Best Arts and Culture Places in Massachusetts

"The magnificent Venetian-style palazzo that houses this museum was home to ‘Mrs Jack’ Gardner herself until her death in 1924. A monument to one woman’s taste for acquiring exquisite art, the Gardner is filled with some 2500 priceless objects, primarily European, including outstanding tapestries and Italian Renaissance and 17th-century Dutch paintings. The four-story greenhouse courtyard is a tranquil oasis that alone is worth the price of admission."

"In our opinion, one of Boston's best kept secrets is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Beyond the famed robbery which stripped this museum of 9 priceless works of art, that have still not been found, it is one of the most splendid and unique museums you will ever visit. Here's a great list of other hidden gems in the city of Boston."

"A Renaissance palace imported from Italy, stuffed with precious art by its eccentric owner, and recently greatly expanded."

"The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), located on the waterfront in Boston, is undoubtedly a gem along the Harborwalk – an inviting public walkway around the Boston Harbor with its parks, public art, seating areas, restaurants and more. Perfect for contemporary art lovers, the ICA is organized in sections: one large rotating exhibition that changes every few months, a few smaller rotating displays and its permanent collection. Each exhibit aims is distinctive and is usually themed around the work of one artist or a particular topic."

"Next is a must-visit art museum in Boston, the Institute of Contemporary Art!. When it was first founded, it was called the Boston Museum of Modern Art but has since changed its name. The mission has always stayed the same, though: educating and showcasing contemporary art to the masses."

"The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston Diller Scofidio + Renfro Architects. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (. Our Boston architecture tour starts in the up-and-coming Seaport District of Boston, home to one of the city’s most famous art museums: The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)."

"The Harvard Art Museums, located within the University’s grounds, includes the Fogg Art Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. Within these three museums there are nearly 250,000 objects to view that include all mediums and range from ancient eras to the present day. The Fogg is famous or its numerous Western paintings, sculpture, photography, prints and drawings from the middle ages to the present."

"The 2014 renovation and expansion of Harvard's art museums allowed the university's massive 250,000-piece collection to come together under one very stylish roof, designed by architect extraordinaire Renzo Piano. The artwork spans the globe, with separate collections devoted to Asian and Islamic cultures, northern European and Germanic cultures and other Western art, especially European modernism."

"In late 2014, the combined collections of the Busch-Reisinger, Fogg, and Arthur M. Sackler museums were united under one glorious, mostly…"

"Boston University Art Galleries are made up of three different spaces: the BU Art Gallery (BUAG) at the Stone Gallery, the 808 Gallery, and the Sherman Gallery. These three galleries display rotating exhibitions of visual artworks by students and by visiting artists."

"Art Gallery: Free admission to the BU Art Gallery on 855 Commonwealth Avenue, in Boston. The exhibitions focus on international, national, and regional art developments, chiefly in the twentieth century.Hours: Tues - Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat - Sun 1 - 5pm"

"For the art lover: There are several art galleries on Newbury street; Copley Society of Art (Co/So), Arden Gallery, Galerie d'Orsay, Barbara Krakow Gallery, Child's Gallery, Beth Urdang Gallery, Axelle Fine Arts, Alpha Gallery Inc, DTR Modern Galleries, Lanoue Fine Art, CoSo Artist's Gallery, Royka's Fine Art Antiques Gallery, Vose Galleries of Boston, Inc., Guidos Frame Studio Art Gallery, Pucker Gallery, Gallery NAGA, Martin Lawrence Gallery, Miller Block Gallery, Lorand Gallery, The Guild of Boston Artists, International Poster Gallery, Robert Klein Gallery, Galleria Florentia, Iris Gallery, L'Attitude Gallery Sculpture Garden, Victoria Munroe Fine Art, St. George Gallery, SAC Gallery, Martha Richardson Fine Art, Quidley & Company, Acme Fine Art & Design and Newbury Fine Arts. With artists from around the world you'll see a wide variety of different styles."

"The haute neighborhood location hosts an evening of art and music the first Friday of the month. They work with local artists and are committed to hosting charitable events like the one this month where a portion of the proceeds from all sales of paintings and CDs sold benefited everything matters film. The gallery itself hosts landscape paintings by Zoe Arguello, contemporary realistic pieces by Patrick Anderson, along with pieces by Anne Foresman and multidisciplinary artist Hannah Groudas."

"The Photographic Resource Center hosts several contemporary photography exhibitions each year. They also offer educational programs, lectures, and portfolio reviews, as well as tours of the exhibitions for school and community groups."

"Jamaica Plain “Scottish headquarters” the Haven serves house-made lamb haggis with truffle honey mashed rutabagas and Drambuie butter, and you won’t find this anywhere else in the area. For nearly a decade, the Haven has been holding its own as one of the only local sources for Scottish cuisine. Other dishes to try at the Haven: scotch deviled egg, the Haven burger, fish supper, deep-fried Mars bar"

"Boston's "Scottish headquarters" features great beer, a cheerful ambiance, and the hospitality of owner Jason Waddleton. The Haven offers up a solid menu of Scottish foods and beers, as well as a packed events calendar (in non-COVID times). Also, it's probably the only place where one can eat haggis in the Boston area."

"The Haven claims to be the only Scottish restaurant in Boston - and to be honest as long as we can get some of their fish and chips to-go, we’re not going to argue with them. Call the restaurant at (617) 524-2836 to place your order."

"(How else are you going to burn calories right now?) The kit includes tortilla chips, mozzarella cheese, pico de gallo, guac, sour cream, and jalapeño peppers. Add chicken or pork for an extra two bucks. And if your stress diet demands more, there’s also a make-your-own nachos kit ($14)."

"Harvard Gardens, an American restaurant located in Beacon Hill, is offering takeout and curbside pickup from 11:30am-8pm daily - a limited menu is available and can be found on their website."

"Cutty’s in Brookline Village is our ideal sandwich shop, with carefully crafted combos that that don’t require a splurge. The all-natural, house-roasted, thin-sliced meat in the Roast Beef 1000 ($9.95) is piled high enough to give it serious heft—and it’s complemented by crispy shallots, sharp cheddar, and house-made Thousand Island dressing. But the bang-for-your-buck championship goes to Cutty’s Egg Sandwich ($5.95), which upgrades the requisite egg-and-cheddar combo with Iggy’s delectable brioche and an optional slathering of truffle ketchup."

"In-N-Out lovers will love the roast beef sandwich at Cutty’s. It’s made with piles of slow-roasted beef and Thousand Island dressing, which is the basis of In-N-Out’s “secret” animal sauce."

"If you’re looking for a bar that serves gourmet sandwiches, the Parish Café on Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay is where you’ll want to go. Each of their sandwiches are created by local chefs who put their own spin on classics. For example, the Eggplant Milanesa comes from Chef Jamie Bissonnette of Coppa, Toro & Little Donkey and the The Bondir Brisket was created by Chef Jason Bond of Bondir."

"The Mexican Meatball sandwich at Parish Cafe and Bar was created by Chef Brian Poe and features cilantro infused Mexican meatballs. The generously sized sandwich is served au jus with a fresh salad. The Parish Cafe and Bar is a fun spot for a casual lunch in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood."

"I am going to start this off by saying this is one of my favorite places to go, if not my favorite place to go in Boston. I was born and raised in…"

"This classic train-car restaurant—Watertown native Eliza Dushku’s favorite place in town—is a delightful time warp, luring late risers with all-day breakfasts and comfort food since 1947. The menu, meanwhile, is a timeless study in colossal portions. Take the Hungry Person Special: a short stack of pancakes or French toast, two eggs, home fries or greens, a choice of meat, and bottomless coffee or a pot of tea."

"Everything is excellent at this Watertown diner car — which has been in operation for more than half a century — but no visit is complete without ordering the chicken livers. It’s some of the tastiest offal in and around Boston (and a great hangover helper). Bonus: Blue Man Group filmed a music video there."

"The crowds keep coming for excellent diner fare in Watertown. Deluxe has been around since the 1940s, and is now restored and maintained in all its classic splendor. There’s a lunch counter, booths, and a neon-lit exterior."

"In the heart of Brookline's Coolidge Corner, this neighborhood eatery stands out as one of the best. If you're in the mood for good eats, breakfast (served all day) will hit the spot. Try standards like challah French toast with a side of homemade turkey sausage or a Macintosh apple and Vermont cheddar omelet."

"If you’re a fan of brunch, this Jewish-inspired restaurant in Massachusets is an ideal place to eat. They serve an all-day breakfast and food that includes pastrami, corned beef, challah French toast, and more. You should also watch out for the witty t-shirts on their waiters, for they deserve a laugh."