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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston: Tickets, Tours, Hours, Address, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Reviews: 4.5/5

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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
4.5
3,122
#25 of 399 things to do in Boston
Gardens • Art Museums
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
A Venetian palace in the middle of Boston, Gardner's home is now a museum displaying her impressive, eclectic collection of European, American and Asian art, including sculpture, paintings, furniture, ceramics and textiles. Visitors can stroll or rest in a spectacular skylit courtyard filled with plants and flowers.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Longwood
How to get there
  • Museum of Fine Arts • 4 min walk
  • Longwood Medical Area • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,906 within 3 miles
The Gardner Cafe
187
43 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
New American Cafe
173
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Sweet Cheeks Q
662
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Barbecue • Gluten Free Options
Garden Cafeteria at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston
71
0.2 mi$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Tasty Burger
375
0.4 mi$ • American • Fast Food
Cafe G
35
96 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
465 Bar and Restaurant
20
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American
El Pelon Taqueria
91
0.3 mi$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Latin
The Squealing Pig
85
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Thaitation
49
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
370 within 3 miles
Museum of Fine Arts
8,156
0.3 miArt Museums
Boston Latin School
43
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Fenway Park
16,589
0.6 miArenas & Stadiums
The Boston Pops
429
0.8 miSymphonies
Freedom Trail
17,366
2.2 miHistoric Walking Areas
James P Kelleher Rose Garden
20
0.3 miParks • Gardens
Warren Anatomical Museum
20
0.3 miSpeciality Museums
The Mapparium
900
0.8 miSpeciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
4
0.3 miChurches & Cathedrals
Boston Public Library
3,971
1.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Libraries
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Popular mentions
4.5
3,122 reviews
Excellent
2,109
Very good
631
Average
247
Poor
91
Terrible
44
Joy733
Austin, TX108 contributions
Courtyard worth it, operations need improvement
Jun 2021 • Solo
Operations here are uneven. Policies vary depending on staff, some are very helpful, others need training in guest services. 

Audio tour access drops depending on their wifi 

Should allow guests to eat sack lunches indoors

Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fiddlebabs
Philadelphia, PA23 contributions
Don't miss it, even if you think you don't have enough time.
Jun 2021
One of the most beautiful museums in the world. While I wish I had more than an hour to spend there, and did not get to the New Wing, the Palace was so full of exquisite things and artwork, I came away wondering how someone could live amongst such overwhelming beauty on a daily basis. I was told by a security guard that Mrs. Gardner lived upstairs and visited her collection daily. The Titian Room is under renovation at the moment, but you can still view the paintings. There will be a major exhibit here of Titians from around the world in the fall....
Written June 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PowerTrippers
Cocoa Beach, FL1,140 contributions
Such an Interesting Place!
Jun 2021
The Isabella Gardner Museum is, of course, the site of one of history's most famous art heists, but it's also so much more than that. The museum itself is a work of art, and it mixes work from some of art's most famous masters with works from much lesser-known artists. Each room is entirely different than the last and you never know what the next room will hold.

We love art museums and have toured many across the US, as well as outside the US. Art museums can often suffer from a lack of creativity and can end up being a bit "cookie cutter", but that's definitely not the Gardner. Such an interesting place... we feel blessed to have been here.

-The Power Trippers
Written June 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Inspiration314646
Springfield, VA3 contributions
Awesome experience
Jun 2021
This museum has so much to take in from art, flowers, trees, architecture, garden area. The museum offers room guides, word descriptions of the rooms, and audio descriptions. What an incredible lady!
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Savannah T
1 contribution
Blegh, beautiful place and terrible staff.
Jun 2021 • Friends
Incredibly rude staff. They seem to pick and choose who they tell to put purses and water away. Not worth it to put up with grouchy hosts who go on a power trip.
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Case
3 contributions
Don't visit now - Wait until Guided Tours return.
Jun 2021
Without a Tour Guide, this is no more than a building crammed with pretty objects, lacking all provenence.

It's exactly as if we returned to the bad old days of archaeologists as treasure hunters, who returned from digs with treasures totally removed from any cultural or historical context.

The founder decried in her will that there would be no signage placed on any object. And odd, but understandable goal. I am certain when entertaining guests she would have described each treasure, filling in the tale of acquisation herself. That would have been fascinating.

But lacking a modern guide in fill in for her, the museum is useless. You will learn nothing of history, and leave as ignorant as you entered.

Staff will tell you you can watch audio or video presentations on your cell phone. First of all, when attending with friends of family, a smart phone reduces what should be social experince, to just another face glued to a screen.

The visitor should be viewing the wonders (of which there are many) in this museum, and not studying a screen !

We tried the first online presentation, a description of the courtyard. It was bleak.

For instance, the narrator informed us it was a garden of sculptures. That I had immediately figured out myself - duh.

So please, what Gods or historic figures are honored here ? Were they from Greece, Rome, Spain, Crete ? No information is provided. Your interpretation will be solely guesswork.

The complete lack of provenance continues thru every room. At least one Rembrant had a sign on it "REMBRANT". I suppose Isabella was so proud to own such a masterpiece she let her guard down for that one.

I was so disappointed, so frustrated that this incredible museum had so little to offer the visitor in the way of knowledge, that I actually became inwardly angry at being cheated of what should have been a joyous occasion.

We subsequently rushed though, and even skipped many rooms.

Regaining my composure, I politely engaged a staff member, who explained that Guided Tours are planned to return this Fall. I assured her it would be well worth returning at that time. And I do plan to.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adventure Diva
Manchester, CT1,541 contributions
A true sightseeing gem
May 2021 • Solo
Modeled after a Venetian palace, this museum is a sightseeing gem. Their flower-filled courtyard blooms all year long. While visiting the museum, I saw Shen Wei's exhibition "painting in motion" which you get to check out his art work and see his dream scapes. The museum had the unfortunate experience of major art stolen in the 1990's (from Rembrandt, Vermeer and others) which still hasn't been recovered.

P.S. Anyone with the first name of Isabella gets in for free (!)
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dstambaugh3
Harrisburg, PA215 contributions
A very nice museum
May 2021
Interesting museum. Basically, an art collector's house which you wander through. The center of the house is this incredible court yard - stunning. Not a lot of signage but you are free to wander as fast or slow as you like.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD5,024 contributions
An amazing museum collection for America.
Jun 2021
This museum was our main attraction for the day with our timed online tickets($36 for 2 seniors). This wealthy art collector built this 4 story Venetian Renaissance mansion/museum around a large flower and tree fern filled atrium open to all rooms. Her ~7,500 objects of art are displayed without signage, to avoid detracting from enjoying the art. Maybe she figured we could easily identify ones of our interest with Microsoft Bing or Google Lens while many visitors use the audio guide. We liked;
-1205 Soisson window.
-Botticelli’s 1470 "Virgin and Child with an Angel"
-DellaRobbia’s 1515 "Lamentation over the Dead Christ"
-Rembrandt 1629 "Self Portrait"
-1785 Italian Sedan chair
-Highly crafted chairs, coffered ceilings and a score of large tapestries.
This is an amazing museum collection for America.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FussyGrl
Phoenix, AZ225 contributions
Eclectic Collection
May 2021
This was a great museum with an eclectic collection--including some really amazing pieces. But to be honest, it could be better. There were a lot of "reproductions" displayed instead of the actual pieces in the museum's collection. That begs the question about why you go to a museum instead of looking at a book or reproduction posters. And the rooms were really oddly arranged, including one with art in one part and storage in another. And furniture pushed up against walls. Hopefully this is all some COVID issue, but it distracted from the experience for sure.
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is open:
  • Wed - Wed 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thu - Thu 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Fri - Mon 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 6 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum tours on Tripadvisor
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