Admission is $13 for Adults, $6 for children (4-17), and free for children 3 and under. At Old Sturbridge Village, youll go back to rural New England in the early 19th century as you walk through a village built to resemble a town from the 1830s, at the end of the American Revolution. This museum-within-a-museum pays tribute to "The World's Most Experienced Airline.". The trials took place in 1692 and 1693 and resulted in 20 people being executed for witchcraft. One philanthropist's extensive collection of knick-knacks and curiosities is now a public museum of oddity. How to get there: Take the Red Line to South Station or the Silver Line to Courthouse station. Massachusetts is a lit-lover's paradise. Here are 12 places to celebrate writers or the places that inspired them. This Boston medical museum features the skull of the famous medical case of Phineas Gage. Our Favorite Unique Museums in Massachusetts As a digitizing company forged on the importance of preserving bits of family history, we appreciate the work that museums do. Massachusetts is a lit-lover's paradise. . Bodega This upscale streetwear store is hidden behind a fake Snapple machine in the back of a deli. A history that intertwines the American Revolution with the seeds of abolition in the North. All Rights Reserved. The Old Time Wooden Nickel Company is a unique museum that showcases vintage world war I lithographs and wooden nickels. Dr. Sidney Farber and "Jimmy" Statue. Dedicated to the art of animation, special effects and claymation this small museum in western Massachusetts specifically outlines the history of this cinematic industry in the Berkshires. The house was built around 1680, and Revere owned it from 1770 to 1800. The Museum of Science offers more than 500 exhibits that tie back to STEM educationthat is, science, technology, engineering, and math. Find the best Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation. Hungry visitors can eat at several restaurants located inside the museum. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 659 Art Museums This is a placeholder "If you enjoy art this would be an interesting museum to visit. AniMagic Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), one of Americas first childrens museums, Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, These are the best and worst times to drive over Fourth of July weekend. Think youre not a museum person? Captain Edward Penniman House, wants to go to Massachusetts Lawrence Business Categories Museums. All Rights Reserved. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Collecting some of the areas lesser developed artisan work, this museum located in Somerville Theaters basement, has been showcasing subjectively bad art for over 25 years. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Here youll learn about their story and also experience a live performance. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find out more. . There's nothing like packing sandwich lunches, corralling the whole family into the car and heading out for a whole day of learning and exploration. Home Our Favorite Unique Museums in Massachusetts. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. The world's largest collection of autographed baseballs can be found at the St. Petersburg Museum of History. This old mill and former police station now present a world-class collection of Orthodox iconography. Gift Shops . Claim this business (617) 267-9300. Have you been to any of these museums? If youre traveling with kids, theres plenty for them to do here as well. Even odder than this place becoming a museum, Henry Ford himself apparently moved this schoolhouse from Sterling to Sudbury. With more than 2,000 pieces, this is world's largest collection of artwork inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper.'. As you. Find out more. 1. One of two lighted lanterns hung in the church belfry on the eve of the Revolutionary War to warn that the British were on their way. Located in the citys newly popular Fort Point neighborhood, this museum has been a Boston staple for more than 100 years. Admission to the admission hall is $29 for adults, $24 for children, and $25 for seniors. If you are interested in Cartography this is the place for you. Summer Hours (mid-June to mid-October) are daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Art Galleries History Museums Specialty Museums Art Museums Back Bay South End Downtown Fenway / Kenmore Show all Good for a Rainy Day Budget-friendly Hours: Tues., Wed., Sat., and Sun. The Most Unique Museum in Every New England State Rick Friedman/Contributor/ Getty Images. How to get there: Take the Red Line to the JFK/UMASS stop and then take the Paul Revere Route 1 shuttle bus, provided free of charge by the University of Massachusetts Boston to the Kennedy/Archives stop located at the end of the JFK Library and Museums parking lot. Follow the Freedom Trail Red Line to the Charlestown Navy Yard. Website Take me there. Collecting some of the areas lesser developed artisan work, this museum located in Somerville Theaters basement, has been showcasing subjectively bad art for over 25 years. Massachusetts native. All rights reserved. The Boston square dedicated to the dark poet who was born nearby. But here in Massachusetts, we do museums a little different. The ship is owned by the United States Navy and operated separately from the museum. 1 S Market St Boston MA 02109 (617) 267-9300. Nowhere else provides opportunities to do the latter like Massachusetts. 10 unique and quirky museums around the United States The museum offers more than 7,500 paintings, sculptures, furniture, textiles, and ceramics, 1,500 rare books, and 7,000 archival objects from around the world. All rights reserved. We have rounded up some of the lesser known, and quite unique, museums in the Commonwealth State. Every summer, hundreds of millipedes are murdered on one small Massachusetts island. But on the way out the door, don't forget to tell us which unique museum you're heading to next! Children 12 and under free. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. These museums will give you a taste of Massachusetts history and culture, whether you are learning about the Pilgrims or the Salem Witch Trials. Open year-round with hours varying by season. This museum dedicated to local history is housed in the state's oldest surviving fire station. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The Atlas Obscura Guide To Boston 113 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Boston, Massachusetts Updated May 16, 2023 How to get there: Take the Green line to the Science Park stop. The Salem Witch Museum may be the most popular in Massachusetts outside of Boston, as the stories of the Salem witch trials are featured in many books and films. Let us know in the comments! Find out more. Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ship open Wed. to Sun. Listing of Museums and Galleries Located in Massachusetts This series of landscape dioramas tell the story of New England forestry in exacting miniature detail. The fabulous Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) and the Norman Rockwell Museum chronicle American life and its artists. Watertown seems a very fitting place for this museum. 12 Best Museums in Boston, Massachusetts has been to Doorstep pickups available across New England & Tri-State Area. Discovering San Antonio's Lesser-Known Museums: Hidden Art Gems Your IP address is listed in our blacklist and blocked from completing this request. Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA): North Adams, many popular museums in the city of Boston. Admission: $20 for adults; $18 for seniors; $13 for students. Massachusetts Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Maybe you imagine walls full of art or a giant T-rex skeleton at the entrance. 12 unsung Boston-area museums worth a visit This unique Boston attraction allows you to stand inside the Earth and experience the relative proportions of the countries and oceans that cannot be truly scaled on a map. A beautiful Victorian-era cemetery, complete with a miniature village. Get more stories delivered right to your email. wants to go to 9 February 2017. Find out more. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (The Gardner). 28 Amazing Hidden Gems in Massachusetts Admission is $18 for adults and $18 for children ages 1-15. Massachusetts has a rich history, and extensive collections of cultural museums, from world renowned, to downright strange. The property is known for the giant milk bottle structure outside. View. This hidden gem is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio and is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, art, or culture. A major "peculiar' attraction in the area is the miniature concrete home of Ralph Martin, a wagon-driver, who met his maker in the Great Molasses Disaster - Boston's most unusual. This slim 19th-century home, just 10 feet wide, is seeking new owners who arent afraid to get close. A beautiful Victorian-era cemetery, complete with a miniature village. Walk east on Causeway Street toward the Zakim Bridge/North End. And pack those sandwiches;You can't go wrong with a good PB&J. Native American communities worry construction could destroy graves and other links to a millennia-old history, including a 17th-century genocide. The Most Unusual Museums In Boston The 8 Best Museums in Massachusetts By Kathryn Cirrone Updated on 08/30/19 There are many popular museums in the city of Boston, but what you may not know when visiting Massachusetts is that there are many other great museums throughout the state, most within driving distance from Boston. Joseph and Victor Stanzel were Texas farm boys who built a model aircraft empire. At its current location since 1909, more than one million visitors per year view works spanning from ancient Egyptian to contemporary art. There is special programming, an education studio, and an outdoor plaza where guests can relax on benches. This museum celebrates a legendary railroad photographer whose personal life was as dramatic as his photos. The Most Unusual Museums In Boston. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Open year-round Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The oldest Italian caf in Boston, this spot also serves as a veritable museum of vintage coffee ephemera. Museum of Bad Art The remainder of the year, hours are Wednesday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). The site of one of the strangest disasters in historya wave of deadly molasses traveling at 35 mph. and Sun. The North End structure is a National Historic Landmark and also a stop on the The Freedom Trail. Charting the world's most intriguing out-of-the-box cartography. 742 Unusual Museums and Collections in the United States The museum also offers special exhibitions, educational programs, and studio art classes throughout the year. Website. Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery, Salem. Founded in 1920, the Pilgrim Societys mission is to preserve the town of Plymouths history, which ultimately led to the opening of the Pilgrim Hall Museum in 1824. So go ahead. Newburyport, Massachusetts Newburyport Maritime Museum A historic custom house with ties to. This is a a collection of more than 5,000 different beer cans, along with beer can folk art and crafts, beer can clothing, beer can telephones and radios, and a beer can and breweriana related library. Bostons only free contemporary art museum first opened in 2020 at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. The story behind this beloved toynamed for Theodore Roosevelt and owned by his grandsonis more complicated than you might guess. A truly one of a kind stop in Rockport, this house is made entirely out of rolled paper, including a newspaper- mached piano. In association with the renowned engineering school, this museum houses an extensive of technologically significant artifacts, including photography, science and architecture. Pickup Services available across the Northeast.Visit one of our 40+ locations Museums in Massachusetts Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Art Galleries Specialty Museums History Museums Art Museums Back Bay South End Downtown Fenway / Kenmore Good for a Rainy Day Budget-friendly Free Entry Good for Kids 634 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters Hours: Thursdays to Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the guided tour of the dungeon - including a recreated village and Gallows Hill - as well as live shows. Admission: $15 for adults; $13 for seniors (60+); free admission for children age 18 and under. How to get there: Take the Red Line to the Harvard Square stop or take Fitchburg Line to Porter Square on the MBTA commuter rail. 10 Things To Do For $10 Or Less In Memphis, Top 20 Things To Do in Miami Beach , Florida, Guide to Halloween in St. Louis With Kids: Events and Things to Do, The 10 Best Museums in Birmingham, Alabama. This upscale streetwear store is hidden behind a fake Snapple machine in the back of a deli. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $10 for students, $8 for children (6-8), and children (5 and under) are free. Boston is full of inspiring museums where guests experience fine art, African American history, hands-on science, educational activities, historical reenactments, and more. After Gardner died in 1924, her will stipulated that nothing in the house change and so guests view the museums contents as she arranged them. The earliest-known version of the dish was a winey, briny, bready casserole. The ship is free to visit on a first-come, first-served basis. A perfect attraction to visit on a rainy day. List of museums in Massachusetts Free admission for children under age 5. Discover live music, comedy shows, art galleries, museums, and more. This small museum houses rare airplanes from aviation's golden age. Sharing the often-overlooked story of America's Black soldiers. The galleries and exhibits, which are both indoor and outdoor, range from music, sculpture, and dance, to film, painting, photography ,and more. From awful paintings of pugs to really heinous nudes, this place celebrates the inevitable artistic failures on the way to creative greatness. If you are the site owner (or you manage this site), please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details (displayed in the box below), so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue. While we do have your typical museums, we are also home to quite a few unique and sometimes a little off-the-wall museums that challenge the way we think about art, science, and what we hold dear. Courtyard of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum | BCD Photography/Flickr. Many visit the Museum of Science just for the Charles Hayden Planetarium, which is where you can see music-themed light shows or other experiences like exploring outer space. Barnum's circus, the famed General Tom Thumb and his diminutive wife Lavinia once made their home in Middleborough. and Fri. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Best Museums in Boston Worth Visiting - Thrillist Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. The exhibits are both long-term and temporary, big and small scale, and you can guarantee that youll leave having learned something while being entertained along the way. Admission: $6 for adults; $5.50 for seniors; $1 for children ages 5-17. 1. Boston Children's Museum. Among the famous figures buried here, Anne Sexton, Eugene O'Neill, and E.E. From landscapes that have moved writers to wax poetic about beans to story-inspired sculpture parks and shops stacked with volumes new and old, the Bay State would also be aptly named the Book State. More than 200 unconventional musical instruments that anyone can play. From landscapes that have moved writers to wax poetic about beans to story-inspired sculpture parks and shops stacked with volumes new and old, the Bay State would also be aptly named the Book State. Across the SouthCoast, stewards of Little Free Libraries are sharing their love of reading with their neighbors and keep these great little resources stocked with books for everyone to enjoy. Thank you! Showing All Businesses (1 - 10 of 73) List View Map View. Captain Edward Penniman House, wants to go to Since 1947, this living history museum has been providing an immersive look at life in Plymouth Colony. New Bedford's first (and only) is now open on the SouthCoast! 1 Boston is full of inspiring museums where guests experience fine art, African American history, hands-on science, educational activities, historical reenactments, and more. San Francisco, California Showgirl Magic Museum In the basement of a San Francisco performing arts center, a small museum dedicated to the history of showgirls. The museum brings the ships history alive with programs, artifacts, and interactive exhibitions. From awful paintings of pugs to really heinous nudes, this place celebrates the inevitable artistic failures on the way to creative greatness. Here are 10 of them. 14 Unique Museums in Massachusetts You May Not Know About Kari Published: September 20, 2021 Google Maps, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, New England Quilt Museum, Whydah Pirate Museum Every season is museum season here in Massachusetts. If you're looking to visit somewhere a bit different, check out these . From museums about the famous Dr. Seuss to those with an interesting history, this list truly has it all. Stay up to date with everything Boston. Admission: $18 for adults; $12 for seniors (62+); $10 for children age 13-17. Family admission (2 adults with children ages 6-18) is $30. Heritage Sites in Massachusetts l Mass Heritage Site l Museums in MA Dedicated to the art of animation, special effects and claymation this small museum in western Massachusetts specifically outlines the history of this cinematic industry in the Berkshires. Located on the second floor of The Kilburn Mill, Take2wo features 27 Insta-worthy installations and a whole lot of fun. The seasonal ICA Watershedat 256 Marginal St., added in 2018, is a 15,000-square-foot space where visitors can experience large-scale art. This museum exhibits picture book art from all over the world. From Sparta to the Mongol Empire, soldiers needed fuel for the fight. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Find out more. 4. Hours: Tues. to Sun. This guide will help you plan your next museum outing in the city by providing information about the museums, as well as the hours, cost, and best way to get there on the MBTA. Museum of Burnt Food The largest collection of historic military firearms in the United States. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. This is believed to be the schoolhouse mentioned in the nursery rhyme. Cummings are some. The museum also has items that were significant in American history events, such as Nathaniel Hawthornes writing desk and various items from the first North Pole expedition. Museum of Fine Arts, 1 S Market St, Boston, MA, Gift Shops The largest African American history and culture museum in New England, the Museum of African American History offers exhibits in two neighboring, restored buildings: The African Meeting House, a registered National Historic Landmark and the oldest Black church building in the country, and the Abiel Smith School, the oldest public school in America built for educating African American children. No purchase necessary. Inside, the museum focuses on hands-on activities, beginning with a 3-story climbing sculpture in the lobby. You've gone back in time and learned all aboutthe dark past of the Witch Trials at the Salem Witch Museum. Shopping. The thousands of shades on display some toxic, others impossibly rare are a library of more than just color. Visitors can also view Kennedys personal items such as his collections of scrimshaw and ship models and learn about Jacqueline Kennedys early life and achievements as First Lady. In association with the renowned engineering school, this museum houses an extensive of technologically significant artifacts, including photography, science and architecture. Admission: Suggested for museum is $10-$15 adults; $5-$10 children. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and veterans, $12 for students, and $8 for Children ages 6-16. The goal when it opened in 1903 was to bring the beauty of each of these acclaimed museums to Western Massachusetts, an area not previously known for the arts. Verified Only. Sounds tempting. Yes, this museum is an entire collection of carbon-full culinary catastrophes. This is where youll find a diverse collection of historical artifacts and scientific objects, ranging from an Egyptian mummy to a meteorite. Inside the Elizabethan Tudor-style home, guests can view period furnishings as well as pieces that belonged to the Revere family. A truly one of a kind stop in Rockport, this house is made entirely out of rolled paper, including a newspaper- mached piano. All rights reserved. There are so many great museums in MA, especially around the Boston area, for travelers of all interests. The North Brookfield Historical Museum is tucked away on the bottom floor of a downtown building at 197 Main St., with its front door down an alleyway. Find Related Places. The Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) specializes in collecting and exhibiting terrible art. How to get there: Take the Red Line to South Station and transfer to the Silver Line Waterfront. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat. It is small but packed with history. Snap a few pictures with the wax figures and keep an eye on your doubloons. If stamps are your thing, you'll positively wet yourself. This museum is a music lover's introduction to the iconic venue. With dozens of museums to pick from, the options can be overwhelming. This stimulating sex toy museum is sure to arouse the interest of its visitors. You can also find work from influential artists including Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol. Casey Campbell. Fast forward more than 100 years later, it's now one of the . Go behind the scenes at the Massachusetts military lab engineering the fuel of the future. The collections date back to members of the East India Marine Society bringing items from their sailing travels from Asia, Africa, Oceania, India and beyond. Admission: $29.95 for adults; $21.95 for children ages 5-12. There is also a self-guided tour that will take you to various locations in the Essex and Middlesex counties that played a role in the trials. An enormous, inside-out glass globe built in 1935. Don't worry if you leave the lasagna in too long. Learn about the nautical history of New England and the piratey past of Salem. One of the oldest used bookstores in the U.S. has been selling antiquarian treasures since 1825. Take a look at 14 of the most unique and treasured museums in Massachusetts, and let us know which one you want to visit first! This miniature museum is home to a vast array of insects. Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thu. Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor living history museum with historians dressed for the times, historic homes and trade shops and even a farm with heritage breed animals. This museum brings Massachusetts native and 35th president of the United States John F. Kennedys 1,000 days in office to life using interactive displays, original artifacts, large-screen projections, and re-mastered films. How to get there: Take the Green Line E train to the Museum of Fine Artsstop, or the Orange Line train to the Rugglesstop. Explore 73 best museums in Lawrence, MA. The oldest Italian caf in Boston, this spot also serves as a veritable museum of vintage coffee ephemera. Love Massachusetts? Washington, D.C. First Teddy. This museum in an 18th century Chatham farmhouse, houses over 15,000 charts, maps and prints. Admission: Tickets must be purchased online and reservations are required: $18 for adults and children age 1-15; free admission for children under 12 months old. Located in the Berkshires in the town of North Adams, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) has been showcasing a wide variety of contemporary art since it opened in 1999. This Massachusetts Institute of Technology science museum includes displays on robotics, so. 12 Boston museums everyone should visit at least once Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (The Gardner). Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History Just send it over to this place. That station is currently being served by MBTA shuttle buses. |. Founded in 1870, this 616,937 square-foot museum is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world with a collection of nearly 500,000 works of art. Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Closed Mondays in January, February, and March. Digitizing markers at the Massachusetts cemetery makes them more accessible. See. See. For me as a singer-songwriter, theres just something alluring about that frigid, seasonal darkness. Historical interpreters transport guests back in time to the December 16, 1773, Boston Tea Party at this interactive museum. Artists whose work has been introduced to America by the ICA include Georges Braque, Oskar Kokoschka, and Edvard Munch. Founded in 1913, the Boston Childrens Museum is one of Americas first childrens museums. Open daily, year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. How to get there: Take the Green Line E train to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston stop, or the Orange Line to the Ruggles stop. 30 Unusual Museums and Collections in Massachusetts The Peabody Essex Museum eventually went through a $194 million revamp, which opened in 2003 and is now one of the largest and fastest-growing art museums in the U.S. Open year-round from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays, except holidays, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day). Open year-round from Saturday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Guests can then climb aboard the USS Constitution, or Old Ironsides, to learn about life on the ship. THE 10 BEST Museums You'll Want to Visit in Boston (Updated 2023)