The Mary Baker Eddy Library is a public educational museum dedicated to Mary Baker Eddy's life and achievements. It offers such exhibits as The Hall Of Ideas, a Mapparium and the Quest Gallery. It also features Impressions On Paper.
The world-famous and utterly majestic First Church of Christ, Scientist was built in 1894 by the original Christian Science congregation (led then by the denomination's founder, Mary Baker Eddy) and expanded in 1910. Its stunningly beautiful chapel incorporates Byzantine and Roman architectural elements and houses the 8th largest pipe organ in the United States (with more than 13,000 individual pipes). Guided tours are available five days a week. A tour lasts about 25 minutes and is free.
The Otis House was built in 1796 for Harrison Gray Otis, who would go on to become congressman from Massachusetts, mayor of Boston and one of the wealthiest Bostonians of the time. A U.S. National Historic Landmark, the house is now a museum, having been restored with careful attention to historical accuracy by the Historic New England organization. Museum visitors learn about the Otis family, life in Boston at the time and the history of the house from its beginning to today. Tours start every half hour and last approximately 45 minutes.
Boston's Museum of Fine Arts is a world-class museum that is a favorite among tourists and locals of all ages. Visiting exhibitions range from Picasso's early works to runway fashion in the early '80s. The MFA also showcases varied permanent collections and is home to more than 450,000 pieces spanning continents and centuries.
Best and worst time to go to the MFA
The best time to visit tends to be when it first opens each day. Busiest times include holidays, school vacation weeks, and when especially popular exhibitions are featured. Generally, weekdays are less crowded than weekends, and permanent galleries are always less crowded than visiting exhibitions.
Must see/do at the MFA
Visitors should always consider whatever temporary exhibitions are on display, but the permanent collections offer well more than a day's worth of viewing pleasure. Be sure to find the giant portrait of George Washington as well as some of Paul Revere's silver in the America's Wing. Kids especially will love the Egyptian room with its sarcaphagi and mummies. And definitely check out Monet's "Water Lilies", Renoir's "Dance at Bougival", Winslow Homer's "The Fog Warning", and John Singer Sargent's "The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit". And don't forget the huge gift shop for souvenirs from kids' toys to framed wall art.
Admission to the MFA
The MFA is open seven days a week and is free to members. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday offer extended evening hours. Admission is $25 per adult and $23 per student or senior. Children aged seven to seventeen are $10 during school hours and free weekdays after 3 p.m., weekends, and school holidays. Children aged six and under are always free.
Parking and public transportation to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
There are several parking options including a garage, two lots, and valet parking; these fill up quickly, so get there early. Many streets around the museum offer metered spots, but these can be hard to find. Avoid parking worries entirely by taking the T (subway or bus). Take the Green Line E train to the Museum of Fine Arts stop or the Orange Line to the Ruggles stop, or take the 39 bus to the Museum of Fine Arts stop or the 8, 47, or CT2 buses to Ruggles.
Food at the MFA
The MFA offers four dining choices at differing price points. The priciest is Bravo, but the food is well worth the higher price tag; this spot has been voted a Boston best for brunch and also has a patio in warmer weather. The New American Cafe is a great choice for fresh cuisine at a lower price. On a budget, try Taste Cafe and Wine Bar for wine, coffee, and lighter fare or the popular Garden Cafeteria, which is the best option for families.
Other places to visit near the MFA
For more art, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is just a short walk away and is home to one of the world's most famous unsolved art heists. It's also only about a ten minute walk to Boston's most famous landmark, Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox. From there, walk and shop down Newbury Street, Boston's Fifth Avenue.
Insider tip for visitors to the MFA
If you are driving, your best bet is to go on a Sunday and park on a nearby street; go early while there are still plenty of spots, and meters are free on Sundays. Also, the museum hosts everything from wine tastings to dance festivals, so check out mfa.org to see all that's going on.
Author's bio: Deborah Jarvis is a freelance writer who grew up and currently lives in the Greater Boston Area. She never pahks her cah in Hahvahd Yahd and tries not to drive like she's from Boston if she can help it.
The Prescott House, which was the home of the American historian William Hickling Prescott from 1845 to 1859, is now a National Historic Landmark managed by the the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Furniture, porcelain and period clothing are on display in the elegant rooms of the house, and guided tours are available on a walk-in basis. The house also functions as a venue for catered events, such as weddings.
First opened in 1772, King's Chapel is a historic church on Tremont Street in Beacon Hill. The Chapel is occupied by an independent Unitarian congregation offering worship, music, religious education and social-outreach programs. King's Chapel is a part of Boston's Freedom Trail and is open for guided tours.
Boston's Museum of Science is a favorite museum among locals for its varied, relevant, and highly interactive exhibits. There is truly something for everyone; the MoS does not feel like your typical stand-around-and-stare-at-stuff museum. In addition to the museum's ever-changing and always exciting visiting exhibits, there are many permanent exhibits; plan for anywhere from two to five hours to explore the museum. Plus, you have to see an Omni film. And play in the massive gift shop. Maybe just plan to come back again and see what you didn't get to see the first time; there's always more.
Best and worst time to go to the Museum of Science
Because the museum is especially fun for kids and has so many interactive exhibits, it will be crowded when kids are out of school. If possible, go on a weekday, and avoid school vacation weeks when possible. If you must go during a vacation week, go later on in the week. Try to get there when the museum first opens at 9 a.m. or stay until after the kids are all in bed. The museum is open until 9 p.m. on Friday nights, making for a sweet albeit geeky date night.
Must see/do at the Museum of Science
See a movie at the Mugar Omni Theater. You'll get the most out of this immersive, domed screen experience if you choose a film featuring something underwater or adrenalin-inducing.
The Hayden Planetarium is also very popular as it is one of the most technologically advanced in the country, plus it offers psychadelic laser shows for a more chill evening.
The Lightning! demonstration is one of the museum's oldest and still best shows. The world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator will definitely spark your interest. Get to an early showing, as this popular demo fills up.
Admission to the Museum of Science
You'll pay just over twenty bucks to get in to the museum and only save a few for seniors and children (though kids under three are free). The Omni Theater, Planetarium, 4-D Theater, and Butterfly Garden each cost about another five dollars as an add-on to your museum entry. Each of these special tickets costs about ten dollars if purchased independently.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Museum of Science
Parking at the museum's garage is the most convenient option, though a little pricey. The garage does fill up on weekends and school vacation days; once again, get there early to find a spot and beat the museum crowds. You can also park a half a mile away at the Cambridgeside Galleria garage to save a few bucks (the shorter your museum stay, the more significant the savings, or take the T and save even more. Take the Green Line's E train to Science Park Station and then cross the Charles River over the bridge. Further details and directions from other T stops are available on the museum's website.
Food at the Museum of Science
The Riverview Cafe offers some yummy choices with a splendid view of Boston over the Charles River, but you'll pay a premium. There are a variety of other options including but not limited to burritos, a salad bar, and Starbucks, but if you're on a budget, pack a lunch and save your money for the awesome stuff at the gift shop.
Insider tip for visitors to the Museum of Science
It's certainly easy to spend hours aimlessly wandering around the museum, but you can also plan your day ahead of time to make sure you get to see the things you didn't even know you wanted to see. The museum lists daily schedules on the website including live animal demonstrations, drop-in activities and challenges, and theater showtimes. Get tickets online ahead of time for the Omni movie or Planetarium show you really want to see and plan your day accordingly while also spending less time on line at the museum buying tickets.
For Boston visitors or locals playing tourist, save money and time by purchasing a Boston CityPass or Go Boston Card, and search for discount codes for these online. For Boston area locals, check with your town library, as many offer free or discounted day passes.
Friday nights, you can also venture to the roof of the parking garage to visit the Gililand Observatory for free and see the stars with the guidance of a an astronomy expert. Weather permitting, March through November; check the website or call for more details and to see if you'll be the only one there or not.
Author's bio: Deborah Jarvis is a freelance writer who grew up and currently lives in the Greater Boston Area. She never pahks her cah in Hahvahd Yahd and tries not to drive like she's from Boston if she can help it. She still remembers spending an overnight in the museum with her Girl Scout Troop and getting a yellow t-shirt with a T-Rex on it. It was her favorite shirt until her parents went to Paris and got her a new, tres chic Eiffel Tower shirt.
If you're interested in exploring the rich history of Boston's West End neighborhood, visit the West End Museum located just a short walk from the Haymarket and North Station T stops. Founded in 2003, the museum is dedicated to documenting the history of the West End of Boston especially the immigrant era which dates approximately from 1880 to the redevelopment of the area by the government's urban renewal project in 1958. Step inside and the passionate staff will happily guide you through a tour of fascinating personal photographs, objects and documented oral histories. While there is no official gift shop, t-shirts are available for purchase, along with copies of the book "The Last Tenement: Confronting Community and Urban Renewal in Boston's West End." Admission to the museum is free for all.
