Institute of Contemporary Art

Opened at its current building in 2006, the ICA consists of spacious galleries and a performance theater. After admiring its stark exterior, visitors can take self-guided tours around the main collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations, which include works by luminaries such as Andy Warhol and Robert Mapplethorpe. You can also roam around the temporary exhibitions; although select shows and events, such as dance performances, concerts, and workshops, require separate tickets.

Consider purchasing a Boston sightseeing pass to save money on admission, or a flexible-itinerary private city tour that lets you add in a visit to the gallery. The ICA is also a notable sight on harbor cruises and city tours that cover the Seaport District.

• The ICA will appeal to art and architecture buffs.
• The building is accessible for visitors using wheelchairs and strollers.
• On-site amenities include restrooms, free Wi-Fi, a summertime outdoor café-bar, and gift shop.

Just south of downtown Boston, the ICA is a pleasant 30-minute walk from the center. Alternatively, take the “T” Red Line subway to South Station before a Silver Line Waterfront bus to the Courthouse or World Trade Center station—both are near the ICA. Rowes Wharf water taxis, available from Boston waterfront, also run to the nearby Seaport World Trade Center. Parking is available nearby, but driving isn’t recommended due to long-term construction work in the area. 

The ICA is open Tuesday-Saturday between 10am-5pm, and until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays, excluding the first Friday of each month. For the best value, visit on a Thursday night between 5pm and 9pm, when admission is free to all—although the gallery can get busy. The quietest times to visit are on weekday early mornings or late afternoons.

Before or after checking out its art, it’s worth wandering around the ICA to take in its architecture. Designed by award-winning architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, its cantilevered rear extends dramatically out to the water’s edge. The innovatively designed gallery sparked local urban renewal, so you’ll find plenty of nearby trendy restaurants and shops to enjoy after a visit.