Best Boston Museums & Attractions - 2

History

John F. Kennedy Library and Museum

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum portrays the life, leadership and legacy of President Kennedy in a stunning waterfront location. The building itself was designed by I.M. Pei and sits on the waterfront close to the University of Massachusetts-Boston campus. Among the exhibits dedicated to the 35th president, you’ll find a replica of the Oval Office.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Colombia Point, tel. 617-514-1600. Admission: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $9 for children 13 to 17, free for children 12 and under. Hours: Mon. to Sun. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.jfklibrary.org

Museum of African-American History—African Meeting House

The African Meeting House on Beacon Hill was built in 1806 and was once the center of Boston’s 19th-century African American community. Here, William Lloyd Garrison founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society on Jan. 6, 1832. It was often called the Black Faneuil Hall. Rotating museum exhibits cover African American history, archeological artifacts and entrepreneurs.

African Meeting House, 46 Joy St., tel. 617-720-2991. Admission: free. Hours: Mon. to Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.afroammuseum.org

 

• The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum was designed by renown architect I.M. Pei.

Tony the Misfit

USS Constitution and Museum

The USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” as the oldest commissioned warship afloat is affectionately called, makes its home at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Crewmembers give tours of the vessel, built in 1797, throughout the day. The Constitution is most renowned for fighting off five British ships in the War of 1812. After the tour, visit the nearby USS Constitution museum for exhibits, hands-on activities, and artifacts detailing the long history of the warship and take a walk around the Navy Yard to see what remains. Now part of the park system, the Charlestown Navy Yard was a thriving shipyard for 174 years. It was one of the first shipyards built in the United States, but before that, the British landed here before the Battle of Bunker Hill.

USS Constitution and Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, tel. 617-426-1812. Admission: free. Museum hours: Mon. to Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Nov. 1 to March 31), Mon. to Sun. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (April 1 to Oct. 31). Ship hours: Thu. to Sun. 10 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. (tours every 30 minutes until 3:30 p.m. from Nov. 1 to March 31), Tue. to Sun. 10 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. (tours every 30 min until 4:30 p.m from April 1 to Oct. 31). www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/visit/index.htm

Science

Museum of Science

The Museum of Science has more than 500 interactive exhibits, making this a family favorite, plus there’s an IMAX theater, a planetarium, live presentations and special exhibits. And that’s in addition to all the permanent exhibits, which include the popular Dinosaurs, How Your Life Began and the Human Body exhibits.

 

• A visitor holds one of more than 120 residents of the Museum of Science’s Live Animal Center.

Michael Malyszko

Museum of Science, Science Park, tel. 617-723-2500. Admission: $19 for ages 12 and up, $17 for seniors, $16 for children 3 to 11. Hours: Sat. to Thu. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fri. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. www.mos.org

Sports

Sports Museum of New England

The Sports Museum of New England is an essential stop for sports fans. Exhibits cover New England’s historical highlights in boxing, hockey, football, basketball, soccer and baseball. Pretend you’re catching a fastball from Roger Clemens at one interactive exhibit, watch old footage of the Boston Garden (true fans still lament its demise, but you can sit in old Garden seats at least!) and learn about local high school and college teams. Don’t miss the Boston Bruins Hall of Fame portraits or the exhibit on the Boston Marathon.

Sports Museum of New England, on the 5th & 6th floors of the TD Banknorth Garden, 100 Legends Way, tel. 617-624-1234. Admission: $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and children 6 to 17, $15 for families of up to five members, free for children 6 and under. Hours: museum hours depend on the TD Banknorth Garden events, so check the Web site for current scheduled hours, www.tdbanknorthgarden.com/sportsmuseum/.