Boston Museums You Can Visit for Free Or Almost Free!

Boston Museums You Can Visit for Free (Or Almost Free!) 

Boston is packed with world-class museums and cultural gems — but let’s be real, those ticket prices add up quick. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to explore the city’s art, history, and science scene without breaking the bank. Here’s your ultimate guide to free (and super discounted) museum days in and around Boston.

Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) — 465 Huntington Ave

Boston’s largest museum with nearly 500,000 works of art.

• Free Days: MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Bonus: Bank of America cardholders get in free the first weekend of every month

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — 25 Evans Way

A Venetian-inspired palace filled with incredible art.

• Free Days: First Thursday of each month (3–9pm)
• Always Free: Anyone 17 & under, or anyone named “Isabella” (no joke)

Boston Children’s Museum — 308 Congress St

Second-oldest children’s museum in the world — hands-on fun for the little ones.

• Deal: $1 admission on Sundays (1–4pm, with advance reservation)

Harvard Museum of Natural History + Peabody Museum — Cambridge

Dinosaurs, fossils, ancient artifacts, and more.

• Free for MA Residents: Sundays (9am–12pm) + Wednesdays (3–5pm)
• Always Free: Massachusetts K–12 teachers

New England Aquarium — 1 Central Wharf

Seals, penguins, and a giant Pacific octopus.

• Free Admission: With Massachusetts Teacher Association or Boston Teachers Union card

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) — 25 Harbor Shore Dr

Fresh, bold, contemporary art on the Boston Seaport.

• Free Days: MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Weekly Free Admission: Thursdays (5–9pm)
• Extra Perk: Bank of America cardholders get in free the first Sunday of the month

Zoo New England

Franklin Park Zoo — 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston
Stone Zoo — 149 Pond St, Stoneham

• Free for All: MLK Jr. Day
• Specials: Moms are free on Mother’s Day, Dads are free on Father’s Day, Veterans and families free on Veterans Day

Museum of Illusions — 200 State St

Interactive exhibits that flip your perspective.

• Free Admission: With Massachusetts Teacher Association or Boston Teachers Union card