Take any art encyclopedia, bring those books to life, and you have Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Boasting more than 1 million objects in its world-class collection, Boston's oldest art institution offers such diverse pieces as Egyptian mummies, Paul Revere silver, Chinese temple art, textiles, costumes, musical instruments, and photographs.
The John Singer Sargent murals in the original 1909 building are just the beginning. More than 5,500 years of art history are represented here, including contemporary works. The museum ranks No. 2 in the world in its collection of works by Monet (surpassed only by Paris), and its collections of Old Kingdom and Nubian art is surpassed only by Cairo Museum. Classical art, colonial portraiture, 19th-century European painting, and abstract expressionism all can be found at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
The museum's temporary exhibits, housed in the West Wing, typically draw the biggest crowds, but MFA has plenty in its permanent collection to occupy visitors. In addition, the museum features daily lectures, monthly cocktail parties, a top-notch film series, and summertime concerts. A Tenshin-En Japanese garden complements the extensive Asian galleries.
Location
The museum is located in the Fenway at 465 Huntington Avenue (Avenue
of the Arts), one mile west of Copley Square. Finding adequate parking space
can be difficult during peak times and special events, so use of public transportation
is encouraged.
Hours of operation
Museum hours are 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m., Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m.–9:45
p.m., Wednesday through Friday; and 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
On Thursday and Friday, only the West Wing is open after 5 p.m.
The museum remains open on most Monday holidays. It is closed on New Year's Day, Patriots Day (the third Monday in April), Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Admission
Admission fees include access to all open galleries, free guided tours and gallery talks, and a free pass for one additional visit within 30 days.
Adults
$15.00
Senior citizens
$13.00
College students
$13.00
Children ages 7-17
$ 6.50 on school days 'til 3 p.m.
Children (ages 6 and younger)
Free
Admission to the museum is by voluntary contribution each
Wednesday, 4–9:45 p.m. Admission is free for museum members every day, and
for children ages 7-17 on school days after 3 p.m. and on non-school days.
This attraction participates in the CityPass discount program, which provides access to six popular Boston attractions for $30.25 (adults) and $18.50 (children, ages 3-17). CityPass booklets can be purchased at participating attraction locations or at the CityPass Web site
Contact information
Call (617) 267-9300 for general information and scheduled events. For details on concerts, lectures, films, and other public programs, call (617) 369-3300. The TTY/TDD number is (617) 267-9703.
Disabled access
The museum is disabled accessible.
Wheelchairs are available in the West Wing lobby on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking spaces for disabled visitors are in the paid lot on Museum Road and in the museum's paid-parking garage, across the street from the West Wing entrance.
Listening aids for gallery programs or seminars are available, but you must call at least two weeks in advance for a reservation.
Additional information
Museum amenities include an ATM, a diaper-changing area, a nursing room, pay phones, elevators, and a free coat room. Restaurants and gift shops also are part of the museum.
A traditional elegant tea-accompanied by area musicianon-is served on Fridays from October through mid-April, 2:30-4 p.m., in the Ladies Committee Tea Gallery. Cost is $20 per person, in addition to general admission.
The admission fee is reduced up to $2 during West Wing-only hours (after 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday).
Printed visitor guides with floor plans are available at both entrances. Guides are printed in English, Spanish, French, , German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.
Introductory tours of the museum's collections are presented in Spanish on the first Wednesday of each month, and in Russian on the second Wednesday of each month.
Please note
Cost, hours of operation, or other information about this attraction is subject to change without notice. We suggest you confirm with the attraction prior to your visit.
