Boston

Museums & galleries

Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Boston's leading art museum, ranked alongside New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago as one of the three great American art museums. It's a wonderful place to spend a relaxed afternoon taking in its vast collection.

Attraction

Harvard College Observatory

An astronomical research facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1839 with a long history behind it. It's a great stop to add while touring the Harvard campus.

Museums & galleries

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston houses paintings, sculptures, and tapestries from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Per the founder's wishes, the collection is always displayed in the same arrangement, which is part of what makes a visit special.

Attraction

Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

An astrophysics research institute in Cambridge, near Boston, known for leading world-class space observation projects such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory. It's a great stop for anyone interested in the history of astronomy.

Attraction

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an astronomical research institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It carries out celestial research alongside the Harvard College Observatory.

Museums & galleries

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is a presidential library and museum at Columbia Point in the Dorchester area of Boston, honoring the 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy. It's also renowned for its building, designed by architect I. M. Pei.

Museums & galleries

Museum of Bad Art

A quirky private museum showcasing distinctive works you won't find anywhere else. With branches scattered across Massachusetts, it's an intriguing stop for anyone seeking an unconventional art experience.

Shopping & districts

Charlestown

Charlestown is considered Boston's oldest settlement, sitting on a peninsula across the Charles River from downtown. Settled in 1629, its long history lives on in old streets that hint at the city's earliest days.