Massachusetts is home to some of the most historic, inspiring, and innovative museums in the country. With everything from world-class art collections to quirky specialty museums, there’s something for every interest, age, and budget.
Here is a roundup of a few Massachusetts must-see museums along with some tips for accessing these places at any budget.
Note: August is Museums Month – the perfect time to plan a visit to museums in Massachusetts!
History Museums
Massachusetts is where American history was made—and preserved. In Boston, walk the Freedom Trail and stop at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, Revolutionary Spaces which includes the Old State House and Old South Meeting House, and the Paul Revere House. In Springfield, visit the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Newburyport’s Custom House Maritime Museum offers a mix of objects related to maritime, trade, and cultural history. Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth is the one of the oldest continuously operating public museums in the United States, sharing stories of Plymouth County, the English colonists, and Indigenous Peoples.
Don’t miss smaller gems like the Old Colony History Museum in Taunton or the Worcester Historical Museum—each providing regional insights that bring the past to life.
The American Heritage Museum in Hudson contains an impressive collection of military objects and equipment that share the story of America at war over the centuries.
For more information about history museums, houses, and sites check out the Massachusetts History Alliance.
Historic Houses & Sites
Step back in time by visiting historic homes and estates across the Commonwealth. Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House in Concord, the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, the John Greenleaf Whittier Home and Museum in Amesbury, and The House of the Seven Gables in Salem all offer intimate glimpses into the lives of legendary writers.
Explore presidential history at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, the Kennedy Birthplace in Brookline, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum in Northampton, or at Adams National Historical Park in Quincy. Architecture buffs will enjoy the Gropius House in Lincoln, a Bauhaus masterpiece preserved by Historic New England.
Massachusetts is home to a number of living history museum experiences. Old Sturbridge Village is the largest of these in New England and features dozens of historic, interactive year-round experiences. Plimoth Patuxet Museum shares the complicated story of the Wampanoag People and the colonists who settled in Plymouth.
Science & Innovation Museums
Massachusetts has been a hub of innovation for centuries, and that spirit shines in our science museums. The Museum of Science in Boston is a hands-on paradise with interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and the iconic indoor lightning display. EcoTarium in Worcester blends science and nature with indoor exhibits and outdoor trails. MIT Museum in Cambridge highlights robotics, AI, and the intersection of technology and design. The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation shares the story of industry in America and how that history inspires innovation today. For younger scientists, Discovery Museum in Acton encourages STEAM exploration through play.
Sports Museums
Sports fans will love exploring Massachusetts’ championship heritage. Visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield—where basketball was invented. Holyoke is home to the Volleyball Hall of Fame, located near Holyoke Heritage State Park. The Sports Museum at TD Garden in Boston celebrates New England’s rich sports legacy, from the Red Sox to the Bruins and beyond. The Patriots Hall of Fame at Gillette Stadium contains multiple floors of interactive NFL experiences. Many local colleges and schools also maintain athletic halls of fame that welcome visitors.
Children’s Museums
Before the hustle and bustle of back-to-school, have some family fun at a Children’s Museum in Massachusetts. These made-for-kids experiences combine play and education. The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River is a true community children’s museum experience that offers unique exhibits and a place of discovery. Other standouts include the Cape Cod Children’s Museum in Mashpee, the Amelia Park Children’s Museum in Westfield, and the Wenham Museum.
Art Museums
Whether you’re drawn to classic masterpieces or contemporary creativity, Massachusetts has an art museum for you. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and ICA/Boston are globally renowned. In Western Massachusetts, the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown and Mass MoCA in North Adams offer a stunning range of classical to cutting-edge art in serene Berkshires settings.
Art lovers can also explore the Worcester Art Museum, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, and Fitchburg Art Museum. The Ethelbert Cooper Gallery of African & African American Arts, one of many of Harvard University’s museums in Cambridge, shows art of the African Diaspora and hosts talks and events.
Many regional museums feature local artists and changing exhibitions, offering something new with each visit.
Museum Networks & Preservation Groups
Massachusetts is lucky to have organizations that care for multiple museum sites and make exploring easier.
The Trustees preserve over 120 properties across the state, including historic homes, farms, gardens, and cultural sites like Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Long Hill in Beverly, and Naumkeag in Stockbridge. Many Trustees’ properties host art installations and seasonal events, blending culture with nature.
Historic New England maintains more than three dozen historic homes and properties, including the Eustis Estate in Milton and Beauport, the Sleeper–McCann House in Gloucester. Their tours and exhibits offer deep dives into architecture, social history, and decorative arts.
The Springfield Museums are a collection of five world-class museums that focus on art, history, science, the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss and the Dr. Seuss Memorial Sculpture Garden.
Membership in these organizations often grants access to multiple properties across the state and beyond.
Other Unique Museums in Massachusetts
Looking for something off the beaten path? Massachusetts has plenty of unique museums to discover:
– The Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) in Boston celebrates the joy of art gone hilariously wrong.
– The Beer Can Museum in Northampton displays more than 4000 cans from around the world.
– New Bedford Whaling Museum honors the city’s seafaring history with grand exhibits and whale skeletons.
– The Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton has one of the largest collections of icons.
– The Yiddish Book Center in Amherst is a one-of-a-kind museum that preserves Yiddish literature and heritage.
How to Visit for Free or at a Discount
Museums can be affordable—or even free—when you know where to look:
1. NARM Membership
The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association includes over 1,000 museums. Purchase a membership at one participating institution (like Historic Beverly or the Danforth Art Museum) and receive free or discounted entry to others in the network across the country.
2. Library Museum Passes
Public libraries throughout Massachusetts offer free or discounted museum passes to cardholders. These often include access to top institutions like the MFA, Boston Children’s Museum, and Museum of Science. Reserve in advance, especially in summer.
3. Highland Street Foundation
Every summer, the Highland Street Foundation sponsors August Adventures, offering free admission to a different museum or attraction every day in August. It’s a great way to explore new places without spending a dime.
4. EBT, WIC & ConnectorCare Discounts
Many museums participate in the Card to Culture program, offering deeply discounted or free admission to Massachusetts residents with EBT, WIC, or ConnectorCare cards. Museums like the MFA, North Shore Children’s Museum, and Old Sturbridge Village participate.
5. Bank of America Museums on Us
If you’re a Bank of America cardholder, you can access certain museums for free on the first full weekend of each month through the Museums on Us program. Participating institutions vary, so check ahead.
6.50 Under $50
Visit Massachusetts offers a curated selection of things to do and places to see – including museums, for under $50 for a family of four.
Plan Your Museum Month Adventure
Are you ready to let your kids loose in a science lab or to walk along the Battle Road in Revolutionary Valley? August is the perfect time to explore the incredible diversity of Massachusetts museums – and there’s a museum (or ten) waiting for you.
Pair your visit with a stop at a local café, a stroll through a scenic downtown, or a swim at a nearby beach or lake—and you’ve got the makings of a perfect summer day. Make the most of Museums Month in Massachusetts!
