Three best museums? (Boston, Lowell, New Bedford: appointed, house, theater)

[Arcane]

I'm coming into Boston for a couple days and want to check out a few museums. There seems to be a lot but I can probably do 2 or 3.

I'm thinking the museums on the city pass seem good enough ($44.00):
Museum of Fine Arts $17
Museum of Science $20
Harvard Museum of Natural History $7

+New England Aquarium $20
+Skywalk $12

Are there any better?

Also, is the Musuem of Fine Arts to Fenway Park walkable?

[goyguy]

Add the Gardner Museum to the short list, it's fantastic! Experiencing art is one thing, experiencing it in a 1904 Italian-villa replica mansion is another thing entirely.
It's a short n' easy walk from either the MFA or Gardner to Fenway Park, one look at the map and you'll know this is true.
You should ask yourself whether it's really worth twelve bucks to look at a skyline from about 60 stories up. Also, the MFA may still be offering free admission on certain days. For a while this was in effect on Mondays at times and on Wednesdays at other times.

[Cart24]

Originally Posted by Arcane

I'm coming into Boston for a couple days and want to check out a few museums. There seems to be a lot but I can probably do 2 or 3.

I'm thinking the museums on the city pass seem good enough ($44.00):
Museum of Fine Arts $17
Museum of Science $20
Harvard Museum of Natural History $7

+New England Aquarium $20
+Skywalk $12

Are there any better?

Also, is the Musuem of Fine Arts to Fenway Park walkable?

Those are all great museums, the MFA and MOS being two of my favorite. I would also add into the mix the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art in the Seaport. Check out the websites to see if it would be something you are interested in.

As far as the skywalk is concerned, I agree with Goyguy that it might not be worth it to look at the skyline, especially since Boston is best highlighted from Street level. If you want to check out the skyline though I would recommend grabbing a cocktail at the Top of the Hub one night, the view is the same and it is a nice experience.

[Beachcomber4]

MOS and MFA are my top picks and as others have said, Isabelle Stuart Gardner Museum is a must. The art collection is only rivaled by the beautiful architecture of the building and interesting stories about the eccentricities of Ms. Gardner and her requirements for the continuing operation of the museum upon her death.

[teachertype]

Fogg Art Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner
Busch-Reisinger for the northern Renn collection

The MFA goes without saying but takes time to experience, years actually. The others above can be a pleasant day trip.

[xS☺B☺s]

I rather dislike the MOS. IMO, it has nothing interesting at all and half the stuff is broken.

The MFA is a world class museum, a must.

Isabella Stewart is my second fave in BOS.

Then I'd go to the skywalk if it's already paid for.

I went to the Harvard museums about 15 years ago - completely forgot what was in there and only remembered it was small and forgettable.

Never been to ICA but heard it was ok.

Just my Opin.

[Beachcomber4]

The Harvard Museum of Natural History is known for their collection of blown glass flowers. If you've been to the Museum of Natural History in NY, the other displays are a definate let down.

I do like HMoNH for some of their special events- to the OP you might want to check into what is going on there. I took my children to a Dias del los Muertes celebration and Mayan exhibit held at the museum before a trip to Mexico a number of years ago. It was definately a great way to introduce them to the Mexican culture and geography and gain some knowledge of Mayan history before our trip. Very hands on and interactive.

[HeyWoHowie]

I really liked the ICA and it's way more casual and relaxed then the Isabella Stewart. It was like every time I blinked I was doing something wrong there -- I never knew who was going to come up next and say something. And I agree about the Musuem of Science. It seems totally outdated and a lot was broken.

[DreamworksSKG]

I would suggest the
Harvard Museum of Natural History - you could combine with a walk around Harvard yard-harvard square and the Fogg Art mUseum
maybe even the MIT museum too.

Home*-*Harvard Museum of Natural History
Harvard Art Museum / Welcome
MIT Museum

There's also a tour of FENWAY Park which is pretty cool.
Fenway Park Tours | redsox.com: Ballpark

Neaq (New England Aquarium of course)
New England Aquarium Home

Museum of Science
Museum of Science, Boston | Home
Definitely see the lightning show, the live animal show, and a omni theater/planetarium show

MFA - Museum of Fine arts
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Home

there's also the John F Kennedy Museum in Dorchester
Home - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

Isabella Stewart Gardner museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

If you can make it to salem
there's the PEM Peabody Essex Museum
there's a shuttle boat ferry to Salem from Boston
PEM | Peabody Essex Museum
I also enjoyed the new england pirate museum
Salem, MA: Witch Dungeon Museum - Witch History - Pirate Museum

SALEM FERRY
The Salem Ferry - High-speed catamaran connecting Salem and Boston

If you can make it down to Plymouth
I'd recommend Plymouth Rock
The mayflower ship
and the Plymouth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth MA
As well as a stroll around Myles Standish State Forest
or a bike ride
Myles Standish State Forest
In Plymouth there's also the Pilgrim Hall museum
Pilgrim Hall Museum Homepage

if you can make it to Lexington and Concord there's
the Louisa May Alcott house (Orchard Hosue) and museum
Orchard House - Home of the Alcotts in Concord
There's the Concord Museum
Concord Museum
In Acton there's the children - discovery museum if you have children
The Discovery Museums
Concord also has the Old North Bridge
and Walden Pond
there's the Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington and the Lexington Green/Minuteman Statue
Home
In Lincoln MA - near Concord/Lexintgon is the Decordova Sculpture park and museum
Exhibitions - Sculpture Park - Museum Store - Museum School - The Decordova Museum


Also in Boston the Children's museum can't be beat if you have kids. they love the Milk Bottle outside (Giant Milk Bottle)

In Boston there's also the
USS Constitution ship and Museum
and you can take a stop on the Cassin Young Battlehship as well at the Navy Yard
Old Ironsides: USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown, Massachusetts
A suggestion would be to take the "T" Shuttle boat for $1.70 from Long Wharf By the Aquarium to Charlestown Navy Yard, and do that there. You could walk the freedom trail back or you could take the shuttle boat back
also go up in the Bunker hIll monument while you're there

Also outside of Boston

there's the Museum of Printing in North Andover
The Museum of Printing, North Andover, Mass.
You could do this on the way up to Lowell if you decicde to visit lowell
In Lowell there's the
Museum of Quilting:
New England Quilt Museum-Showplace for Antique and Contemporary Quilts
Revolving Museum - Lowell
Revolving Museum | Lowell, MA
American Textile History Museum - Lowell
American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts
Middlesex Canal Museum - Billerica
Middlesex Canal Museum and Visitors Center
Lowell National Historic Park
Empty CommonSpot Site
National Street Car Museum of Lowell
Welcome to the National Streetcar Museum at Lowell
Welcome to the Seashore Trolley Museum - Kennebunkport, ME



In Natick there's the
Museum of World War II
west of Boston
Museum of World War II, Natick, Massachusetts, main page

In Harvard Mass there's the Fruitlands Museum
Discover Heritage, Nature and Art | fruitlands.org

If you go climb up Blue HIll for the View in Milton there's
a trailside museum and nature center at the trailhead
in Milton
Blue Hills | Mass Audubon | Nature Connection
Great skyline view at the top too

South of Town in New Bedford is
the New England Whaling Museum
a good day trip would be the Whaling Museum
and then on the way back stop at Wrentham shopping outlets and patriot place..---in foxboro
New Bedford Whaling Museum - Whale History Education Research Humpback Whale Blue Whale

Boston African American history museum
on the black heritage trail through Beacon Hill
Museum of African American History Boston - Welcome

On Congress St in Boston is the
Boston Fire Museum as well
Boston Fire Museum - Welcome!

You'll also want to visit the Mapparium
at the mary baker eddy library
(a walk in globe)
its pretty cool
The Mary Baker Eddy Library

If you're here on a thursday
the ICA art museum (you can access by walking the harbor walk from the Aquarium) to South Boston
is free from 5pm-9pm on Thursdays
ICA Home | Hours & Admission
(you can also access via silver line) but is more fun to just walk the harbor walk
Great views of the Boston skyline from the harbor too
and Logan AIrport

Castle Island and City point in South boston is pretty cool too
(this could be combined with a stop at Murphy's Law Tavern )(in the movie the Departed) and "L" st. Tavern (Good Will Hunting) also in South Boston
Castle Island, Boston Harbor
There's an old fort you can explore, a fishing pier, great sunsets, harbor views, and a nice 3 mile walk around a lagoon.
Busses from Copley Square run many times a day to City Point
(you can return to Boston on the Bus from "P") St.
Rye Reflections: Castle Island in South Boston becomes a walkers' paradise
Definitely stop for lunch at Sullivans and an (get a hot dog and ice cream)
Lead Us Not into Temptation: First Trip to City Point in 2009 (http://votingcatholicin2008.blogspot.com/2009/07/first-trip-to-city-point-in-2009.html - broken link)

City Point area of South Boston pictures from massachusetts photos on webshots

Hope this helps plan your trip!

[Arcane]

Cool. I appreciate the suggestions and will take a look at all of them. I'm disappointed to hear the MoS might have issues.