20+ Free Museums in Boston Including Free Museum Days
When:
Monday, Jan 01, 2024 9:00a -
Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 9:00p
Monday, Jan 01, 2024 9:00a -
Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 9:00p
Where:
Boston
Surrounding areas
Boston, MA
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
Art, Date Idea, Good for Groups, History, Kid Friendly, Meetup, Rainy Day Ideas
Event website:
https://joyraft.com/event/free-museums-in-boston-including-free-museum-days-boston-445823
Looking to escape the rain? Wanting to hide from the cold? Ready for a new adventure? These FREE museums in Boston are the perfect way to (re)discover the city, its history, and its beauty. Get lost for hours in these gateways to storytelling. This one is dedicated to all the science, history, art, and every kind of nerd out there!
The magic happens with a Boston Public Library card or even a Bank of America credit card. But don’t fret – there are plenty for ALL to enjoy, no strings attached.
By Yelena Nicolle Salvador
FREE MUSEUM DAYS
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
When: First Thursdays of the month
Where: Fenway
Info: This museum is the location of the biggest art heist in history! You can find work from all over the world and spot the empty frames of the paintings that have yet to be found. There’s also a beautiful seasonal garden right in the center of the castle-like interior. Free for all on the first Thursday of the month, but ticket reservations are required.
When: Certain Holidays
Where: Fenway
Info: One of my favorite places to get lost in for the entire day, the MFA houses collections from miniatures to paintings, artifacts, and pottery by people from Oceania, Indigenous tribes, and more. Free for MA residents on MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Free for BofA card holders on the first weekend of every month.
When: Every Thursday & Holidays
Where: Seaport
Info: With 3D installations and paintings alike, the ICA also has breathtaking views of the Boston Harbor from its big windows. Apart from free Thursdays, the ICA is open to all on holidays like MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. For families with kids 12 and under, two adults can gain free admission on the last Saturday of every month (except Nov. & Dec.) with code “PLAYDATE” at online checkout as well.
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
When: Sunday & Wednesday
Where: Cambridge
Info: Learn about cultures from all over the world and walk through exhibits about the Native land we reside on. Free for MA residents with proof of residency Sundays from 9:00AM - 12:00PM and Wednesdays from 3:00PM to 5:00PM.
FREE ALL THE TIME
When: Tuesday to Sunday
Where: Harvard Square
Info: If you are looking to get lost in art for the day, look no further than exploring the corners of each of the five floors of Harvard Art Museums where paintings and art restoration labs are hidden away! Free for everybody too. Look out for Harvard Art Museums at Night on the last Thursday of every month that are themed and free as well.
Boston University Art Galleries
When: Tuesday to Saturday
Where: Allston
Info: With two locations around Boston, BU’s Art Galleries are a way for the community to engage with a variety of artistic mediums like fiber art and themes like "Stuffed." Free to the public.
When: Sunday to Saturday
Where: Brighton
Info: Open to the public with free parking too, the McMullen Museum of Art at Boston College houses work from all over the globe. It has rotating exhibitions that explore race and identity, as well as a permanent collection with tapestries and photographs.
When: Tuesday to Sunday
Where: Kendall Square
Info: As a space that openly encourages artists to experiment, MIT’s Art Center combines technology, sculpture, and more! You’ll be immersed in new artistic perspectives, and it’s free for all.
When: Monday to Sunday
Where: Longwood
Info: MAAM is a new museum run by the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. It is focused on showcasing experimental contemporary art that inspires positive change. You will enjoy seeing work from current students and alums. Free to the public!
When: Wednesday to Sunday
Where: Chestnut Hill
Info: With three original, coal powered, giant steam engines, the Waterworks Museum is the place for you to find your inner engineer. It is open for everyone to learn about public sanitation and the history of the first metropolitan water system.
When: Monday to Sunday
Where: Dorchester
Info: A one-of-a-kind, the MOBA is the world’s only museum dedicated to terrible and eccentric work from fully trained artists to everyday people. Located at Dorchester’s Brewing Company, MOBA will be an unforgettable experience and you can enjoy it with a drink in hand too! Free and fun for everyone!
When: Wednesday to Sunday
Where: Waltham
Info: As part of Brandeis University, the Rose Art Museum is dedicated to contemporary and modern art. It has robust work from the ‘60s and ‘70s and is free for all to enjoy!
When: Monday to Friday
Where: South Boston
Info: Peek at the MA Constitution and other foundational documents in the creation of the U.S. at this small and hidden treasure. Free for all, the Commonwealth Museum is the perfect getaway to MA’s role in the American Revolution and Beyond.
When: Wednesday to Sunday
Where: Charlestown
Info: The location of an important battle in the Revolutionary War, Bunker Hill is a National Park site and is free for everyone. You’ll feel like a patriot as you walk through this historic place.
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East
When: Monday to Sunday
Where: Cambridge
Info: Find artifacts from places like Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and more at this Harvard museum that is free for all. Here, you’ll learn about the cultures and histories of places that are connected to Semitic languages.
Museum of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company
When: Monday to Friday
Where: Faneuil Hall
Info: Find historical collections of uniforms, arms, and artifacts from the Company that served to protect the Commonwealth of MA and that currently served as a local symbol of patriotism. Free to everyone.
When: Every Saturday
Where: Seaport
Info: Immerse yourself in the development of fire fighting equipment and progress in the greater Boston area, see some fire trucks, and brush up on fire safety at this open-to-all museum. The Boston Fire Department is one of the oldest in the nation, so the history is rich and plentiful.
A FINAL NOTE
There’s over 20 FREE museums in this list. But guess what? There are even more free museums with your BPL card. Get access to the Boston Museum of Science, the NE Aquarium, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Mapparium, and the U.S.S. Constitution. Read all the details here.
And the museums don’t stop. Check out our roundup that covers 23 of the best ones that you do not want to miss!
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