Boston museum of fine arts: A visitors perspective

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is a veritable treasure trove of art, photography, jewelry, musical instruments and textiles from both the modern and ancient worlds. The varied standing collection and prestigious visiting exhibitions makes this arts museum a must-see for locals and visitors alike.

Getting to and finding your way around the museum of fine arts

Although there is limited parking most visitors to this Boston museum make use of the handy subway system. Hop aboard the Green Line ‘E’ train and get off at the Museum of Fine Arts stop or you can also take the Orange Line and disembark at the Ruggles stop. Buses also cater for those with any underground phobias and you should take the 39 to the Museum of Fine Arts stop or the 8, 47 and CT2 buses for Ruggles. Use the entrance on Huntingdon Avenue, Avenue of the Arts and the ticket booth is on your right. The new wing, designed by Norman Foster, is a splendid addition to the Boston Museum of Art and its use of towering walls of glass give it a cathedral-like quality. I personally always head down to the Art of Americas hall on the lower ground floor, although I wouldn’t blame anyone for stopping off at the Garden Cafeteria first for an espresso before feasting upon the best of Boston art. The collection is housed chronologically so as you ascend the levels you are taken from ancient and native American art to 18th and early 19th Century on level one, late 19th and early 20th century on level two through to late 20th century on level three.

MFA Boston - a worldwide master of fine arts

It’s not just American art on show though, MFA Boston is a worldwide master of fine arts. African Asian, European and Oceanic masterpieces also abound on the first and second levels. If modern is your thing Contemporary Art is well catered for and will become even more accessible when the new wing opens in September. Whilst I can gaze at antiquities, sculptures and exquisite canvases for hours what makes the museum unique for me is the musical instruments collection with over 1,100 items ranging from ancient to modern times. There are guided talks in the other galleries but here you also get to hear the exhibits played live. On the first Monday of every month at 11am, and on some Wednesdays at 6pm, a free lecture and musical demonstration is provided. It's a wonderful experience and I can't help but think as I'm carried away on a raft of ancient melodies that the Museum of Fine Arts Boston could also double as the school of the museum of fine arts for anyone who has a wish to learn about the past.