Boston-Area Museums to Check Out

In an area already rich with the history surrounding the birth of the U.S., Boston also features a wide variety of museums and galleries highlighting art, history, architecture, science, and more. Check out this brief list of just a few of the Boston area’s finest museums to find an educational and inspirational day trip destination just beyond your apartment’s front door:

Museum of Fine Arts

Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, or MFA, is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world; it is home to nearly 450,000 works of art. Easily accessible via public transportation, the MFA contains a variety of permanent collections that include both ancient and modern art, jewelry, and coins. The MFA is currently hosting a number of special limited-time exhibits in addition to its many permanent galleries. “Magna Carta: Cornerstone of Liberty” features not only a rare copy of England’s Magna Carta, but also the Sons of Liberty Bowl and early drafts of the Declaration of Independence. “Gold and the Gods: Jewels of Ancient Nubia” highlights more than 100 pieces from the MFA’s famous collection of Nubian jewelry, which dates as far back as 1700 BC. “Over There! Posters from World War I” places 50 American and European World War I-era posters on display, highlighting the use of poster propaganda during this era.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

The Harvard Museum of Natural History, located near the well-known Harvard Yard, is home to a variety of exhibits, lectures, classes, family programs, and other special events. Some of the museum’s newest exhibits include “Sea Creatures in Glass,” featuring glass models of sea and terrestrial animals, and “Thoreau’s Maine Woods,” a photographic exhibition highlighting the natural beauty of Maine as part of the 150th anniversary celebration of the publication of Henry David Thoreau’s “The Maine Woods.” Other popular exhibits include Evolution, the Earth & Planetary Sciences Gallery, the Great Mammal Hall, and the Zoological Galleries.

Museum of Science

Scientific innovation and exploration is at the heart of every exhibit you’ll find at the Boston Museum of Science, located on the Charles River between the Longfellow and Zakim Bunker Hill Bridges. Also home to an IMAX theater and planetarium, the Museum of Science includes fossil collections, a butterfly garden, a live animal care center, and a staggering number of engaging and interactive exhibits for young and old alike. Current special exhibits include “2theXtreme: MathAlive!” and “GROSSOLOGY: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body,” both interactive experiences designed to inspire curiosity and spark scientific interest.

Waterworks Museum

The Waterworks Museum provides a fusion of history and engineering with exhibits that explore Boston’s water system and architectural history. Once the site of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and pumping station, today the Waterworks Museum hosts exhibits explaining how fresh water has been brought into the city of Boston to sustain its growth through the years. As you make your way among the exhibits, you’ll have the chance to explore the machinery and technology responsible for the city’s water supply and sanitation systems. In addition to featuring science and technology, the Waterworks Museum’s exhibits also highlight subjects such as public health, agriculture and landscapes, and social history.

When you choose Alta At The Estate, you’ll enjoy luxury apartment living just around the corner from some of the United States’ best museums and galleries. Located just nine miles from Boston in Watertown, MA, our apartment community offers a tranquil home with easy access to the big city. Visit us on the web for more details about our one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments!