The Museum of Fine Arts (often abbreviated as MFA Boston or MFA) is an art museum in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the 20th-largest art museum in the world, measured by public gallery area. It contains 8,161 paintings and more than 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas. With more than 1.2 million visitors a year, it is the 52nd–most visited art museum in the world as of 2019.
Founded in 1870 in Copley Square, the museum moved to its current Fenway location in 1909. It is affiliated with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts.
Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
Thursday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
Friday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Ronald Bisnett | Feb 8, 2018
I used to only go during Open House events, but in late 2017 I finally decided to become a proper member so I can visit anytime I want. I have a special fondness for the Impressionists section and the adjacent Monet Gallery is a must see. Not to mention the works of Copley and John Singer Sargent in the Art of the Americas wing. There's a quiet place to sit and enjoy the art. For dining, I only do the Garden Cafeteria, but it's especially good for families as it always has enough variety to ensure you'll find something you like and at a reasonable price. Even living here in Boston, there's nothing like spending a few hours exploring the MFA.
Noah Hoppe | Feb 19, 2018
The exhibition was very interesting. I really enjoyed how the artist took his inspiration from ancient Japanese art. Since my son and daughter have shown interest in art this was a great exhibit to bring them to. Never a dull moment as the kids spend all the time taking pictures and selfie to use as part of their drawing inspiration back at home. If you are thinking of going, don’t think any more just get there...
Kevin Glynn | Dec 24, 2017
Depending on who you are and what you like, this could be really awesome time. Great collections of new and old, as well as some awesome installments in common areas. Our favorites include the Monet collection along with other impressionists; the Picasso and Pollock room and other modern artists like O'Keeffe, Done, etc; and the ancient Greek and Egyptian artifacts. The Japanese garden is also awesome, weather permitting. Membership is very enticing here, but I haven't taken the plunge, yet, so I can't speak to it.
Alfredo Esparza | Mar 2, 2018
Free on Wednesdays! Plenty to look at and all my pictures are of sites within Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Be prepared to see great pieces of art and well taken care of. You may also bump into famous people as we did bumping into Brad Pitt (funny but true story). Great place for Adults, children and college students. The museum had activities for kids. You also see college students doing research. Others drawing and talking notes.
Manny Steiner | Mar 4, 2018
One of the most outstanding museums I have visited in my life, and I have been to many. The collections are deep and diverse. The early New England art and artifacts are great on their own. This museum requires two days to be properly and thoroughly visited.
Selene Ardens | Mar 17, 2018
I love this place! It is much bigger than it seems and you will need more than one day to see it all. It's awe inspiring. There is so much diversity there is something for everyone for sure! I've never been one of art museums but this one has so much history, it should be noted in the name. Beautiful facility. Great date spot. A must see for Boston visitors.
SEW Savvy | Apr 9, 2018
Loved exploring the exhibits although it was incredibly easy to get lost. I could have spent a couple days here and still have more to see. I wish There were more places to sit in the exhibits, as I like to journal and/or write poetry when inspired. I cannot wait to return. Parking around the museum is easy enough especially if you have the parking mobile app.
Noel Byrne | Apr 13, 2018
A large and well laid out gallery, containing a great breadth of art from around the world, including historic artifacts and works by some of the masters. If you want to explore fully, you'll need a lot of time, so best to arrive early. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum also has space dedicated to visiting exhibitions, so it's also worth checking what is currently on display.
Earl Lipphardt | Apr 1, 2018
Very, very huge. Terrific exhibits spanning the ancient world through modern times. Lots of restaurant spaces. Gift shops were sparse. DO NOT valet park if you don't have to. It takes forever to get your car (we had to remind them about ours). Parking is plentiful in the back if you arrive early.
Kashif-ul Huda | Jun 3, 2018
Fantastic collection from different parts of the world. All artworks are nicely curated so you learn how to appreciate arts or how to look at it. Very family friendly, there is a cart near the cafeteria where you can pick up activities for kids so they establish a connection with art early on. Cafeteria is a bit expensive but hey you are supporting an important institution. If you are a Bank of America customer then MFA is free the first full weekend of the month. Well connected with the public transportation. Enjoy
Shirley DeBono | May 14, 2018
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is such a fabulous place to visit! My family and I spent a fabulous afternoon wandering among the various galleries. Our favorites were the Art of the Americas and the Egyptian galleries. The portraits from the Revolutionary War were spectacular as many family members are fans of the era. We marveled at the Egyptian exhibits with the sarcophagi and hieroglyphics and wished we could translate all of the markings. I always enjoy the European masters, especially John Singer Sergeant. The family was very impressed with the quality as well as the quantity of art available for viewing. We were also glad to discover that teachers in the Boston school system may attend free of charge, so that will certainly encourage many more visits.
Krista Gottschlich | May 15, 2018
A great museum, plenty of space to move around in and seating when you need a break. There are a few different dining options from cafeteria to fancy looking restaurant. I've often been with kids that weren't excited to go but ended up loving it. The ancient Egypt/Rome/Greece sections always seem to be a favorite. They're mine, too! Kiddos are free during school hours and voluntary admission/donation for everyone on Wednesday nights. * Accessibility: Outside ramp, inside elevators.
Sebastian Mot | May 22, 2018
I absolutely love this spot. I like to come walk around to take study breaks or just when I need to get away for a little while. If you are a student here at one of the bigger universities you can probably get in for free. I have lived here for a few years and every time I go back I still feel like there's more to see. You could wander around for hours. The courtyard is really great for sitting out when the weather is nice and they do some really awesome events sometimes. Highly highly recommend.
Sergio Abondano | May 31, 2018
Great museum with a great design. The layout can be a little bit tricky at first but once you go through the map it gets easier. They have 'Open House' days on which the entrance is free so be prepared as it will be packed. Otherwise the entrance fee is $25 and it covers all the additional exhibits. Plenty of parking options: parking lots toward Fenway or Huntington, street parking and a garage. The lots and garage have the same fees, so your choice might depend if the lots are full or not. The art selection is superb and diverse. It's large but not huge, so you can probably tour the museum in a single day stopping here and there for some details, but I would recommend at least two days if you are really interested.
NoFate247 | Jul 14, 2018
Massive Art Museum, simply a labyrinth. Clean, well organized, and some very special pieces. Also, they have seasonal/temp. exhibits that keep you coming back. Tips, street parking is much much cheaper than the garage if you can find it (earlier the better). Also, pick up coupons at your local library for discounted rates. Can also use City Pass or Go Boston to help reduce the cost. I typically spend 2-3 hours there, and I've been there a number of times before.
eyanna brice | Jun 15, 2018
Best Museum in Boston, with diverse international collections there is something for everyone. This museum is historic. They offer fun events for families, singles, and avid art lovers. They also friendly and knowledgeable staff. This museum in on par with the Metropolitan and the Guggenheim!! You can not see everything in one day but it's worth a try. Note: the parking can be a bit of a challenge so I recommend taking public transit if possible.
James Eddy | Jul 10, 2018
One of the best museums in the city. It is a great time with tons of exhibits to see during your visit. The cafe and restaurant are pretty good for looking for a quick meal. The MFA is always doing special events that involve the community and allow visitors to experience some of the art that happening locally. It is a good place to visit if you are vacationing or new to the city.
Allan LEONARD | Jul 4, 2018
It had been too long since my last visit, over a decade ago. Bowled over by the extensive expansion and offering. Initially put off by the $25 admission fee (I couldn't wait until 4pm for the complimentary entrance). But the impressive range and quality of fine and contemporary artwork on display assuaged that. I did become disoriented, and the complimentary map didn't help. Perhaps the larger building and/or my failing memory were to blame. But there are stewards throughout to assist you. The temporary Mega Cities Asia exhibition is high quality, as is the #TechStyle (which explores the weave between fashion and technology). I expected a greater impact from the exhibition, Visiting Masterpieces: Pairing Picasso -- it was informative, but wished it was more grand. For me, this revisit was personal, as my first visit here 30 years ago left indelible marks. Those responsible for the expansion are to be commended, as the superlative quality has been retained. I left with new, positive memories formed.
Becky Barstein | Aug 11, 2018
Always great for a visit AND the MFA has been doing a lot of events like summer movies on the lawn (what this picture is). Would highly recommend this event, especially since it’s free! I would get there around an hour and half before the movie starts with a blanket so you can get a good spot. Lots of food and live music on the lawn before the movie starts.
Derek Harde | Aug 3, 2018
First off, this museum is very large. Whether that's a pro or a con, I'll leave up to the visitor. We spent about four hours there and only got through the visiting Casanova exhibit, some of the antiquities, and the exhibit on American colonial life. My suggestion would be to pick a couple things you must see, go to them first, and then wander. The museum can be difficult to navigate, partially due to size but also because connecting sections are/were closed. That caused some frustration at closing time, as we got lost trying to find the exit and the staff that were herding visitors out were a bit brusque about it. The exhibits we saw were well displayed and seemingly maintained, though even with the large gallery rooms it got crowded at the more popular ones. Many of the non-painting exhibits are not in a case, so I would caution parents bringing children to keep an eye out for wandering hands/feet. Some rooms have many display pillars out on the floor so - lacking much experience myself - I would be a bit nervous bringing a wheelchair/crutches in. Overall though, a very nice museum with a lot to see. I plan to go back at some point to visit the wings I missed.
Christy McQuillan | Jul 26, 2018
Definitely will take several hours to feel like you have seen a good portion of the museum. You will not be able to see it all in one day. On the day we went, the ticket was good for a return visit within 10 days. I'm not sure if tickets are always good for return. The restaurant was great.
Brendan Kinnell | Jul 16, 2018
To be fair, my rating is from only one visit to what seemed to be only a fraction of what the museum had to offer. I am excited to return again soon since the shows that I saw were interestingly curated in an overall beautiful space. I appreciated how nearly every work had a detailed description of the artist’s perspective or intent or how the piece was important to the exhibition. The entry fee is a bit steep, but I believe you can revisit within 10 days of your ticket purchase. Perhaps better value if you can plan two outings there on your visit to Boston!
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