Free Museum Days Boston Massachusetts 2024 (From a Former Local)

Boston can be a pretty expensive city. When there’s a free or semi-free activity to join in on, it’s an absolute must.

As a former resident of Boston, I tried to take advantage of the free museum days offered while I lived here. I’ve put together a list of the best options, and I’ll try to keep it as up to date as possible! Just a side note, my two favorites are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Boston Public Library.

When traveling on a budget, one of the best things to look out for are free museum days. Read on to find the best Free Museum days Boston has to offer. You might even be surprised at the places you’ll find!

( Some of the links in this post are probably affiliate links meaning I might make a small percentage of any purchases you make. All opinions remain my own. For my disclosure policy click here. )

Does Boston have Free Museums?

If you’re looking for a free day or night out in Boston, then you’ll be happy to know that plenty of museums offer free admission days or times. In fact, many of the larger museums have free days once a week or once a month. There are also several museums that offer pretty steep discounts, up to half off or more.

Here is an epic list of the best free museum days in Boston, compiled by yours truly.

Note: We will attempt to keep this list as updated as possible, but from 2020 onwards, there have been several changes to hours and offerings.

Boston Museums that are always Free

Did you know that there are actually 100% free museums in Boston? In fact, there are several museums in the city that offer free admission all year round. Here is a list of some of the best museums in Boston that are always $0.

The USS Constitution Museum

The USS Constitution Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the USS Constitution, which is the oldest floating commissioned naval vessel in the world. Visitors can expect to find exhibits and interactive displays that tell the story of the ship and its crew.

One of the most appealing aspects of the museum is that it is free. Always. Of course, there is a suggested voluntary donation for admission, but it is not required.

Hours: The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm

Location: The museum doesn’t have a physical address, but their website recommends plugging in the Nautica Parking Garage -88 Constitution Road, Boston, MA 02129.

Boston Public Library

While the Boston Public Library isn’t a “museum” in the traditional sense, it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for free things to do in Boston. The library is one of the oldest and most impressive in the country.

And best of all, it’s free to enter. You can explore the beautiful building, browse the shelves, or even participate in one of the many events and programs the library offers.

You can also take a tour of the library for free. Tours are offered Monday-Saturday at 10am and 2pm, and Sundays at 2pm. No reservations are required, but you should arrive 15 minutes early to secure your spot.

Hours: The library is open Monday-Thursday from 9am to 8pm, Friday-Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm

Location: 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum is a gorgeous park that is free to enter and open year-round. The 281-acre park is home to more than 15,000 plants from all over the world. This is America’s oldest public arboretum, and it’s a must-see for anyone interested in plants or gardens.

In addition to being a beautiful place to walk around, the Arnold Arboretum is also a great place to learn about plants and horticulture. The park offers free tours, classes, and events throughout the year.

This is a fantastic location to get away from the city hustle and bustle.

Hours: The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset

Location: 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130

Bunker Hill Museum

The Bunker Hill Museum tells the story of the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was one of the first engagements of the Revolutionary War.

The museum is free to enter and features interactive exhibits, films, and artifacts that bring the history of the battle to life.

One of the most memorable features of the museum is the panoramic painting of the battle. The painting is an incredible piece of art.

Hours: The museum is open Sunday 10am-6pm and Wednesday-Saturday from 10am-6pm

Location: 43 Monument Square, Charlestown, MA 02129

Metropolitan Waterworks Museum

The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum is a unique museum that tells the story of Boston’s water supply. The museum is free to enter, and it features exhibits on the history of the waterworks, how they work, and the people who built them.

There are also guided tours of the museum, which is a National Historic Landmark. The tours are free, but you need to make a reservation in advance. This is a great option for history or mechanical buffs.

Hours: The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday 11am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm

Location: 2450 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02467

Fuller Craft Museum

The Fuller Craft Museum is a museum of contemporary craft. The museum is free to enter, and it features exhibits on a wide range of topics related to craft, including glass, woodworking, metalworking, and more.

Hours: The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 5pm

Location: 455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA 02301

MIT List Visual Arts Center

The MIT List Visual Arts Center is a contemporary art museum on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus. The museum is free to enter and features unique exhibits on a wide range of topics related to art, science, and technology.

Exhibits include modern art as well as MIT students’ work, which is pretty cool.

Hours: The museum is open every day from noon to 6pm except Wednesday and Thursdays till 7pm

Location: 20 Ames Street, Bldg. E15 Atrium level, Cambridge, MA 02139

Free Museum Days Boston

While there are some museums in Boston that offer free admission all of the time, there are others that offer a free day or two here and there. Many also offer great discounts for students, seniors, and military personnel.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a museum of art and culture. This famous art museum has an amazing collection of art from Europe, Asia, and America. The entire collection is truly so impressive, and you absolutely must check out the indoor courtyard (my favorite).

On the first Thursday of every month from 3pm to 9pm (commonly called Free First Thursdays) everyone is welcome to attend for free.

Other notable discounts include free admission on your birthday, if your name is “Isabella,” and several other impressive discounts.

Hours: The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 11am-5pm, Thursday from 11am-9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm

Location: 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA 02115

Related: See the Most Instagrammable Spots in Boston

Museum of Fine Arts Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most famous museums in Boston. This world-renowned museum has an incredible collection of art from around the globe. The museum is free to enter for everyone on Wednesdays after 4pm. You can also enjoy free films, concerts, and tours on those days. (Update: this is currently on hold but will hopefully be back in the near future).

Other options include free or discounted admission for students, seniors, and military personnel. They even partner with the Bank of America Cardholders program to offer complimentary admission.

Hours: The museum is open every day except Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 5pm, and Thursdays from 10am to 10pm,

Location: 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art is a contemporary art museum in Boston. It features exhibits on a wide range of art, science, and technology topics. The ICA’s free museum day is every Thursday from 5pm to 9pm to the public. They also offer free admission for families with kids under 12 (up to 2 adults) on the last Saturday of the month except for December.

The museum also hosts a variety of free events and programs throughout the year. This is a great way to learn more about the exhibits and the artists behind them.

The ICA offers students, seniors, and military personnel free admission. They partner with Bank of America cardholders as well as offer free admission for EBT cardholders.

Hours: The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and Thursday and Friday from 10am to 9pm

Location: 25 Harbor Shore Drive Boston MA 02210

Boston Children’s Museum

The Boston Children’s Museum is a popular museum that focuses on art, science, and culture. They have a wide range of exhibits and activities for kids of all ages.

The museum has $1 admission fees on Sunday afternoons from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. While that may not be “free,” it’s pretty darn close.

The Boston Children’s Museum also offers free or discounted admission for students, seniors, and military members. They even offer free admission for EBT cardholders and their families.

Hours: The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am-4:30pm (closed from noon to 1:30pm)

Location: 308 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210

Harvard Museum of Natural History

The Harvard Museum of Natural History is a museum devoted to the natural world. They have a wide range of exhibits on topics like geology, zoology, and anthropology.

The museum is free for residents on Sundays from 9am to noon (year-round) as well as Wednesdays from 3pm to 5pm (September through May).

The Harvard Museum of Natural History also offers free or discounted admission for students, teachers, and military members.

Hours: The museum is open Daily from 9am to 5pm

Location: 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Harvard Art Museums

The Harvard Art Museums are a group of three museums: the Fogg Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. Together, they have a collection of over 250,000 works of art.

The museums offer free admission on Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Free admission for all Cambridge residents and free admission for Massachusetts residents Saturdays from 10am-noon. They also offer free or discounted admission for students, seniors, and military personnel, as well as several other discounts.

Hours: The museums are open daily from 10am to 5pm

Location: 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA

MIT Museum

The MIT Museum is a museum devoted to the history and culture of science and technology. They have a wide range of exhibits on topics like robotics, space exploration, and computer science.

The museum is free for everyone on the last Sunday of the month from 1pm to 5pm as well as free for Cambridge residents on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. They also offer free or discounted admission for students, seniors, and military personnel.

Hours: The museum is open daily from 10am-5pm (update: will be open again starting October 2)

Location: 314 Main Street Building E-28 Cambridge, MA 02142

Boston Museum Pass – What Museums are Included?

If you’re interested in going to more than one museum while you’re in Boston, it might be useful to consider a Go City Boston Pass. For a certain price (and there are a couple of options to choose from), you can access over 30 different museums for a set period of time.

The Go City Boston Pass can save you a lot of money if you plan ahead. I highly recommend this particular pass as it’s the most inclusive of so many different museums and activities in the area. Plus, it makes the ticket process a lot smoother since you no longer have to buy tickets for each individual museum.

Some of the museums included in the Go City Boston Pass include:

• Museum of Science
• New England Aquarium
• Fenway Park Tour
• Paul Revere House
• Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
• Harvard Museum of Natural History
• Salem Witch Museum
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• Boston Children’s Museum
• Institute of Contemporary Art
• Old State House Museum & Old South Meeting House
• JFK Presidential Library & Museum

The Go City Pass is honestly one of the best ways to save money on museum fees and make the most of your time in Boston. You’re sure to find something that interests you with free admission to so many different museums.

Make sure you check pricing and grab yours before your trip!

Other Free Things to do in Boston

Here are a few ideas to get you started exploring the best that Boston has to offer:

1. Visit the Boston Common and Public Garden – two of the oldest parks in the United States
2. Walk the Freedom Trail – a 2.5-mile trail that passes by 16 historic sites
3. Explore Fenway Park – home of the Boston Red Sox
4. Check out the Samuel Adams Brewery – free tours and tastings are offered daily
5. Stop by Quincy Market – a historic market district with tons of shopping and dining options

Not bad, Boston.

If you’re interested in learning more, we wrote an entire post about Boston on a budget.

Summary: Free Museum Days Boston

As you can see, there are tons of free museum days in Boston. And these are some really incredible museums. Even if museums aren’t your thing, they’re always a great fall-back option if you’re unsure what else to do. Plus, if they’re free, why not, right!!?

Boston has something to offer everyone, whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a sports fan. Take advantage of the city’s free museum days and other free activities. It’s a lovely city that is well worth seeing without breaking the bank.

What are some free museum days in Boston or other free things to do here that you recommend?