Museums in Boston

Boston's Museums & Art Centers

Boston’s cultural landscape spans three centuries of history, from the colonial wooden architecture of the 1680 Paul Revere House to the modern glass facade of the Institute of Contemporary Art. This collection features Revolutionary War landmarks like the Old State House and the USS Constitution alongside specialized institutions dedicated to African American history, medical innovation, and maritime heritage. Visitors can explore historic Beacon Hill residences, interactive maritime exhibits at the Charlestown Navy Yard, and contemporary performance spaces within the city's vibrant arts districts.

Boston's Museums & Art Centers — Map

Ranjansanjeev / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Paul Revere House

Historic colonial wooden house from 1680 that served as the home of American patriot Paul Revere and now operates as a biographical museum focused on his life and the American Revolution.

Chensiyuan / GFDL

B

Old State House

The Old State House is a historic building in Boston, Massachusetts, built in 1713.

Twp / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Boston Tea Party - Ships and Museum

Your chance to re-live the events of the Tea Party - on a replica on one of the ships. Thrilling and educative at the same time.

Thaidragon27 / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Old South Meeting Place

The Old South Meeting House is a historic Congregational church building located at the corner of Milk and Washington Streets in the…

USS Constitution / Public domain

E

USS Constitution

USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy.

Bill Damon / CC BY 2.0

F

The Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art is an art museum and exhibition space located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

G

USS Constitution Museum

Located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, this museum preserves the history of "Old Ironsides" through hands-on exhibits, maritime artifacts, and personal accounts from the ship's 200-year naval career.

Winslow Homer / Public domain

H

Museum of African American History

The African Meeting House, also known variously as First African Baptist Church, First Independent Baptist Church and the Belknap Street…

ROxBo / Public domain

I

Charlestown Navy Park

The Boston Navy Yard, originally called the Charlestown Navy Yard and later Boston Naval Shipyard, was one of the oldest shipbuilding…

J

Otis House Museum

The last surviving mansion of its kind in the West End, this 1796 Federal-style house was designed by architect Charles Bulfinch for politician Harrison Gray Otis.

Tim Pierce / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Boston Children's Museum

Boston Children's Museum is a children's museum in Boston, Massachusetts, dedicated to the education of children.

L

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

One of the largest exhibition centers in the Northeastern United States, featuring 516,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space in the Seaport District.

John Phelan / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Nichols House Museum

The Nichols House Museum is a museum at 55 Mount Vernon Street on Beacon Hill in Boston, Massachusetts.

Daderot / CC-BY-SA-3.0

N

Harrison Gray Otis House

There are three houses named the Harrison Gray Otis House in Boston, Massachusetts.

ROxBo / Public domain

O

USS Cassin Young

USS Cassin Young is a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy named for Captain Cassin Young, who was awarded the Medal of Honor…

P

Hibernian Hall

A historic 1913 building in Roxbury that serves as a center for Irish-American heritage and a multi-disciplinary performing arts space.

Q

Dante Alighieri Italian Cultural Center

A cultural hub dedicated to the promotion of Italian language and heritage through classes, art exhibitions, and community events.

R

Boston Center for the Arts

A non-profit performing and visual arts complex in the South End, housing several theaters, artist studios, and the historic Cyclorama building.

S

Boston Conservatory of Music

A performing arts conservatory offering specialized degrees in music, dance, and theater, now part of Berklee.

T

Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation

Located at Massachusetts General Hospital, this museum showcases two centuries of medical breakthroughs, from early anesthesia to modern surgical robotics.

U

Panopticon Gallery

A renowned gallery that focuses on contemporary photography - definitely worth a visit. Hosts many different exhibitions.

V

Boston Marine Society Museum

Maintains a collection of maritime artifacts, ship models, and navigational instruments related to Boston's seafaring history within the oldest marine society in the world.

Other Lists

Boston's Essential Historical Journey Historic Boston Landmarks Historic Religious Sites Boston Parks and Recreation