It is well known that there are a lot of great museums that Boston has to offer. However, what is not as well known is that you do not have to spend big money to see all of the Boston museums. There are ways to enjoy Boston museums on budget. In fact, it can be very cheap and often free to visit Boston Museums. 

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Ways To Enjoy Boston Museums For Free & Cheap By Day Of The Week

Wednesdays

The Museum of Fine Arts

Modified Admission pricing ($5 minimum) during the 3–4 pm entry time slot every Wednesday presented by Chase. MFA Members are always admitted for free.

465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Free admission for:- holders of a current Harvard ID (+1 guest); Harvard Museums of Science & Culture members, and Harvard Art Museums members- Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning (year-round) from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (September through May). Proof of residency required. This offer is not available to commercial groups.- Massachusetts Teachers (K-12).- Massachusetts residents who present Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards at the admission desk with up to 5 guests.

26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 

Free for holders of a current Harvard ID (+1 guest); Harvard Museums of Science & Culture members, and Harvard Art Museums members. Free for Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning (year-round) from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (September through May).

11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138

Thursdays

The Institute of Contemporary Art

(ICA) – Free admission for:- for all every Thursday from 5 to 9 PM during ICA Free Thursday Nights- for Youth 18 and under

100 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Fuller Craft Museum

Free admission for all Brockton residents

455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA 02301

Fridays

Boston Children’s Museum 

$1 admission (almost free!) from 5-9pm every Friday night

308 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210

Boston Fire Museum

Free admission for all from Fridays 5 to 8PM and Saturdays 9:30 to 4PM

344 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110 (*very close to the Children’s Museum if you want to do both)

Saturdays

Harvard Art Museum 

Free admission for all students with a valid ID and youth under 18

32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Boston Fire Museum

Free admission for all from Fridays 5 to 8PM and Saturdays 9:30 to 4PM 

344 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110

Sundays

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Massachusetts residents get free admission every Sunday morning from 9 am to Noon year-round, excluding commercial groups, with proof of residency

26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 

Massachusetts residents get free admission every Sunday morning from 9 am to Noon year-round, excluding commercial groups, with proof of residency

11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138

Worcester Art Museum

Free admission on the first Sunday of each month

55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609

MIT Museum

Free admission the last Sunday of every month, September to June

265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139

 

Boston Museums That Are Always Free

U.S.S. Constitution

The U.S.S. Constitution Museum is free (with a suggested donation for $10-15 per adult though) and guided tours of the boat are free all week long. Hours vary depending on if it’s summer or winter, so make sure you check times before you go. *make sure to bring your ID/passport*

Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown, MA 02129

Boston University Art Gallery

Free daily (closed on Mondays)

855 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Commonwealth Museum

Free during open hours Monday-Friday 9-5pm and open seasonally 9-3 on the weekends from May to October, closed on holidays

220 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125

Massachusetts State House

Free walking tours of the building and collections from 10-3:30 pm on weekdays

Otis House

Free for Boston residents, $10 for adults otherwise

141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114

Waterworks Museum

Free (suggested donation of $5) during open hours which vary depending on season. It’s a great place to learn about one of the first city water systems in the USA.

2450 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02467

The Art Complex Museum

Always free when they are open (Wednesday-Sunday 1-4pm).

189 Alden Street, Duxbury, MA 02331

Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company (AHAC) Museum

Free to the public every weekday from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Located on the 4th Floor of Faneuil Hall on the Freedom Trail, the museum has over 300 years of history on display with firearms, swords, uniforms, and other artifacts on display.

Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA 02109

The Battle of Bunker Hill Museum

Located along the Freedom Trail just across the street from the monument. It has some great exhibits on the battle, the monument, and the history of Charleston. The museum is always free and is open daily 10 am to 6 pm.

43 Monument Sq., Charlestown, MA 02129

Warren Anatomical Museum Gallery 

Free and open to the public every weekday from 9 am to 5 pm during academic sessions. It’s an interesting place for those with interest in medical science. Located on the Harvard Medical School campus.

10 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115

Also, Boston Library Cardholders can receive discounts and free admission to some of Boston’s best museums. For example, BPL cardholders can receive free admission for up to four people for the Museum of Science and New England Aquarium. You do need to make reservations in advance, especially during vacation weeks and other popular times! Any Massachusetts resident can become a Boston Library Cardholder and a reserve a pass, or check with your town library for their museum passes.

Bank of America Cardholders can also receive free admission to many museums like the MFA and MIT Museum the first weekend of every month with Bank of America’s Museums On Us program.

For these and other fun things to do on a discount in Boston, remember to bookmark our home page at BostonOnBudget.com 

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