Reviews of Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Museum)

Monica Kavarthapu

its refreshing to find such a beautiful place at the center of Boston city. the courtyard will take your breath away. this should definitly be on the to do list for people visiting Boston.

Heather Swain

This place is stunning! Loved seeing all the different places. Highly recommend!

Hnkl Olvrs

Best museum in Boston. Wellesley students get in for free.

Bob Overing

Quirky! Interactive! So much to look at! Nice introductory talk. Especially liked all the knickknacks she picked up on her travels.

Kayla Pruett

If you enjoy art and history *at all* do not miss this museum. It is stunning! There is an excellent free audioguide on their website (and one you can rent, which may be more detailed, at the ticket desk). An audioguide is a must if you want to really appreciate what you are seeing. I can't stress enough how much more you will appreciate the things on view if you hear the stories behind them. Allow at least two hours to take it all in and to stop in various places to admire the courtyard. There are a few overzealous guards but they didn't ruin my enjoyment at all. This place is simply magical. If I lived in Boston I'd go back again and again.

Mona Yusuf

I wish we had more time to see the whole place out. We were in a bit of a hurry but whatever we saw was worth it. This is a beautiful museum.

Ashley Honeycutt

Very beautiful and interesting. Too much Christian renaissance art for my taste

Danielle Hayman

Normal' museums have a room for Dutch masters, a room for religious iconography, a room for Egyptology, and a room for The Impressionists. I like to organize things in groups too, so I get it. But the result is that the rooms seem repetitive and can get boring halfway through. Especially for non art experts or kids.The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum is completely different and the result is such a relief. This is a house decorated by a human. She put art pieces together that looked good together to her own eye (and to mine). The sculptures, paintings, garden, tapestries, ceramics, furniture, and the architecture of the building are all just breathtakingly beautiful.

Andrey Tyshchenko

This place is worth time and money. The modern entry part and the original museum part are pleasure to ones eyes. The exhibits are well described, we wish we took the audio guide, but then it'd taken us several more hours. All the bags need to be left in lockers (free of charge). Nice gift shop, staff is super friendly. For a tourist this museum should be included in a short list.

Anthony DeMarco

Absolute spectacle around every corner. A widow's timeless global shopping spree done with style and grace. Like a luxuriously appointed mansion filled with cultural antiquities and gorgeous art throughout. Small center courtyard adds to the mystique of the original building's elegant architectural nuances. Highly recommend and appreciate.

Francis Jing

Very fun modern sculpture museum. Great for photo taking

Tracy Cavinder

Neat place, she really collected a lot of interesting pieces. Worth checking out

Katya Huster

Amazing private collection museum that is a must see if a history buff in Boston. Totally loved it. The only palace in USA, it was actually built for Mrs Gardner collection. 3 stories of statues, paintings and other pieces of art. Includes works of Titian, Rafael, ancient Roman and Chinese pieces.

Alex Deel

Absolutely stunning collection of art work and architecture. My wife and I visited here while on vacation, knowing nothing about art, and were completely blown away. You don't have to be an art guru to enjoy this museum and appreciate what it has to offer.

Afsaneh Aayani

I absolutely loved this place! It’s so beautiful and one of my favorite places I visited during my stay in Boston. Make sure you give yourself at least 3 hours or more to see the place. So worth the visit.

vivi handoyo

Very beautiful courtyard and architecture, worth going just to see that. They also have beautiful and numerous paintings but I wish there’s better lighting to display it as it was rather dark.

Brian McHale

Magic. Pure magic. I have been here many times. Every visit is wonderful. Peaceful. My students and I visited yesterday as part of the Thinking Through Art program. They can't wait to return.

Julie K.

Awesome! Amazing! Really beautiful. Before you go, listen to at least the first 3 episodes of the podcast called "Last Seen". It tells history of the museum and then all about the robbery they had in 1990. 13 pieces were stolen and so far, not recovered. Isabella stated in her will that there was to be no changes to her collection, and so you will see empty frames hanging where the robbers cut the canvas painting out of the frame.

Jennifer Conrad

Such a cool museum. I visited this place on kind of a whim, on my way to the airport one day. It was so neat, I was bummed I didn't have more time. The layout is really amazing, there are always new rooms beyond the one you are in to explore. The courtyard though...I could have stood there for hours exploring with my eyes from every angle. This place is such a gem.

Nicole Kapise-Perkins

Absolutely beautiful collection in a stunning building. I suggest it to anyone. My nine year old even enjoyed it!

Lueny Morell

Incredibly awesome experience! Enjoy art as you've never done before.

Eleny Mama

I thank Isabella Stewart Gardner for the visión she had. What a wonderful array of exhibits! I would visit again and again just for this courtyard. And the gift shop. And all the wonderful people hanging out.

Edward Lee

Very beautiful. Similar to the Frick or the Morgan in NYC

Sahra Aalaei

My partner and I went here for the 10$ tickets and art making studio and stayed because it super awesome! The art is wonky and strewn about, the garden is beautiful, and the food at the restaurant is delicious. We spent close to 4 hours here and it was a great experience. I definitely recommend!

Uchi Deshi

lovely museum with an eclectic selection of art and curios. Beautiful courtyard and a selection of masterworks and works by lesser- kitten artists. Famous for the 1990 theft of $500 million worth of paintings, which is the largest theft of private property in history and remains unsolved.

T Lavoie

The Isabel Stewart Gardner museum was such a great time! Unfortunately, they have cordoned off the garden section(I remember the chamber music concerts, which added to the experience). Everything is so interesting, fascinating, amazing and diverse. We went on a beautiful day, and we had a great time.

watson Gu

The art in this museum are beautiful we had fun until we visited the second floor. My daughter was a little close to an old chair but no where near touching it, one of the old white hair lady who work there quickly walk towards my wife and said loudly "please watch your miss behaved child." She could have been be a little nicer to young kid. Not recommended to family with kid under 6.

Micah

It's pretty interesting, you'll see this a lot though; "Don't touch"

Greta R

So basically Isabella Stewart was a rich woman who inherited her father's fortune and spend the money travelling and buying art. She built this museum to exhibit her collection, which is mostly European art from the Renaissance. Every room shows a different artistic style or period, and includes mostly paintings, furniture and tapestry, and some sculptures, mosaics and stained glass. BUT definitely the best place in this museum is the courtyard and the pictures talk by themselves.

Kelvin Harriott

Interesting collection of art in a beautiful setting. Worth visiting if possible. I'm not an art buff but I enjoyed this art museum.

Matthew Hogan

Talk about getting cultured. This museum was fantastic. Give yourself time to really read everything, and learn the history. 3 hours tops, and that includes taking a sitting break every now and then.

Holly Prugar

People with allergies and/or asthma beware! We left within fifteen minutes of arriving. The lady at the ticket desk was not pleasant. There was no map or instructions given to us. The lady did not even greet us or smile. The ladies at the gift shop and dining room desk were nice and pleasant. We purchased bottles of water from the dining room desk. This is a wonderful option for hot days!! However, as we were entering the gallery the lady said no backpacks and that there were free lockers downstairs. That's fine, but at least be nice about telling people. We walked into the gallery, which is actually an old home. My allergies immediately acted up. Of course everything is old, as is expected in a museum, but it was difficult to breathe. (I have been to many other older homes that were museums. My allergies have not bothered me in those other older homes). Everything seemed disjointed. There were objects everywhere. There were no signs indicating anything about the items. The courtyard is also closed off to visitors. Overall, this was a very disappointing visit. We will not be returning.

Josephine Elworthy

Love this very personal collection in this most beautiful building. Worth taking the time.

Marie Spradlin

Isabella's love for her collection is overwhelmingly evident in this beautiful place, the epitome of what an art museum should be.

Don Saarela

** History note , On March 18, 1990, 13 works of art valued at a combined total of $500 million were stolen from this Museum. A $10 million reward is still offered on finding them. This place is two blocks walking distance away from Museum Green line stop. Walk down ** Louis Prang St. ** to busy intersection. You will see Evans Way Street on left, next street by Park on left 100 feet down is entrance. The original front of Museum is on " Louis Prang Street. Evans Way Street runs on both sides of the this little Park. Food and gift shop is the new section in my photo and entrance..

Stacy MK

Beautiful exhibits with many interesting pieces. I especially enjoyed the tapestry room and the gardens.

J M

A gorgeous and awe-inspiring place. The gardens are beautiful and the courtyard is magnificent. I wish I had more time because there is so much more here than I realized. What a fascinating collection! I lived getting to see historical art and items in a creative and dreamy place. So wonderful that a place like this exists in the city. It's truly a gem and worth experiencing

Joshua Farrington

This is definitely not what I was expecting. It has a super weird layout and they have security in each room but no actual staff to answer questions you might have about the art. Anyone under 18 does get in for free though, so that's nice.

David Le

Very unique and different from other museums I've been to. There's always something new to discover every time I go there. I highly recommend anyone to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Ashley Dunn

There’s really only the garden in the center. It’s super cool to see once but not worth the money. Interesting history and story.

Antoine M

A definite must do if you are visiting. Definitely World class and exquisite exhibitions, with eclectic collection of fine art and sculptures with intriguing history. A place suitable for all ages. There's a restaurant inside the place and street parking or public parking complex nearby. Wheelchair accessible entrance and public lavatory. This is a beautiful gem of a stupendous museum. I would definitely come back here next time I'm in America.

Uji Servai

I went with my Fiance during summer. It's a beautiful museum with art, architecture and nature. Such pretty plants, paintings and sculptures. So much to learn and there is an audio guide to be used with the map of the museum. I do recommend bringing your headphones to be able to listen to it. They also provide headphones at the site.

Lisa Ma

A beautiful museum showcasing an astonishing woman’s vision and a glimpse into her soul. I had originally wanted to come to see the famous courtyard, but there was so much more to this museum. I love the feminine and feminist overtures, each room flowed beautifully into the next and you can feel her presence throughout the museum. It truly is her own work of art. Upon arrival there is a complimentary coat check and there are lockers provided for bags. We had luggage as we were on our way out of Boston but didn’t want to miss this museum, and they kindly stowed our bags for us. The entrance is a modern addition and very minimal yet aesthetic. I would recommend catching a tour, our tour guide was an absolute delight and only took 30 minutes, after which we were even more eager to explore. There is also a free online audio tour or $5 to rent a device. I would budget 1.5-3 hours depending on how interested you would be in each room and examining each piece of art. There are a lot, all eclectically spread out exactly as Isabella wanted. The crowds are pleasant, with art students sprawled throughout the museum gathering inspiration. Staff is kind and friendly. Such a great experience.

Kate Skuzeski

Amazing! So much history and art collected by one woman. Her house is beautiful and the gardens are peaceful. The art is from all over the world. You will feel like you have traveled the globe after you have walked all three floors. If you love history and art make sure you give yourself a lot of time there is a lot to see for a such a small space. Easily a three hour or more visit. There is a gift shop and a cafe. If you are on the go there are free lockers for backpack storage. A Boston must see!

Elizabeth Calvin

A beautiful collection of artwork. It's not an all day museum, bus it's a nice place to visit. The courtyard is lovely! You can see the frames where the paintings were stolen so many years ago

Jennifer Liang

Amazing place with beautiful interior. The history of the building is so inspiring and there’s so much to see. Definitely a place to visit during your time at Boston and make sure to give at least two hours for the trip. Amazing staff who are so welcoming and eager to help out.

Jennifer L

The building/house is very beautiful and it has great artworks. The courtyard is extraordinary. My only complaint is that since it's very dim, as it needs to be for the art's safety, it makes it hard to enjoy. Most rooms are dark, rather than just a couple so I found myself unable to fully appreciate it. And I don't appreciate that there's no information next to the works but rather on less helpful, dirty handheld cards in each room. It's worth it if you're into art and have done everything else you've wanted to do. The interior is often more of a castle feel as well, but not as cool (temperature and interest)

jose trejo

Great museum with lots of history. Not that expensive to get in either. You can park at the museum of fine arts and take a short 5 min walk to this museum. I enioyed the garden very much as well as the paintings.

Tlalli Uribe

Beautiful exhibit, you can't take the whole thing in in one day.

Keith Jackson

Overwhelming in size and scope. Really awesome. There's so much to look at, so much going on, and tons of security. I guess there's valuable stuff here, or so they say. "Allegedly" a few things were stolen in 1990. Also, this horse's balls were huuuuge, and that's pretty funny--although my wife pointed out that the dude riding it did just stab a dragon.

Doug F

The Gardner Museum is one of my favorite places in Boston, especially during the dreary winter days. I love the fact you can come here and see fantastic works of art, steeped in so much history in a casual, yet elegant environment. I feel so welcomed here and it’s touching that as a student I’m treated with such dignity and openness at a premiere establishment for the arts. I often forget it’s winter outside when I visit when looking at the verdant vegetation and ferns within the courtyard. I look forward to the summer and mingling with like-minded art lovers over prosecco on the museum grounds.

Xuena Lin

A great place to spend 3 relaxing hours. Beautiful courtyard and elegant mansion housing wonderful collection of paintings and artifacts. The setting gives people a sense of intimacy like looking into Mrs Gardner's treasure chest. Pity for the stolen masterpieces...

Ceelo L

It's okay, could be organized better. Some of the staff is not friendly or consistent, as I guess different rules apply to different visitors. Floor supervisors need to be trained to be polite to visitors. So unless you really want to visit then go, else just visit the MFA.

Clayton Bernard

Excellent collection of Italian Renaissance art. Beautiful courtyard and architecture throughout. Isabella was a wonderful person for creating this palace of art.

Brooke Ottman

REALLY enjoyed this museum. I had no idea what to expect and had a great time. Good mix of architecture and art. Definitely recommend as a Boston experience!

Jeff Chetkauskas

Museum with many types of artworks, from paintings, to sculptures, tapestry. and even the design and decor of each themed room. The perfect place to go for any art lover. 3 floors to view. Take a stop for a bite to eat in the cafe or lounge in the library, both in located in the new wing. Don't forget to stop and learn about the mystery of the stolen paintings from the 90s. Plan to stay 1-3 hours.

Meghan O'Brien

This beautiful and lovingly crafted collection is an amazing assemblage of world artifacts. I was exceptionally surprised since we attended without really knowing what we were going to see. The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum is a treat and the visit is customizable depending on how much time you have available. The self-guided tour is available as a phone app and is recommended if you want enriching detail. The works are only self described otherwise. I will visit again the next time I'm in Boston.

Alison Kan

Gorgeous building with a very unique private collection of art. There is a beautiful courtyard in the middle (can't walk through) but it's filled with plants. There are a few levels filled with different art exhibits, collections of furniture, tapestries, and relics. It's overall a beautiful space with beautiful items inside, but of course, much smaller than something like the MFA.

Alyssa Holmes

Wonderful experience. I loved the artworks, and the details put in to every corner of every room. What a beautiful place. I recommend coming here with a couple hours to burn, and just go slow. But it would be worth it just to stroll through as well.

Johnny Z.

Neat little museum with a collection of artwork and valuables from around the world. Can’t say I was super impressed but the experience offered a temporary portal into the fantasy of traveling around the globe purely for the leisure of experiencing other cultures and collecting goods that piqued one’s interest. I guess it’s similar to what more and more millennials are doing these days when they catch the travel bug. Most of the exhibits lacked any sort of explanation but there are audio guides available for rent and the mobile application offers additional information. The discounts for admissions were really generous with free entrance for people whose names are “Isabella” and those who have a military ID.

Sophia Kyanidou

A MUST visit in Boston. So much art ....so much beauty

Luciana Santos

What can I say? This is the most beautiful, warm, lovely Museum. Two times I went to Boston, two times I have been there. If I go again, I definitely will go there! I LOVE IT!!! I love Isabella!

B00550595 Saussaies

Dream place!! Must see in Boston. Easy access. Renzo Piano at his best!

Lukas Renggli

Fantastic garden and building, the artwork shown is dark, oldish and quite a bit boring though. The Museum of Fine Art next door is much more interesting in that regard. Entry fee is $15, unless you are called Isabella.

Nathan Stuckey

We've been to a lot of museums both at home and overseas and this is so far the most extensive collection of European art/architecture/design that we've seen in the states. So if you want a taste of European museums for cheaper, or if you live in the NE, go here instead of flying overseas. Obviously not as extensive but for something that started as a private collection it's incredible.

Cosme Oliveira

Helpful staff. Nice art collection, super high vibe place with a big atrium and ambient music.

Mark Woodley

A home museum housing an impressive collection of art and decorative objects all as they were when the collector lived here. Impressive courtyard with open air gardens especially in April when nasturtium vines are on display. Admission. Limited parking nearby. Allow 2 hours minimum.

Jessica Butts

Gorgeous museum with fascinating stories! The tours are very informative and engaging. Highly recommend!

Jeffrey Brigham

Beautiful locale, filled with European and medieval art works. Amazing!

Justin Gioia

The garden was so euphoric. Artwork was amazing. Such a great piece of history!

Marita Fitzpatrick

One of the best art museums in the world. Superb collection displayed in a unique style. The empty frames from the unsolved 1990 theft are touching.

Josephine Tan

We joined the musuem tour which lasted for about an hour. It was extremely informative and gave us good context about the story behind the museum. There is also an online audio guide that takes guests through the musuem which was equally good. It was a beautiful musuem with a lovely courtyard.

B T

Very interesting - a home museum. Well worth a visit.

Arianna Marangoni

I love this place. I could spend here all my days. The only thing that I would like to say is that it is not toddler-friendly. Unless you wear your child, keep him/her in a carrier or on the stroller without snacks or food for the whole visit, it will be a stressful experience. Other than that, it's heaven on earth.

Don Smith

This house is amazing. If you like art do not miss this museum. A billionaires collection of some of the most interesting art on earth!

Nicole Sheldrake

ISG Museum is a must-see! Fascinating history, wonderful art, interesting architecture and gorgeous courtyard! And then there's the biggest art heist of all time! Highly recommended! Do a guided tour of you can.

K Barker

A very thoughtful museum. An interesting story on how the museum was founded and established. Recommend the intro 20 minute overview to learn about the history of the founder and museum.

Barbara B.

Architecture is fantastic. All the art is fully explained or you can take a guided tour via your smart phone. Each room is designed with artwork selected by Isabella. A definite must see.

michelle Chung

Must visit place in Boston! They have great restaurant too.

Jahnavi Gandhi

Good collection, I like how the architecture, interiors and the garden are also part of the museum experience. It's small enough to explore in 2-3 hours. They organize good events throughout the year.

Jef Rosh

Apparently this was a weird lady that really loved her hash Brownies so thumbs up to that

Fernando Valdés

Great art collection, if you have some spare time and money you should plan a visit

Bill Manley

This is by far the best museum in Boston! Every square inch of this building is a sight to behold. The masterful works of art displayed on the walls are wonderfully complemented by the period architecture. You feel as if you're whisked away to another time, as if you were in on one of Mrs. Gardner's house parties. If you are visiting Boston I couldn't recommend a place more!

Don Pearson

A hidden gem created almost 100 years ago by a wealthy widow with great artistic taste and strong feelings about how to display her collection. It's also got a beautiful little concert hall (and staff very gifted in scheduling talent) and a sweet little restaurant. Plan to spend half a day, meal included -- and then do it all over again once a season!

Rob Andrews

Can't say enough about this fabulous museum! Kudos to Isabella for creating such a warm and lovely spot for all of her art treasures. You can easily use your mobile as an audio guide - definitely take advantage of it as you learn so much of the history of Mrs. Gardner and many works of art. Be prepared to spend hours enjoying all three floors. The conservatory in the middle is gorgeous!

Tirzah Marie

A hidden gem in Boston! The wonderful art coupled with the amazing garden makes this one of my favorite places. The story of the art heist is also intriguing and adds to the charm of the house turned into a museum.

Tom Raines

Firstly, I feel like I need to tell you this place is wierd. It's just very strange, and very disorienting frankly. However, despite this place appearing to be quite expensive it's actually quite affordable if members of your Party are under 18 as they are free, in addition to this, vets with ID are half off. The staff was lackluster, they where okay, but I was not overly impressed save one person who was extremely friendly and helpful, but not to an annoying level. I'm going to skip right to the end here because frankly, I can't say much else that hasn't been said already. I recommend this to: Those who appreciate art and don't mind the unorthodox presentation of it. Those with children over 10 who will appreciate art, those who wish to see Isabella's story. I do not recommend this to: Anyone with young children, the castle (?) Is full of chairs but not any for seating. I can't recommend this to the average person who does not love art, it's a bit strange and confusing. Finally, I don't recommend it to those who wish to stay on a budget or want to avoid crowds, this place is busy and costs 15 apice.

James G.

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.

Monil Bid

Beautiful place. So many wonderful pieces of art to see.

Ani Pav

The most beautiful museum I've ever been to!

Mike Bourque

A fantastic museum to visit, much to see and marvel at. Lots of history and of course, art. Definitely would like to visit again! .....even has bunnies outside!

m grace

Beautiful exhibits and perspective. Though the unlabeled displays weren't my favorite, the arrangement and intention of Isbaelle Gardener can still be explored through the unique experience she created.

Brian Cummings

Beautiful architecture and grounds. Eclectic mix of artistic works. The Calderwood is an amazing performance space. You gotta go!

MckenZie Walker

Beautiful building with an incredible collection of art from around the world. Objects are not organized by contemporary standards, but rather as the founder had arranged them at the end of the nineteenth century.

Noga Gilboa

Amazing! At lovers could easily spend there three hours. Even non art lovers would be impressed by the building and vibe this musume projects. Absolutely will visit again!!

Legendz

Amazing Museum Great History although there is a painting missing. Has lots of different rooms with a lot of different unique places. Great job

Katie Hiller

This collection is interesting and displayed uniquely. Things seemed cluttered, cramped, and all over the place stylistically (Oriental pieces with middleages art pieces)

Camille PECASTAINGS-CHRISTIE

I’ve been to this museum multiple times and I never get bored of it ! Whether you’re an art connoisseur or just a curious visitor, this is the one museum to go to in Boston ! The patio is so relaxing... spend a couple of hours in the house imagining what it must feel like to live there.

JM A

There is too much to see here! We entered thinking it would be an hour visit. Quickly we realised those expectations were out the window!! Between the building itself and the artworks it contains, you will find yourself engulfed in design. I guarantee it. Parking is sketchy around the area, so get there early or head straight to the art district parking garage. I cannot stress enough how mesmerizing this place can be to the art/design appreciator.

Lila Orrock

Different kind of art museum. Notorious for the art heist that took place here, but the real gem is the way the museum was curated by Isabella Stewart Gardner herself. This intimate space allows the chance to engage with the art in a different way. Check your coat and bags, the security cam be very particular.

Marshal Laycock

An unexpected gem in a city filled with wonders. While the art is phenomenal, that's not why you go to the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum - you go for the experience. The layout of the art, the beautifully designed interiors, and the knowledge that this was all one woman's vision - it all makes for a truly special gallery not like anything else in the world. Absolute must see.

Axel Schneider

Great collection by an interesting art collector, exhibition on the eclectic side ...

Jen Beckwith

Wish I'd had more time to spend there. Eclectic and amazing

Connie LoBello

I recently visited and was very impressed by the contents and presentation of the exhibits. But I was taken back by some comments and gestures made by a security man. I was taking a family picture behind a roped dining room table. Behind me was a piano that was not roped in. I accidentally, touched the piano upon leaving. All at once, a security man came towards me, gesturing with his hands on the side of his head, and yelled at me not to touch the piano. I immediately apologized and said it was unintentional and he pointed his finger at me and said “this is a museum!” in an irate voice. I was appalled at his behavior. After I continued to tell him it was unintentional, he eventually calmed down. However, the incident still bothered me the rest of the day. You need to either rope off he piano to avoid accidental brushes or better train your security guards to not react so heavily to accidents.

Kristina Weekley

Beautiful collection of art. Beautiful landscaping. Beautiful architecture.

Michelle Zinger

Very unique museum. An art lover's and historian's dream! The student discount for this one was $5 off, making admission only $10, which is a steal. Additionally all named "Isabella" are admitted for free. It's a lovely place to walk around and learn a bit about her life through her residence. The picture frames from the stolen art are still up, so you can see where it once was. You can also get some information about the art theft of 1990 on their website I believe, where you can learn what exactly was stolen and the history of those paintings. Bags are not allowed and must be given in coat check or in a locker downstairs, which is free. The gift shop is very cute to roam around in, and you get a little orange tag to prove you paid for admission, and on the way out there is a box where you can recycle them! Highly recommend this museum, a glimpse of art, architecture, history, and a woman's residence turned museum.

Austin Graff

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a hidden gem in Boston. It's a historic building south of Fenway with a gorgeous indoor courtyard that spans three levels with fountains, plants, etc. In addition, there are several galleries in the new building, many galleries in the old building, a restaurant, reading rooms, theaters, and a gift store. It's $15 to get in as a regular adult, so budget several hours to enjoy the art and sit and relax in the indoor courtyard. If you go on the third Thursday of the month, the museum stays open until 9pm with music, poetry reading, etc. There are bathrooms and free lockers to store bags in the basement.

Ken Beckett

Very nice garden atrium in addition to old works of art.

Lynne Tyrie

So unique to wander through Isabella's grand Venitian home and admire all the paintings, tapestries, furniture and objects she collected. Highly moving.

Brenda Hayes

Incredible art experience our entire family (including our teen) relished.

Vaibhav Beohar

Crazy amazing place! Can’t say enough things about Isabella Gardner Museum. It’s one of this small museums that can be covered in a couple hours, yet you get so much out of the experience. I loved the fact that it’s so easily accessible. It’s so fun to walk inside the beautiful mansion and to experience the artwork and historical artifacts so neatly arranged.

Elizabeth Du Plessis

Surprisingly beautiful and peaceful... Glad we made the effort to go and look!

Antonia Lopez

I'd been visiting Boston for work for seven years on an almost quarterly basis. I was on my last trip as I was taking a new job and thought I should visit this museum/home because it was likely my last chance to do so. I LOVE this place! If you have an appreciation for art (paintings, sculptures, gardens, architecture, woodwork,etc.) then you must spend time at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I wish I'd had gone across multiple days because one afternoon simply wasn't enough. Her collection of EVERYTHING was just perfection! Every crevasse, corner, open space, tiny room was detailed and thought out. Words cannot describe this place and I encourage you to visit. Make sure to learn about why this place exists and what happens there once per year. It's a wonderful story.

Huxley Anjilvel

A not so hidden gem, the wide collection of Renaissance Art is only rivalled by the incredible architecture that truly feels as if you've been transported back in time.

Daniel DeNinno

This was an impressive and homely museum. Getting to know Isabella's life and personality through her garden and collection was a great experience. Picking out the portraits of her from her collection was fun as I didn't know what she looked like going in, I felt like I was unraveling her life. Plus the central atrium garden was beautiful! It would be awesome to be able to attend some party or event in the garden, truly a great building and museum. I was especially struck by the correspondences between her and extremely famous people of her time, US presidents, some of the most famous composers, artists and writers, wow!!

Shantida Oakheart

Interesting, decent price. I went on a really busy day, but it was still a great experience. Love the garden. So much completely random art.

Bill Lodge

By it's very nature, the original museum building is a bit cramped, and the necessary low lighting to protect the artwork make it a bit tough to navigate, especially if there are a good number of people there- not show stoppers, but just be prepared to be patient. The newer extension has much more room and traditional museum space and lighting, so an interesting dichotomy between the two. Note: no dedicated parking, so plan accordingly; might suggest using the Boston MFA parking and walking; not far if the weather is good.

Carolyn K

Always a fantastic place to visit, any time of year! I would recommend visiting by yourself, with friends, or with kids to learn a unique part of Boston’s history. The garden is spectacular and the range of artwork is beautiful.

edward golash

Avery large collection by a wealthy lady who could obviously get anything she wanted. However the museum rooms are small, poorly lit and the art is set out seemingly at random. No attributions near the art so you have to rely on large plastic cards in each room. Quirky stuff like an ostrich egg hung on an ornate candlelabra. So many Virgin and Child's ! Great for a one time look but not my favorite.

Lara Moody

An amazing place! How one person was able to collect so much astounds me. Will need to go back a few times to really appreciate it all.

Morgan Clond

This is a great little museum. Fascinating amalgamation of architecture, artwork, and interior design elements organized around a stunning courtyard. Don't miss the gift shop, or the sunroom of interesting plants that's next to the ticket desk.

Davide Donati

Superb museum, the building itself with its central garden would be enough for the ticket. The first floor exposition was incredible, spent more than a hour just admiring the pieces exposed there.

Autumn Mathews

Gorgeous museum, and the garden in the center is stunning. So thankful for the kind workers inside that gave us directions to exactly what pieces we were looking for.

Alan Wu

Idiosyncratic museum crammed with iconic art and literary souvenirs. Friendly staff and volunteers, nice gift shop. Also features an active program of visiting artists, contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, performances, and workshops.

Mao Fong Lim

Beautiful museum. Each room is an immersive experience into another era. Courtyard is a beautiful highlight, with a rotating selection of plants and flowers. Student tickets-$10. Guided tours are free (see the board) but you'll have to book a place on the tour,at the main reception. There is also a free audio guide available on the website, which takes you through each room and points out the highlights. lockers available for free. Don't miss the resident canary in the Living Room!

Mabel Zhang

Unique museum, which used to be the namesake owner's house in which she lived and entertained and intended to always be a museum. Many beautiful intricate large tapestries, paintings, furniture, and some Asian pieces here and there that she collected for personal interest but aren't part of any collection. In April, her birthday month, orange nasturtiums hang from windows into the walls of the courtyard, quite a display. New wing houses the greenhouse, open studio for activities, and a nice lounge area, but is in no way similar to the original building in appearance or taste.

Lee Lavoie

Excellent place to visit all year long.

Bobbi Double

Beautiful mix of art in it's many forms! Sculpture, tile, drawings,paintings, tapestries and more, arranged in rooms and halls and gardens. Quite a collection- arranged just as the mistress of the manor liked them. Very different from the normal organized categorized museum this feels more personal and almost like looking at an art lovers hoard of prized possessions.

Philippa Mello-Hill

I had a wonderful day at the Isabella Stewart Gardener museum following the recommendation of a friend. It is a quirky place full of a collection that was a lifetime of passion for beautiful and interesting pieces.

Sarah Proctor

What gem in the middle of this beautiful city! I loved every inch and cannot wait to visit again! We discovered this museum from a hop on/off city bus tour and I am so grateful! What an interesting American woman! And the guardians of this museum do an excellent job! It’s a beautiful place to spend the day! You’ll be transported back in time. Don’t miss out!

Tiffany Liu

Really enjoyed walking through the museum that has a really wide collection of art from different regions and time periods. Each room is thoughtfully put together but has a ton of stuff to look at! The art heist is also a really interesting/sad part of the museum's history.

Sem Celotto

Interesting and unique European art museum in the middle of Boston, 2 minutes walk from the Fine Arts museum. Definitely for the artistic mind.

Jenna Deslaurier

So beautiful and so much to look at! It's easy to get lost in all the art and forget how long you've been hear so definitely set aside a few hours! It's haunting to see the empty frames still hanging if you are coming to learn more about the heist. Either way, it's a great way to spend a day!

Steve Smith

Outstanding small high quality collection. Best to Uber to and from. Parking is impossible. Best 3 hours I've spent in a long time.

Chelsey Snyder

Very different museum. Lovely inner courtyard!

Marion Canon

Very beautiful and exquisite little museum. We had a great time discovering Isabella Gardner’s stunning art collection and the palace she had built to preserve it! The staff is friendly.

M. Knapp

Eclectic collection of fine art. The interior courtyard is a great spot to decompress

Anthony Riek

Such a beautiful museum, and a really unique experience walking through it. I thought the museum itself was almost more gorgeous than some of the works of art. We had lunch at the cafe, it was pricy but delicious. Totally worth it.

elizabeth centauro

Most unique place in Boston. Truly beautiful. The indoor courtyard of flowers, new perspectives every floor you climb. One of the only places you can view art the way it was viewed the time of creation. Something to distract you in every corner, hall, stairway. The Gardner utilizes every bit of space, allowing you to view art in a way conventional museums have not.

Angela Reincke

Beautiful display of art and nature. What a great place to spend an afternoon. The historic park map exhibit was a great surprise.

David Savage

Amazing museum, with an eclectic collection in an extraordinary setting. One of a kind.

Kelsey Christopher

Beautiful! It's amazing how close you can get to all the relics they have. No big glass boxes in the way. So many paintings. Beautiful building. So cool to see the empty frames

Pamela Edwards

Her goal was to make beautiful art available to everyone with no barriers. Literally. You're asked not to touch, but you walk up to nearly all the pieces. And she wanted people to just experience the art, so things aren't labeled. It really offered a different experience. Go early to avoid crowds and alone to just contemplate.

elise fleming

Great food - tastes and looks good. Excellent and friendly wait staff. Very accommodating.

Helen ODonnell

If you like old dark basements or attics. you'll love this place. I don't care for them. Found the place old, dusyy, dark and docents were very rude. May have some nice art, but too dark to tell. I won't be back. I can't stand looking at old, dishevelled things.

David Connors

Beautiful Museum filled with many artifacts and paintings. Very well put together. Rich in history.

Joni Waybright

Step into Isabella's quiet world, refresh your eyes and breathe in the views of her lovely garden.

Cathy Young

Small but exquisite museum with an amazing variety of works from different eras and cultures. Beautiful courtyard. The café is highly recommended as well.

Jared Carlson

Perhaps the most unique museum I have been to, a muscle if you are a fan of John Singer Sergeant.

Richard Wight

Very nice museum. Great voice app available on your phone

Nova Gunawan

Very disorganized place. The exhibitions are lack of explanations, which makes me feel like they stole those things from somewhere but don’t know what they are. They create a lot of BS rules like you can’t hold your jacket in your hand. A funny thing is that I actually caught a security guy sleeping at work! Not sure if a shooter comes in, he can be awake or not.

Larisa Pokryvailo

Very nice small museum with a beautiful indoor garden.

Jonathan Ratcliff

Stunning. If you like art, culture, international perspectives and John Singer Sargent, you will love the ISGM. Air conditioned museum with excellent free audio commentary full of treasures collected and themed by country or period. The only moan is the lighting but that is dim to protect the treasures. Get used to it and love it like we did.

Shelly Katoch

Great pieces of art. You would need at least an hour to review each and every bit of the place. The garden is a beautiful place to take pictures.

Sujan Baral

A true gem in Boston. Has plenty of historic collection from different era, including those from 1 first and second centuries. A very beautiful garden in the middle surrounded by walls with windows makes the central part a pleasure to look at.

Risto Jamul

A wonderful private collection with very interesting history. Gives you a chance to learn about Isabella Stewart Gardner and how she became an art collector. Also read about the art theft in 1990 which remains still a mystery. Check the times for free tours beforehand as they don't run that often.

Aref JDEY

Nice jump back in history. Cool design with a modern touch without putting the historical side in jeopardy. Recommend to start from the top and make your way down to enjoy the garden view from the top. The library and reading space is good for taking a break.

Suzanne Hickey

This place is so rich in history. Gorgeous and stunning!