler adjacent to the building.See more..
4.5Cyrus Dallin Art Museum(31 reviews) - Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum Monday: Spent < 1 hour Art Museums
Welcome to the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum, where you'll discover the work of the celebrated American artist, Cyrus E. Dallin (1861 to 1944) who created some of America's most iconic sculptures, including The Appeal to the Great Spirit and Paul Revere. Visit the museum today and experience the works of this American master. Hours: Fri-Sun, Noon to 4:00. Check website for events, photos, and updates.See more..
5.0Martha's Vineyard Museum(25 reviews) - Renovated building, great exhibits Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums • Children's Museums • History Museums
The Martha's Vineyard Museum (MVM) is a historical and cultural institution collecting art, artifacts, oral histories, documents, and photographs that help tell the stories of Martha's Vineyard from its formation as an island to the present. Founded as the Dukes County Historical Society in 1922, it was officially renamed the Martha's Vineyard Museum in 2006 to better reflect its focus on both collecting the history of the island and presenting, educating, and sharing it with the public. In 2011, MVM purchased the 1895 Marine Hospital site in Vineyard Haven and set out to transform it into a new museum. MVM made the decision to maintain ownership of part of its original Edgartown campus in order to continue to steward the historic Cooke House and create a public garden for the community. In March 2019, the Vineyard Haven site opened to the public with great fanfare and a blockbuster exhibit celebrating the island's profound influence on the work of Thomas Hart Benton.See more..
4.0New Bedford Art Museum(25 reviews) - A great little museum with wonderful exhibits Monday: Art Museums
This is a hidden gem. The exhibits change but they are always enjoyable. This past summer the main focus was Audubon prints. This fall it is painter and photographers focused on the four seasons. The museum represents artists from around the world but specializes in many of the local artists in this burgeoning artist community. It is worth the trip. Don't miss the bank vault and the exhibits downstairs.See more..
4.5The Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University(24 reviews) - great spot to land for this small but mighty area museum ... Monday: Art Galleries • Art Museums Established as a grass roots organization in 1975 by a committed group of citizens, the Danforth Museum of Art has grown to become a vital cultural resource. Located in Framingham, Massachusetts, 30 miles west of Boston, the Museum provides visitors with entertaining and educational experiences in the visual arts. The Danforth educates the public through its collection of American art, changing exhibits of contemporary artists, classes and workshops in the Museum School, and a variety of community outreach programs.See more..
4.5Rose Art Museum(22 reviews) - Well worth a stop Art Museums
This small museum is not a must see but, if you are in the area, it is well worth a stop. I've been there twice in the past few months and found both the permanent collection and the temporary exhibits to be interesting and well curated. A favorite work is the installation titled, "Mark Dion: The Undisciplined Collector." Visitor's can go into this 1961 collector's den, relax on the couch and choose an old record to play. The visit if free and we had no trouble parking but, this might be different when the university is in session.See more..
5.0Art Complex Museum(4 reviews) - Some Assembly Required Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums
This exhibit will be there until 9/1 and it’s well worth seeing. The creativity of the artists and the materials used are truly surprising.See more..
4.5Somerville Museum(3 reviews) - Great local exhibits Spent < 1 hour Art Museums • History Museums
Such a lovely local museum. I've been here for several shows over the years, including some of the open studies shows. My most recent favorite was the mosaics.See more..
5.0Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography(2 reviews) - Superb Visit for Everyone!!! Art Museums What a delightful treat anytime! Absolutely exquisite workmanship to share and enjoy. Come back another time, again and again!See more..
5.0Waltham Mills Artists Association(1 review) - An Artsy Gem Find Art Galleries • Art Museums Once a year Waltham Mills Artist Association (Waltham Mills Open Studios) opens its doors to the public. These local Artist’s, who work in their own open air studio, allow the community to enter their creative world, as they engage with people, and agree to sell their most prized pieces of art. I found this art showing to be a wonderful opportunity for someone to quietly browse the many levels of works within the massive buildings, and pick up some fine pieces to take home. I was truly taken back at how humble and kind each Artist was. While hosting their individual showings, the Artist’s answered questions, and engaged with the many members of the community who passed through their personal space. This year’s showing was on November 3rd & 4th. If you are interested in attending the annual showing, google search their website and sign up for their email. It is referred to as “Waltham Mills Open Studios”, and I believe Waltham Mills Artist Association (WMAA) runs it. This was was my first time attending, and I will definitely go back next year! See more..
4.0Range Lights Sculpture(1 review) - SMALL GARDEN WITH SOME WHIMSICAL SCULPTURES Spent < 1 hour Art Museums
On my way to visit the Newburyport Harbor Front Range Light, I happened upon the Range Light Community Sculpture Garden. Both are out behind the Newburyport Art Association. I walked all around the garden admiring the various pieces of sculpture. Many pieces were imaginative and fanciful. I particularly liked one called Joy that depicted a reclining figure that appeared to be blowing bubbles. Another one I liked was Nexus which resembled a gyroscope with radiating something --- energy, perhaps --- coming out of the middle. I rate this small hidden gem at 4.25 and can recommend a visit. The reason for the delay in submitting this review was due to a months-long loss of my ability to post photos with my reviews. If you found this review useful, please click HELPFUL.See more..
