The 6 Best Museums in Boston

A one-of-a-kind museum set in a Venetian-style palazzo built around a stunning glass-roofed courtyard garden, packed with the collector's European masterworks. It's also famous for the unsolved 1990 heist, whose empty frames still hang. Rooms are dimly lit to protect the art and there are few labels, which some find frustrating.

Technically in Salem (45 minutes by commuter rail), this is one of the most underrated art and culture museums in New England, with a world-class collection of maritime art, Asian export art, and a fully reconstructed Chinese house. The building itself is a masterpiece of museum architecture. The commute is easy and absolutely worth it — Salem's historic downtown makes for a full day trip. Closed Tuesdays.

Three world-class collections — Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Arthur M. Sackler — unified under a stunning Renzo Piano building. The visible art storage and conservation labs are genuinely rare public access points. Highlights include the German Expressionist collection and an exceptional Impressionist wing. Crowds are manageable compared to the MFA, but parking in Harvard Square is a real headache.

A striking Diller Scofidio + Renfro building cantilevered over Boston Harbor, housing some of the most exciting contemporary art programming in New England. The permanent collection is strong in video and new media art, and the harbor views from the Founders Gallery are spectacular. Free on Thursday evenings, which is the savvy local's time to visit. Shows can be hit-or-miss depending on the rotation.

A genuinely excellent children's museum on the Fort Point waterfront with immersive, hands-on exhibits covering construction, science, culture, and the arts. The three-story climbing structure and Japanese House are perennial favorites. It's one of the oldest children's museums in the country and the quality shows. Best visited on weekday mornings to avoid the weekend chaos.

A beloved Boston institution straddling the Charles River dam with hundreds of hands-on exhibits spanning natural history, physics, engineering, and space. The Van de Graaff generator lightning show is a must-see classic. The Omni Theater and planetarium add real value. Pricing is steep and it gets very crowded on weekends with school groups.