Nestled in the heart of Back Bay, The Eliot Hotel offers guests a front-row seat to Boston’s vibrant cultural scene.
Whether you’re an art aficionado, a history buff or traveling with curious kids, Boston’s museums offer something special for every kind of explorer. Here are our top picks—each within easy reach of The Eliot.
1. Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
465 Huntington Ave | 15-minute walk from The Eliot
One of the most comprehensive art museums in the country, the MFA houses everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary American masterpieces. Don’t miss the Art of the Americas Wing or the tranquil Japanese Garden for a moment of calm.
Eliot Tip: Check out the rotating exhibitions—recent years have brought works from Basquiat, Takashi Murakami and Boston’s own emerging talents.
2. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way | 20-minute walk or quick rideshare
A hidden jewel modeled after a Venetian palazzo, this museum is as much about the building as the art it holds. Wander through sunlit courtyards, eclectic galleries and a rotating collection that honors the original collector’s vision.
Eliot Tip: The museum is free on your birthday and offers discounts to visitors named Isabella.
3. Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
25 Harbor Shore Drive | 15-minute drive or T ride
Overlooking Boston Harbor, the ICA showcases bold, boundary-pushing work across painting, photography, film and performance. The architecture alone—clean lines, vast windows and a floating design—makes it worth the trip.
Eliot Tip: Visit in the late afternoon to catch golden-hour light spilling across the galleries and water.
4. Harvard Art Museums
32 Quincy St, Cambridge | 20-minute drive
A trifecta of collections—Fogg, Busch-Reisinger and Arthur M. Sackler—housed in a stunning Renzo Piano-designed building. This is the thinking traveler’s museum, with intimate galleries and global scope.
Eliot Tip: Combine it with a stroll through Harvard Yard and lunch at a local café in Harvard Square.
5. Boston Children’s Museum
308 Congress St | 10-minute drive
Ideal for families, this hands-on museum blends play with learning. Kids can climb a three-story structure, build in the construction zone or explore Japanese culture in an authentic Kyoto house.
Eliot Tip: Look for $1 Friday nights—a beloved local secret.
6. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
306 Congress St | 10-minute drive
This immersive floating museum brings Revolutionary history to life with reenactments, multimedia and, yes, real tea overboard. Fun, fast-paced and a favorite among younger travelers.
Eliot Tip: Perfect for a morning outing followed by lunch along the Fort Point Channel.