Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Hours:
25 Evans Way, Boston MA 02115

Tips

Hours

Monday
11AM - 5PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
11AM - 5PM
Thursday
11AM - 9PM
Friday
11AM - 5PM
Saturday
10AM - 5PM
Sunday
10AM - 5PM

About Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is a unique and iconic destination that offers a special experience unlike any other museum. Designed after a 15th-century Venetian palazzo, the museum was created by Isabella Stewart Gardner, a passionate art collector who opened it to the public in 1903. Visitors can explore stunning European art, religious works, and beautiful artifacts, all curated in a personal and eccentric style that reflects Gardner's vision. The breathtaking courtyard garden is a highlight, featuring Roman mosaics, classical statues, and vibrant greenery, creating a serene atmosphere that transports guests to another world. Surrounding the courtyard, various rooms are filled with masterpieces by renowned artists like Titian, Rembrandt, and Botticelli, all displayed in a manner that encourages exploration. The museum provides friendly and knowledgeable docents, as well as audio guides that enhance the visit. With an in-house cafe offering a delicious menu and ample seating, it’s a perfect place to relax. Although some paintings may be missing, this adds to the mystique of the museum. It is recommended to buy tickets in advance, as the museum can get busy, even on weekdays. Overall, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a treasure of New England, inviting families and art lovers to spend hours immersed in beauty and inspiration.

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Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Degas, where art thou? That's a question the staff has been asking at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum since 1990, when thieves made off with 13 of the museum's most valuable pieces, worth an estimated half a billion dollars. Rather than sulk, however, museum officials left empty frames on display both to educate visitors and to serve as hopeful placeholders awaiting the artworks' eventual return. Meanwhile, you can visit the museum's lovely courtyard and vast collection of historic and contemporary art at Fenway Court, built to resemble a Venetian palazzo and packed with paintings, sculpture, furniture, and textiles gathered by Gardner, an avid art collector and philanthropist, during her lifetime. Pro tip: Wear a Red Sox hat or shirt to get a $2 discount on admission-as stipulated by Gardner after her beloved Sox won the 1912 World Series (also, you get in free if your name is Isabella).

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