Museums are an awesome way to learn about art, culture and history, and Boston boasts an incredible array of world-class museums and cultural institutions.
But those tickets can add up, so we compiled a list of free days at some of the top Boston-area museums so you can soak up the culture without emptying your wallet.
Photo credit: MFA Boston
465 Huntington Ave
The MFA is Boston's largest museum, with a collection of nearly 500,000 ancient to contemporary artworks from around the world, and a great place to get lost for the day.
Massachusetts residents can get in for free on MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples' Day. Bank of America cardholders get free admission on the first weekend of every month.
Photo credit: Hanyang Zhang / Unsplash
25 Evans Way
The gorgeous, Venetian palazzo-inspired Gardner Museum holds one of the finest private collections in New England.
The Museum is free every first Thursday from 3-9pm, and always free for those 17 and under, as well as anyone named "Isabella." Just be sure to reserve your ticket in advance!
photo credit: Boston Children's Museum
308 Congress St
The Boston Children's Museum is the second-oldest children's museum in the world! A popular spot for field trips during the week, you can snag $1 entry on Sunday afternoons from 1-4pm if you reserve tickets ahead of time.
photo credit: Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford St, Cambridge
11 Divinity Ave, Cambridge
Learn about everything from dinosaurs to ancient ceremonial clothing at Harvard's adjacent history museums.
Both museums are free to all Massachusetts residents on Sundays from 9am-12pm and Wednesdays from 3-5pm. Plus, they're always free if you're a K-12 teacher in the state.
Photo credit: New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf
Hang out with seals and penguins at the New England Aquarium — there's even a giant Pacific octopus! Massachusetts Teacher Association or Boston Teachers Union cardholders receive free Aquarium admission when they show their card at the ticket booth.
Photo credit: ICA Boston
25 Harbor Shore Dr
From its Seaport vantage, the storied Institute of Contemporary Art showcases some of the freshest contemporary works, including exhibitions by acclaimed and emerging artists alike.
Massachusetts residents can get in for free on MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples' Day. Admission is also free on Thursdays from 5-9pm. Bank of America cardholders can go for free on the first Sunday of the month.
photo credit: zoo new england
1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston
149 Pond St, Stoneham
Ready for a wild adventure? Both Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo are free for everyone on MLK Jr. Day. Mom gets in free on Mother's Day, and Dad gets in free on Father's Day. Veterans and their immediate family members enjoy free admission on Veterans Day.
photo credit: boston.com
200 State St, 2nd Floor
Turn your perspective upside-down at one of Boston's newest museums! The fun, interactive exhibits will turn your way of thinking on its head. Massachusetts Teacher Association or Boston Teachers Union cardholders receive free admission when they show their ID card when buying tickets.
Every Boston student can enjoy free admission to some of our city’s top attractions and they can even bring two guests! This initiative runs the first and second Sunday of each month, with participating institutions like Franklin Park Zoo, the ICA, the MFA, the Museum of Science, the JFK Presidential Library, the Museum of African American History and more.
The library isn't just for books — it's your ticket to free and discounted access to Boston's top museums and attractions! You can reserve one pass every 30 days with an active library card. Pro tip: passes sell out quickly, so book early for your best chance. Then discover even more perks of your library card.
Plus, check out these great museums and historical sites that are always free or suggested donation:
MassArt Art Museum
MIT List Visual Arts Center
McMullen Museum of Fine Art
Massachusetts Historical Society
Museum of Bad Art
Waterworks Museum
Boston University Art Galleries
Boston Fire Museum
Bunker Hill Museum and Monument
Coit Observatory
USS Constitution Museum
Museum of Medical History and Innovation
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last updated December 2025
