Boston is a city brimming with history. Stunning archeological sites, captivating cultural centers and a plethora of museums seemingly sit around every corner. Visitors can easily find themselves getting a first-hand look at beautiful relics of the Boston Tea Party, stunning sports memorabilia and magnificent modern art from some of the country’s most renowned artists.
With over 60 distinct museums in the area and many exciting opportunities spread throughout the area, deciding exactly where to go can seem a bit overwhelming. Take a look at these AAA-recommended destinations so that you can be sure you’ve seen the very best this unique and historic city has to offer.
Museum of Science
- Location: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA
- Hours: Saturday to Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm Friday: 9 am to 9 pm
- Pricing: Adult: $29 Child (3-11): $24 Senior (60+): $25
With over 700 immersive exhibits, this world-class museum is widely considered one of the top science centers in the country. Not only is this an ideal destination for families but for anyone interested in the discoveries and innovations that have helped shape our world.
Not only is the museum filled with fun and exciting activities, but it’s also home to a zoo, planetarium and 4D IMAX theater so that every guest can enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience.
Paul Revere House
- Location: 19 North Square, Boston, MA
- Hours: April 15th through October 31st, 10am to 5:15pm
- Pricing: Adults: $6 Child (5-17): $1 Seniors and College Students: $5.50
One of the most easily recognizable figures from the Boston area, Paul Revere’s now famous ride has helped turn him into a central character for the start of the Revolutionary War. Guests are now able to visit his beautiful 17th Century home in Downtown Boston, which has been beautifully preserved just as it was when it was built in the 1680s. Having been turned into a one-of-a-kind museum that brings visitors back in time, you’ll be left speechless as you wander through room after room of artifacts.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Location: 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA
- Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 11 am to 5 pm Tuesday, Closed Thursday, 11 am to 9 pm Friday, 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm
- Pricing: Adults: $20 Seniors: $18 Students: $13
A passionate art collector, Isabella Stewart Gardner and her husband Jack decided they were no longer able to fit any more exquisite pieces in their Beacon Street home and made up their minds to build one of the city’s most incredible private art museums. The museum officially opened its doors in 1902 and has been a central character in the Boston art scene ever since.
Whether you’re passionate about art or appreciate the intricacies of interior design, this is a one-of-a-kind stop you simply shouldn’t miss.
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
- Location: 51 Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln, MA
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
- Pricing: Adults: $14 Seniors: $12 Students: $12
If you’re looking to spend some time outdoors, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is a fantastic find. Just outside of Boston’s hustle and bustle, this world-class park is an internationally recognized exhibit featuring the highest quality representations of modern and contemporary sculpture art in the country.
With 30 acres of luxurious landscape along the rolling hills of Flints Pond, this exceptional venue is a brilliant way to relax and unwind after your thrilling adventures in the city.
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
- Location: 306 Congress Street, Boston, MA
- Hours: Monday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
- Pricing: General Admission: $34
An incredible way to truly immerse yourself in the city’s history, this magnificent museum is one of the best patriotic exhibitions in all of Boston. Providing each and every guest with a true Revolutionary War experience, you’ll be brought through a multi-sensory adventure filled with live actors, interactive exhibits and a stunning full-scale replica of an 18th-century sailing ship all along the very same shores where this amazing act took place hundreds of years ago. A true step back in time, this is a truly noteworthy experience for the young and young at heart.
Plimouth Patuxet Museums
- Location: 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA
- Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm
- Pricing: Heritage Adult: $44.95 Heritage Child (5-12): 28.95
Just a short drive outside of Boston lies a captivating living history museum you simply shouldn’t miss. This unbelievable museum welcomes guests aboard the Mayflower II and brings them along on an incredible journey through a 17th Century English Village as it would have been when European immigrants first arrived.
Highly skilled actors and educators help bring history to life as you wander through beautifully preserved homes right along the shoreline. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet and learn from descendants of the Wampanoag People who helped make it possible for these settlers to survive.
Boston Children’s Museum
- Location: 308 Congress Street, Boston, MA
- Hours: 7 Days a Week, 9 am to 12 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Pricing: General Admission: $22
If you’re traveling with children under the age of 12, this world-class interactive museum is a must. Designed to be more like the world’s best playground, this museum offers a wide variety of art and science-based activities where children will learn everything there is to know about the world around them. One of the oldest children’s museums in the country, its dedication to instilling a love of learning in every visitor is unmatched.
With over 20 permanent exhibits, a range of exciting interactive opportunities and even a thrilling three-story maze structure, you can guarantee this will be a fun-filled day for the whole family.
Boston is a city filled with culture, beauty and above all, history. With some of the country’s most beloved museums and beautiful parks, filling your days with excitement and thrills will be a breeze.
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