Boston boasts a stunning selection of world-class museums that cover art, history, sports, technology, medicine and beyond. Many of these top-notch institutions are free to visit – and often family friendly!
Some museums also offer discounted admission days. Be sure to inquire with each museum whether they provide these discounts.
The Commonwealth Museum
Boston offers an exciting range of museums for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re seeking a history lesson, cultural encounter, or simply taking your family on an exciting journey – there are plenty of free attractions in Boston for everyone to enjoy.
The Commonwealth Museum, situated on Columbia Point in Boston’s city center, provides an insightful look into Massachusetts’ fascinating history. Here they showcase it through cutting-edge interactive exhibits that bring it all to life.
They offer educational programs that teach students about the Constitution and other key documents such as the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. Furthermore, the museum features several interactive exhibits where kids can explore their rights through video games, mock trials, and more!
Another free museum in Boston is the Waterworks Museum. Here, you’ll be able to explore exhibits about Boston’s historic water system and admire various fascinating machines that kept it running. A fascinating place for visitors, this free museum offers plenty of entertainment as well.
One of the great things about Boston is all of its free museums. Check out this list of the top free museums in Boston to get some ideas for where you should visit!
The Boston Fire Museum
Boston offers an abundance of museums to discover – from Egyptian mummies and Red Sox memorabilia to contemporary art. No matter if you’re after an educational experience or simply a break from the crowds, Boston has a museum for everyone.
The Boston Fire Museum, housed in a historic granite, brick, and red tile Romanesque-style building on Congress Street in Boston, features exhibits about firefighting. Highlights include an antique hand-operated pumper from 1793; steam pumpers from 1882; and ladder trucks dating back to 1860.
It’s a small museum, but worth visiting if you’re curious about firefighting history in the city. Plus, it’s free and open to the public!
Massachusetts residents (ID required) can get free admission to this attraction on Sunday mornings from 9am-12 noon and Wednesdays 3pm-5pm from September through May. Furthermore, K-12 teachers and active duty military personnel receive discounted rates certain days of the year.
The Boston Fire Museum is not only an excellent resource to learn about firefighting in the city, but it’s also a fun destination for families with children. It features more than 20 permanent interactive exhibits designed to inspire children to engage with their environment.
The Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library is one of America’s largest libraries, boasting 23.7 million media items. You’ll find everything from books to DVDs at this renowned institution.
Copley Square’s main Central Library is an architectural marvel and home to an amazing collection of art treasures. But that’s not all – the building also contains hidden gems like a lovely Tea Room, map Room, kids corners and much more.
This building boasts a marble foyer, dual grand staircases, and the stunning Bates Reading Room on the second floor. Furthermore, John Singer Sargent’s paintings adorn the third-floor gallery which was commissioned between 1890 and 1919 for this space.
Another great reason to visit the McKim Building is its extensive collection of non-circulating research materials. These stacks are invaluable assets for scholars and researchers around the world.
The Johnson Building may not have as impressive an art collection as its neighboring McKim Building, but it does boast a light and airy vibe. Constructed in late modernist style (which may have inspired postmodernist architecture), it serves as headquarters to 28 branch libraries of Boston Public Library.
The Museum of Fine Arts
Boston’s iconic art museum, The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), houses one of the world’s greatest collections of artworks – from ancient Egyptian sculptures to masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet and Kahlo. With more than 450,000 objects in its collection, MFA boasts one of America’s largest holdings of American art and is always worth a visit for visitors to explore.
In 2010, the MFA opened its expansive Art of the Americas wing, featuring 49 galleries showcasing the history and culture of North, South and Central America. Here you’ll find exhibits devoted to ancient American and Native American art as well as pieces by contemporary artists like Edward Hopper.
If you’re looking to save some money on your next trip to the MFA, take a look at their Blue Star Museums program. This exclusive discount gives active-duty military, national guard and reserve personnel as well as their families free admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year.
Although a short visit to the MFA will provide plenty of activities and sights, it’s essential to be aware that not all exhibits are child-safe. If you plan on bringing young ones along for the ride, consider purchasing either a CityPASS or Go Boston Card as an added security measure.
The Museum of Science
The Museum of Science in Boston is a popular cultural destination that draws over 1.4 million visitors annually. It boasts more than 700 interactive exhibits and provides live presentations throughout the building every day.
Science Park, a plot of land spanning the Charles River between East Cambridge and Boston’s West End, houses the Museum of Science. A great destination to spend a day discovering cutting-edge science and technology, the Museum of Science is easily reached from here.
The Museum of Science is the ideal destination for kids, as they’ll have a blast learning about our world. Whether they’re interested in anatomy, dinosaurs or space exploration – there’s something here for everyone at The Museum of Science!
When planning a family trip to The Museum of Science, it’s essential to know its hours and if there are any free days available for viewing. By doing this, you can plan your itinerary effectively and maximize your experience.
Museums around Boston often offer free admission on certain days, so it’s worth checking their websites to see what offers are available. Massachusetts residents may even qualify for discounts on tickets through their local library system.
The Museum of the History of Science
The Museum of the History of Science is one of Boston’s most beloved attractions and provides visitors with a fun-filled educational experience. Situated at Science Park, it’s one of the world’s largest science museums, boasting numerous exhibits for guests to discover.
The museum’s Blue Wing, home to many educational and interactive displays for kids, boasts a variety of topics from nature to space travel with the purpose of inspiring people.
Admission to the museum is complimentary, though you can purchase tickets for some of its shows and events. Enjoy a planetarium show or an IMAX film on the five-story domed screen of this five-star attraction!
You can rent a locker during your visit to the museum to store your belongings. Doing so helps you avoid bringing unnecessary bags inside the museum.
Established in 1830, the Museum of Science is the largest science museum in America with 700 exhibits. It serves as a leading center for education and research with an aim to motivate children through science. The permanent and temporary displays showcase scientific discoveries like dinosaurs, fossils, computers, the universe, and human bodies.
The Museum of the Moving Image
The Museum of the Moving Image, situated in what used to be Paramount Pictures’ Astoria studios, offers an engaging destination for those fascinated by film and television history. MoMI not only examines the art and technique involved in these mediums but also educates visitors on their impact on contemporary culture today.
The museum boasts an engaging core exhibition, an exciting lineup of contemporary and classic films, and a remarkable collection of artifacts. Additionally, it provides educational programs for learners of all ages as well as pioneering online projects.
On Friday evenings, admission to the museum is FREE for kids under 3 years old and always free on Saturday mornings. Our core exhibition Behind the Screen showcases how movies and TV shows are made, offering visitors stations where they can create short animations or experiment with sound effects.
Visitors to the Jim Henson exhibition can admire historic puppets and costumes donated by Henson’s family. Other artifacts include character sketches, scripts, and storyboards.
The museum also houses a working movie theater that recreates the ornate picture palaces of the 1920s. Classic films are screened regularly throughout the day.
