Things to Do: Boston Museums and Historic Sights
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The City of Boston is packed with history! Boston is home to over 50 museums that vary in their size and topics. The attractions are captivating and differ so that there is something to appeal to everyone’s interest. But, in the midst of a global pandemic it can be hard to experience Boston’s historic attractions to their full extent. If you just moved to Boston and are looking to get to know the city, or are planning your introduction to this historic place, here are some great places to visit in Boston that are revamped to keep you healthy and safe!
The Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile route that passes through 16 historically significant locations including the Paul Revere House. It is a self-directed walking tour of Boston where you can view the sights that help piece together Boston’s history. The trail is currently open to the public and requires visitors to wear face coverings and maintain a healthy distance from other visitors. Some of the locations along the trail are closed but you can still expect to see famous sights like the Boston Commons, Boston Massacre Grounds, and the King’s Chapel Burying Grounds. The trail is a great outdoor activity that will help connect you to the city’s rich history.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Home to significant European, Asian, and American works of art, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum helps to bridge the gap between new and old. The art collections include mediums ranging from paintings, to sculptures, and even tapestries. They are also home to stunning outdoor gardens. This museum just opened on July 15th and tickets are available now. The museum requires all visitors to wear face coverings and to maintain a healthy distance from others. For more information on Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s Covid-19 reopening visit this site.
Institute of Contemporary Art
The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) museum and exhibition was founded in 1936 on the premise that it would be used to exhibit contemporary art. Although this attraction is not completely historic, some of these art pieces may be on their way to make history! They house many thought-provoking pieces that are worth the visit. The museum is planning to open to the public on July 16th with Covid-19 safety protocol in place to keep their visitors safe. They are also planning on rolling out new virtual programming which is a great entertainment option for those wanting to enjoy art from the comfort of their own home. You can read more about the ICA’s reopening plans here.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museums
The Boston Tea Party was one of the pivotal points in the American Revolution and you can experience a reenactment of this historic event at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. They have 7 different sights that take you through the event. Currently, Abigail’s Tea Room and the gift shop are open to the public. The museum anticipates opening to the public on July 17th. When you purchase tickets for the reopening you will be granted access to experience some of the attractions under their Covid-19 guidelines ensuring both safety and fun. You can get a feel for the revolutionary era as the cast members help generate an authentic experience to bring alive this important event in Boston’s history.
Museum of Science
The Museum of Science is a museum and indoor zoo that has over 700 interactive exhibits with multiple live presentations given daily. It is also home to the Mugar Omni Theater, New England’s only domed IMAX screen. They hold many exciting events for the greater Boston community as well. Due to the pandemic, the Museum is functioning under much tighter restrictions. They are not open yet but are planning to open their doors to the public on July 26th. The museum is planning to ensure safety by adjusting their attractions, instilling social distancing rules, and requiring all attendees to wear face coverings. Tickets will become available for reservation on July 23rd through their website or over the phone. You can read more about their reopening plans here.
More to Come
Boston has many more historic landmarks and attractions that are not yet open. Here are two of our favorites that we recommend:
- The Paul Revere House is another museum that has yet to open to the public. At this museum you get to view the colonial home of American patriot Paul Revere, built in 1680. It is a location with significant historic value.
- Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA): MFA still remains closed at the moment but is a great attraction. The MFA is the 17th largest art museum in the world with more than 450,000 works of art — definitely a must-see!
We highly recommend you visit these locations when they reopen. They are a great way to connect with the deep rooted history of Boston.
It’s exciting to see that some of Boston’s most popular historic attractions are opening up to the public while also instilling Covid-19 safety measures. But as we know, everything will take time to return to normal and we hope that when it does, we can visit more of Boston’s historic sights.
We hope this guide blog was helpful to you in making your plans in Boston. Hoamsy guides students and professionals on their move — match to roommates and apartments that fit and learn about living in Boston through our guides.
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