Museum of Fine Arts Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, known locally as the MFA, is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the United States. Located in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood, its collection spans ancient Egyptian sculpture to contemporary art, housed across galleries that connect the museum's original 1909 building to two newer wings designed by Lord Norman Foster.
Visitors researching the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the MFA, or art museums in Boston will find a collection built over more than 150 years, with holdings that include one of the largest groups of Claude Monet paintings outside France and works by artists ranging from Gilbert Stuart to Vincent van Gogh.
Location
The MFA sits in Boston's Fenway-Kenmore area, with its main entrance on Huntington Avenue. The museum's architecture reflects its long history: the original 1909 building, designed by Guy Lowell, anchors the campus, while newer wings designed by Lord Norman Foster have expanded the galleries in the decades since.
History
The MFA was founded in 1870 and first opened to the public in 1876, in a Gothic Revival building on Copley Square designed by Sturgis and Brigham. As the collection grew, the museum relocated in stages beginning in 1909 to its current Fenway location, a move led by architect Guy Lowell. Between 1916 and 1925, painter John Singer Sargent created a series of murals for the museum's rotunda and colonnade, a project that remains part of the building today.
Each expansion since has added new gallery space without displacing the museum's original mission: building one of the most comprehensive art collections in the world, spanning nearly every major period and region of art history.
What to See
Once inside the MFA, visitors move through galleries organized by region and era. A few highlights worth planning around:
- The Americas Wing: Home to John Singer Sargent's "The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit," alongside Gilbert Stuart's portraits of Paul Revere and an unfinished portrait of George Washington, two of the most recognized early American portraits in any U.S. collection.
- European Art: Spans the Renaissance through Modernism, including works by Rembrandt and Van Gogh. The MFA holds one of the largest collections of Claude Monet's paintings outside France, a distinction the museum itself highlights as a centerpiece of the European galleries.
- Ancient World: Sculpture from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, including Juno, one of the largest classical statues on display in the country at roughly 13 feet tall.
- Art of Asia: Works from China, Japan, Korea, India, and beyond, spanning centuries of regional artistic traditions.
- Musical Instruments: An extensive collection ranging from functional instruments to artistically embellished pieces built as much for display as for sound.
The museum's rotunda and colonnade, painted by John Singer Sargent between 1916 and 1925, connect several of these galleries and are worth slowing down for on the way between wings.
Hours and Admission
The MFA's hours vary by day. As of this writing: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
General admission for adults is $30. Museum members and children ages 0 to 6 are admitted free, and the museum offers additional free and discounted admission programs at certain times.
Hours and admission prices change periodically. Visitors should confirm current rates and hours directly with the museum before planning a visit, and this section should be reverified before publishing and checked again periodically.
Getting There and Parking
The MFA offers three self-parking facilities with entrances on Museum Road: the Huntington Lot, the Fenway Lot, and the Museum Road Garage, with the Huntington Lot closest to the main entrance. Rates vary by duration, starting around $12 for an hour or less for non-members and increasing for longer stays, with a reduced evening rate after 5:30 p.m. All facilities are automated, with card payment accepted at exit stations and kiosks.
Parking rates change periodically and should be confirmed directly with the museum before a visit.
Nearby Attractions
The MFA sits along Boston's Avenue of the Arts, within walking distance of several other cultural institutions. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, with its Venetian palazzo architecture and eclectic collection, is a short walk away, and the two museums are frequently visited together on the same trip. Boston Symphony Hall, home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is also nearby, adding a performing-arts stop to the same neighborhood. The Massachusetts College of Art and Design sits close by as well, contributing the energy of its student community to the area.
Because of this concentration of museums and performance venues, the Fenway-Kenmore area rewards visitors who build in time to explore beyond the MFA itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Museum of Fine Arts Boston's hours?
The MFA is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Hours can change, so confirm before visiting.
How much does it cost to visit the Museum of Fine Arts Boston?
General admission for adults is $30. Children ages 0 to 6 are admitted free, as are museum members, and additional free or discounted admission opportunities are available at certain times.
Is there parking at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston?
Yes. The museum operates three self-parking facilities on Museum Road: the Huntington Lot, the Fenway Lot, and the Museum Road Garage. Rates vary by duration, with a reduced evening rate after 5:30 p.m.
Does the Museum of Fine Arts Boston offer guided tours?
Yes. The museum runs its own docent-led guided tours of its galleries. Visitors can also reach the MFA as part of a broader Boston Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour, which includes a stop nearby.
What is the Museum of Fine Arts Boston known for?
The MFA is known for the scale and range of its collection, spanning ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art through contemporary work. It holds one of the largest collections of Claude Monet paintings outside France and is home to Gilbert Stuart's portraits of Paul Revere and George Washington.
What other museums are near the Museum of Fine Arts Boston?
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a short walk away, and Boston Symphony Hall is also nearby, making the Fenway-Kenmore area a convenient stop for visitors interested in art and culture.
Enhance Your Tour with the Boston Sightseeing
Exploring Boston is easier with a tour that connects the city's major stops, and the Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus includes a stop near the MFA. Pick a seat on the upper deck for wide views of the city as you travel between landmarks, then hop off at the MFA stop when you are ready to spend time with the collection.
The MFA also runs its own guided tours of the galleries for visitors who want a docent-led introduction to the collection, a good complement to a broader Boston sightseeing itinerary that includes a stop here.
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