Established in the 1870s, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is one of the largest and finest art museums in the United States. This museum's collection is impressive and showcases the work of such masters as Monet and John Singer Sargent. The museum also has outstanding collections of Impressionist art, early American art and artifacts, and Asian and Egyptian art. This place regularly hosts lectures, musical performances and films. End your visit with a refreshing coffee or a meal at one of the cafes and restaurants situated inside the museum.
Boston Common is one of America's oldest park in the heart of Boston, offering recreation opportunities and a glimpse into history through numerous monuments from the past. Designated as a public space in the 1640s, British soldiers later camped here during the Revolutionary War. Part of the Freedom Trail, the park adjoins the Massachusetts State House and Beacon Hill. A favorite spot is the Frog Pond, which doubles as an ice skating rink. The park is the beginning of the Emerald Necklace, a seven-mile (12-kilometer) string of local parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a popular landscape architect.
President John F. Kennedy's memory is sacred in the minds of many Americans. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum, a glass pavilion designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, is dedicated to his memory. Visitors are transported back to the darkest days of the Cold War. A short film recounts JFK's deeds in his own words while the authentic photos and exhibits evoke the brief period in White House history that nostalgic Americans refer to as "the days of Camelot".
An integral artery of downtown Boston, Freedom Trail is a winding path coursing through some of the most significant landmarks of the country. Dotted along the trail's course is a troupe of sites which have been the brewing grounds for iconic events like the Boston Tea Party and Paul Revere's Midnight Ride. Upheld by the Boston National Historic Park and the Freedom Trail Commission, it is dotted by a tracery of churches, graveyards and buildings commanding monumental significance. Some of the important sites studded on the trail are the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, Old South Meeting House, USS Constitution, Copp's Hill Burial Ground and Paul Revere's House. The trail often commences from Boston Common, meandering up to the Bunker Hill Monument. Voyaging proudly through the city's expanse, the Freedom Trail tells stirring tales of the country's glorious past.
At the beginning of the 20th Century, heiress and philanthropist Isabella Stewart Gardner built a home modeled after a 15th-century Venetian palace. Gardner was a great patroness of famous artists such as James Whistler and John Singer Sargent. She also acquired European masterpieces, and her palace is now a museum filled with works by Titian, Matisse, Rembrandt, and Raphael. The courtyard of the museum is a lush oasis filled with beautiful plants and flowers.
Boston Children's Museum is one of the oldest children's museums in the country, and it is a great place to both entertain and educate children. Interactive exhibits introduce the curious minds to a wide array of topics, including art, culture, science and technology. Displays such as the science playground, hall of toys, play space, weaving and climbing sculpture are exceptional in their ability to teach children about their environment and the world they live in. This fascinating museum is beloved by all children who visit it.
This nautical buff's heaven at MIT has two large rooms filled with photos and memorabilia. The history of modern boat design and building, especially relating to New England and to MIT's naval architecture department, is the focus of the museum's collection. Exhibits concerning modern propulsion and underwater exploration are featured as well. The display of ship models is the focal point of the museum. Admission to the museum is free.
Muslims in the city converge here on important Islamic festivals like Eid-Ul-Adha, months like Ramadan, and every Friday afternoon for the special weekly prayer. Sermons are given and congregations are led by a learned Muslim scholar who also offers guidance on Islamic matters. One can also search for a Muslim priest to conduct marriage ceremonies here.
Established in 1976, the Photographic Resource Center (PRC) is located on the campus of the Boston University. Described as a one-stop shop for photography lovers, this center offers everything ranging from thematic exhibitions, workshops, lectures and discussions. Latest trends in contemporary photography are faithfully tracked and then disseminated through education programs. Resources for enthusiasts include a library with over 4000 volumes so check website for more details.
The Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) explores three centuries of fascinating medical discovery though interactive exhibits and showcases. The museum is named after a contemporary physician considered a pioneer of transplant surgery. The decision to name the museum for a current innovator is indicative of the project's goal - to inspire the public regarding the future of modern medicine. However, the museum does not fail to provide visitors with a comprehensive look at medicine's past. An operating chair from 1854 gives viewers a taste of the rudimentary nature of early medical procedure, while surgical tools and apothecary kits complete with ether from the 19th Century shows the evolution of a more humane approach to patient care.
Originally called the Charlestown Navy Yard, located in Boston, it is one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the United States Navy. Established in 1801, it stopped being on active service in 1974 and was transferred to the Boston National Historic Park. It houses a World War II era destroyer serving as museum ship. It currently also is in service to support the USS Constitution. The shipyard serves to provide interpretation to the art and history of naval shipbuilding.
Located on Margin Street, US Post Office-Salem Main was built in 1932. Inspired by the Colonial Revival style of architecture it also features motifs inspired by the Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles. Designed by architects Hadley Smith and Robert Walker, the beautiful structure was added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 1986.