The Most Unusual Museums In Boston

With the slogan, ‘Art too bad to be ignored,’ how can you not pay a visit to The Museum of Bad Art? Housed in the basement of the Somerville Theatre, MOBA’s mission is to bring the worst art to a wider audience.

Most notably known for her significant role in the War of 1812, the USS Constitution is a must-see Boston landmark. Visitors can walk on and explore ‘Old Ironsides’ herself, which sailed until her 200th birthday in 1997 and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Right now, she’s under restoration but still open while in dry dock until fall of 2017.

If you’re looking for a change from the much-frequented Boston Museum of Science, head across the river to the MIT Museum. Here you can learn about 3D printing, robots, and explore a vast array of projects underway at the university.

If you’re pining for an outdoor museum experience, Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum is the perfect spot. Covering nearly 300 acres, guided tours are offered as well as the opportunity to simply explore the living collection of trees, flowers, and other plant life.

Many historical homes in New England have been transformed into museums for preservation, but none compare to Isabella Stewart Gardner’s. Inspired by 15th-century Venetian palaces, the museum houses an expansive art collection as well a courtyard that Gardner invited artists, performers, and scholars to for inspiration.

Local tip: Isabella Gardner was an avid Red Sox fan, so to this day, if you wear Red Sox gear, you’ll be given a discount. Also, anyone named Isabella has free admission for life.