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Embrace Boston

4.5 (24 reviews)

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The day MLK got the Nobel peace prize
karina k.

A beautiful tribute to peace and love and honoring all people for the sake of humanity. This is a massive structure and it is based in the Boston Commons Park, and it's a great reminder to be kind to others and show love to yourself and others.

Na'Shota L.

I had to visit this piece of art! Its very different....depicting MLK Jr and his wife hugging. It attracted a lot of people looking and taking pictures. Im glad I finally got to see it in person.

Cheryl M.

This new sculpture is worth a visit. The Embrace is based off a photograph of Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta embracing. Love it or hate it, it's very large and they made the area around it very nice. I think it's worth seeing so you can form your own opinion. I thought it was interesting.

Shirley B.

I visited my friend in Boston and we were just wandering about in the Boston Common area. I spotted this sculpture from afar and decided to observe it more closely. Apparently it was made by guy named Hank Willis Thomas in 12/2022, depicting MLK jr and his wife Coretta Scott King. You can see 4 arms kind of hugging each other, it is supposed to represent the moment they shared after MLK got Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. It's composed of bronze dark brown metal and has somewhat abstract figure since the actual face and body are missing. I like the concept of it, I think it would be more romantic to see it with a loved one perhaps. Seems like it has mixed reviews with mostly negative reviews by critics and public, but this was a good conversation starter with my friend. I recommend you drop by to enjoy the sculpture if you're going to be visiting Boston Common anyway!

Embrace Sculpture, Boston
Bruce K.

TL;DR - I don't care for the sculpture but the location is excellent. This is the weekend that we celebrate the life and achievements of Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior. Dr. King was one of the main leaders of the civil rights movement in the United States, advancing the cause through non-violence and civil disobedience. Protest marches, boycotts, sit-ins, strikes. Never violence from the protesters though plenty of violence from the other side. The movement achieved success with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. King was tragically murdered in 1968. MLK Day is observed on the third Monday of the year to celebrate his birthday - this year the holiday falls on January 16. Banks and government offices are closed. As tribute to their achievements, the city of Boston unveiled a sculpture in Boston Common depicting Dr. King embracing his wife, Coretta Scott King after he received the Nobel Peace Price in 1964. Mrs. King has continued the work of Dr. King. Instead of showing the couple (image attached), the artist's conceptual piece only depicts the arms, shoulders and hands of the Kings. Like many abstract pieces, it is difficult to understand without the complete context. And that's why I have rated the sculpture as such. The artwork's placement in Boston Common is specific. The sculpture is located where King led 20,000 protesters in the Northeast's first civil rights march in 1965 against school segregation. Since he received his Ph.D. in theology from Boston University in 1955, King was familiar with the city. On Massachusetts Avenue, he lived in an apartment complex that is now marked historically to recognize his residence. King also met his future wife in Boston when she was a New England Conservatory of Music music education student. One star because while I love that there is a tribute, the actual artwork is "Methinks not." [Review 19088 overall - 1223 in Massachusetts - 57 of 2023.]

Sherwin C.

Sculpture honoring the love between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King. It's quite large, where people can view it from multiple angles and even stand underneath the hands. This is prominently visible in Freedom Plaza.

Visited The Embrace recently for a class field trip, it's located in Boston Common and located in a beautiful area with bakery's and restaurants across the street. Would 100% recommend coming to see the monument if your in the Boston area

Amy C.

If you're in Boston make sure you come by and see this sculpture in Boston Commons. Its huge and can be seen from most of the commons.

Sunny P.

The Embrace Statue is located in Boston Commons and just a short walk from the Freedom Trail. This piece of art is really hard to tell what it is from a far and is best explored up close. Once up close, is easy to tell what it is depicting and is a sweet tribute to physical touch and love. This isn't listed in most "things to see in Boston" lists because there really is so much to see in this city, but I think it is worth taking time to check it out.

The Embrace. Night time photo.

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Review Highlights - Embrace Boston

The Embrace Statue is located in Boston Commons and just a short walk from the Freedom Trail.

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Boston Athenaeum - Sample of some of the art

Boston Athenaeum

4.2(72 reviews)
0.2 miDowntown

We've gone to so many incredible talks at the Athenaeum. In addition to it being a beautiful…read morelibrary, the author talks and events really make this place special. Most recently, we went to a talk on George Washington's private library collection.

I was in Boston for a conference this week, and it's always a shame to not do or see anything in…read morethe city where you've been for work. I knew I wouldn't have much free time and needed to get some work done between the end of the conference and leaving for the airport. When I discovered the Athenaeum, I thought - perfect! So what is the Boston Athenaeum? It's a "unique combination of library, museum, and cultural center in a magnificent landmark building . . . One of the country's oldest and most distinguished independent libraries..." It's a great place to work, study, and socialize. The first floor of the Athenaeum (where they have several galleries, including one for temporary exhibits) is open to the public. The rest of the floors are open to members only. Annual membership is currently $506/year or $338 for people 40 and under. However, they offer a day pass ($40), which is how I took advantage of the Athenaeum for a day. There are desks, chairs, patios, tables - tons of places to work and study and read. There are incredible views. The collection of art on the main level was worth seeing, and I also enjoyed their temporary exhibit: "Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston." I wish they had provided a map, because - as a first time visitor - I got very confused by the floorplan. I couldn't find stairs so used the elevator, but one elevator only went to the second of five floors, so ... I wandered, found a place on the fourth floor to work from, and explored. It's really beautiful and it was a great place to get some work done while learning a little about Boston. $40 was a little steep, but it allowed me to get a little bit of a museum visit in while also allowing me the opportunity to work in a more beautiful place for a few hours. I'd happily check it out again. If I lived in Boston, I'd definitely consider becoming a member.

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Boston Athenaeum
Boston Athenaeum
Boston Athenaeum - George Washington room, can be reserved for meetings

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George Washington room, can be reserved for meetings

Worcester Square - Summer

Worcester Square

3.3(3 reviews)
1.2 miSouth End

Long before traffic circles existed, this park was laid out in 1851 by the city to entice…read moredevelopment. The stately Victorian bowfronts lining the Square were completed by 1870 as single family homes. After a significant period of urban decline, a renaissance began over 40 years ago saving the area from the wrecking ball. Today, these homes have been divided into multi-family dwellings representing a diverse cross-section of age, race, and socio-economic status. The Square still functions as a PUBLIC, ornamental space which is open to ALL for concerts, movies, and seasonal celebrations. The residents in conjunction with the Boston Parks Department continue to maintain the beauty of the Square. Unlike Gramercy Park in NYC or the much closer Louisburg Square, residents do not have exclusive rights to the Square. When the Square is open, it is open to all. https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterSquare

I'm sure that the homes along this street date back to the 18th century and they're quite lovely…read more You'd never see this if you didn't step off the busy Washington Street and here, where the street splits into one-way and goes around this small park in the middle. The park has a beautiful fountain and the most amazing sculpture at the center. The figures look quite Rodin to me. The caption says "The central fountain/artwork was designed and fabricated by artist Gene Cauthen. Worcester Square is part of the South End Landmark District. This Square is maintained by the Worcester Square Neighborhood Association in partnership with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. 1990."

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Worcester Square - Fence lights breaking the darkness of winter.

Fence lights breaking the darkness of winter.

Worcester Square - Christmas on the Square

Christmas on the Square

Worcester Square - Worcester Square in Boston's South End

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Worcester Square in Boston's South End

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Madame August Manet by Edouard Manet. Below is stolen artwork where the empty frame is.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

4.3(793 reviews)
2.1 mi

This was a great day spent viewing the collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner. So many great pieces…read moreall over the museum, floor to ceiling, and the most beautiful courtyard that I couldn't stop taking pictures of. There were 13 pieces of art that were stolen back in 1990 and still haven't been recovered. As you're walking around, you'll notice that some places have empty frames where the works are art were displayed before they were stolen. The museum is housed over 3 floors of the "palace", the newest wing on the ground level has the gift shop, a cafe, a coat check, and the living room with comfy seats if your dogs are barking. Well worth the visit if you're in Boston!

I liked the museum, but I wish there had been a clearer overall explanation of what was going on. I…read morealso would have appreciated more info about each art piece, even though it did feel more authentic having everything displayed across the walls. The space itself is a beautiful building to walk through, but I did feel a bit lost at times even with a map, since I wasn't totally sure what I was looking at or the full context behind it. They also offer a temporary exhibit but it was completely different than the rest and was a photography exhibit that was not appealing to me. They also have a small gift shop that is very expensive. Still a really interesting and unique visit overall.

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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - At Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

At Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Entry to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Entry to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - At Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

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At Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Museum of Fine Arts - Miniature display, AKA: doll house for eccentric rich women "too old" for dolls --  aka: 19th century version of me minus "rich" -- haha!

Museum of Fine Arts

4.4(1k reviews)
1.9 mi

A museum filled with an endless amount of national and international treasures, each with its own…read morestory. Let me just start by saying this museum is HUGE so expect to spend the entire day here to see every single exhibit and piece available. The jewels has to be my favorite part of the museum, alongside the beautiful sculptures from Greek history. Tour guides, multiple shops, restaurants and very friendly customer service to give you recommendations on where to begin once entering the great hall! If you're in Boston, you MUST give this place a visit and you'll leave perplexed with the level of importance many pieces carry! I see something new everytime I come in here! The gift that truly keeps on giving.

Great collection. They have a few Van Gogh landscapes (including a rendition of the wheat field)…read moreand their Monet collection is medium-sized and varied. John Singer Sargent's work can be found all around Boston, and the MFA holds the largest collection of John Singer Sargent in the world. Considering that he painted the ceiling murals that you see when you walk in, I think that's very fitting. I was able to catch the Winslow Homer exhibition-- walked in and bought my general admission ticket to the museum. The Homer exhibition was at no additional cost, but did require an additional timed ticket. They had spots open for the next slot, so all four of my friends and I were able to go see it together. One of us accidentally forgot to get the additional ticket at the general admission desk, but an employee in front of the exhibit was nice enough to do the computer work to issue us a ticket there. $30 for general adult admission is a higher price compared to similar art museums around the world, and it would have been nice if there were more ways to get a discount (such as expanding the list of universities they offer student admission for or being part of more city tourism passes). I spent an efficient four hours in there and saw almost every corner of the museum. The price tag means I'll skip it next time I'm nearby, but I still think it's a must visit for first timers.

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Museum of Fine Arts - 2 Rembrandts are better than one!

2 Rembrandts are better than one!

Museum of Fine Arts - June 2024

June 2024

Museum of Fine Arts - Gardens exhibit

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Gardens exhibit

Embrace Boston - publicart - Updated May 2026

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