This was my first time to the Harvard Art Museum and I loved it...it's so big and varied. You can enjoy paintings from masters as well as interesting culture from the ancient times. There are many docents and security people around in case you have questions. The main benefit is that it is FREE. The collections include approximately 250,000 objects in all media, ranging in date from antiquity to the present and originating in Europe, North America, North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. The museum has a large collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works that contains many famous masterpieces, including paintings and sculptures by Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh. The main building contains 204,000 square feet of space for public exhibitions, classrooms, conservation and research labs, and other related functions. Just a great way to spend a few hours if you are in the area. read more

See all

My wife and I stumbled into Harvard Art Museums without even planning it, and it ended up being one of the best surprises of our trip. The fact that entry was free made it even better, but what really stood out was the incredible collection inside. Seeing so many famous paintings that I recognized from textbooks growing up was honestly amazing--it felt surreal experiencing them in person. The entire museum has a calm, welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to take your time and really appreciate everything. Definitely a hidden gem and an experience we won't forget. read more

Unlike many other museums in the area. The Harvard Art Museums are free every day they are open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Spread across several floors is art from all different eras from older to contemporary. The top two floors are a study and research area so focus on the first three floors. The basement has a free charging station for your phone and places to sit and rest. The courtyard has tables and beautiful views of the museum. read more

Harvard Art Museums - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Some truly beautiful pieces of art donated to Harvard or collected by them. Multiple floors of galleries ranging from ancient to modern Friendly staff, sleek interior read more

See all

Free Art Museum = Five Stars. OK, fine, it could be the Kid Rock Hall of Tampons sponsored by Scientology and and I'd still give it five stars for being a free museum, but still it's a good museum. Well-staffed and equipped with a coat rack and free lockers, the museum was a flawless experience, featuring the greatest hits: Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Klimt, Manet, Matisse, Monet, Munch, Picasso, Pollock, Ray, Renoir, Rodin, Sargent, Van Gogh, and Whistler. Note: they are not arranged alphabetically. Some of the best known pieces: The Gare Saint-Lazare: Arrival of a Train is one of Claude Monet's masterpieces, exemplifying his groundbreaking ability to capture fleeting moments of light and movement. Impressionism? Yes, I was very impressionismed. The Breakfast Table is a stunning example of John Singer Sargent's skill in capturing light, texture, and psychological depth of bacon. He blends portraiture with a more intimate, everyday setting, making the viewer feel connected to the orange juice. The painting reflects a moment in time--a fashionable, privileged life in late 19th-century society in which one can ask one of lesser status to leggo my Eggo. A Mother and Child and Four Studies of Her Right Hand is from Pablo Picasso's Blue Period despite having no color blue. Self-Portrait. Vincent van Gogh's vivid, swirling brushwork conveys emotion and tension in this psychological portrait of someone, I'm not sure who. My photos include Katharina Sieverding's Transformer (1973-74), a digital slide projection installation, and my favorite of the museum, David Alfaro Siqueiros' textural The End of the World. I look at it and I feel fine. read more

Harvard Art Museums - I've just seen a face. - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

It's completely free, that certainly is a nice start. Generally, you will spend half a day there, the place is big enough, but not huge. Six floors are open to the public, but all of the exhibits are only on floors 1, 2, and 3. This institution combines three formerly separate art museums. But it does not feel like 3 museums' worth of art. It's also sweet that unlike some university museums, the art is not dominated by in-your-face aggressive contemporary art. You will find a full range, from Roman to modern and contemporary. The circulation layout is straightforward and easy to comprehend. Kind of the opposite of Boston's MFA. There is one cafe, but you should not plan on eating there. The seating seems reasonably plentiful, yet seats are evidently hogged by regulars who grab a chair way before lunch time and keep it for hours. So while you could pick up a nice espresso, croissant, or some limited savory bites, you probably won't be able to find a seat to enjoy the food. I think the management should try to find a way to stop this, so that visitors who have come to see the museum would be able to grab a bite. read more

A perfect gem nestled right outside of Harvard yard. We were there for a wedding and it was a perfect venue. It was awesome to wander around the exhibits during the cocktail hour. The main lobby area was perfect for dinner and dancing. The lower level was the perfect spot for the after party whiskey tasting bar. Plenty of available parking on street or in the lot just a block away. We will definitely be back to see the full collection. read more

A fairly small but nonetheless rich collection of artwork! Entry is free although you must first visit reception - the staff are really friendly and helpful! I would definitely include it on any Harvard trip list Our only disappointment was the gift shop which we found to be lacking especially in postcards of some of their more famous or popular works - I was very surprised not to be able to find anything in the shop for Georgia O'Keefe's 'Red and Pink', which is a highlight in their collection read more

See all

It is good it's free. There are some good pieces, including van Gogh. It's probably 5 stars if you are one who prefers to look at art and not necessarily read the signs, but they've recently done a "reframe" where they've rewritten the descriptions as sort of an "FU" to the art and artists for existing in the past. I'm thinking that's one way to do it, but I wouldn't be surprised if the great painting by Peale of George Washington doesn't end up in "storage" in the next few years, and then everyone loses out. Even the landscape paintings are reframed as anti-Indigenous people and perpetuating myths. For a landscape. It seems less like expanding on the art and more like shaming the art for a specific reason not related to the art itself. It was weird. Anyway, it's free and there is a lot of good art to look at. read more

Harvard Art Museums - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Can't beat the price. FREE! More importantly, it's collection has artists you will recognize. Think of it as one museum even though there are three separate sections, probably due to donors. Sections include: modern, Asian, and the third is a mix or European. Not huge but a good size to spend an hour or more. A cafe in the building. read more

See all

What an amazing museum. We visited to see the exhibit, "De los Andes Al Caribe. From the moment I saw they were going to have this exhibit, I knew I wanted to go. The artwork was phenomenal. Most of the works had a religious theme to it but it was truly amazing. The paintings and colors were remarkable. In addition to these works of art they also had plenty of other works from other great civilizations; Greek, Roman, Middle Eastern and Southwest Asia among others as well. Three museum has 3 floors of displays and it is packed with the works of some of the greatest artists. You should visit this museum whenever you get the chance, but if you happen to be in town on a Sunday, then definitely go on a Sunday because admission is free. read more

See all

The art museum is free now (maybe just for the summer). You can rsvp online or can check in at admission desk (on your left when you enter from Quincy entrance). The museum is amazing, with three floors. 4th and 5th floors are dedicated to art study and others, also open to the public. If you have a huge backpack/bags, you are required to put them in their free lockers. If you have a kid, they will give out a small sketch pad that comes with a pencil. Small cafe is the only place where you can drink and eat inside the museum First floor - cafe, admission desk, gift shop, Buddhist sculpture, early China/Asia, Germany 20th- 21st Century, Germany and Austria 19th -20th Century etc Second Floor - Mostly European art, Islamic and South Asia Third floor - Ancient Rome, Egypt, Middle East Fourth floor - you can see art supplies dated centuries old. Also have art demo but have to wait a bit. Fifth floor - under construction but have a nice view looking down the museum Elevator and stairs available with restrooms on every floor. I would say up to two hours to visit the entire museum. Street parking only. read more

See all

Cyndy's Bottom Line: A great museum to visit at Harvard I found this this art musuem on Yelp as I was searching for a museum at Harvard to visit. *Free admission to all visitors, check in at the admissions desk *Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm *Closed on major holidays *Cafe located inside *Museum gift shop *Sizeable collection I visited the first floor, European Art, 19th-20th century. A wonderful collection of Maurice Wertheim (1886-1950), Harvard Class of 1906. Wertheim bequeathed his collection to Harvard, to be studied and enjoyed by students and scholars, with the stipulation that it be shown together in a single gallery. The collection includes masterpieces by famed artists like Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, as well as contemporary figures such as Aristide Maillol, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso. *Highly recommend. read more

See all

This is such a lovely museum. It's so nice that it's completely free! The courtyard is stunning and the exhibits are great as well. Great for a solo date. read more

See all

Gorgeous space, impressive collection. Lots of opportunities for people to get in for free as well (i.e. free admission on Sundays). We had a bit of a rushed visit because my mother in law is elderly and can't walk a lot, so we did a bit of a shorter visit than I'd have liked. I will go back soon in my own to experience more fully. read more

Harvard Art Museums - Van Gogh - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

There's art, fun, food, and more! This event is free and open to everyone. This month's installment is extra special because we'll be celebrating the opening of the exhibition LaToya M. Hobbs: It's Time. Harvard Art Museums at Night takes place the last Thursday of every month (holidays permitting), from 5 to 9pm. Each night features a new mix of local talent and community partners to make this a festive occasion for all. read more

Harvard Art Museums - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Can't go wrong with it. It's art, has some genuinely gorgeous pieces. Go here, don't touch anything please

Surprisingly fantastic art museum- and it's FREE! I've been to the MFA and honestly I preferred this one- it's smaller but has more standout art pieces in my opinion, including some Van Gogh and Picasso. My sister and I were able to visit all the exhibits in about 90 minutes. Highly recommend! read more

Harvard Art Museums - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Interesting and impressive to see Harvard University having their own on-campus museum - though I am not surprised. It is an extensive museum with 4 floors worth of exhibitions from all across the world spanning centuries. Some of these exhibitions include artwork and studies related to ancient Eastern Asia, colonial America, ancient Greece, and more. I enjoyed seeing and reading about many of the fascinating histories that went along with their artistic depictions. Worth a visit if you are in the Harvard Campus and have some time. For students (from any university), you can show them your student ID and you can get in for free! Otherwise, it cost $20 normally ($18 for 65+). I believe you have to register for a time-slot on their website (harvardartmuseums.org), but luckily my friend and I passed by a group of people who had extra tickets and spared us two. As others have mentioned, there is a Jenny's Cafe which is located on the first floor with sandwiches, snacks, drinks, etc. I bought some water from there and was even impressed with the container it came in. read more

See all

five stars for the beautiful, free museum! four stars for the cafe which has amazing drinks (like their iced ube matcha) and ~okay *expensive* food read more

A gem in Harvard Square within walking distance from the Harvard train stop and buses. So much to see and well exhibited. Free entry! Enjoy a tour guide or explore on your own. A hidden jewel in Cambridge, MA. Enjoy light refreshments in the cafe. Great for people watching. read more

Great experience. Went to a seminar about ancient coins. There's a cafe run by the Catered Affair, so it's yummy! (Same group as the BPL tea room.) read more

See all

Always something new to learn, to enjoy and to remember!! A wonderful experience every time!

It is a Nice little museum that is easy to navigate. Wertheim Collection is particularly nice

Great museum in the heart of Cambridge! Excellent variety from impressionists like Van Gogh and Renoir on display as well as modern art like Jackson Pollock. There is something for everyone here. The venue itself is easy to navigate and well laid out. You can make it through in a half day and enjoy a coffee and snack at their in-house cafe which was reasonably priced and well stocked. They also provide lockers onsite as well as a digital map. A can't miss from this museum is their collection of rare pigments that are used for historic restoration across the globe, some dating back to the 16th century. read more

See all

Lost of art to see, you could spend hours in there! Highly recommended if you are in Harvard Square. Also tickets were free when we were visiting. read more

See all

I have to give the Fogg Art Museum a low rating -- not because it's not a good museum, but because the university makes it so difficult to obtain basic, relevant info needed for a visit. The handling of the website is downright irresponsible. Rarely have I seen info online become increasingly less clear and less user friendly over time, but this has been the case with the Fogg Art Museum. In fact, when one searches for the museum's name, address, exhibit info, etc., one is hard-pressed to find even the most basic info -- museum name, address, and hours -- in clear form. Rather, the newer website version lumps all of the Harvard art museums together, forcing the reader to wade through unneeded info in order to find the most basic information -- info typically readily available iin museum websites -- large and small -- worldwide. How useful to visitors is the large photo of the director plastered across the website when one Googles, "Fogg Art Museum?" The addresses, clearly offered, or even the phone number of each museum -- even an online museum tour -- would be far more relevant. Instead, when one googles Fogg Art Museum," one sees, "Harvard Art Museums" and a large photo -- not of museum artwork or a museum map -- but of the museum director. Instead, clear Info about the museum would have been extremely helpful. As a Harvard University graduate, I'm embarrassed! Use your opportunity to make the museum inviting with online info that is clear, well organized, focused, well-honed. Such relevant information for visitors -- whether tourists or scholars -/ would make the museum, itself, as welcoming as the free admission. If the site improves, I will gladly change my review to a more positive one. read more

The Harvard Art Museum is a really nice, open space that has nice rooms and exhibits, but I am just reviewing Jenny's Cafe because it's my new favorite cafe in the area! I got a skim latte, which was really tasty, and a hazelnut chocolate chip cookie. The chocolate chips were melty, and the hazelnuts tasted fresh. It wasn't too sweet and was a great afternoon snack! There is an airy space to sit in the cafe itself, and the baristas are nice and super speedy! I'll definitely be stopping by more this year :) read more

Harvard Art Museums - hazelnut chocolate chip cookie from Jenny's cafe - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

A great collection of some of the most well known artists Very underrated place Boston has some nice art museums and this one deserves to be mentioned read more

See all

Amazing museum with many different exhibits such as Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, art galleries and much more. It's a beautiful experience and I suggest taking your kids on Sundays as it's feee for everyone!! read more

See all

Surprise. That is the first word that comes to mind for me when I think about this museum. Constantin Brancusi may be my favorite sculptor and I seek his work out wherever I go. Here, I found works that I have never seen previously. Brancusi sculpted that? Wow. That's just one example but there were more: Rubens, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Man Ray were just a few. I think I know an artist and then, well, I didn't expect to see that. Amazing. If only every visit to a museum included such surprises. As a gallery space, this museum is superb. The works on display are incredibly well-lighted and the flow from one room to the next is effortless in a building anchored by an atrium that reaches to the sky. read more

See all

The true definition of "hidden in plain sight", the Harvard Art Museum is a true wonder to behold, and a must visit should you find yourself in Harvard Square. This museum often gets overlooked due to the big names like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts hogging the limelight, but take a T-ride off the beaten path over to Cambridge to check out this remarkably beautiful museum and its impressive collection of artwork, plus one of the best and most relaxing cafes in the neighborhood! I visited a few days ago because my brother (a soon to be Harvard graduate!!!) was playing in a classical ensemble as part of a final for a music class he took this semester. Apparently, the museum offers free concerts frequently from professional and amateur musicians alike, and I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon than listening to some great tunes in the sun drenched indoor courtyard atrium while sipping an iced tea from the adjacent cafe. Jenny's Cafe is named in honor of one of the museum's major donor's mothers, and is managed by The Catered Affair, a company that also provides the wonderful menu at the restaurants and cafes at the Boston Public Library. The cafe is staffed by friendly and unique baristas, including Kristopher, who made me smile with his memorable and charming personality! I got the somewhat pricy Blood Orange Iced Tea, but it was very worth it and nicely refreshing on a warm spring afternoon. Admission to the museum is free to Cambridge residents and Harvard affiliates, but the prices are very reasonable in comparison to some of the other museums in the city. I look forward to coming back when I have more time to tour the galleries! read more

See all

This art museum was so wonderful! I'm not much of a art connoisseur but this place is awesome. There were so many period pieces, paintings and Photos. You could easily spend 3 hours just walking and reading about the pieces. Did I mention it was FREE! read more

See all

I was looking for Ancient Greek artwork and found here a HUGE collection of the black and red painted vases depicts scenes from the Iliad & Odyssey, Hercules and much more. The MFA didn't hold a candle to what the Harvard Museums had. Staff was polite and hardly obtrusive. No negative reviews from me. This place is a gem. Nice little cafe too. read more

See all

What a surprise, one of the best art museums I have ever been inside. The exhibits are expertly curated, and the rooms flow right into the next. While not a huge museum, it has just about all types of art from a wide range of historical times. It is clean, well-lit, and well-staffed. They also provide complimentary lockers in the coatroom for larger items. Not to mention, admission is FREE with a student ID, from any institution! We were so impressed with this museum, that we didn't even end up going to the Museum of Fine Arts that day because we felt that we had plenty of art experience here. The gift shop here is also fantastic. They carry all kinds of quirky items you would expect from an art museum gift shop, and prices were not sky high! read more

Harvard Art Museums - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard Art Museums are a group of 3 museums of Harvard Uni. The best one for Fine Arts is Fogg Museum. The 5-storey building has unlimited access to history. It is like the NYC's Metropolitan Museum but in a much smaller size. No need to buy tickets if you just want to sit on the ground floor for a cafe. FREE access to the LOCKER room, which is opposite to admission. I secretly left all of my bags in a locker in the morning, went out and had fun around the campus, then came back in the afternoon to pick up my stuff. Best way to utilize free facilities. read more

Harvard Art Museums - Fogg Museum's ground floor. Right next to the museum cafe. - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This museum is well worth checking out. It's a bit confusing as on the website, it looks like 3 museums. While there are different collections and maybe once were in different buildings, they are all now under one roof. I spend a couple hours here, leisurely getting lost in the diverse collection of art ranging from the ancient world to the 21st century. There is everything from Buddhist art from East Asia to local Bostonian artists and big name European painters (think Monet, Picasso, Munch, Kilmt, Seurat...). I found the descriptive panels quite well done in terms of providing a good amount of context and information. They have free lockers which was really nice. It's so much more relaxing to wander without having to carry a heavy winter coat and bag! There's a small cafe and shop as well. read more

See all

What an enjoyable afternoon, a little expensive, however non the less an enjoyable afternoon. The exhibitions were varied, the Bauhaus clearly my favorite! The interior of the building and layout of rooms makes the visit delightful, easy and relaxing. read more

See all

The Harvard Museum combines the star power of the MFA with the manageability of a smaller museum. Considering the magnificent size and scope of Harvard's collection, the museum itself is actually pretty compact, so it's manageable to see in a few hours. The pretentious plural title comes from the fact that one building now houses the former Fogg Museum (Western art), Sackler Museum (Eastern art), and Busch-Reisinger Museum (German art). But walking through the museum, you don't notice a stark difference between the 3 formerly separate collections: although the galleries are split up over 3 floors, they are integrated seamlessly. The 4th floor is an art study center, and the 5th floor is used for conservation. Besides the art, the museum has plenty of amenities, including a free coat check, lockers, a cafe, and a gift shop. The bathrooms on the first floor can get a little bit crowded because of the cafe and the ticketing desk, but there are plenty of smaller restrooms scattered throughout the building. It would be nice if Harvard offered some steeper discounts on admission, considering the size of its endowment. But since it's such a beautiful, well-curated, and well-run museum, you can justify spending $15 for a ticket. Also, all MA residents visit free with proof of residency on Saturdays from 10am-12pm. If I haven't convinced you to visit yet, you can explore over 225,000 works from the collection on their website! Whether you're a fan of architecture, German expressionism, Bernini, or East Asian screens, you will find plenty to admire here. I can't wait to see how Harvard will continue to change and rotate the collection as they come up on two years since the museum reopening! read more

Harvard Art Museums - Perfect place to relax! - Art Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

So many great pieces and I normally took notes while I was visiting every time. Love this place!