Fun Facts: The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is the United States’ fifth largest museum in with close to half a million works of art in its collection. As of 2016, the Museum of Fine Arts was one of the top-50 most visited museums in the entire world.
The museum’s roots go back to 1870, and the institution has gone under several renovations and renaissances since then. It’s best known for its collections of artworks in Dutch Golden Age paintings, French impressionist and post-impressionist art, and Egyptian artifacts — as well as other world class exhibitis.
Guide to Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
5 Things to See at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Postman Joseph Roulin
Vincent van Gogh, Postman Joseph Roulin, 1888 is one of the museum’s best known works in its collection.
Poppy Field in a Hollow near Giverny
The museum’s impressionist and post-impressionist collection is considered to be among the finest in the world.
Goddess Tawaret
The Museum of Fine Arts has one of the world’s best known collection of Egyptian artifacts, including this Goddess Tawaret, 623–595 BCE, which was discovered in Nubia in the pyramid of King Anlamani.
Seated Giant
Francisco Goya, Seated Giant, 1818
Portrait of a 62-year-old Woman
Rembrandt’s Portrait of a 62-year-old Woman, 1632 is one of just a few incredible fine art works on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Frequently Asked Questions & Logistics
Admission at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Adult Admission: $25 | Senior & Student Admission: $23 | Youth age 3-17, on weekends + after 3pm on weekdays: Free | Youth: $10
Coat Check at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Anything larger than 11” x 15” must be checked, including backpack-style child carriers and umbrellas, unless the bags contain medical equipment, nursing, or baby care items. The museum’s coat check does not accept laptops, cameras, or other valuables deemed as such by the museum. Musical instruments and fur coats, imitation or real, may be checked after signing a waiver form. The coat check services provided by the museum are free.
Contact the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Phone Number for Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: 202-633-7970
Address for Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Dining at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
There are several dining options at the Museum of Fine Arts, ranging from snacks and cafes to higher end restaurants. Read more about them here.
Hours for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Saturday-Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday-Friday: 10am-10pm
Parking at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
There are three options for parking lots near the Museum of Fine Arts: the Huntington Lot, the Fenway Lot, and the Museum Road Garage. For more details, visit the museum’s website.
Strollers at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Strollers are allowed in the galleries and exhibitions, but are subject to staff’s judgement if spaces become overcrowded.
What’s Allowed Inside in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
No outside food or drinks are permitted in the museum. Please also be aware the museum does not allow chewing gum, selfie sticks, or children in backpack carriers in the galleries.
Why We Know So Much About Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Our company, Museum Hack, leads renegade tours of the world’s best museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. We offer amazing company team building in Boston. Our guides are experts in the obscure, and collectors of amazing hidden stories about the art and museum; many of which the museum staff isn’t allowed to share.
When you come on a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston with Museum Hack, expect:
- Fun games! Tell us which artworks you’d match with an emoji. Recreate a famous painting in a tableau vivant posing contest. Create your own High School Superlatives with the portraits.
- A world of gossip. We have the saucy scandals covered.
- Subversive stories. In one museum we tour in, there’s a painting of a woman with a really fabulous, fancy, LARGE hairdo. Why? Because she was a spy for the crown who would hide secrets woven into her hair. A Vermeer painting that’s only “attributed” to the artist, as it’s authenticity is still in question!
- Hidden insights. The museum often leaves out the best, most interesting information, but we’ve got you covered.
- Zany photos. We love museum selfies! Art museums always make great backgrounds. We’ll even challenge you to use your camera to complete challenges and play games during the tour.
No matter how many times you’ve visited the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, we’ll show you the “Un-highlights” you’ve never seen or heard of before.
