The Sports Museum
The Sports Museum
4
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Fun for the entire family, this museum highlights New England's athletes and teams through video footage, memorabilia and interactive exhibits. General Admission: Adults: $20/person Seniors (65+): $15/person Kids (7-18): $10/person Kids 6 and Under: FREE Active Military & Family (with Military ID): FREE To purchase tickets, please visit The Sports Museum's Information Desk located outside the Pro Shop in North Station.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: West End
How to get there
- North Station • 1 min walk
- Science Park • 6 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
64 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
12
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
4
FTP82
London, UK85 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
I was fortunate enough for my wife to treat me to a VIP tour of the sports museum in May this year while we visited from the UK. The VIP element meant we had a one to one tour with the curator, Richard Johnson. For a sports geek, I have to say it’s one of the best sporting conversations I’ve ever had.
The museum itself is excellent. The sculptures of Orr, Williams, Yaz, Agannis and Bird are a great start and really got us into the Boston mood and mindset. Richard’s knowledge and personal links to these sporting Gods though sets it apart. I can’t overstate how wonderful he is as a narrator for the things we saw. Agannis in particular has a heartbreaking story and Richard’s links to the story brought us a unique perspective on a great talent lost.
The tour gives you tantalising glimpses of TD Garden as you go around. It was in playoff basketball mode when we saw it and it’s a wonderfully intimidating arena.
After the sculptures we were taken on a tour of the memorabilia donated and collected over fifty years of Boston sports. The elements on Women’s sports are particularly impressive, but there’s also plenty of Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox material. There’s also lots of extra bonuses on now defunct franchises that opens up lots of depth to the sporting history of Boston. All the way, Richard provided wonderful personal stories of athletes and teams from throughout his forty plus years at the museum.
Our one hour tour lasted much longer than expected, and we really will treasure the experience of meeting Richard, who is an absolute gent. The work the museum is doing is wonderful and supporting them by paying a visit is definitely a day well spent.
The museum itself is excellent. The sculptures of Orr, Williams, Yaz, Agannis and Bird are a great start and really got us into the Boston mood and mindset. Richard’s knowledge and personal links to these sporting Gods though sets it apart. I can’t overstate how wonderful he is as a narrator for the things we saw. Agannis in particular has a heartbreaking story and Richard’s links to the story brought us a unique perspective on a great talent lost.
The tour gives you tantalising glimpses of TD Garden as you go around. It was in playoff basketball mode when we saw it and it’s a wonderfully intimidating arena.
After the sculptures we were taken on a tour of the memorabilia donated and collected over fifty years of Boston sports. The elements on Women’s sports are particularly impressive, but there’s also plenty of Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox material. There’s also lots of extra bonuses on now defunct franchises that opens up lots of depth to the sporting history of Boston. All the way, Richard provided wonderful personal stories of athletes and teams from throughout his forty plus years at the museum.
Our one hour tour lasted much longer than expected, and we really will treasure the experience of meeting Richard, who is an absolute gent. The work the museum is doing is wonderful and supporting them by paying a visit is definitely a day well spent.
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary H
Methuen, MA27 contributions
Nov 2022
I took my boyfriend and my son on the VIP tour of the Sports Museum at TD Garden and I heartily recommend it. The curator was so knowledgeable and interesting, sharing stories from the decades of the TD Garden.
We loved getting to see the court and all the fascinating photos and items along the walls of the museum.
Can't recommend this tour enough. The VIP tour is well worth it.
We loved getting to see the court and all the fascinating photos and items along the walls of the museum.
Can't recommend this tour enough. The VIP tour is well worth it.
Written November 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard C
1 contribution
Aug 2021
Our family returned from a vacation in Boston a few days ago. I just wanted to take a moment to relate what I feel was truly one of the highlights of our trip. Our sons are huge sports fans and one of the things they really wanted to do while in Boston was to see TD Garden. Our son learned we could take a "behind-the-scenes" tour and was very excited to see the Garden.
We stopped by on Sunday but just missed the last tour of the day. The friendly museum staff suggested we stop back Monday morning if possible, which we did. We were extremely fortunate to go on the tour with Eric. He related that he has only been in Boston for a few months. It's quite obvious that he takes his job seriously, but we were all impressed at how professional, funny, knowledgable, informative, and engaging he is. Eric made an effort to get to know each member of the tour, answered many questions, and made the tour both educational and fun.
We stopped by on Sunday but just missed the last tour of the day. The friendly museum staff suggested we stop back Monday morning if possible, which we did. We were extremely fortunate to go on the tour with Eric. He related that he has only been in Boston for a few months. It's quite obvious that he takes his job seriously, but we were all impressed at how professional, funny, knowledgable, informative, and engaging he is. Eric made an effort to get to know each member of the tour, answered many questions, and made the tour both educational and fun.
Written August 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica A
Millis, MA4 contributions
Aug 2022
This tour was fascinating - even for me, who has very little interest in sports. The tour was a gift for my son's 10th birthday and he loved it. We learned so many things about TD Garden that I never knew, and so many little tidbits about famous Boston sports figures! Our tour guide was wonderful and engaging, and the different exhibits were really interesting to look at.
I would have liked to spend a little longer at each "stop" along the way, as I would have liked to read and/or examine each exhibit a little longer and felt rude doing so while she was speaking. Also, if you were at the end of the group you probably would have had a harder time hearing her and seeing what she was talking about (but my son is one who likes to be at the front, so it was never an issue for us).
I would have liked to spend a little longer at each "stop" along the way, as I would have liked to read and/or examine each exhibit a little longer and felt rude doing so while she was speaking. Also, if you were at the end of the group you probably would have had a harder time hearing her and seeing what she was talking about (but my son is one who likes to be at the front, so it was never an issue for us).
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
We are so glad you enjoyed a Sports Museum Tour! We hope you come to The Sports Museum again soon!
The Sports Museum Team
Written August 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Daryl A
1 contribution
Dec 2021 • Solo
Great exciting tour. Tyler was an amazing tour guide. I highly recommend him. He’s very knowledgeable but not too over bearing and also fields great questions. Wish we could’ve gotten closer to the celtics floor. Would take the tour again
Written December 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mariedontaylor
Ottawa, Canada12 contributions
Apr 2023
A must do for any Boston team sports fan. We were in town from Canada to see the Celtics play the Raptors (19 year old son is Celtics fan), and this was a great way to kick off our day. Very informative, but particularly enjoyable as it shows off just how passionate Beantown fans are about their teams! Great behind the scenes looks and stories
Written April 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zigglorbio1
Indianapolis, IN13 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Fun tour of the Stadium and Boston memorabilia. Tour guide was young but very knowledgeable and clearly has a passion for Boston sports. This was something my husband wanted to do, but even as a not very big sports fan, I still had a great time!
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura L
New London, NH2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
We loved seeing all the memorabilia and enjoyed the tour. Our guide was full of interesting information; my kids and I really enjoyed the whole thing. Going up to the rafters and seeing all the club level areas and the old parquet floor was fun too.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeffsm5111
Ohio223 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
This "museum" is not a museum in the sense one usually thinks of that word - as other reviewers have noted, it's actually a number of exhibits adorning the Garden concourse's walls on the 5th and 6th floors. Some of the memorabilia are quite interesting - for example, they have the frame from the goal on which Bobby Orr scored in 1970 to win the Stanley Cup, and the story of where that frame has been all these years is almost worth the price of admission on its own. You can also see a pair of Shaq's shoes (size 23, in case you are wondering) and a lot of other cool stuff.
If you are able to wrangle the tour that is said to be included with the museum ticket, you will not be disappointed. You are allowed to go into non-public areas of the Garden, to enter the visitors' (but not the Celtics' or Bruins') dressing rooms, see the parquet floor, pretend to dunk on one of the Celtics' baskets, and so on. Plus you get to walk on the Garden's floor and also visit the 9th floor, where there are great views.
The challenge is actually getting into the museum and, if you are among the really lucky, getting to take that tour. I get the sense that the Garden does not really take this "museum" or tour all that seriously, and the haphazard management is almost laughable. Various people in the Garden have different opinions regarding the operating hours of the museum, the times the tours are offered, and so on. The only thing that saved us is that I had printed out the web pages that showed the hours of operation and the times of the tours - I had to show this to several Garden staff members, most of whom were surprised by the information. In the end, though, the staff did accommodate us, and they were quite kind to us.
It's a good experience for the money, but be prepared for some likely frustrations in dealing with the (dis-)organization of the Garden staff and management.
If you are able to wrangle the tour that is said to be included with the museum ticket, you will not be disappointed. You are allowed to go into non-public areas of the Garden, to enter the visitors' (but not the Celtics' or Bruins') dressing rooms, see the parquet floor, pretend to dunk on one of the Celtics' baskets, and so on. Plus you get to walk on the Garden's floor and also visit the 9th floor, where there are great views.
The challenge is actually getting into the museum and, if you are among the really lucky, getting to take that tour. I get the sense that the Garden does not really take this "museum" or tour all that seriously, and the haphazard management is almost laughable. Various people in the Garden have different opinions regarding the operating hours of the museum, the times the tours are offered, and so on. The only thing that saved us is that I had printed out the web pages that showed the hours of operation and the times of the tours - I had to show this to several Garden staff members, most of whom were surprised by the information. In the end, though, the staff did accommodate us, and they were quite kind to us.
It's a good experience for the money, but be prepared for some likely frustrations in dealing with the (dis-)organization of the Garden staff and management.
Written June 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregory D
3 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
My son and I were in Boston for Three days and we did the TD Garden fun Friday experience and had a ball. Before we traveled to Boston from Florida I had reached out by email to Ashley Walenta, I found her name on line and let me tell you she was amazing. We corresponded back and forth and she was so helpful. She also helped me with other questions about Boston including the Fenway Park Tour, that we did as well. It is people like Ashley that truly love their job and are committed to the guest to give them a great experience in Boston and especially at the Garden. I was able to meet Ashley while on the Garden floor and I have to say if she ever needs a job in Melbourne Florida she has one waiting at my company, way to go Ashley you really impressed me. My son and I thank you and TD Garden for everything.
Written June 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregory,
We are so happy to hear about your positive experience at Free Fun Friday and The Sports Museum! Ashley was more than happy to help and make sure you have a wonderful time during your visit.
If you are ever back in Boston, please feel free to contact Ashley about taking a tour of The Sports Museum.
Thank you!
Written June 27, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kimberly E
Fort Myers, FL70 contributions
So if it's in-season or playoffs, are you only to able to see memorabilia but not the floor or locker rooms? Thanks for clarifying!
Yes, you are correct! When you come in for a tour during off-season, that is when our tour guides will bring everyone down to the arena floor and the visiting team's locker room. But when it's in-season/playoffs, the tour guides will bring everyone to Level 9 (this view shows all of the championship banners as well as view of the entire arena) and then to levels 5&6 to view all of our sports memorabilia.
Kimberly E
Fort Myers, FL70 contributions
What months of the year are the behind the scenes tours available? The recorded line only indicates "off season". Thank you!
Hi Kimberly! Thanks so much for the question and your interest in The Sports Museum.
We can't predict the exact months during off-season due to the fact that we don't know when the Celtics and Bruins will lose (or hopefully win!) during playoffs. Since both teams are in playoffs, the off-season will begin once both teams are done with the season.
Let me know if this answers your question! Keep an eye out for our social media and our website as it will be updated once off-season officially begins.
Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you at The Sports Museum during off-season!
The Sports Museum (Boston) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Sports Museum
- The Sports Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
- Hotels near The Sports Museum:
- (0.10 mi) Hotel Indigo Boston Garden, an IHG Hotel
- (0.07 mi) citizenM Boston North Station Hotel
- (0.14 mi) Courtyard by Marriott Boston Downtown / North Station
- (0.16 mi) The Boxer Boston
- (0.15 mi) Onyx Boston Downtown
- Restaurants near The Sports Museum:
- (0.00 mi) Emack and Bolios
- (0.01 mi) Dunkin'
- (0.01 mi) Dunkin'
- (0.02 mi) Dunkin'
- (0.02 mi) Dunkin'
The Sports Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 35 |
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Very Good Reviews | 12 |
The Sports Museum Photos | 30 |