Came here for kayaking. Brought own kayak. There are several places to launch kayaks…read more Also you can rent kayak or canoe here. Plenty of benches and parking. Con: lots of poops from dogs and/or birds on the grass. Don't want to lay down there.

Continuing along the Esplanade to Allston/Brighton you'll come to this sweet green whose gorgeous…read moregrounds offer playgrounds, boating, a public theater and even community gardens! I'm sure the path is scenic and pleasant from downtown, but I wouldn't know because let's be honest, the loop is 18 miles. Think I've ever bladed it all? Right. So while it's a ways out and not super easy to reach by public transit, the parking lot is huge and attractions abundant.

I usually love everything the ICA does so I was excited to try the water shuttle to the watershed…read moreexhibit. The summer 2026 exhibit just did not do anything for me.

Visiting the ICA Watershed has become a summer tradition for me since 2021. The ICA itself has been…read moreone of my happy places ever since I moved to Boston, and the Watershed is such a cool extension of it. +Admission is free They usually host a block party or two over the summer, often with dancers and other performances. Keep an eye out for dates on their website. The featured artists tend to be international, and the space transforms into an immersive experience. It's not huge--you can take in the whole exhibit in about 30 minutes. If you're into art, it is a worthwhile visit Side notes.. There's often a kid-friendly activity area in the back. Street parking in that area can be a nightmare, but it's pretty easy to get to via the ferry or the Blue Line.

Everything about this museum screams as a must-see when in Boston! The collection varies in era…read morebased on sections of the home. Like most museums but I feel for this one especially, it's important to wear comfy shoes. I had seen amazing photos and videos with the courtyard collection as Isabella Stewart Gardner had a beautiful garden at the center of the building in such a unique way. It's a lovely view from the ground and even from above. It's important to make a reservation ahead of time and pick a window that has decent natural light in my opinion which makes the museum even better of a sight!!

Went on a very rainy weekday around noon. Surprisingly very busy with tours and other visitors…read more Love the layout and that it's kept in original format as she stated in her will. Of course the garden is such a highlight from all angles and levels. Kids were interested in everything! They had fun finding all the works of art on the Map and they also have a kids activity one as well. No surprise the Heist of 1990 is such a draw. Unfortunately the Dutch Room, location of the Heist, is currently under restoration. "Gardner staff are working to restore the Dutch Room so that future visitors can experience it as Isabella originally intended. This floor-to-ceiling restoration will be completed by early 2027. Electricians are upgrading the system for new and improved lighting. We'll be able to see more details, including the painted ceiling that we spent in months cleaning and stabilizing. It comes from a building in Orvieto, in central Italy. Many artists painted its 120 scenes in the 1520s." "While we will wrap up our restoration work in 2027, the room will remain incomplete until all the works of art are returned." - you are allowed to have a purse/bag. They check it when entering - you are allowed to wear a coat or use coat check - large umbrellas need to be left at entrance. Smaller ones can be on you in a a provided plastic bag but be careful not to let it swing around and hit objects - bring headphones and a charged phone to scan QR codes in each room to learn more about the art and highlights from different artists - cool old elevator access and really pretty bathrooms - some bench seating available in rooms and around courtyard (see map for available seating) - don't forget to visit the gift shop for unique gifts and they have ornaments too! Tip: use your local museum library pass Provides up to four (4) people with $5 admission per person. Children under the age of 18 are always admitted for free. Some metered parking but hard to find. Also can park at Levels P1-P3 of the Simmons School of Management Garage. MUST get ticket validated at museum

Our whole family LOVED this museum! And when I say everyone from age 2 to almost 40 had an amazing…read moretime, I truly mean it! You could easily spend an entire day here and honestly, probably even longer. Every area has something different to explore, with hands on activities that are both fun and educational. There was so much to see and do that we were constantly discovering something new. The kids' favorite was building a car using batteries and then testing it to see how fast it would go along the track. They could have stayed there forever! My personal favorites were the bed of nails (yes, I actually tried it ) and the machine sponsored by Takeda that you stand on, and it tells you which areas of your body supposedly need a little extra attention. It was hilarious and so much fun! The AI dog robot was also SO cool! And honestly, the list of things we loved just keeps going. Even the cafeteria was a pleasant surprise. There was a good selection, the food was decent, and the prices were actually reasonable which isn't always the case at museums. This is definitely one of those places where every age can find something to enjoy. We had an amazing time as a family, and I would absolutely recommend adding this museum to your list!

Super fun thing to do with the family and children of all ages. Lots of things to touch and explore…read moreand just as many shows available as activities. We tried to get 3 shows shoved in our trip along with seeing the museum and barely made it and still missed things. For the shows, we found them all to be very entertaining. Saw the ai and robot show first in the morning. It was a fun experience and the kiddos loved it. Then we did the lighting show and I will say if you aren't a fan of loud noises and bright lights maybe pick to go inside the sensory room for this. They've thought of everything to ensure everyone has a great experience and this was a great idea to offer. Finally we did the Omni deep space show. It's an extra $10 a person but it was absolutely worth it and stunning! The kids were in absolute aw. For the museum, I will say it was exceptionally clean, and filled with hands on experiences. There's so much to do I recommend doing this with a plan. Cafeteria inside the red wing offers food for the whole family at very reasonable prices. All the food was hot and tasty. I did a separate review for them on their side and it's under "riverview cafe". Finally the gift shop was very cool. I bought a dinosaur sweater with spikes on the back and a key chain. Note: this is expensive and can easily be bypassed if you don't want to spend more because admittedly I had no plans to buy anything there and still spent $111 . Overall amazing trip with the family and it was made even easier with parking that connects right to the museum. $33 for me for 7 hours of parking. Yes you can absolutely get parking cheaper elsewhere, but if you have or know someone with a disability and want to make the experience smoother without the rush in Boston this is a great option.

During a recent weekend trip to Boston, I reserved an entire day for the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)…read moreand it was the best decision I could have made. If I lived in Boston, I would become a member so that I could visit at will, even if only for few hours at a time. I am particularly interested in the impressionists, and John Singer Sargent, so I kept mostly to the 2nd floor. The museum is well organized, and there are staff floating around to answer any questions (one staffer even offered some tips to reduce the glare when taking a photo of a certain painting). I had checked out of my hotel so I had baggage with me (don't we all)...MFA has a convenient bag check. I also purchased a sizeable book from the bookshop and the staff put it in a box for me to keep it from being damaged during travel. I saw one temporary exhibit that was a nicely curated mix of multimedia art, and I also enjoyed seeing some of the rooms presented in a gallery style so that I could truly appreciate modern display methods. Six hours here went by in a flash, and I will definitely be back to see more of the MFA's vast collection. p.s. The equestrian sport of polo came from Persia?? Loved this fact! I also really enjoyed the time put into the object labels and the stories they told. "The most outrageous series of ferocious daubs that any slanderer of Venice could possibly imagine," a quote from a critic describing Renoir's Grand Canal, Venice, made me snort laugh out loud!

On a weekend Sunday morning, we went to Museum of Fine Arts with some family visiting…read more We went to the European painting, American Art, and Egyptian section. The entrance was a very smooth process. If you are a member, you can purchase discounted guest passes for your visitors The main staircase reminds me of the Met Museum in New York City the grandeur. I look forward to future exhibits and checking out their special exhibits.

View Boston was an awesome experience! It's located inside the Prudential Center, which makes it…read morereally convenient to visit while you're shopping or exploring the area. I recommend purchasing your tickets directly at the location, as they were cheaper than buying them online or through the Go City app when we visited. The top floor is more geared toward taking pictures and has some really great photo opportunities. The lower floor has more of an outdoor feel, along with a great bar, music, and a fun atmosphere. It honestly felt like a great after work hangout spot for adults. There's also a nice gift shop where you can purchase the photos taken at the beginning of the experience or pick up a souvenir. I would definitely recommend View Boston for all ages. The best part was that everyone in our group enjoyed it from the little ones to the older kids, with ages ranging from 2 to 14. It was a fun experience for the entire family!

If you're looking for an expensive photo op, then sure, stop by…read more This was very disappointing. It's a great view, but for $30+ per.person, it's definitely not worth it. We lived in Boston for years, so we know what we're looking at, but if you're visiting, I'm not sure if you'll really understand what you're seeing. There are no maps, no signs that point out destinations, no employees to tell you what landmarks you're looking at. Nothing. They have a photo package that is a couple photos of you against a photo wall. The photos aren't even of the Boston views. Save your money. Don't go. I can't emphasize that enough. Here are some free alternatives that are pretty nice. 1. Bunker Hill Monument -- Panoramic city views from the topYou can climb the 294 steps for free and get one of the best skyline views in the city. It's the closest true alternative to a paid observation deck. 2. Charles River Esplanade -- Open waterfront + skyline vistasMiles of riverfront paths with unobstructed views of Back Bay and Cambridge. Perfect for sunset walks or bike rides. 3. Christian Science Plaza -- Reflecting pool + architectural panoramaRight next to View Boston, this plaza gives wide-angle views of the Prudential Tower and surrounding architecture -- totally free. 4. Commonwealth Avenue Mall -- Grand boulevard perspectiveTree-lined, mansion-framed views that feel like a cinematic sweep through Back Bay. 5. Boston Public Library Courtyard -- Historic architecture + open-air spaceA free indoor/outdoor architectural gem with Renaissance-style symmetry and open courtyard views.

" History is Awesome "…read more Boston MA as we know has so much history . However Newton MA a suburb a bit outside of Boston MA has it too . Check this place out in Newton ma that has ties to the Underground Railroad. Just a great history of anti slavery . Parking is outside in a small lot or on street so no worries . Small fee charge to maintain the up keep.

What a beautiful way to spend a couple of hours. This is an early Georgian style farmhouse in a…read moresalt box shape, 1600's authentic home. The rooms are set up as if the family was living there. My favorites are the hand stenciled floor, the hearth and the beautiful balusters on the main staircase, all hand turned. The two women at the front desk today were really nice and answered some questions I had about the furniture. What was fun for me? Was filling out a postcard that would go to another visitor of this historical house. And I would receive one from someone I did not know that visited. It's a small donation of four dollars and it really made , the visit fun. Other things I liked about the house with the grounds. There's a neat grinding stone on the property outback, that you would miss unless you really looked for it with the tag. It's an early Native American grinding stone. Also, the flowers were in bloom, peonies, roses, salvia . Perennials in an herb garden. I like that the fruit trees are on the property as well. If someone I knew wanted a venue for a party or a wedding, I would ask them to consider this property. All in all a lovely place to be in the city.

(if you think this review is too long, just scroll to the bottom for my more "humorous"…read moreobservations) If you're driving on Adams Street towards Lower Mills or the other way towards East Milton Square, you might overlook this spot. If you're into historical sites and museums, this might be worth a look. Otherwise, you might just want to go to one of the many higher-profile museums in the area, like the Adams Historical Site the town next door. You have to reserve a spot in one of the scheduled tours to enter the museum. I went for a 1 pm tour and the next one was at 3. Trust me, the tour is really 2 hours long. The positive of this museum is that while the house is not that large in terms of square feet, you do get your bang for your buck. The tour guide was generally polite and rather informative. However, she always seemed to ask historical questions every time we entered a room and wanted us to answer - really got irritating as the tour went along. If I wanted to answer historical questions, I would've gone to a bar for stump trivia. Lastly, if you're not into this stuff, you will be bored out of your mind and will resort to utilizing the futuristic item called a smartphone. The Forbes family was involved in various historical events/periods and some of those rooms each had a theme from a time period. The family was involved in the China trade, so there's a decent collection of old Chinese furniture in the parlor. It doesn't compare to the Peabody Essex Museum, granted, but it's something. There is a room for the Forbes involvement in the Civil War and Abolition. Another room described the Forbes charitable endeavors during the Great Famine in Ireland during the mid-1800's. So you'll get some learnin' from various periods. Compared to other historical spots around the area, this one doesn't seem to be maintained well and needs better restoration. There was significant water damage in a few rooms and exhibit pieces (like beds, plates, etc.) seemed to be arranged worse than a 5-year old. The house needs a paint job in the worst way. Also compared to other historical sites, this one was rather dirty. There is a "gift shop", and by "gift shop", I mean a small glass case in the foyer containing books for sale. p.s. - you'll likely have older folks in your tour group that think "oriental" is still an acceptable way to describe Asians. p.p.s. - there's a nice Chinese junk model. It's in a glass case, and not in some sort luggage storage box or something. So you can't say there's junk in the trunk. *rim shot* :-P

Most people would drive by this historic home without paying much attention but the small staff is…read morevery friendly and often you can get a private or near-private tour of this gorgeous 1830's greek revival home which is filled with varying antiques but what is of particular interest is the vast array of objects collected by the Captain during the China trade years of the 1800's. Also, one of the previous owners was an avid collector of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia. The museum is set up more like a home and objects are easy to see and some can even be handled (kitchen area). The architecture inside and out is beautiful and the grounds keep with the feel of the home. The tour can be done on your own or guided. Great place to relax and take your time admiring the collection.