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All 398 Boston Attractions »

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

280 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
617-566-1401
As featured in 3 days in Boston
Ranked #18 of 203 attractions in Boston
4.5 of 5 stars 234 Reviews
Type: Art Museums, Gardens
Activities: Group tours/walking tour
Fee: Yes
Traveler Description: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the Fenway area of Boston features a fine art collection housed in a building that is a work of art in... more »
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234 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    150
    51
    16
    12
    5
Date Rating
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 27, 2012 NEW

Having just taken an art class where the prof recommended this museum, we were totally disappointed with the way the paintings were presented. The lighting is awful, you can hardly see the details in the art works. Paintings are hung one on top of another, sometimes half off the wall, all the way up to the ceiling, it's bizarre. A... More

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See 4 more reviews by claudia7gerard for Boston
Allentown PA
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 27, 2012 NEW

I loved this gem of a museum. The building itself, which was apparently Mrs. Gardener's home, is gorgeous, and houses an interesting array of mostly old masters, with some Asian artifacts and more modern pieces thrown in, as well as a beautiful garden. The tiles, tapestries and leather wall coverings are not to be missed. The new addition houses a... More

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Atlanta, GA
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 26, 2012 NEW

We've been to Boston a number of times, but never in this place. So worth the price of admission and lots of time to take it all in. Isabella collected EVERY piece and decided where and how to display each piece. Fenway Court (the main building) was designed and construction supervised very closely by her. Her story and the museum... More

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See 9 more reviews by ATLmandycat for Boston
Wilmington, North Carolina
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 25, 2012 NEW

The Isabella Steward Gardener Museum seems to be one of those special, magical places that you only find by personal recommendation. The space itself was designed to display this stunning collection in 'salon' style. Rooms, gardens and spaces are settings that inspire daydreaming. The collections themselves surprise and delight, with many of John Singer Sargent's works (a personal friend of... More

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See 4 more reviews by ddblue33 for Boston
dublin
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 23, 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

This museum should not be missed. The art and effects gathered together by Mrs Gardner are really beautiful and perfectly laid out in this very attractive setting. If you are interested in the arts dont miss this gem. More

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See 4 more reviews by voyager067 for Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Top Contributor
132 reviews 132 reviews
Reviews in 30 cities Reviews in 30 cities
33 helpful votes 33 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 22, 2012 NEW

The Gardener Museum has recently added a good new wing with new exhibits. A good weekend diversion for sure. More

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See 43 more reviews by middpanther for Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

2 geniuses created the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum: Mrs. Gardner who provided the money and the inspiration and Bernard Berenson, the man with impeccable taste she hired to buy for her, and buy he did. Together with a team of architects, artisans and others Mrs. Gardner built her own Itallian palace, right on the Fenway, and shocked the proper Bostonians... More

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Sydney, Australia
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 19, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

She must have been an extraordinary woman. From the moment you walk into the atrium until her final feature photo you enter a world of European art overlaid with a Belle Epoque sensibility. And the Renzo Piano extension really works as well. More

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See 5 more reviews by Kathy348 for Boston
willowparkkid
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

This museum is truly unique and is well worth the visit. So much to see. I loved the courtyard. More

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See 4 more reviews by willowparkkid for Boston
Mansfield, Texas
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The art is really amazing and shows what could be obtained in the 19th century. Labelling could improve as well as the friendliness of the docents. More

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See 3 more reviews by DommieMommy for Boston

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