When you’re in Boston and craving a little culture, look no further than the Fenway area—home to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. With just a short walk between the two, you can hit both in one day. If you want to learn more about the Gardener Museum, read my blog post about the oasis. Now, we are going to discuss the MFA.
I’ve lived less than a mile from the museum for more than a year now, and I finally made it in when I realized it was the final weekend of the Takashi Murakami exhibit. I’m kicking myself for not going sooner.
The museum is expansive with three floors including art from around the world such as a large collection of Egyptian relics like mummies and sarcophagi. For those fascinated by the Greeks and Romans, there are walls lined with incredible sculptures, and for the modern art aficionados, the incredible galleries give us all a lot to think about.
Highlights from the Museum of Fine Arts
Art of the Americas (First Floor)
I love great museum design—colored walls, gorgeous interior design, strong use of empty space. The Art of the Americas section of the museum on the first floor is bold and struck me in the best way. Perhaps the most striking wall features Thomas Sully’s “The Passage of the Delaware.” With two couches directly in front, you can sit and contemplate how the painter managed to create such a monstrously-sized masterpiece.
Art of Europe (Second Floor)
Hello, Monet! Honesty time: I know next to nothing about art or art history. I don’t know what makes art good or bad (and I’m not sure that anyone can objectively judge that), but I appreciate art. I love the calm pastel colors in Monet’s paintings. It’s incredible to see his work up close.
Just outside the Monet room in the hall way, there are a series of Paul Signac pieces. Signac was not an artist I was familiar with, but he painted in the Divisionism style (sort of like dot painting). The colors were bright and whimsical. I got complete sucked in.
Oh, there is also a Van Gogh in this section of the museum! I feel like I need to return just to explore this exhibit again. There is so much to see.
Tips for Your Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts
1. Purchase tickets in advance.
You can purchase your tickets on the MFA website before you go if you want to save time. I bought mine when I got there using the kiosks—just like at the airport. There was a long line out the door for the desk, but the kiosks were wide open, so take advantage! Also, don’t throw your ticket away because you can take it to the Gardner Museum for $2 off your admission there.
2. Grab a map.
You could actually get lost in this museum. There are some many rooms in each exhibit that it’s fairly easy to get deep into the art and not find your way easily back to the center courtyard. I am directionally challenged, and the map was helpful for getting efficiently from section to section, and finding my way back to the courtyard when I randomly ended out in a back hallway with no other people. I’m still not sure where I was…
3. Go solo.
If you can swing it, going to the museum alone makes for a pleasant experience. You can swiftly navigate crowds, take time to sit in front of your favorite pieces and get lost in the exhibits that speak to you. The independence is empowering. Frankly, I like to go to all museums solo.
4. Don’t worry. There’s food.
If you’re making a day of museum hopping, you’re going to get hungry. The MFA has a few options to keep you fueled including a cafe and a fancier restaurant called Bravo. When I walked by Bravo near the Contemporary Art wing, there was live classical music being performed. Very classy. The New American Cafe at the heart of the MFA was named one of the best museum restaurants in the U.S. by Food & Wine in January 2014. So, if you don’t want to leave for lunch, there are plenty of option within its walls.
Have you been to the MFA before? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments section below.
Until next time, here goes nothing.
