Museums and Galleries
Massachusetts museums and galleries are among the finest in the world
87 places to visit
Worcester Art Museum
Travel across time and space through art
55 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609 508-799-4406Connect with global stories at the Worcester Art Museum. Discover ancient mosaics, medieval arms and armor, contemporary paintings and sculptures, and much more in the Museum’s wide-ranging collection and exhibitions. Meet your new favorite artist, ask questions, or enjoy an escape. There are endless ways to experience the Worcester Art Museum.
Looking to dive deeper? Develop your own skills and expand your creativity in studio art classes. Find creative and hands-on activities for all ages across the Museum’s many galleries. And relax in the courtyard or enjoy lunch at the café surrounded by art.
Free admission for Members, children 17 and under, and students at participating College Partner schools.
Pilgrim Hall Museum
Artifacts, programs illuminate the stories of Pilgrims, indigenous people
75 Court Street Plymouth, MA 02360 508-746-1620 At the Pilgrim Hall Museum, visitors will discover the story of families of different cultures and the great difficulties they faced from the arrival of the Mayflower to the end of the Plymouth Colony in 1692. Opening its doors in 1824, the museum is the nation’s oldest continuously operating public museum, with a vast collection of Pilgrim possessions, including Myles Standish’s sword, William Bradford’s Bible and Peregrine White’s cradle. The museum’s focus also encompasses the experiences of the Wampanoag people, who lived in the area for over 13,000 years before the Pilgrims. Exhibitions and programs trace the interrelationships between the Wampanoag and early colonial settlers. Begin your historical journey with a 15-minute orientation film and end it in the gift shop with items from corn husk dolls to Mayflower replicas.
Old Sturbridge Village
Making a museum come alive is the goal at this lovingly re-created New England village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, off Route 20 Sturbridge, MA 01566 508-347-3362 At Old Sturbridge Village, the idea is to make history, and a 200-acre museum in Sturbridge, MA, come alive. As you stroll through heirloom gardens, admire textiles being made on a loom or a barrel being crafted by a cooper in his shop, you’ll be transported back to a typical rural New England village of the 1830s. Costumed historians will be happy to answer questions or demonstrate crafts as you explore everything from the 1810 general store to the Greek-Revival bank to the functioning gristmill, cider mill and sawmill. Check the website for special exhibits and daily activities, including guided tours, musical performances and talks on everything from dentistry to the life of a peddler. At the Freeman Farm, kids especially will enjoy getting to know sheep, cows, pigs and chickens.
Meet Boston
Art, science, history and so much more celebrated in the eclectic museums of Boston
Information Centers on Boston Common and Prudential Towers (Center Court) Boston, MA 02116 888-733-2678 Gaze at the gardens of Monet, hobnob with dinosaurs, admire a Venetian courtyard: Boston’s museums are waiting for you! From the Museum of Fine Arts, with its collection of Impressionist art, to the Museum of Science with dinosaurs and a butterfly garden, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city. See tea getting tossed at the Tea Party Ships & Museum, or let the kids climb a three-story structure in the Boston Children’s Museum. Check out sculptures at the Institute of Contemporary Art in the bustling Seaport district, walk through the Paul Revere House or take the Black Heritage Trail. Visit the gorgeous Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, modeled after a Venetian palazzo, or learn inspiring stories at the Museum of Afro-American History.
Visit Concord MA
From the historical to the contemporary, Concord, MA has it all
MA Concord, MA is a haven for art, culture, and history, offering museums, galleries, and performing arts centers that showcase everything from the historical to the contemporary. At the Concord Museum, visitors can explore not only Revolutionary War artifacts like the original 1775 lantern from Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, but also exhibits that explore the activism of Concord women to help abolish slavery, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s study, and the world of Henry David Thoreau. At the Umbrella Arts Center, you’ll find studios of 60+ working artists, dance studios, gallery spaces, performing arts facilities, and more. Don’t miss the Umbrella Concert Series (think: John Mayer and Brandi Carlile!) or the Umbrella Film Series. For lovers of performing arts, 51 Walden is home to local theater productions, symphony performances, and more. Follow our link above to explore upcoming exhibits, events, and performances!
Art Complex Museum
A Dynamic Blend of Art, Culture, and Nature
189 Alden Street Duxbury, MA 02332 781-934-6634Situated on 13 acres, the Art Complex Museum houses the art collection of co-founders, Carl A. and Edith Weyerhaeuser.
Opened in 1971, the museum offers 10 shows each year, featuring the work of contemporary artists and thematic exhibits curated from the museum's collection. The collection features American paintings, Works on Paper, Asian Art, Shaker Furniture, and other treasures. (See artcomplex.org for a current schedule.)
The museum grounds are home to a sculpture garden and a Japanese Tea Hut. Other programming features Japanese Tea Ceremonies, concerts, galley talks, and educational offerings in our art studio.
Admission: Free
Plimoth Patuxet Museums
One Museum. Four Historic Sites. Endless Possibilities to Discover. Centuries of History to Explore.
137 Warren Avenue Plymouth, MA 02360 508-746-1622 Explore the stories of the Indigenous People of the Eastern Woodlands as you step inside a wetu, see the making of a mishoon, and watch traditional foods being prepared on the Historic Patuxet Homesite. In the 17th-Century English Village, meet the Pilgrims portrayed by historical performers as you traverse the early settlement. Step aboard national treasure, Mayflower II and hear stories about the 1620 transatlantic journey of the Pilgrims that changed the world. Visit the Plimoth Grist Mill to learn about the importance of corn in the 17th century and today. Named the Best Open-Air Museum in the USA in 2024, 2025, and 2026 by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Arlington Historical Society
Experience the Past Through Rare Artifacts and Revolutionary History
7 Jason Street, Arlington, MA 02476 781-648-4300The Arlington Historical Society: Jason Russell House & Museum brings together two distinct collections under one mission: preserving and sharing Arlington's rich history. The Jason Russell House offers an up-close look at one of the most consequential sites of the Revolutionary War, with exhibitions and public programs that explore the people and events of the era in depth. The Smith Museum complements the experience with a broader lens on Arlington's past, housing artifacts, manuscripts, and the notable Arlington Mastodon Tusk. Together, the two spaces make for a full and rewarding visit for history lovers of any background.
Hammond Castle Museum
Explore the Castle-Home & Legacy of a Remarkable Mind
80 Hesperus Avenue Gloucester, MA 01930 978-283-2080 Hammond Castle Museum offers families an unforgettable adventure along the rocky Atlantic coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts. This medieval-style castle was built by prolific inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. It blends history, science, and imagination into a one-of-a-kind Museum, featuring works of marble and stone. Guided and self-guided tours make it easy to explore at your own pace. Seasonal events, theatrical performances, and family-friendly programming round out the experience. Open daily now through January 3rd, including all major summer holidays. Little ones 4 and under are free with a reserved ticket. Advance reservations strongly encouraged.
American Heritage Museum
From trenches to battlefields, museum exhibits will bring you into the heart of America’s greatest conflicts
568 Main Street Hudson, MA 01749 978-562-9182 The museum is now open! Wednesdays-Sundays from 10am-5pm. Advance ticketing is preferred - Please call or visit our website.
Detailed and engaging exhibits at the American Heritage Museum will make you feel you were there for the battles that have defined America’s defense of freedom. Dioramas and exhibits include a World War I trench experience, with a Ford Model T ambulance and German machine gun; D-Day, with a Higgins Boat landing craft; the Battle of the Bulge, with a Sherman Jumbo tank; the Korean War, with a Pershing tank; the Vietnam War, with an exhibit detailing the Hanoi Hilton prison camp; and the War on Terror, with a structure from the World Trade Center. The museum also includes vintage aircraft, autos and other vehicles and weaponry. Arrange ahead of time to ride (or drive) a tank. Check the website for special event weekends, including re-enactments.
Detailed and engaging exhibits at the American Heritage Museum will make you feel you were there for the battles that have defined America’s defense of freedom. Dioramas and exhibits include a World War I trench experience, with a Ford Model T ambulance and German machine gun; D-Day, with a Higgins Boat landing craft; the Battle of the Bulge, with a Sherman Jumbo tank; the Korean War, with a Pershing tank; the Vietnam War, with an exhibit detailing the Hanoi Hilton prison camp; and the War on Terror, with a structure from the World Trade Center. The museum also includes vintage aircraft, autos and other vehicles and weaponry. Arrange ahead of time to ride (or drive) a tank. Check the website for special event weekends, including re-enactments.
The Icon Museum and Study Center
203 Union Street, Clinton, MA 01510 The Icon Museum and Study Center holds the most comprehensive collection of icons and Eastern Christian art in the U.S. with special galleries and collections dedicated to Russian, Greek, Veneto-Cretan and Ethiopian icons, spanning nearly two thousand years of art.
Sandwich Glass Museum
129 Main Street Sandwich, MA 02563 508-888-0251 Sandwich was home to a glass factory throughout much of the 19th century. This museum features exhibits of glassware made from 1825 to 1888, along with changing exhibits of contemporary glassmaking art. Glass artwork for sale. Glassblowing demonstations held daily.
Hours: April 1-December 30, daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Closesd during January. February and March, Wednesday hrough Sunday, 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $12; Age 65 and older, $11; children age 6-14; group rates available.
Hours: April 1-December 30, daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Closesd during January. February and March, Wednesday hrough Sunday, 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $12; Age 65 and older, $11; children age 6-14; group rates available.
USS Constitution Museum
at the Charlestown Navy Yard Charlestown, MA 02129 617-426-1812 The USS Constitution Museum serves as the memory and educational voice of USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat. The museum houses the ship's logs, weapons, charts, journals, arts, and more. Visitors fire a cannon, swing in a hammock, or command the USS Constitution in battle using a computer.
Hours: Museum is open daily 10am - 5pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. The Ship is open for tours Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 6pm, and is closed Mondays, MLK Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
Museum Admission (suggested): Adults $10-15, Children $5-10. Thank you for supporting us.
Hours: Museum is open daily 10am - 5pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. The Ship is open for tours Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 6pm, and is closed Mondays, MLK Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
Museum Admission (suggested): Adults $10-15, Children $5-10. Thank you for supporting us.
Gingerbread Cottages and Cottage Museum of Martha's Vineyard
1 Trinity Park Oak Bluffs, on Martha's Vineyard, MA Thirty-five acres of brightly painted cottage dating back to mid 1800s; tour a gingerbread home; performances at the tabernacle. Visitors to the Cottage Museum can view the interior of a typical Campground cottage, complete with period furnishings of the 1800s. Also on display are vintage photographs and other documents relating to the history of the Campground. The Cottage Museum and Museum Shop is a good place to learn about the cottages and the history of the Campground, and to find a nice memento of your visit.
Hours: Summer months, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $2; children age 3-12, 50 cents.
Hours: Summer months, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $2; children age 3-12, 50 cents.
Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum
158 Polpis Road Nantucket, MA 02554 508-228-2505 The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum features permanent and changing exhibitions about the history of Nantucket lifesaving, famous shipwrecks and rescues, life-saving equipment, the daily routine at a lifesaving station, and the workings of the United States Coast Guard in modern day. Come see period surfboats, beach carts,; vintage photographs, and a Fresnel lens from Brant Point Lighthouse and Great Point Lighthouse.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $10; seniors and college students, $7; youth age 6-17: $5
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $10; seniors and college students, $7; youth age 6-17: $5
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
1000 Hall of Fame Avenue Springfield, MA 877-446-6752 The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is home to more than 300 inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Hundreds of interactive exhibits share the spotlight with skills challenges, live clinics, and shooting contests. Basketball fans will find exhibits, interactive kiosks, memorabilia, and hands-on activities. Children and adults can spend the day in the 80,000-square-foot facility shooting baskets on a regulation court, measuring their skills against sports legends in an interactive game. Kids are invited to coaches’ clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hours vary by season
Mass MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art )
87 Marshall Street North Adams, MA 413-662-2111 Since opening in 1999, MASS MoCA has become one of the world's premier centers for making and showing contemporary art. MASS MoCA exhibits work by many of the most important artists of today, focusing on large-scale and complex installations that are impossible to realize in conventional museums. MASS MoCA hosts more than 75 performances year-round, including popular music, contemporary dance, alternative cabaret, world music dance parties, outdoor silent films with live music, documentaries, and avant-garde theater.
Hours: September-June 25, daily except Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; June-September, daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: Adults $15; Students $10; Children age 6-16 $4
Hours: September-June 25, daily except Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; June-September, daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: Adults $15; Students $10; Children age 6-16 $4
JFK Presidential Library and Museum
220 Morrissey Blvd. at Columbia Point Boston, MA 02125 617-514-1600 The Library and Museum are dedicated to the memory of President Kennedy. They portray the life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy through multi-media methods. The buildings are on a ten-acre park overlooking Boston harbor and the region where Kennedy grew up and began his legendary career.
Hours: Year-round Thurs-Sun, 10am - 4pm.
Admission: Adults $18; Seniors 62+ & College Students with ID $12; Ages 13-17 $10, Free for 12 & under and Members. Discount for veterans, MA-based college students and EBT holders available.
Hours: Year-round Thurs-Sun, 10am - 4pm.
Admission: Adults $18; Seniors 62+ & College Students with ID $12; Ages 13-17 $10, Free for 12 & under and Members. Discount for veterans, MA-based college students and EBT holders available.
New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park
33 William Street New Bedford, MA 508-996-4095 Covering 13 city blocks, a Visitor Center and many other buildings in downtown New Bedford, this park, operated by the National Park Service, preserves the history of 19th-20th century whaling industry, which had its epicenter in this old seafaring town. The park also tells stories of global immigration, Underground Railroad, women’s history, cultural diversity, architecture, and art. Here, you can see scenes like the Seamen’s Bethel, places depicted in Herman Melville’s classic novel “Moby-Dick.”
Hours: April 1 to December 31, daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; January 1 to March 31, closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Hours: April 1 to December 31, daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; January 1 to March 31, closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way Boston, MA 02115 617-566-1401 Modeled after a Venetian palazzo, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum opened in 1903, largely presenting the collections of Gardner, an avid traveler of the Victorian era and patron of the arts. The museum is located next to the Emerald Necklace of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. In fact, much of the museum is devoted to botanical imagery and gardens, including within the magnificent Courtyard. The collection includes 7500 paintings, sculptures, furniture, textiles, silver, ceramics, rare books, and objects from ancient Rome, Medieval Europe, Renaissance Italy, Asia, and the Islamic world. The museum is unfortunately famous for a theft in 1990 – yet unsolved -- of several artworks. - Virtual Tour of the Galleries
Museum Of Science
1 Science Park Boston, MA 02114 617-723-2500 The museum includes that fabulous Charles Hayden Planetarium, the most technologically advanced digital theater in New England, presenting a rotating series of shows about the cosmos. Permanent exhibits include A Bird’s World, Bradford Washburn: The Man Behind the Lens; butterfly Garden; Catching the Wind; Colossal Fossil; Triceratops Cliff; Cosmic Light, Dinosaurs: Modeling the Mesozoic; Discovery Center; Hall of Human Life; Math Moves!; Mathematica; Nanotechnology; Natural Mysteries; Science in the Park; Seeing is Deceiving; The Light House; the Rock Garden; To the Moon; Transportation, and more.
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 617-267-9300 Opened on July 4, 1876, the date of the country’s nation's centennial, the Museum of Fine Arts has undergone significant changes. Today the museum’s collections include 500,000 works of art from ancient to contemporary times. The museum takes special pride in its Art of the Americas Wing.
Hours: Thurs/Sat/Sun/Mon 10am - 5pm, Fridays 10am - 10pm, Closed Tues & Weds.
Admission: Members Free, Adults $27, Ages 7-17 $10, 6 and under Free. "Turner's Modern World" exhibit is an additional $7 with any paid admission.
Hours: Thurs/Sat/Sun/Mon 10am - 5pm, Fridays 10am - 10pm, Closed Tues & Weds.
Admission: Members Free, Adults $27, Ages 7-17 $10, 6 and under Free. "Turner's Modern World" exhibit is an additional $7 with any paid admission.
Willard House and Clock Museum
11 Willard Street Grafton, MA 01536 508-839-3500 Over 90 Willard clocks displayed in 1718 Willard homestead and 1766 clock shop; 18th century pewter and furniture; 19th century Oriental rugs and children's toys; Willard family furnishings and portraits; 18th and 19th century firearms; Nipmuc Indian artifacts; and horological research library. Reservations requested for groups of eight and larger.
Hours: April-December, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; Winter Hours, January-March, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $7; seniors, $6; students ages 13 and older, $6; children ages 6-12, $3.
Hours: April-December, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; Winter Hours, January-March, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $7; seniors, $6; students ages 13 and older, $6; children ages 6-12, $3.
Crane Museum of Papermaking
30 South Street Dalton, MA 01226 413-664-2538 Situated in Crane's historic 1845 old stone mill. Exhibits and displays of nearly 200 years of papermaking in Dalton.
Hours: June through mid-October, Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.. To schedule a group tour, call 413-684-7780.
Admission: Free.
Hours: June through mid-October, Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.. To schedule a group tour, call 413-684-7780.
Admission: Free.
Storrowton Village Museum
1305 Memorial Avenue West Springfield, MA 01089 413-205-5051A restored New England village, featuring blacksmith shop, homes, schoolhouse, and a meetinghouse. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Mead Art Museum
Amherst College Amherst, MA 01002 413-542-2335 More than 16,000 works; collections range from antiquity to present; portraits by Gilbert Stuart, Italian Renaissance paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, Mediterranean antiquities, and pre-Columbian ceramics.
Hours: Academic year hours, Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 9 a.m.– midnight; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mondays. Summer hours, Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mondays. ; Admission: Free.
Hours: Academic year hours, Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 9 a.m.– midnight; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mondays. Summer hours, Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mondays. ; Admission: Free.
Hadley Farm Museum
208 Middle Street Hadley, MA 01035 413-586-1160 Early New England farm equipment in restored 1782 barn: blacksmith tools, ox cart, stage coach, plows, early domestic appliances.
Hours: May-October, Saturday and Sunday, 2-4 p.m. or by appointment.
Admission: Adults, $5; students and seniors, $3; children under 12, $1.
Hours: May-October, Saturday and Sunday, 2-4 p.m. or by appointment.
Admission: Adults, $5; students and seniors, $3; children under 12, $1.
Children's Museum at Holyoke
444 Dwight Street Holyoke, MA 01040 413-536-7048 Hands-on science exhibits and activities for children.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday Noon - 4pm.
Admission: Children & Adults $8, Seniors $5, Ages 1 and under Free.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday Noon - 4pm.
Admission: Children & Adults $8, Seniors $5, Ages 1 and under Free.
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
10 Willow Creek Road Lenox, MA 01240 413-637-2210 Restored 1902 depot with railroading exhibits and model train displays; Berkshire Cottages exhibit in vintage railroad coach. On summer weekends and holidays the museum offers two 90-minute round trip excursions from Lenox Station to Stockbridge and a 45-minute round trip excursion from Lenox Station to Lee narrated by a uniformed conductor.
Smith College Museum of Art
20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace Northampton, MA 01063 413-585-2760 The Smith College Museum of Art is free and open to all. Experience a world-class collection spanning ancient civilizations to the present, with extraordinary works from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Discover celebrated artists, fresh perspectives, and thought-provoking exhibitions that spark curiosity and conversation. Visit on Second Fridays from 4–8 p.m. for an evening of art making, gallery exploration, and special exhibitions.
Norman Rockwell Museum
9 Glendale Road (Route 183) Stockbridge, MA 01262 413-298-4100 Largest collection of original work by Norman Rockwell, the quintessential American illustrator famous for his "Saturday Evening Post" covers. Artist's studio; exhibitions of Rockwell's work, his contemporaries, and modern illustrators.
Hours: May-November 11 and holidays, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursdays until 7 p.m. in July and August; November 12-May, weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; weekends and holidays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $16; seniors 65 and older, $14.50; college students, $10; youth ages 6-18, $5.
Hours: May-November 11 and holidays, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursdays until 7 p.m. in July and August; November 12-May, weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; weekends and holidays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $16; seniors 65 and older, $14.50; college students, $10; youth ages 6-18, $5.
Williams College Museum of Art
15 Lawrence Hall Drive, Suite 2 Williamstown, MA 01267 413-597-2429 Modern and contemporary art, American art from the late 18th century to the present, and the art of world cultures. Maurice and Charles Prendergast gallery.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. ; Admission: Free.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. ; Admission: Free.
Aptucxet Trading Post Museum
24 Aptucxet Road Bourne, MA 02532 508-759-9487This museum is set in a replica of a 17th century trading post. Exhibits feature a windmill, gardens and artifacts from the period. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.This museum is set in a replica of a 17th century trading post. Exhibits feature a windmill, gardens and artifacts from the period. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
397 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601 508-790-3077 This museum focuses on Kennedy's life and activities during the times he vacationed in Hyannis.
Hours: Mid-April through Memorial Day, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Memorial Day through October 31, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; November, Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; closed December and January; mid-February through March 31, Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults age 18 and older, $8; children age 10-17, $3; seniors over age 65, $4.
Hours: Mid-April through Memorial Day, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Memorial Day through October 31, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; November, Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; closed December and January; mid-February through March 31, Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults age 18 and older, $8; children age 10-17, $3; seniors over age 65, $4.
Highland House Museum
6 Highland Light Road Truro, MA 02666 508-487-3397 The Highland House Museum is located in the former Highland House, a hotel built on the Highlands in 1907. Also near the Highland Lighthouse in North Truro, it is a classic example of a turn-of-the-century summer resort hotel. The museum displays artifacts and information about early European settlers and the Native Americans that preceded them.
Dates & Hours: June 1 to September 30, Monday-Saturday 10am - 4:30pm.
Dates & Hours: June 1 to September 30, Monday-Saturday 10am - 4:30pm.
French Cable Station Museum
41 South Orleans Road Orleans, MA 02653 508-240-1735 One of the most significant developments of the 19th century was the transatlantic cable connecting North America to Europe by telephone. This museum houses the original equipment used to lay that cable.
Hours: July and August, Thursday through Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; June and September, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. ; Admission: Free; donations welcome.
Hours: July and August, Thursday through Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; June and September, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. ; Admission: Free; donations welcome.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
869 Main Street (Route 6A) Brewster, MA 02631 508-896-3867 Eighty-acre site abutted by 300 acres of conservation land; nature trails, exhibits, films, guided walks, lectures, and family activities. This museum features exhibits on the local flora and fauna, and nature trails. Events, classes and walks are scheduled throughout the year. Lots of opportunities for visitors of all ages to observe and learn about nature, including a Butterfly House & Pollinator Path, KidSummer Day Program, and Sunday Guided Family Field Walks. The museum building sits next to 400 acres of museum-owned land, including Wing's Island, the salt marsh, and the beach along Cape Cod Bay between Quivett and Paine's Creeks. This is land that the museum protects and uses as an our outdoor classroom and teaching tool.
Hours: Late April to May 31, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 1 to August 31, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission:Age 13 and older, $10; age 3-12, $5.
Hours: Late April to May 31, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 1 to August 31, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission:Age 13 and older, $10; age 3-12, $5.
Chatham Railroad Museum
Depot Road Chatham, MA 02633 Paradise for railroad enthusiasts features thousands of train models, restored train depots, railroad artifacts and a 1910 caboose.
Hours: Second and fourth Sundays of the month, 2-4 p.m., except holidays. ; Admission: Free.
Hours: Second and fourth Sundays of the month, 2-4 p.m., except holidays. ; Admission: Free.
Cape Cod Museum of Art
60 Hope Lane Dennis, MA 02638 508-385-4477 Paintings, graphics, and sculpture by Cape Cod artists. Sculpture garden.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults. $9; seniors age 62 and older, $8; youth age 13-18, $5.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults. $9; seniors age 62 and older, $8; youth age 13-18, $5.
Cape Cod Children's Museum
577 Great Neck Road South Mashpee, MA 02659 508-539-8788 Children will find much to learn and do here. Hands-on exhibits, pirate ship, indoor planetarium; puppet theater, toddler play area, and daily programs.
Hours: During the summer Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm ; During the winter Tuesday to Friday 9am - 1pm, Saturday 10am – 3pm.
Hours: During the summer Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm ; During the winter Tuesday to Friday 9am - 1pm, Saturday 10am – 3pm.
Provincetown Art Association and Museum of Art
460 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA 02657 508-487-1750 Since 1914, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum has served as a collecting museum and a professional artists association. PAAM houses five galleries, two sculpture gardens, more than 2,000 works by more than 500 artists, and a museum school run by professional artists. Year-round programs include a concert series, a film series, auctions, galas, readings, lectures, and Friday night exhibition openings.
Hours: October-May, Thursday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Memorial Day-September, Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Over age 12, $7; free Friday evenings.
Hours: October-May, Thursday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Memorial Day-September, Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Over age 12, $7; free Friday evenings.
Hull Lifesaving Museum
1117 Nantasket Avenue Hull, MA 02045 617-925-5433 Nineteenth-century Life Saving Station facing Boston Light; working rescue apparatus; exhibits, shipwreck lore, and kid's loft.
Hours: Year-round, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; July-October, also open weekends, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ; Additional hours and guided tours available by appointment
Admission: Adults, $5; seniors, $3; children 18 and younger, free.
Hours: Year-round, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; July-October, also open weekends, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ; Additional hours and guided tours available by appointment
Admission: Adults, $5; seniors, $3; children 18 and younger, free.
Children's Museum in Easton
The Old Fire Station, 9 Sullivan Avenue North Easton, MA 02356 508-230-3789 Located in the historic Old Fire Station in North Easton, the Children's Museum of Easton offers hands-on experience to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Three floors of interactive exhibits and over 100 programs allow kids to explore the world around them. Primarily for children age 1 to 8.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed most Mondays; call ahead for holidays or school vacation hours
Admission: $7.50 per person; children under 1 admitted for free.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed most Mondays; call ahead for holidays or school vacation hours
Admission: $7.50 per person; children under 1 admitted for free.
Commonwealth Museum
220 Morrissey Boulevard - Columbia Point Boston, MA 02125 617-727-9268 The entire state of Massachusetts is on display: Places around the state, famous people who were born or have resided in the state, in addition to its politics and special role in America's history.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. Closed on major holidays.; Admission: Free.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. Closed on major holidays.; Admission: Free.
Arthur M. Sackler Museum
485 Broadway Street Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-9400 Ancient, Asian, Islamic, and Later Indian art: Chinese jades, bronzes, and cave temple sculpture; Korean ceramics; Japanese wood block prints; and Greek and Roman sculptures, vases, and ancient coins.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. ; Admission: Adults, $9; seniors 65 and older, $7; college students, $6; children under age 18, free.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. ; Admission: Adults, $9; seniors 65 and older, $7; college students, $6; children under age 18, free.
Busch-Reisinger Museum
32 Quincy Street Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-9400 Collections of art from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and related cultures. Major holdings of Austrian Secession art, German expressionism, 1920s abstraction, and Bauhaus archives. Post-war and contemporary art from German-speaking Europe including work by Joseph Beuys. Of particular interest is the lovely sculpture garden.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: Admission: Adults, $9; seniors 65 and older, $7; college students, $6; children under age 18, free.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: Admission: Adults, $9; seniors 65 and older, $7; college students, $6; children under age 18, free.
Fogg Art Museum
32 Quincy Street Cambridge, MA 02138 617- 495-9400 Collections illustrate the history of Western art from Middle Ages to the present with major focus on Italian early Renaissance, British pre-Raphaelite, and 19th-century French art. Major collection of Impressionist and post-impressionist work and works by Picasso.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $9; seniors age 6 and older, $7; college students, $6.
Museum of African American History, Boston campus
46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill Boston, MA 02114 617-725-0022 The African Meeting House and Abiel Smith School on Beacon Hill, both built in the early 1800s, are in what once was the heart of Boston's 19th-century African American community. The buildings remain a showcase of black community organization and black craftsmanship. Once a church, a school, and a meeting place, the African Meeting House is open to the public. The Abiel Smith School, the nation's first public school for African American children, houses a first-class exhibit space and the museum store.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am - 4pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am - 4pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Historic Deerfield
88 Old Main Street Deerfield, MA 01342 413-775-7214 Located in western Massachusetts off Routes 5 and 10 in the 330-year old village of Deerfield, the museum has been called the gem of rural New England. It includes 12 houses dating to the 18th and 19th centuries and three exhibition galleries at the Flynt Center of Early New England Life. Guided and self-guided tours are offered. A full calendar of programs, special events, and village walking tours are offered throughout the year. The Museum Store and Bookshop feature gifts, museum reproductions and books about early America and the decorative arts.
Hours: Open Daily, year round; hours vary by season. Call ahead or consult website.
Admission: Adults, $12; youth age 6-17, $5.
Hours: Open Daily, year round; hours vary by season. Call ahead or consult website.
Admission: Adults, $12; youth age 6-17, $5.
Heritage Museums & Gardens
67 Grove Street Sandwich, MA 02563 508-888-3300 Heritage Museums & Gardens celebrates American culture amid gorgeous gardens of spectacular rhododendron and azalea bushes. Three gallery buildings house beautifully restored automobiles, a notable collection of American folk art, historical artifacts, a colorful vintage carousel that has been delighting children (and adults) for years, and a wide variety of special exhibitions. Hidden Hollow, an interactive family-friendly area, allows for exploration of the natural world and learning about the environment. Open late April through mid October.
Mount Holyoke College Art Museum
Lower Lake Road South Hadley, MA 01075 413-538-2245 Beautifully exhibited and critically acclaimed broad-based permanent collection. Comprehensive scope ranges from ancient to contemporary art and represents diverse cultures. Imaginative special exhibitions; scavenger hunts for kids. Docent-led tours available with advance notice. Collections focus on Asian art; 19th- and 20th-century European and American paintings and sculpture; Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art; Medieval sculpture; and early Italian Renaissance paintings. 6-8 exceptional special exhibitions annually. Visit the college's botanical gardens next door too.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1–5 p.m., closed Mondays and certain college holidays. Call ahead for seasonal changes. ; Admission: Free
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1–5 p.m., closed Mondays and certain college holidays. Call ahead for seasonal changes. ; Admission: Free
National Heritage Museum
33 Marrett Road, Route 2A Lexington, MA 02421 781-861-6559 American history exhibits; films, shows, and concerts; permanent exhibit on freemasonry and the American Revolution.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ; Admission: free.
Bartlett Museum
270 Main Street Amesbury, MA 01913 978-388-4528 Museum features collections of horse-drawn carriages and Native American artifacts.
Hours: Open Friday-Sunday, 1-4pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day; other times by appointment. Admission is free.
Hours: Open Friday-Sunday, 1-4pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day; other times by appointment. Admission is free.
Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy
180 Main Street Andover, MA 01810 508-759-4015 Paintings, prints, sculpture, decorative arts, and photography by American artists from Colonial times to the present. Works by John Singleton Copley, Paul Revere, James Whistler, Edward Hopper, Frank Stella, and Alexander Calder displayed on a rotating basis.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; closed August 1 through Labor Day. Admission is free.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; closed August 1 through Labor Day. Admission is free.
Custom House Maritime Museum
25 Water Street Newburyport, MA 01950 978-462-8681 Follow the history of maritime Massachusetts through the exhibits at this museum.
Hours: May 15 to December 21, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday & holiday Mondays, noon to 4 p.m.; January 1 to May 15, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $7; seniors and students, $5
Hours: May 15 to December 21, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday & holiday Mondays, noon to 4 p.m.; January 1 to May 15, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $7; seniors and students, $5
Witch Dungeon Museum
16 Lynde Street Salem, MA 01970 978-741-3570 This museum features a tour of the dungeon where those accused of witchcraft were held. Reenactment of the trial is also part of the exhibits.
Hours: April-November, daily; last performance starts at 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $8; children age 4-13, $6; seniors over age 64, $7.
Hours: April-November, daily; last performance starts at 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $8; children age 4-13, $6; seniors over age 64, $7.
Wenham Museum
132 Main Street Wenham, MA 01984 978-468-2377 Museum of social history from 175h century to present. Claflin-Richard House (c. 1690); world-renowned doll collection, dollhouse, costumers, model trains, toys. Conant photography collection, family discovery, and changing exhibits.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays ; Admission: Adults,$8; children ages 1- 18, $6.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays ; Admission: Adults,$8; children ages 1- 18, $6.
New England Quilt Museum
18 Shattuck Street Lowell, MA 01852 978-452-4207 The New England Quilt Museum presents, interprets, and celebrates American quilting past and present.
Hours & Admission: Tuesday thru Saturday 10am - 4pm. General Admission is $9, Free under 12.
Hours & Admission: Tuesday thru Saturday 10am - 4pm. General Admission is $9, Free under 12.
Whistler House Museum of Art
243 Worthen Street Lowell, MA 01852 978-452-7641 The birthplace of James Abbott McNeil Whistler. Exhibits of Whistler's and others' artwork.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturrfday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: $5; seniors and students, $4.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturrfday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: $5; seniors and students, $4.
Martha’s Vineyard Museum
151 Lagoon Pond Road Vineyard Haven, MA The museum includes 30,000 items like tools, archaeological material, paintings, prints and sculpture, baskets, coins, costumes, decoys, hunting and fishing and shell fishing tools, guns and swords, furniture and household equipment, medical and scientific tools and equipment, musical instruments, fossils, maritime tools, scrimshaw, ship models, Wampanoag tools, woodworking tools, toys, a whaleboat, wagon, sleigh, fire engine and an 1854 Fresnel Lens used in the Gay Head Aquinnah lighthouse.
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed major holidays. Last admission tickets are sold one half hour before scheduled closing time.
Admission: Adults, $12; age 17 and younger, free.
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed major holidays. Last admission tickets are sold one half hour before scheduled closing time.
Admission: Adults, $12; age 17 and younger, free.
Springfield Museums & Dr Seuss Nat’l Memorial Sculpture Garden
21 Edwards Street Springfield, MA 01103 413-263-6800 The Springfield Museums consists of five institutions at one location: the D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, the Smith Art Museum, the Springfield Science Museum, the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum and the Museum of Springfield History. In addition, the property includes the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, with life-size statues of Springfield native Dr. Seuss and his favorite characters including Horton, the Grinch and the Lorax.
IN the five art, science and historical museums, guests can find Samurai armor and weaponry; an internationally-acclaimed collection of Oriental bronze, jade and porcelain; intricate Middle Eastern rugs; fine American and European paintings and sculpture; a savannah of animals in the R.E. Phelon African Hall; Dinosaur Hall with its towering Tyrannosaurus Rex; Astronomy Hall complete with a planetarium; and exhibits about Connecticut River Valley history. Curriculum-based tours and programs are available.
IN the five art, science and historical museums, guests can find Samurai armor and weaponry; an internationally-acclaimed collection of Oriental bronze, jade and porcelain; intricate Middle Eastern rugs; fine American and European paintings and sculpture; a savannah of animals in the R.E. Phelon African Hall; Dinosaur Hall with its towering Tyrannosaurus Rex; Astronomy Hall complete with a planetarium; and exhibits about Connecticut River Valley history. Curriculum-based tours and programs are available.
Fitchburg Art Museum
Discover the world’s art treasures right nearby
185 Elm Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 978-345-4207 With over 20,000 square feet of exhibitions, the Fitchburg Art Museum features works from historical collections and loaned exhibitions on regional contemporary art. The permanent exhibitions include 19th-century American art, American photography, African, Greek, and Roman art, and one of the best exhibits on ancient Egypt in New England. Founded in 1925 through the bequest of artist, collector and Fitchburg native Eleanor Norcross, the museum is a showcase of her vision as a pioneer in American social history. Discover masterpieces in 12 beautifully designed galleries. And on the first Thursday of the month from November to March, shop the Fitchburg Farmers’ Market on site.
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Avenue Boston, MA 02210 617-478-3101 The Institute of Contemporary Art unveiled its new home on Fan Pier on Boston's waterfront in December 2006. The building's dramatic cantilevered design integrates the city's HarborWalk into the museum and offers shifting views of the harbor. The design weaves together interior and exterior space, producing shifting perspectives of the waterfront throughout the museum's galleries and public spaces.
Hours: Tues/Weds/Sat/Sunday 10am - 5pm, Thurs & Fri 10am - 9pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Admission: Adults $15, Seniors 60+ $13, Students $10, Members and Under 18 Free. Group rates available - please call.
Hours: Tues/Weds/Sat/Sunday 10am - 5pm, Thurs & Fri 10am - 9pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Admission: Adults $15, Seniors 60+ $13, Students $10, Members and Under 18 Free. Group rates available - please call.
Longyear Museum and Historical Society
1125 Boylston Street (Route 9) Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 617-278-9000 Exhibits focus on the life of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science Church.
Hours: Mon/Thurs/Fri/Sat 10am - 4pm. Closed holidays.
Hours: Mon/Thurs/Fri/Sat 10am - 4pm. Closed holidays.
Larz Anderson Auto Museum
15 Newton Street Brookline, MA 02445 617-522-6547 The Larz Anderson Auto Museum is home to America’s oldest car collection. For over 75 years the Larz Anderson Auto Museum has been supporting the community through a variety of educational programs, exhibits, and lectures.
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Admission: Adults, $10; military people, seniors, students, and children age 6-12, $5.
Admission: Adults, $10; military people, seniors, students, and children age 6-12, $5.
Charles River Museum of Industry
154 Moody Street Waltham, MA 02453 617-893-5410 Located in America's first factory, the history 1814 Boston Manufacturing Company textile mill, on the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits include the American Industrial Revolution, steam power, Waltham Watch Company, plus the bicycle and automobile manufacturing industries along the Charles River. Explore the inventions that powered America into the modern age and the geniuses who perfected them.
New Bedford Fire Museum
868 Pleasant Street - New Bedford New Bedford, MA 02740 508-991-6124 Restored fire trucks and interactive exhibits highlight this museum of firefighting, firefighters and their tools.
Hours: Call ahead for visiting hours.
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill New Bedford, MA 02740 508-997-0046 The New Bedford Whaling Museum houses the world's most comprehensive collection of whaling and maritime artifacts. Climb aboard the world's largest ship model, the 89-foot bark Lagoda, and view the 66-foot skeleton of a rare blue whale.
Hours: October-April, Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; May-September, daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; open holiday Mondays; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Admission: General, $14; seniors, $12; students, $9; children, $6.
Hours: October-April, Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; May-September, daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; open holiday Mondays; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Admission: General, $14; seniors, $12; students, $9; children, $6.
Davis Museum at Wellesley College
106 Central Street Wellesley, MA 02481 781-283-2051 The beautiful Rafael Moneo-designed Davis Museum offers innovative temporary exhibitions and spacious galleries for the museum’s permanent collection of nearly 10,000 works of art that spans the 3,000 years of art history. The permanent collection features American Art. This hidden gem on the Wellesley College campus is free and open to all.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday 11am - 5pm, Weekends, Noon – 4pm. Admission is free for all.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday 11am - 5pm, Weekends, Noon – 4pm. Admission is free for all.
Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University
415 South Street Waltham, MA 02453 781-736-3432 The Rose Art Museum specializes in modern and contemporary art. It has top-shelf works by, among others, Picasso, Willem de Kooning, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Morris Louis, Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein, and Ad Reinhardt. When you enter campus through the main entrance, take a left. You will pass the admissions building and the round Spingold Theatre building, both on your left. The Rose Art Museum will be on your left.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am to 5pm. Admission is always Free.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am to 5pm. Admission is always Free.
Lowell Heritage State Park
160 Pawtucket Boulevard Lowell, MA 01854 978-458-8750 This state historical park describes the life and history of Lowell’s 19th-centry textile mills and the generations of immigrant workers that passed through their doors. The site includes a network of canals that furnished power to the textile mills along the water and a 2-mile esplanade along the Merrimack River.
Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-3045 One of the four Harvard Museums of Science & Culture, this museum displays some 11,000 specimens drawn from Harvard’s vast collections, including the Blaschka Glass Flowers, Sea Creatures in Glass, huge whale skeletons, hundreds of mammals, birds, and the world’s only mounted skeleton of the 42 foot-long Kronosaurus. Explore a timeline of Earth’s history, and see 3,000 rare minerals and gemstones. New and changing multi-media exhibitions showcase cutting-edge research. The museum is an easy 8-minute walk across Harvard’s historic campus from Harvard Square’s popular shops, restaurants and MBTA station. The museum is connected to Harvard’s Peabody Museum, and one admission fee covers both museums.
United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum
Pier 3 - 549 South Street Quincy, MA 02169 617-479-7900 This museum is home to the USS Salem, the world’s only preserved heavy cruiser and place for children and families to explore this unique fighting vessel. In addition to day trips, kids can camp overnight on the USS Salem and take part in hands-on activities like radar tracking, damage control, simulated fire fighting, scavenger hunts, cold water survival, and first aid lessons.
Nantucket Whaling Museum
13 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554 508-228-1894 The museum features a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a restored 1847 spermaceti candle factory, exhibition space, and an observation deck. The candle factory, built following Nantucket’s Great Fire in 1846, still has its original whale-oil beam press. Visitors can learn about the whale hunt and see the whale skeleton, a rigged whaleboat, a collection of whaling tools, and portraits of whaling captains. Other galleries include scrimshaw, lightship baskets, an 1850 Fresnel lens, and the 1881 town clock. Children’s activities allow lots of hands-on exploration and fun. Concerts of traditional music take place all summer.
Hours: April 30–October 8, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; October 9–December 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: Adult, $17; seniors (over age 64), $15; students, $15; youth (age 6-17), $8.
Hours: April 30–October 8, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; October 9–December 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: Adult, $17; seniors (over age 64), $15; students, $15; youth (age 6-17), $8.
Boston Children's Museum
308 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210 617-426-8855 The museum’s interactive exhibits focus on early childhood development and have three themes: arts, culture, and science. Exhibits that encourage children to have fun while they learn are extensive, including the New Balance Climb, a climbing maze made up of brightly painted towers and tubes; Science Playground, a series of sensational physical science exhibits; Hall of Toys, filled with intricate dollhouses, and much more.
Hours: Open to the public Weds-Sun 9am - Noon and 1:30-4:30pm. Online reservations required. Closed on certain holidays - please check website.
Hours: Open to the public Weds-Sun 9am - Noon and 1:30-4:30pm. Online reservations required. Closed on certain holidays - please check website.
Cahoon Museum of American Art
4676 Falmouth Road Cotuit, MA 02635 508-428-7581 Located in the beautiful seaside village of Cotuit, Cape Cod, the Cahoon Museum of Art welcomes visitors of all ages to learn about art and history, to enjoy fun, family friendly activities, and to experience dynamic contemporary art exhibitions of local and regional art. The Cahoon Museum showcases its collection of American art from the 18th century to the present in a historic home with a modern gallery addition. Open March through December.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: General, $10; seniors and students, $8; children under age 12, free.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: General, $10; seniors and students, $8; children under age 12, free.
Orleans Historical Society and Museum
3 River Road Orleans, MA 02653 508-240-1329 This Greek Revival structure is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is used for special exhibits and cultural programs. The Society has a collection covering genealogical information, diaries, deeds, 19th- and 20th-century photos, artwork by local artists, about Orleans families and people, ships' logs, Native American artifacts, and other items relating to the history of Orleans. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-noon or by appointment. Admission free, suggested donation.
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery
College of the Holy Cross - 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610 508-793-3356 The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery promotes the intellectual and cultural life of the College of the Holy Cross and greater community by exploring the fundamental intellectual, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic issues encountered through the visual arts.
Throughout the academic year the gallery presents a series of exhibitions, which vary from historically significant themes to works by contemporary artists. Serving as a center for social activity, the gallery sponsors a lively schedule of receptions, guest lectures, readings, and students’ presentations. The Cantor Gallery is Free and open to the public. Current exhibition information and hours of operation can be found on the gallery’s website.
Throughout the academic year the gallery presents a series of exhibitions, which vary from historically significant themes to works by contemporary artists. Serving as a center for social activity, the gallery sponsors a lively schedule of receptions, guest lectures, readings, and students’ presentations. The Cantor Gallery is Free and open to the public. Current exhibition information and hours of operation can be found on the gallery’s website.
Salem Wax Museum and Salem Witch Village
288 Derby Street Salem, MA 01970 978-740-2929 This gallery-type museum has 50 wax figures in scenes that show Salem's history from its founding in 1626 through to the witch trials 1692 and into it period of global commerce in the 18th century. In the Interactive area, you can learn to tie knots like a sailor, create a gravestone rubbing, or feel what it’s like to be locked up in a life-size re-created jail cell. In October the entire street near the museum is transformed into The Haunted Neighborhood, featuring Frankenstein's Castle, Witching Hour spellcasting and ghostly tours!
Essex Shipbuilding Museum
66 Main Street Essex, MA 978-768-7541 The Essex Shipbuilding Museum tells the story of a New England village that built more two-masted wooden fishing schooners than any other place in the world. Visitors to the museum will see shipbuilding tools, photographs, exhibits about the shipbuilding industry, and the schooner Evelina M. Goulart. Guided and self-guided tours are offered. A gift shop offers ship plans, maritime books, T-shirts, toys, CDs, and maritime memorabilia.
Hours: Summer: June-October, Wednesdays- Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; after mid-October, open weekends, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Guided Tour, $5-$10, depending on age; self-guided tour with Shipyard Map, $7.
Hours: Summer: June-October, Wednesdays- Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; after mid-October, open weekends, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Guided Tour, $5-$10, depending on age; self-guided tour with Shipyard Map, $7.
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology
At Harvard University - 11 Divinity Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 617-496-1027 Explore towering Native American totem poles, large Maya sculptures, and artifacts of the ancient world at Harvard’s anthropology museum. Ambient sound, motion, and historic and contemporary Plains art animate nineteenth century Lakota drawings from a warrior’s ledger collected at the Little Bighorn battlefield. Discover the native cultures of Latin America before and after 1492, when the first voyage of Christopher Columbus initiated dramatic worldwide changes. Explore the enduring importance of rivers and canoes in Penobscot tribal life and on relationships between the tribe and non-Indians. See how students lived at colonial Harvard, and the role of the 17th-century Indian College in Harvard’s early years. Trace the history of early anthropology through the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and more in the museum’s 150th anniversary exhibition. Admission to the connected Harvard Museum of Natural History and its famed Glass Flowers is included. Open daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Peabody Essex Museum
East India Square - 161 Essex Street Salem, MA 01970 978-745-9500 The Peabody Essex Museum collection presents works from the 1700s to today: paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, textiles, architecture and decorative objects, include African, American, Asian, maritime, Native American and Oceanic art. Many interesting changing exhibits. Wonderful gift shop. A large, light-filled atrium is a place to sit, eat lunch, watch a performance.
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
1 High Pole Hill Road Provincetown, MA 508-487-1310 The Pilgrim Monument, a granite obelisk dedicated in 1910, is adjacent to the Provincetown Museum on a hill above the town. The Provincetown Museum describes the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the town’s maritime history, the early days of American theater in Provincetown. See a reproduction of a sea captain’s home and his quarters at sea. Last Monument climb is 30 minutes before closing.
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East
6 Divinity Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-4631 Founded in 1889, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East explores the rich history of cultures connected by the family of Semitic languages. Its more than 40,000 artifacts, including pottery, sculpture, coins and cuneiform tablets, come primarily from Harvard-sponsored excavations in Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Tunisia. Exhibits range from a full-scale replica of an ancient Israelite home to a full-scale reproduction of an Egyptian throne from 2550 BC and a resin cast of the Dream Stela, found between the paws of the Great Sphinx. Lecture topics at the free museum, one of the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture, include photographing King Tut and old and new discoveries about the Nubian kings and queens of Kush.
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute "The Clark"
225 South Street Williamstown, MA 01267 413-458-2302 The marvelous Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute – commonly known as “the Clark,” in Williamstown harbors a rich collection of French Impressionist and Academic paintings, British oil sketches, drawings, and silver, and the work of American artists Winslow Homer, George Inness, and John Singer Sargent. The imposing 1950s building was enlarged in a 2014 expansion, designed by the prize-winning architect Tadao Ando. This beloved museum hosts many public events involving art, music, and theater, especially in the summer.
African Meeting House in Nantucket
29 York Street Nantucket, MA 02554 508-228-4058 The Museum of Afro-American History on Nantucket features two historic sites, the African Meeting House and the Florence Higginbotham House. These buildings were at the center of a thriving nineteenth-century African American community on the island. The Museum presents cultural programs and interpretive exhibits on the history of African Americans on Nantucket.
Hours: January to May: Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 2pm, or by appointment. Tickets available on the website.
Hours: January to May: Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 2pm, or by appointment. Tickets available on the website.
Andover Center for History & Culture
Tours of the 1820 Blanchard House & Barn
97 Main Street Andover, MA 01810 978-475-2236Guided Historic House Tours are available Wednesdays through Saturdays at 11:00 am, 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm
Tour the recreated rooms of the 1820 Amos Blanchard House illustrating the daily life of the Blanchard family in the 1830s. The Blanchards represent a typical upper middle class family in Andover. Amos Blanchard was a Deacon of South Parish Church and the first cashier of the Andover Bank. Elizabeth Blanchard was involved in issues of the day, including Temperance and the missionary movement, sending Christian missionaries around the world. They lived here with their two sons and housekeeper, Ann Wood.
House and Barn tours are offered free of charge. Donations are appreciated.