Boston Museum of Fine Arts Tours and Activities

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest in the USA, housing almost 450,000 artworks including one of the most extensive displays of Monet paintings outside France and a world-famous collection of Asian art.The giant bronze statue of a Native American on horseback, Appeal to the Great Spirit, welcomes visitors with open arms at the south entrance. The sheer size of the building and the comprehensiveness of its galleries means that it’s impossible to see everything in one visit, so take a little time to plan your day at the Sharf Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a floor plan, sign up for a free gallery tour or download the helpful multimedia guide app. The admission ticket thoughtfully includes a free return visit within ten days, so you can always come back to catch the things you missed first time around.Among the museum’s must-see highlights are historic musical instruments, jewellery and textiles from around the world, and especially the fabulous Asian art collection which is reputed to be one of the finest outside Japan. One of the newer additions is the Art of the Americas wing, housed in 53 galleries across four floors and featuring over 5,000 fascinating artworks from North, South and Central America. Of particular interest to Bostonians is the much-loved portrait of local hero Paul Revere by John Singleton Copley.As well as the permanent collections, the museum also runs an extensive programme of visiting exhibitions. Regular talks, classes and workshops given by professional artists and teachers cover all aspects of art education and practice. There are also a variety of dining options within the museum, ranging from the family-friendly cafeteria to the stylish New American Café, so when you’ve exhausted the art you can relax with a drink or a snack.The Museum of Fine Arts is around a ten-minute drive from Boston’s downtown area. There is on-site pay parking or take the subway or bus for a more convenient journey. The museum is open seven days a week.