Museum of Fine Arts, Boston — Attraction in Boston

We visited on a Thursday morning in mid-June 2025. It was actually Juneteenth and the special FREE admission holiday or so we thought. Apparently it's NOT FREE for everyone but only to MA residents and students etc. This was not made super clear on their website. As you had to click through multiple screen to read the fine print that said it wasn't for all. We arrived maybe 45 mins before it opened and we easily got spots in the park lots on the side of the building. Unfortunately our minivan was too tall for the garages because of our cargo rack on top. We walked to the right towards the front of the building not realizing that the light had wrapped around the building the OTHER direction and basically at the back of the building on the other side. So we walked all the way around the entire building basically and it's a HUGE building.

We waited in line for almost an hour even after they had opened the doors. The line moved steadily but parts of it were in full sun. To our surprise when we finally got inside that we had to pay $119 to get 2 adults and 3 children in along with the Van Gogh special exhibit. We were so stunned that we didn't even think to ask about other memberships that would be cheaper. The lady just looked at us and said sorry it's for MA residents only. We had already waited over an hour in line outside in the hot sun and we weren't just going to leave... The annoying part is we had other friends and family join us in the museum later in the day and they got in for free. They said the person at the front desk was like "Are you MA residents? because it's free today if so." and kind of nodded suggestively and they just nodded back and they walked right in. Very annoyed.

The museum itself was amazing! It was ginormous. We stayed for just over 4 hrs and it still wasn't enough time. We did pay the extra to get into the Van Gogh special exhibit as well. So be prepared. We had our youngest ADHD kid with us and so we didn't stay to long in any one area and still didn't have enough time. There was art in here for everyone and even my youngest never really got bored because there were just so many things to see.

There was the large New American Cafe right in the middle of a large windowed atrium area which we were planning to try and get a table and eat but the prices were quite high and we just spent $119 we weren't planning to. So we decided to find the standard cafeteria instead with more reasonable pricing. There is the snack kiosk that's right outside the large museum gift shop in the back but it wasn't really "lunch" and the prices were high for what you were getting.

There is a small giftshop at the front of the museum near the entrance but the main giftshop is actually in the back. It was probably 4 times larger. There is also a small giftshop where the special Van Gogh exhibit was but the merch there was a little more tailored to the exhibit itself.

Overall other than the hiccup with the entrance fee on a "FREE" day, we had a great time. We would 100% come back, maybe not on a FREE day since we paid full price and were bombarded with large crowds. There is so much to see in here it would take days to really see it all. Especially if you wanted to read everything. It's probably tied for our favorite Art Museum next to the Cleveland Museum of Art with it's super high tech museum exhibits and their app. We've visited almost 2 dozen art museums in the last few...

It’s a beautiful museum, perfect to spend a hot Boston day indoors! The paintings, sculptures, rooms, pieces of art, are all wonderful and well curated. The museum could work a bit more on their directions but this issue is there with all large museums. The staff were extremely helpful! They have a nice app too if you want to learn more about the exhibitions. The Van Gogh exhibition currently going on was amazing and a must see. It gives a very different perspective on the style of the artist. They also had the letters exchanged between Van Gogh brothers and Roulin family on display which was an interesting insight into the artist’s stage of mind. There was a separate gift shop as well. You could also send fun digital Van Gogh themed postcards to your loved ones! They had made small 3D moulds of some of Van Gogh’s paintings that you could touch and experience. The museum also had a free vintage style photo booth which was fun! You could email yourself the digital copies too. They have little things for kids to enjoy as well like colouring pencils and sketch pads but in general not recommended. The place is huge and the kids will get tired pretty quickly looking at one impressionist to the other. The main gift shop had something for everyone. There are multiple cafes to enjoy from. They have a huge restaurant inside as well if you want to have a proper sit down meal. The restrooms were clean, and water fountains were available too. They have a beautiful garden as well but it was super hot that day do we didn’t get a chance to venture outside. The tickets are $27 per person, and $34 if you want to checkout the special exhibitions (timed entry), but we visited on Juneteenth so...

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) is a world-class cultural treasure that’s a must-visit for art lovers and history buffs alike! As the fifth-largest art museum in the U.S., it houses over 450,000 works across 100+ galleries, drawing nearly 1.2 million visitors annually. The collection spans ancient Egyptian mummies, mesmerizing Asian art (including Japanese and Chinese masterpieces), and an exceptional Impressionist section featuring Paul Cézanne, Monet, and Van Gogh. The early American art, with reconstructions of colonial homes and paintings of the independence era, ties beautifully to Boston’s history. Highlights include Botticelli’s Renaissance works and Roman statues, alongside contemporary exhibits that keep the museum dynamic. The layout can feel expansive, so grab a map at the visitor desk to navigate the four floors. The Bravo restaurant offers artfully prepared dishes, from casual bites to fine dining, while the café and garden courtyard provide cozy spots to relax. Free admission on Wednesdays after 4 p.m. (suggested donation) and community days like Indigenous Peoples’ Day make it accessible. The staff is knowledgeable and welcoming, though the 2019 incident involving school groups was a misstep the museum addressed with retraining and inclusivity efforts. Located in the vibrant Fenway area near the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden, it’s easily accessible via the Green Line (Museum of Fine Arts stop). Plan for 3-4 hours to explore, though you could spend a day here. With gift shops, audio guides, and rotating exhibits like the Van Gogh showcase, the MFA is an inspiring experience that leaves you eager to...