7 Must-Visit Boston Museums

[Destinations]( [Collections]( [Hotels]( [Best Fall Things to Do in Boston - Oyster NL Header Image]( Like most big cities, Boston is filled with fantastic museums to visit. So many, in fact, that it might be hard to decide where to start. From art museums to a museum that has active duty Navy sailors as tour guides to a presidential library, here are the seven best museums in Boston. [Oyster Bullet] Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Known for the [infamous heist]( over thirty years ago, the [Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum]( is a must-see while in Boston—the building itself is a work of art. Built in the early 20th century, it is inspired by Venetian architecture, with the courtyard as the main feature. Integrating Roman, Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements and stone columns, the courtyard bursts with flowers and plants, making it a truly magical place. Inside the museum, visitors can browse the private collection of Isabella and her husband. Thirteen of those pieces were stolen in 1990, and are still yet to be found, however, there are still plenty of inspiring works of art to browse during your visit. Hours: Wednesday to Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays [Oyster Bullet] USS Constitution The world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat, the [USS Constitution,]( (often referred to as “Old Ironsides”) was built in 1797 as part of the first fleet of frigates for the U.S. Navy. In the museum, you will learn the history of the ship and what life was like for a sailor in the early 19th century. Kids will love exploring the Lego shipyard which features a six-foot Lego model of Old Ironsides, plus the opportunity to build your own Lego boat and see if it will float! You can also explore the ship itself, and speak with the active duty Navy sailors and crew assigned to the ship. Hours: 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. [Oyster Bullet] Museum of African American History The [Museum of African American History]( (MAAH) is dedicated to “filling in the missing pages of American history.” Through exhibits, programs, and educational activities, MAAH showcases the history of African Americans from the birthplace of the abolitionist movement to the continuing fight for human rights. Your visit will begin in the Abiel Smith school, built in 1835 for the sole purpose of educating African American children, now housing a gift shop. Adjacent to the school is the African Meeting House, which has been carefully restored to its original appearance from the mid-19th-century. The museum is the last stop on the [Black Heritage Trail,]( the “largest collection of historic sites in the country relating to the life of a free African American community prior to the Civil War.” If you’re planning on a trip to [Nantucket,]( be sure to check out their [Nantucket location]( well. Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. [Reservations Required]( [Garden]( [Oyster Bullet] Paul Revere House The [Paul Revere House]( is a must-stop along Boston’s [Freedom Trail]( for any American history buff. Incredibly, 90 percent of the building’s structure is original, and it is furnished with period items, many of which belonged to the Revere family. Take a tour of the house and learn more about the famous ride Paul Revere took at the start of the American Revolution, or check out the [events calendar]( to find a lecture or performance that you may want to attend. Hours: 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. [Oyster Bullet] JFK Presidential Library and Museum Learn more about Massachusetts-born president John F. Kennedy at the [JFK Presidential Library and Museum.]( You’ll find exhibits highlighting the life, political career, and untimely death of the 35th president. There truly is something for everyone here: a gallery of gifts from heads of state, an exhibit about the U.S. Space Program for budding astronauts, and an exhibit dedicated to First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy which features pictures and personal artifacts. Hours: Open Thursday to Tuesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. [Oyster Bullet] MFA Boston Spend the day browsing nearly half a million works of art at [MFA Boston.]( Their permanent displays include works by Monet, items from the Chinese Song Dynasty, and even Egyptian mummies. Besides their permanent exhibitions, they also feature special, limited-time-only exhibitions, so be sure to check their [exhibitions list]( before you visit. (The Obama Portraits are on display through the end of October.) The museum also offers a variety of programs, including lectures, films, and art classes. Look at their [program calendar]( to find out more about what they are offering during your visit. Hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open until 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. [Oyster Bullet] Harvard Museum of Natural History Part of the [Harvard Museums of Science and Culture,]( The [Harvard Museum of Natural History]( gives the public the opportunity to see the research and work of three Harvard institutions: the [Museum of Comparative Zoology,]( the [Harvard University Herbania,]( and the [Mineralogical & Geological Museum.]( Visitors can explore exhibits featuring wildlife specimens from all over the world, and learn about climate change, as well as earth and planetary science, marine life, and their most unique exhibit: the Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plant (simply known as Glass Flowers). Check out their [programs]( for classes, lectures, and special events. Hours: 7 Days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Looking for a place to stay while in Boston? Here are our picks. 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