Best Museums

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 the Boston Harbor, the ICA showcases bold, boundary-pushing works across genres: 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 the 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.