Going into this venture, I had no idea that Gardner was such close friends with John Singer Sargent. He is one of my favorite artists so walking into this and being surprised by his work was a real thrill. She displayed his work in such a way that you really could see she appreciated him as a friend and also an artist. I will say...Gardner was really a collector...some of her pieces that she decided to hang are maybe a little questionable of their quality, but balanced by some truly brilliant pieces, it all works out in the end. This museum, like The Frick in Manhattan, is really quite special being that the setting is the home of the person who put all of these pieces on the walls themselves. To be able to walk through the grounds and see the rooms as the previous owner saw them is just surreal. I would say out of everything to see in this beautiful city, this is a must-do. Go see a game at Fenway, go get a lobster roll...sure, those are obvious spots to hit as a tourist, but this needs to be on your list of probably top 5 things to do while visiting Boston. read more

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A friend recommended this art collection in this beautiful space so I reserved tickets online for today at 11 when it opened. You can buy your tickets in person as well. It's a separate entrance line than the preordered tickets. They do check your bags and tell you to leave your water bottles at the coatcheck on the 1st floor or downstairs at the lockers. We started upstairs on the 3rd floor, and worked our way down. Every room is specifically designed to highlight some theme by Isabella, from the brocade on the walls to the ceiling to the doors to the artwork/furniture everywhere. Because it's a three story mansion, it's decorated as such and has less of the feel of a gallery as a luxuriously decorated estate. Most of the artwork is not identified as it would be in a museum, but it can still be appreciated. There were a few signs along the way that explained the theme of the room according to Isabella. From the third floor especially, the live music in the central garden could be heard so well because of the magnificent acoustics. (There was music in honor of Juneteenth today). If it's your first time there, pay attention to the plaque by the elevator on the 1st floor that states it was the entrance that Isabella herself had used. Apparently that was the original entrance to the museum for a long time and the glass encased current entrance used to be greenhouses. We spent 1.5 hrs there and enjoyed exploring and appreciating the unique museum experience together. Highly recommend!! read more

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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum was commonly mentioned as a must see in Boston, so we decided to check it out on a rainy Sunday during our trip. It seems like everyone else had the same idea as well because the museum was packed! Definitely recommend booking tickets at least a few days in advance because some time slots were sold out. We booked the 10:30am-11am time slot and it was already crowded at this time. Check in was straightforward and there are lockers in the basement to secure large bags. This is very different to the standard art museums. Isabella Stewart converted a home into a museum and it is amazing how much time and effort went into the process. There are three stories, each having several rooms to walk through. A couple rooms have limited capacity so we had to wait in line for 10-15 minutes to enter. My personal favorite part of the museum was the courtyard - very pretty with all the plants and statues. We also witnessed a proposal! I'm usually not a huge museum fan, but this was definitely worth checking out. Many people suggested listening to the audio guide available on the website, and while it was interesting, it was a bit slow and I wasn't able to listen to everything - wish the recordings had 2x speed. This is a very popular museum so the crowds made it feel a bit chaotic. I recommend going on a weekday! read more

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This was a great day spent viewing the collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner. So many great pieces all 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! read more

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I liked the museum, but I wish there had been a clearer overall explanation of what was going on. I also 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. read more

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This museum is a surprising gem! I don't think it's that famous, but it's so beautiful and really captures the idiosyncratic vision of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Walking through the rooms, we got to see her eccentric taste in art and her love for particular artists and her style of designing the exhibits. I enjoyed it a lot!! There is a courtyard in the middle of the museum which has a beautiful garden. I recommend picking up a little pamphlet during your visit, so you can make sure to see everything. The three floors are accessible by stairs and by elevator. Docents are very kind and willing to answer questions! read more

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Museum Home was beautiful, enjoyed walking through the various rooms. Docents were very knowledgeable and helpful.The setting and art were impressive. The restaurant food was delicious, we had the quiche/salad and the mushroom over polenta both were remarkable. We shared the mini croissants - also different and yummy. Would love to visit the museum and cafe again. read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Courtyard area of the palace - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is not only one of the most beautiful museums I have visited, but also one of the most fascinating. Each room is a unique showcase capturing some part of Isabella's life and travels and they are just filled with such cool treasures to look through. My partner and I visited on MLK day which had free admission to the museum if you registered in advance. We were surprised and delighted to also be able to see an exceptional choir performance the same day. It was a great experience and we loved our visit! read more

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One of the most beautiful museums I've visited with such an incredible backstory. Each room is so beautifully decorated with every detail thought of. Even without the art on the walls, each room is a work of art. The courtyard is easily the best part, especially with the flowers for the spring. A must visit in Boston read more

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Very cool and unique art museum in that the house was designed for this collection so it's just as much a part of the experience as what hangs on the wall. The courtyard in the middle was a like a little garden oasis like we were in an Italian vista. It's obvious Isabella had a good eye, a love of art and history, and eclectic taste. It's more of an experience than a very intentionally curated exhibit. Some of the rooms were small and had a maximum capacity which required a line to enter. Isabella was against labels, but there were a couple room signs around. She also stipulated nothing could be changed, so it's as she intended to show off her private collection. Otherwise, it's up to your interpretation why she grouped objects. There is a lot of art dating back to the Renaissance up to her contemporaries in early 20th century. It takes a few hours, but it's an interesting collection worth seeing. It's just a shame that a break-in cost the collection some real jewels that haven't been seen again. There is a cafe on site which was crowded, a contemporary exhibit I found forgettable, and a small gift shop which could have been better with Garden specific souvenirs, but overall, it's still an amazing collection. read more

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Beautiful, one of a kind museum. I was really excited to visit it during our trip to Boston, I knew it'd be one of the highlights. I first heard of Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum when I was in college back in Europe during an art history class, our Professor mentioned that a painting we were studying it was part of the collection and encouraged us to visit it when in Boston. My husband visited the Museum during his college years and loved it, has fond memories of attending classical music concerts here. We saved the visit for a rainy day during the trip. The staff was nice, we didn't need advanced tickets (since the weather forecast kept changing we didn't think we should get them), even if the museum was crowded there were plenty of tickets, despite that everyone had the same idea! $22 admission, free for kids. Usually it's opened 11 am - 5 pm, except Thursday - till 9 pm (first Thursday of the month is free in the afternoon). For the first time in many years we used a bag for the umbrella and lined up for a checked coat service. Security and staff everywhere was nice and efficient. The museum is smaller, you can visit it in about 2-3 hours. It was crowded, so we started with the 3rd floor, the top, took the old elevator up and made our way down floor by floor, room by room. It was a good decision since everyone starts with the ground level and it gets congested, we even stayed in line to visit a couple of rooms, but we weren't stressed since we have visited most of the museum by that point. It used to be Isabella Gardner's house, a philanthropist, art collector and avid traveler who built this house after her family's original place in Beacon Hill couldn't support the art she gathered and wanted to display. The house is her love letter to Italy, especially to Venice, a place she loved to visit. It is beautiful that she left the house and her art for the public, so we can enjoy the wonderful collection she gathered. She decorated and arranged the art the way she wanted and insisted to be preserved that way. Great legacy! Greateful for that! Not your typical museum since not every painting has a footnote, but everything is organized per room and art: Blue Room, Dutch Room, Veronese Room, Titian Room, etc. You will figure it out between the official map, some inscriptions and personal research if interested. I didn't do the audio guide, just wanted to enjoy the rooms, the art, the decor, the feeling. The interior courtyard is beautiful and a highlight of the visit. Breathtaking and unique! Too bad the museum was robbed in 1990 and 13 pieces of art (amongst a Vermeer and a Rembrandt) were stolen and never recovered. Just some empty frames left as a reminder of a terrible act that robs us from the art! But there's still a big, impressive collection on display with paintings by: Titian, Veronese, Botticelli, Raphael, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Degas, Sargent among many classic painters. I usually don't take so many photos in museums but this is a world I wanted to preserve somehow. The museum is more than a museum, it's a world in itself that you need to enter and absorb. A memorable experience and a wish that came true for me! read more

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Ok I still need to watch the documentary but I visited anyways...twice actually...once during the daytime and once at night!!! Such a vast collection of what seems to be a mosh mash of everything and anything in between. It's so hard to fathom this was someone's home. The courtyard is gorgeous and looks insane at night. Went most recently for first Thursdays where it is free after 3pm and they stay open til 9pm. Sometimes they have live musicians, photographers and a variety of activations going on. If you've never been highly recommend checking it out! read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Gorgeous courtyard at night @veefoodlife - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Such a beautiful museum! I love how different it is from other art museums. You don't need go be an art snob to be able to appreciate what you see here. We stopped by this past weekend and really enjoyed it. The staff is very informative and willing to tell you more about the museum which is nice. My friends and I went here last weekend and we loved it, it was my first time getting to see the nasturtiums! You can easily spend 2-3 hours at this museum and feel like you got to see everything. My biggest recommendation would be to buy your tickets online and in advance, we had an early slot but when we got there we saw signs that walk ups weren't being sold that day! That also being said, definitely expect a crowd on a weekend. The staff did a good job of managing the crowd in the small spaces, just know you might have to wait in some lines. read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is such a gorgeous museum with an impressive collection! I got my tickets online the morning I planned to visit, and I'm glad I did because when I arrived in the afternoon, the line was very long. The courtyard is gorgeous, with plenty of visitors taking photos. This was my favorite part of the museum, a gorgeous garden that was very calming to admire and spend time at. Isabella Stewart's collection of art and furniture with different maximalist rooms were wonderful to visit. One could spend a whole day here! A must-visit when in Boston. Also, free admission for anyone named Isabella--it was a contender for a name my parents were considering when I was born. read more

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Full disclosure - this one was not my choice; my top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality really wanted to come here to start off our Boston adventures, and I was basically just around for the ride. I'm not a huge museum person unless it's the Museum of Natural History and there's an accompanying Jurassic Park exhibit, but as museums go, this one was pretty spiffy with a lot to look at. My chum bought tickets for a 1:30-3:30ish window yesterday afternoon (a Saturday). The main entrance is very modern and where the main amenities are located (gift shop, restrooms, lockers, etc.). We utilized the locker area for my cumbersome Canada Goose, which became a literal and metaphorical burden the minute we walked into the heated space. Just a reminder to the rest of society - ye olde buildings rarely have the benefit of ventilation, so plan accordingly. Without the lockers, this could have been a dire situation involving heat stroke. I intentionally didn't do any research or pregaming on this, which had its pros and cons. I didn't know, for instance, that this wasn't just a Victorian house to walk through in 30 minutes but a hardcore insane Gilded Age Mansion, or that the whole building is just coated in all kinds of art. It's a lot to take in, and as someone who very much doesn't get art (I usually cite Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup cans as a favorite since I can understand that it's a depiction of a Campbell's Soup can) it was pretty wild and arguably overstimulating. It's just giant room after giant room coated head to toe in paintings, tapestries, sculptures, you name it. Arguably the biggest selling point is the courtyard, which was teeming with Gen Zers salivating at the prospect of a selfie using the garden as a background. Not only is it an eyeful from ground level, but you get better views of it from each of the other two floors, and from all four sides. Legit stunning. In terms of the actual rooms within the mansion/museum, I think my favorite was the Tapestry Room, which was a huge, long room that looked like the interior of one of the castles in Game of Thrones, with a dash of an American Legion Hall thrown in for good measure. The main drawback for me is the crowds - our time slot sold out, which means they have a limit on how many people can be in there at one time, but it should really be culled by 20% or so. It's hard to appreciate everything you're looking at when you have other visitors either lingering in front of the art you want to inspect more closely, or you have someone almost literally breathing down your neck. It takes away from the experience, which is a shame. In the same vein, as mentioned before, the air circulation isn't great, so the crowds make the environment literally more oppressive. Something for them to consider but in the meantime, try to avoid going on the weekend if you can and/or on one of the first really nice days of Spring - truly a gift and a curse. The one mild silver lining to the crowds was the pleasant surprise of seeing how many younger people were on the premises - museums apparently are not dominated by the Boomers. It was honestly mostly the Gen Zers, I suspect at least partially because of the close proximity of several colleges, but it was still nice to see the pups soaking in some culture. They're also not going to do this, but it would have been nice to see one room that was part of Isabella's real living space, just to see the contrast between that and the museum she intended for public use, but rules are rules. Cool, unique stop and worth the visit. Maybe on a Wednesday though. read more

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Beautiful pieces of history, the garden is tranquil. Definitely makes me feel connected to history and Isabella's love for art. read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - The history of Jesus' life in sculpture. - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Had a recent three-day trip to Boston, and this was my favorite attraction. Ms. Gardner had a singular vision for her treasures from a lifetime of collecting, but she didn't see fit to explain that vision, so it's open for the visitor to contemplate and interpret. There are lots of pieces here, but they are in a relatively small space so there aren't miles of corridors with dozens of rooms to navigate. Each exhibit room is packed to the gills, so it can overwhelm the eye, but that's part of the fun. All of the exhibit rooms are on three floors set around a gorgeous courtyard. Since Ms. Gardner's estate forbade any changes to the placement of objects, empty frames represent the spaces where items stolen in a 1990 heist used to hang. The entrance is a modern addition to the original mansion where the art is displayed. It has some rotating exhibits and educational spaces. Also of note, the museum cafe is miles better than most similar establishments and well worth checking out for lunch during your visit. read more

To be honest, not my favorite as far as museums go mostly because all of the color schemes/decor were very busy and vibrant - I think I prefer a cleaner, more minimalist style. But I enjoyed the experience overall, especially the courtyard garden- that was definitely the star of the show for me. For $22/person, fair pricing, and you can easily spend a couple hours in here. In a great walkable part of town. There is a nice gift shop and an onsite cafe - the options looked tasty but expensive. There was also an ice cream truck outside. Non-flash photography is allowed. The lines for some of the rooms were quite long. They also checked our baggage for us, as we were on our way to the airport, so that was great. @azfitfoodfun read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Absolutely love this museum. It's one of my favorites in the country. This was my second time going and it was just as beautiful as I remembered it. Isabella has a great collection of art and the courtyard I could sit all day by. 10/10 recommend! read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Beautiful place to visit and absolutely worth it. We visited in the summer but I think spring and fall would be lovely and hopefully not as packed. A number of different spaces and interesting pieces. It's also a great place for pictures. If you're in the area add it to your visit! read more

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Fun museum to walk-through. $22 for admission. It's cool to know that she built the entire place as well as collecting all the art inside. I think it's a fun tour to listen to while you walk through. Understanding her love for collection and what she wrote in her will to maintain this place is really fascinating to see. Seeing empty frames from the big heist was also really fun to see and learn the history. It almost makes it more famous. read more

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If you are reading this in December 2025. I highly recommend visiting the Alan Rohan Crite Exhibit. Its one of the rare depictions of Black Boston pre the Civil rights era. Criteria was a working class Bostonian that was an artist in his free time. He visited museum as a child. His mother even met Isabella! Please visit before mid January 2026. read more

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A museum/ mansion housing the private art collections of Isabella Stewart Gardner and her husband, Jack. This beautiful mansion has three floors of exhibition spaces. The fourth floor served as the private residence of Isabella Gardner. A glass roofed courtyard is located in the middle of the mansion. The courtyard is beautifully landscaped and houses some fine art pieces. Architecturally, the four walls of the courtyard were beautifully designed. Interestingly, the placement of each individual art piece does not follow typical museum protocol. Mixing of nation of origin, time period, medium, and style are common in each gallery. Each piece has no written narrative with the title of the work, the artist, the date, and a description on display. What is the artist projecting? This is very frustrating to casual viewers. But for viewers from the art world, it is a fun intellectual and emotional challenge. Nothing is more emotional enlighting than how each person interpret each piece without any influence from the title, description, and artist's name on a display card. We really enjoyed our visit to this museum. We loved that Isabella Stewart Gardner follow her own path in creating this museum. read more

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I had never heard of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, but found it on a top attractions list on TripAdvisor and was so glad that I did! The art museum was housed in an old estate with a beautiful atrium filled with flowers. The 3 floors of works surrounding the garden are packed with interesting decor, skilled paintings, letters to Mrs. Gardner from various high profile connections, and other interesting items. The museum was only a 5 minute walk from the Museum of Fine Arts, so we decided to see both of them. I would definitely say that the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum would be worth a visit! read more

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One of the more unique museums I've been to. A home a museum. Rooms. Treasures. Artifacts. Stories. Flowers. Plants. Atrium. Beauty everywhere. And a cafe. And a art heist! It's a nice place to visit for an afternoon. read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Atrium - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I think I would prefer an Isabella Rossellini's Gardener Museum. (I was going to add "they'd really rake it in" but saw my wife's head shake in disapproval). I feel too uncouth giving three stars, so I will give it a four stars and admit freely that it is a little dull and overcrowded. The angel on my shoulder says the museum is beautifully curated, showcasing an incredible array of world-class art in truly breathtaking displays and that is amazing to think that a single person managed to amass and organize such an extraordinary collection--paintings, sculptures, furniture, tapestries, photographs, letters, and more--all within one lifetime. The devil on the other shoulder says it felt *a little* like a Grey Gardens estate sale on Black Friday, without the raccoons and garbage. I went on a sold out day and some of the tiny rooms on the ground floor had long lines with a bouncer. I felt like I was trying to get into Drai's. But instead of the Dust Brothers inside, there's just dust. I think it would have been less dull if they had facsimiles of the stolen work from its infamous art heist near the empty frames. Or, if they had a movie about Isabella Stewart Gardner herself in a separate room, of even one of the largest rooms, which was bigger than our house. Or maybe air hockey. For me, the huge building, a Venetian-style palazzo, and the lush courtyard garden were the main attraction, like visiting a tiny wing of Hearst Castle or a less haunted Winchester House. We spent 1:45 there. Bonus for having free lockers, nice workers, and the opportunity to draw and share the things you saw along the way. The highlights being the 7 x 11 "El Jaleo" featuring a flamenco dancer in mid-performance, famous for its contrast and movement, Rembrandt's self-portrait of some dude, and learning from some random dude who heard me scoffing at the ugly babies that they were intentionally painted to look like little adults to show their wisdom. For fun, see if you can find the only cat in the museum. I took a photo of it. I wouldn't have minded it being so tiring had I not been surrounded by beautiful comfortable chairs in each room you weren't allowed to sit on. read more

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Whether you're a lover of art, architecture, or gorgeous gardens, this somewhat hidden gem is a must visit if you're in the Boston area. A stunning building holds an impressive array of art and artifacts from the namesakes private collection. Floor to ceiling (sometimes even including the floor and ceiling) art and accents make your visit more like a treasure hunt, with something new to take in with every glance. The center courtyard boast an impressive array of botanical specimens that change throughout the year, but quite possibly the most impressive are the hanging nasturtiums that make their appearance in late March/early April. Don't let that deter you from visiting any other time of the year however, as the whole experience is one to be thoroughly enjoyed anytime! read more

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Even before opening hour a line had formed so definitely purchase tickets beforehand. I didn't know much about Isabella Stewart Gardner prior to this visit, but she was a very interesting lady that navigated life through the arts, books, dance and travel. This museum pays homage to her collection and offers a glimpse into her life and travels. The entrance is the modern side with a cafe and rotating current exhibits. Across the atrium resides the original museum that had opened to the public in 1903. It has a beautiful courtyard and multiple levels of paintings, furniture and collectibles. There are surprises around every corner and the gothic revival architecture is gorgeous. It does get very busy so try to go very early or later in the day. read more

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Amazing museum, but the staff/docents are so crazy and seriously need to get on the same page. My little brother was stopped three times by different docents stating that the way he was carrying his backpack was incorrect! He was corrected three times by three different people with the third person saying that the first person was not correct to let him carry the backpack into the museum and that it should have been coat checked! You need to buy a ticket to eat there or to use the bathroom! Its a chill museum, but really depends if you like non modern art! read more

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Beautiful museum in the heart of the city. Visited on a weekday and it was very busy. I suggest going early morning to avoid crowds. read more

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My favorite museum so far in Boston! The collection of art in varied, interesting, and mysterious. The center garden/courtyard is beautifully maintained and perfect for photos. Cafe serves light, simple fresh food. read more

Our book club made the trip to Boston to see this amazing space that was so carefully curated by the amazing and insightful Isabella Stewart Gardner over her years as a member of Boston high society. What she accomplished and how simply amazing her refined taste and vision were for this gift to Boston is evident before you even step foot in the door. There are three levels, with items from paintings and art work, to textiles and lighting - too much to list. I recommend a few things before going - read the book The Lioness of Boston by Emily Franklin to get a better understanding of what she was able to accomplish in the completion of this vision. Also, Netflix has a documentary of the unsolved art theft of many of her prized possessions. There is a somewhat pricy gift shop and an amazing cafe for lunch. PS. FOR SOME COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ENTRANCE FEE - check with your local library and get a pass to enter for $5.00!!! read more

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A must see museum in Boston. An intimate and moving experience. We could easily spent a few days culling through each packed room and the central courtyard is just stunning. I would be remiss not to mention the cafe. Just a museum eatery you say?! It was some of the best food we ate on our week-long visit to Boston. Just eat anything off their menu and you can't go wrong I'm sure! read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Dark chocolate pudding with blueberries and granola - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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" Culture is everything " What a great time we had at this museum. We purchased a yearly membership again . We enjoyed our visits so much . We definitely will be coming many times over . Neat fact if your name is Isabella you get in for free for life . Please check their websites to claim this , and any interesting facts to follow . Btw , the mystery of the stolen artwork the " biggest art heist in history " has still not been solved . The documentary about this is on Netflix. Plus on the website of the Isabella Gardner museum. read more

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This is a very special place. It's not your average museum. Instead of feeling like you're walking through empty rooms with pieces hung up, it feels like you're walking through a home where the art lives. The famous courtyard is absolutely beautiful as well. I always thought it was outdoors when I saw photographs of it, however it's actually enclosed completely. The glass ceilings bring so much natural light in, and makes it feel so serene. They offer free audio tours to do on your phone, however we sort of just wandered around and used the map given to us as a guide. We did see some of the stolen artwork as well since they left the frames up where the pieces were taken from. There wasn't any indication of where they were on the map, so I had to look online to see what rooms they were in. Perhaps they don't want to draw attention to them, but it is a big part of the museums history so I wanted to see them. Overall great experience and I recommend this place when you're visiting Boston! read more

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l the last time I came to visit was 25 years ago. Everything's pretty much the same and it was just nice to see all these beautiful things and the new building with the special exhibition of Manet! It seemed very special this time around because I realize how beautiful art could be since it looks different every time you visit the same pieces. What made us really come here was First Night which was a free visit. Loved every moment. read more

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The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is hands down my favorite museum in the city, and I am baffled I never wrote a review before this!! I first came to the museum many years ago, alone, just on a whim, and learned about Isabella and the art heist that occurred here in the 90s from one of the guards. It was a quiet day, and he was super nice and friendly, it was great to learn so much on my first day here. I was hooked to the museum and have come back often. The museum is eclectic, for sure, but it's so unique, and every time you go, there is something new to see each time. There are multiple floors, and the gardens in the middle are gorgeous to see at all times of the year with the different blooms. I suggest planning to spend a few hours here, as it is worth seeing everything, but giving yourself the time to properly see everything. Parking - there is some on-street parking, but there are also a couple of garages nearby that are much easier to get in and out of and very walkable to the museum. If you want to learn about the art heist, there is a documentary about it, but the museum also has a gift shop with books about it, which I recommend. If you're looking for a unique place in the city to visit, you can't go wrong with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum! read more

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Visited here from Chicago and it was absolutely breathtaking. Loved every level of the museum and it makes you feel you're in Europe. The garden was so beautiful and every floor told a story. You can take pictures at every corner and levels where the doors were open. They do offer military discount as well. If you get the chance to visit Boston this is one to put on your list. Really loved how it's open to the public and perfect for any occasion or just a visit. read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Some of the smaller, private, not-the-main art museums are lovely and are favorites of mine. Examples include the Phillips Collection in DC, the Frye Museum in Seattle, the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, the Broad in LA, etc, etc. Well, the Gardner is not one of them, at least for the kind of art I live (post-1850). There's a few early 20th century pieces, but it's mostly from the era that featured saintly men and women with gold halos around their heads. But even if you are a fan of early European art, there's some things you need to know. With very few exceptions, there are no labels on any art works! You're told you can look them up on line. Duh. Well, if I wanted an on-line experience, I wouldn't bother physically coming to your museum, would I?? The galleries themselves, well, to be honest, they seem unkempt. Lots of construction that seems to have been started years ago, and then just roped off. A lot of the galleries are hung salon-style. You may not know what this means. Back in the 1880s or 1890s, it was trendy to hang pictures on the wall 5 or 6 high. Binoculars would be needed for the ones way above the top of your head. Then there is the cafe. I was there at 2 pm, in the middle of the week, not on a weekend. Had to wait 45 minutes to get a table. And it was totally not worth it. Small menu; well that may be expected. But no beef, no fish, no seafood. Veggie or chicken is all. Spam, spam, spam, spam or more spam??? (Monty Python). Finally, there's the really bizarre tropical villa motif. The building is about 50% a very large central courtyard/garden, which dominates everything else. I guess Ms. Gardner mistakenly thought her mansion was in Havana, or Puerto Rico, or.... But this is Boston, in actual fact. Oops, she forgot. I'm a big fan of art museums...but the museum has to offer something to draw me in. I don't plan on coming back. Now, in fairness, if you fancy mostly European art from about 1300 to 1700, I would think you would be more impressed. But still you have to remember, this is a small museum. Even if what you fancy is exactly the same things as what Ms. Gardner was fond of, still there's not much there. I'm trying to think of something positive. It's a central Boston location, that is a plus. Also, they have a "living room," which is a waiting room right after the entrance which has a lot of comfortable chairs. You can wait there for your cafe table. Though I would say you shouldn't have to wait 45 minutes for some boring food with almost no protein choices. read more

Had an incredible time at the museum this evening. It was my first time here and it was wonderful. I had no idea what I was going to experience but it was great. I enjoyed the free audio tour for the tour. That was made well and super informative. It was peaceful and serene in the courtyard. I came by myself and I enjoyed walking around at my own pace. I enjoyed the seating areas where I can just sit and look at the view and study the art. I did come alone and wanted a photo. I asked a worker and he very rudely stated loudly, "We are not allowed" he said it loud and wouldn't even look at me. It was a very odd experience, he could have just said sorry no quietly. I get it though, I bet many people ask and it gets annoying. I took a selfie and went on my way. read more

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Courtyard - Art Museums Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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