I LOVED this museum. The (indoor) courtyard is just gorgeous. So many colorful flowers. Her whole collection is just so impressive. If you love Italian/renaissance art, then you’ll really enjoy yourself. It’s laid out well and have lots of resources to guide you through if you want them.

We didn't make our reservation in advance but luckily got 2 remaining tickets 1 hour before our visit to Isabella Stewart Garden Museum. The staff was super friendly and supportive to help us finish our booking via phone. The price was $20 and it took about 2 hours + to enjoy the entire exhibition so it's totally worth it. The museum itself is a castle with a garden in the center and it was brilliant & magnificent. The collection is pretty various and the maintenance is really in high standard. There is also a cafe located in the new building which is a perfect place for an afternoon break.

Love the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum! This stunning exhibition is a wonderful afternoon activity. The courtyard is full of plants and creates such a lovely atmosphere. The museum is fully accessible, with a cafe and gift shop if you need a break from all the art. Coat check is free and babies are also welcomed! Was surprised how busy it was when I attended (due to the need to reserve tickets and an entry time online), but it never felt overcrowded. If you bring your phone remember some headphones! QR codes through out link to an audio tour or written guides about all the art. Staff are also super helpful if you have questions or curiosities. Was a bit disappointed by the lack on info on the famous art theft that took place here. But if you’re curious about it, check out the Netflix doc “This Is a Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist”.

Visited on Saturday 2/12/22 and it was a wonderful experience. I love all the artifacts and the online explanation for it. Yes there are guards in every room that keep an eye on everyone which can make it a bit awkward but given the history of the museum and only a few items being in glass cases it’s to be expected. Some of them were actually very friendly and gave more insight then what was listed online. That being said each room is unique and truly transports you to that era. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The only reason I give this a four is because of the time I went. I went midday and it was very crowded which caused me to rush the experience a bit. I would recommend going first thing upon opening also order your tickets in advance!

Visited the museum in the Fall. The indoor courtyard is so beautifully done and maintained - complete with beautiful fountains! The exhibits are well categorized, easy to traverse and interesting. Each room has its own personality. An art collector with quite a diverse taste and truly intriguing how a single collector put this all together. Makes you wonder what the person must have been like in real life.

Amazing museum that’s usually overlooked in favor of some of the other more traditional sights in Boston such as the Freedom Trail It’s a little bit further away from the main touristic areas but still worth visiting. The gardens are just magnificent. You’ll see objects and paintings from all over the world and from different historical periods. Well worth the admission price ♿️ There’s elevators in the main sector of the museum / entrance and to access some of the upper floors in the mansion. Most of the rooms are spacious but there’s some tight passageways

Great museum with plenty of beautiful pieces of art, amazing architecture, and friendly staff. It’s our second time here and really enjoyed it. Easy parking across the street, we arrived early and had very limited crowds to navigate. Make sure to stop in the new building for the 15 minute video that take you through the history of Isabella, her family, and the museum.

Every room is it's own museum. There is everything from statues and ornate tapestries, to detailed fireplaces and stolen art. You will not be disappointed walking through these hallways.

The Isabella Stewart Museum offers a rich experience with its diverse collection of art, paintings, and artifacts. I highly recommend it to everyone. Additionally, the gift shop on the main level offers excellent souvenirs. However, it might not be suitable for young children as there are no toys or interactive exhibits. Nonetheless, it's a place worth visiting for a memorable experience.

Absolutely beautiful art museum! Loved how cozy and intimate it was although very busy. The garden in the atrium is stunning and we came in April. We loved learning about the famous art heist prior and seeing the empty frames in different rooms. Recommend for those that like art and those that don’t!

LOVED the museum. I was specifically captivated by the garden in the middle of all the different rooms. It was undergoing some renovations when we went, so I definitely will need to go back when those are complete. I would recommend buying tickets in advance , on my way out, I overheard the greeter say they were sold out for the day.

Very nice museum! I loved the audio guide and how beautiful the place was. The only downside though were the people who were working there. I never had that feeling before, of being constantly watched and judged, without any reason. It’s like they were constantly expecting me to touch something or to lower my mask. Very hectic atmosphere. Especially comparing to the other places when the staff is usually there to explain you the exhibitions or to help with the historical questions.

🖼️🎨⛲🎍🌳🪴🧑‍🎨 Beautiful. Magnificent. Opulent. This is one of the best museums in Boston and my favorite museums that I have ever visited. I loved that there was the garden in the center and an ecclectic style in terms of the artwork that was on display.

Absolutely gorgeous. It is unbelievable to think that this palace was once someone's home. The courtyard is breathtaking and without a doubt the best feature of the museum for regular laypeople like me. 100% would recommend a visit and plan to come back soon.

Extremely beautiful museum!! Make sure you bought the ticket online so you don’t have to wait at all. The ticket for adult is $20 We spent 2-3 hours seeing many art collections. Super cool and beautiful. Highly recommend and worth to visit!! Would be even better if they could have tour or descriptions in multi languages 🙂

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a true gem in the heart of Boston. From the moment you step inside, you are transported to another time and place. The museum is housed in a beautiful Venetian-style palace, and the collection of art and artifacts is truly breathtaking. The museum is named after Isabella Stewart Gardner, a passionate art collector and philanthropist who founded the museum in 1903. One of the highlights of the museum is the stunning courtyard, which is filled with lush greenery, colorful flowers, and a beautiful fountain. It's the perfect place to sit and relax while taking in the beauty of the surroundings. The collection of art at the Gardner is truly world-class. From works by Rembrandt and Titian to ancient Chinese artifacts and beautiful tapestries, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The museum also hosts a variety of special exhibitions throughout the year, so there is always something new to see. The staff at the Gardner are friendly and knowledgeable, and they are always happy to answer any questions you may have. The museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events, from lectures and workshops to concerts and film screenings. Overall, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Boston. The combination of stunning architecture, beautiful art, and peaceful surroundings make it a five-star experience that is not to be missed.

Before arriving in Boston for business, I purchased a GoCity all-inclusive pass that included the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Saying this was one of the most unique and pleasant art museums I’ve been too would be an understatement. The museum structure itself as I understand was Gardner’s home and was built to best house her extensive collection of art from around the world and throughout history. There was a massive courtyard of curated flora and fauna and every room throughout the museum had an incredibly unique styling and feel. You’ll see everything from renaissance-era Italian sculpture and canvas to artifacts and manuscripts and even one of Rembrandt’s self portraits! Definitely recommend any art lovers to visit and set aside at least 2 hours to casually walk the museum. If you’re in the city during the summer, it’s also a great break from the heat. The stone mansion stays nice and cool throughout the day.

The Isabella Stewart Museum is a great place to visit. There is so much to see in arts, painting, and artifacts, this is my second time going and I love just seeing historical people. I would recommend all to visit. Also, there is a gift shop on the main level with great gifts to bring home or as a gift. I could not stop ever going back. I would recommend this place. Also for small kids I don't think they would like this museum there aren't any toys or anything to catch their attention. So go enjoy your self.

Small rooms, dark lightning. Crowded with people and hot. There were security staffs at every floor. I got yelled twice for having my flash on. The only great thing about this museum is the paintings. Other than that, it was average. The tapestry room is pretty good just wish that it’s not too dark. There were no guides or anything. You scan QR codes at each room for description.

First time visiting here and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The actual building is just as much part of the visit as the many pieces of art and historical artifacts are . I was not aware of the $500 million art heist from 1990 and it was amazing to see the empty picture frames still in place. Well laid out and easy to see everything considering it’s over three floors .

This museum was fantastic. The (indoor) courtyard is absolutely stunning. So many vibrant flowers. Her entire collection is simply stunning. If you like Italian/renaissance art, you'll have a great time. It's well-organized, and there are plenty of resources to help you if you need them. This breathtaking exhibition is a fantastic afternoon activity. The courtyard is lush with plants and has a lovely atmosphere. If you need a break from all the art, the museum is fully accessible, with a cafe and gift shop. I was surprised by how crowded it was when I went (due to the requirement to reserve tickets and an entry time online), but it never felt crowded. Make sure to use your phone's free audio tour! There is so much useful information. I was fascinated by the stories, especially the one about the world's largest single-property heist! It's stunning. It was only $20, and it was well worth it!

Such a unique museum experience. Anyone who brings their own headphones and has a device can access the guided audio room tour, which was an excellent aspect. The museum is the result of the specific vision of Isabella Stewart Gardner, and that is both lovely and unusual. There is little to no information presented/available regarding who made the art on display, but that is by design. The audio guide offered some information, but again it was limited. The emphasis on the art for it's own sake was significant, and there was so much to see around every corner and in every nook and cranny! I particularly liked how the rings were all intentionally and thoughtfully designed but how diverse they were in what art they included together.

This museum is absolutely gorgeous. The courtyard in the center is lush and vibrant. The wide array of artwork and culturally diverse artifacts and decorations make it easy to spend hours exploring the opulent, eclectic collection. It is a good idea to get a membership to support this establishment.

In just one word, awesome!👌 You need to visit this museum if you visit Boston. So much art, architecture, history, in one place. Buy tickets in advance through the library, a lot cheaper. You'd need at least 3 hours to see all 3+1 levels and listen to all audios.bring headphones 🎧. bags and large backpacks are not allowed, but there are lockers for a fee. We went on a Monday and was very busy.

This museum is wonderful. Best courtyard ever. Their wide variety of art is breathtaking. From different eras and different cultures. The fact that one person collected all this art… so much history. Would definitely recommend for anyone visiting Boston. I saw an elevator there so I think it’s wheelchair accessible, not sure though.

This is a great museum to visit. It's very manageable. The attraction s are not only the paintings but the building itself. The courtyard is gorgeous. I would recommend spending about 2 hours here. They also have a great gift shop so don't miss it on your way out. There's also a cafe. It gets a little busy during lunch but you can eat outside in the courtyard if you would like.

It was great, I loved all the art work. It was part of an art heist which is cool. The attention to detail that Isabella put into each room was quite incredible! Some down sides would be that the top floor is closed for staff or artists, I believe, and I think that if the public was able to go to the top floor we would have a great view. The major down side for me was that it was audio based information guided tour from your phone, and the audio only went over a few details and some major highlights while I really wanted to know more details which was also a bummer for us because we both had low battery going to the museum.

This has to be one of the most beautiful places I've seen/visited. Starting with the architecture, the whole place transports you to a Venetian palace, the central garden is incredible, serene, beautiful, and breathtaking, no matter where you are you'll get a different glimpse and notice something new. The art collection is unbelievable, each room is amazingly thought through. Do not miss it, make sure to buy tickets in advance, you will.not regret it. P.S. amazing gift shop, you can get nice replicas from the pieces you saw and in some cases, you can customize them.

This house museum is absolutely worth visiting. The cost of the ticket is totally worth the visit. I recommend buying tickets directly online. The visit lasts approximately 1 hour, 1 hour and a half. You will surely be dazzled by the amount of artwork that is inside. It is a unique visit of its kind. The museum also houses a bar/restaurant and a shop.

I used a pass from BPL and got a reduced admission. The museum is a nice mix of old and modern with the two buildings. The highlight of my visit was the courtyard in all its spring glory. Also a b&w photo exhibit of self portraits. I encourage you to go. I know I'll go again.

Such a small jewel with great personality. The museum feels like you have been invited by a (ultra rich) friend to check her extensive collection. The collection itself is eclectic but the way that the collection matches the mansion where it is hosted is probably the best part. You should plan on spending about 2 hours here and then go to the Museum of Fine Arts for the afternoon.

Great couple of hours! Make sure you use the free audio tour on your phone! So much great information. I loved the stories especially learning about the world's largest single property heist! I think I ended up being there 3 hours. So beautuful. 20 bucks and really worth it!

My second time visiting, the galleries are really beautiful and interesting, the curation work is on point. The indoor garden is really awe inspiring, and a great opportunity to sit and relax for a while. This time we visited during the summer and it got quite hot, but many rooms had good air-conditioning. The gift shop has a ton of funny cat-themed books. And a very good mix of "serious" art/design books and fun gifts.

One of the most phenomenal places I have ever visited! The building and gardens alone are beautiful, but the addition of the art just takes it to a whole new level. To see the art that’s there as well as the frames with the missing pieces of art is moving. The entire collection is second to none. Take the time out of your trip to Boston and check out this museum, you will not be disappointed.

This is a really nice museum. The architecture and garden are absolutely stunning. You don't have to take my word for it, it's likely one of the top selfie places in Boston. The museum suffered a horrible heist around 3 decades ago where 13 invaluable pieces were stolen and never recovered. I feel the museum should embrace the tragedy more and talk about the missing art. Also there is one section with squeaky doors that has dozens of pieces of art displayed in the worst way possible (if one person looks at it, it's tough for anyone else to look at the same time). I still recommend it as a must-see in Boston! TIP: You're best off purchasing your tickets in advance.

Overall it was a lovely experience. Totally worth the money for entry. The art is beautiful as was the palace. The courtyard was a great centerpiece. There are two reasons I did not give this review a 5/5. The first is that the lighting could be quite poor at times. They claim it is to protect the art and maintain a historical lighting, but I find those answers inadequate. We live in 2023 you can find ways to protect art while having adequate lighting. There were many pieces that were muddled messes simply because of bad lighting, which was disappointing. The other reason is that there are essentially no plaques to explain what you are looking at. There are signs that prompt you to scan a QR code to learn more about the art but I don't trust public QR codes (neither should you!) and I don't want to be staring at my phone in an art gallery. Lastly it's more of an art collection than an art gallery. Overall it's a great experience and I recommend you visit.

The most curious and delightful museum I have ever seen! This collection of art is exhaustive and breathtaking. Please be respectful as the art is predominantly Christian and Anglo-Saxon, there is a sense of mystical reverence throughout. We highly recommend the audio guided tours. The whole museum was a 3-hour adventure and we were not very slow. I could have spent all day there. We will be returning!

I used my Go City Boston passes to enter the museum for free. Initially, I didn't plan to come here, yet I'm glad I did. On Thursdays, the museum is open for a bit longer than usual, up to 9PM rather than the usual 5PM, which I was so grateful for! As such, since I didn't do much research on the museum prior. I just made a reservation while traveling to the museum, and I was lucky they had a few spots left. Despite COVID, the museum is still somewhat "full" of people. Yet, I was the only one who was given a locker that day (they don't allow large bags, probably because they don't want another heist 😜). Upon entrance, I went up to view the exhibit on the second floor, and thiught that the exhibit was the entire museum. It took a bit of time for me to see the corridors that access the beautiful garden and 2-story exhibit on the opposite side of the entrance! And it was beautiful! Unfortunately, my battery was running low when I had arrived (hence the low quality images), yet every collection was amazing to look at, each getting better with every floor. At its center, you could always view the beautiful garden that looks absolutely maintained! Do note, Ms. Gardner's handwriting is also amazing haha. I think that my experience would have been better had I been able to use my phone to listen to the virtual tour. And the extremely high amount of security, although somewhat necessary, just ruined some of the atmosphere. Regardless, I recommend you take the time to view the museum. *I recommend meter parking, but if unavailable, they offer a discount if you park at the University that is one block away*

This is a good place with interesting items, but the people at the entrance are not very polite and do not quite understand the meaning of using a mask during quarantine time, we were not wearing standard masks and we were denied entry. they wanted to force us to buy masks in their store and did not let us in. although inside they sell masks made of the same fabric as we had. fortunately, we took with us a standard mask and went inside. this disgustingly spoiled our mood for the entire period of our stay here.

Really nice place with historical artifacts including great paintings a beautiful garden filled with statues and flowers, all of this for a fairly cheap price.

(Translated by Google) It is not entirely accessible for people with reduced mobility, but what I could see are magnificent works, it has a collection of more than 2,500 works and is famous for the theft of the 90s in which works by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Manet were stolen. I really liked the Spanish collection, I shoot for home, hehe. (Original) No es del todo accesible para personas con movilidad reducida, pero lo que pude ver son obras magnificas, tiene un fondo de más de 2500 obras y es celebre por el robo de los años 90 en el que robaron obras de vermeer, Rembrandt y Manet. La colección española me gustó mucho, yo tiro para casa, jeje.

This is a really lovely museum. Most of the exhibits were a part of one large castle like building which was beautiful itself in addition to the many pieces inside. The curatorial team has chosen to put varying kinds of art alongside each other, i.e. paintings and sculptures along side each other. There is a nice outdoor area as well. When I visited, the other traveling exhibits were not open which was disappointing but nevertheless, my friend and I enjoyed our time there thoroughly. You can’t take bags but they have a free locker system which is safe and clean. Also the bathrooms are jazzy and nice.

I was excited to visit but unfortunately was very underwhelmed by it. It gave me vizcaya garden Miami vibes but 1/10th of the experience. Barely any signs to describe what you are viewing...The staff also seemed frazzled about BPL tickets even though it was a Monday and barely any of us in there. Very off putting, I got a ticket through BPL, which I am glad because not worth a full price ticket. I would say pass..

This museum is truly unlike anything else I have ever seen. The eclectic mix of paintings, sculpture, tapestries and and relics were so interesting. Every room has something unique. I would definitely recommend visiting, and give yourself at least 2 hours.

Beautiful museum. The Titian exhibit in the new building was wonderful. The older section (the house) is absolutely stunning. The central garden is out of a fairy tale it’s so beautiful. The rooms are magnificent. Just when you feel that you’ve seen the most beautiful room, you walk up a stair case to see an even more beautiful room. A hidden gem and well worth the price of admission.

Damn awesome place. Isabella is a lady I would have LOVED to be friends with considering how varied this museum's contents are & how she used the space while she was alive. Absolutely worth the 2-3 or more hours!! A can't miss if you are visiting Boston. Also if you're a local 😁

The most beautiful museum I’ve ever seen! 😍The 🖼 collection is amazing and the audio tours 🎧make it personable and give it life. Get your tickets in advance! You’ll need at least 2 hours to get through the palace. Also, watch the Netflix documentary “This is a Robbery” based on the world’s biggest art theft that took place at this museum.

This is a great museum! We checked in with our online tickets in the New Wing. There is a free self service coat room that was easy to use. We then picked up a map. There is a restroom in the bottom floor of the New Wing. Even these were artsy! To enter the Palace there is a glass corridor that passes through the Achtmeyer Terrace Garden and the Jordan Garden. Since it was winter, these were not open, but I think they might be in the summer. The Palace is has all the art exhibits, with the beautiful courtyard in the center. There is also an audio tour regarding the heist that we enthusiastically listened to. The first area we entered was the East Cloister, which circles around the courtyard with the connecting North Cloister and West Cloister. These provided great views of the courtyard. At the end of the West Cloister is the tiny Worthington Street Lobby. From here we went to the Spanish Cloister. Here we saw a variety of art, with both oil paintings and sculptures. Next, we went to the Chinese Loggia overlooking Monk’s Garden. We then saw the beautiful Spanish Chapel. The Fenway Gallery has more modern art and it is pretty much the only place in the museum with this type of art. From here we accessed the Yellow Room, presumably named after its yellow wallpaper. The blue room is also very similar. It was in this room that we saw our first stolen painting. Or rather, we didn’t see the painting. It is an empty frame. The Passage & Lobby has a medieval feel to it and it leads into the Vatichino, where we saw real swords. The final gallery on the first floor was the Macknight Room with some watercolor paintings. We then traveled upstairs to the second floor. This houses the Early Italian room and the Raphael Room, both of which were very majestic. The Short Gallery was under construction at this time, but I hope to come back when it reopens. After this came the Little Salon, which looked like a ballroom or party room. From there we entered the ginormous Tapestry Room. This was one of my favorite rooms and offered a great view of the courtyard. Next up came the Dutch Room, where most of the art was stolen on the heist. It still amazes me how no one noticed the thieves stealing artwork, especially from the giant frames. From here we travelled up to the final and third floor. We viewed the Veronese Room and the Titian Room with some very interesting art. Next, we entered the Long Gallery, which was indeed very long. At the end of this was the Chapel, with its beautiful stained glass. We then went to the final room through a hallway that looked a lot like a secret passage. The Gothic Room was really cool, and had some giant books. The museum offers scavenger hunts so we spend about 15 more minutes finishing that up and we headed downstairs, back to the New Wing. We viewed the Café G menu, but that was a little adventurous for us. Peep has sometime we will come back and try some food there, but for now we were good. We decided to check out the gift shop, and found some cool postcards and an interesting book. While we didn’t solve any mysteries, we still had a great time and I can’t wait to come back!

The Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum has a beautiful courtyard. The pictures you see in the reviews cannot compare to the beauty in person. I highly recommend you spend two hours at the museum and enjoy the view of the courtyard at all three levels. Each level has its own beauty. (April 2022)

Had a wonderful time at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum! It was incredible to see all the items Isabella Stewart had accumulated and each room had its own unique personality and story. I believe that on the first Thursday of each month, admission to here is free from 3-9pm so I would definitely recommend checking it out then if you have the time

The Gardener has been my one of my favorite museums since the first time I visited Boston. When I lived there I visited often, especially in the wintertime when the courtyard full of greenery and blooms is a most welcome site. This house is much more than the eccentricities of a gregarious woman who collected fine art. Her taste ranges from the subtle to the outrageous, and from miniscule size to grandiose. Everyone will find something here to love and much to marvel over. Go if you can!

Beautiful museum with lots of rare plants/flowers to take pictures of. The descriptions for the various pieces of art and artifacts is a bit lacking, in my opinion. The main garden area is definitely the biggest draw!

Absolutely worth seeing. Kind of a combination between an art museum, history museum and curiosities museum. You can do both this one and the Boston Fine Art Museum in one day unless you want to spend hours looking at every piece. I would recommend at least 2 hours for Gardner.

Lived in Boston for almost ten years back in the 90's and never went to this place. Finally was able to go and it's a great collection of art collected during a lifetime. I would highly recommend a visit and a grab a snack/lunch at the cafe that is part of a recently added entrance building adjoining the residence/museum.

What an amazing place. Worth a visit if 8n Boston but have time min 3 hours to really see the house and contents. Full of art and famous memorabilia. You need to scan a qr code for room descriptions. There is a cafe and a chill out area on ground floor. Locked lockers for small bags and coat storage.

The Isabella Gardner Museum is a must visit for anyone exploring Boston. It truly is a wonder. I’ve visited the museum quite a few times and would like to share some tips: 1) plan ahead and buy your tickets in advance. The museum does sell out, especially on rainy days 2) they have a complementary coat check at the entrance 3) if you’re lucky, you can find metered street parking, but I recommend parking in the Simmons University garage. It’s a short walk over to the museum and your parking is discounted if you validate it at the front desk 4) as of writing this, there are QR codes in each room to learn more about the space. I recommend bringing a set of headphones for easy listening 5) there’s not much for kids to interact with or play with (if any), so younger ones may have a harder time being engaged here 6) feeling creative? Bring a sketchbook or buy one at the gift shop. One of my favorite past times is sketching anything that inspires me 7) and most importantly, have fun and enjoy all of the wonders Isabella collected over her lifetime!

This was such a wonderful experience! The exhibits are beautifully and intentionally placed and gorgeous all around. The audio tour was spectacular (although I wish I was prompted to bring headphones!) It was really cool to hear from the curators on their favorite pieces of the collection. My only qualm is that towards the middle of the day there were a LOT of people and some folks didn't know any better than to go the opposite way of the flow 🙃 Stopped in the cafe afterwards for a quick snack and soda, couldn't have asked for a better Sunday morning. PSA bring a water bottle with you and pee beforehand because there are no bathrooms or water fountains besides on the first floor.

Beautiful museum that does a wonderful job of seamlessly integrating the collection with the building and architecture. Be sure to get a tour to understand the history and intention of the museum, it goes a long way to fully appreciating the space and its history. There's a nice wine bar to help set the atmosphere, and on Thursdays, there's live music in the evenings. Great date night idea!

This museum used to be free for admission however it isn't anymore. Renaissance paintings aren't really my thing, however I already knew this is what they were famous for. I have visited many times before. The courtyard as per usual is BEAUTIFUL. The modern/contemporary art is lackluster for me as well but that is an opinion. If you love renaissance paintings this is for you. WARNING: If you are sensitive to air and temp. changes be aware it gets hot fast. After every visit I get a headache for some reason. Others should be aware of this and it may be because of a different airflow within the museum.

***Free entry for people named Isabella!!!*** This is truly one of the coolest museums I've ever visited anywhere in the world. There is something for everyone, whether you like architecture, gardens, paintings, the renaissance era, drawings, sculptures, furniture, antique decorations or artifacts. There is even intrigue about the theft several decades ago, would definitely recommend a walling or audio tour! Museum staff is very warm and helpful and their new wing also has amazing and rotating displays. It's not a huge space but it would definitely take days to really see every nook and cranny (considering they're all filled to the brim!) In addition to the mansion filled with art and centuries-old items of interest, there is a library, a cafe, a gift shop and other amenities. Couldn't recommend more!

Great for adults. Courtyard is beautiful. Has world-class art. Look up the story of the famous heist before you go and see the empty frames. If you are on a budget, then check your library for reduced-price or free passes. If you have bank of America credit card entry on first full weekend of month is free

This museum is truly an aesthetic, historically rich experience. I spent two hours in the Spanish cloister just taking in the architectural beauty. I’ve visited multiple times and the staff have been utterly delightful and welcoming every time. This is a gem of Boston. Go go go!

Definitely worth going to see! The garden is one of a kind, extremely peaceful. There are 3 floors and each room is unique. Reasonable admission fee, pictures with no flash are allowed. The museum provides coat check which really helps when you visit ISG in the winter.

Isabella Gardener had big dreams she had lived on the fourth floor apartment which is off limits .The experience is fantastic and always memorable also the pavilion is awesome.Lets also hope that the paintings get found which were stolen in 1990.

The museum itself is beautiful, from the gardens to the famous art pieces. So many ornate fireplaces. Definitely a great place to visit and just take in all the art. The cafe was a surprise, was not expecting the menu but it all tasted so good

Excellent museum with very interesting history and amazing collection of art. The rooms and design of the whole building are amazing in their own way and really add to the experience. Even though it was raining the entire palace including the courtyard was enclosed meaning we were free to explore and enjoy.

Really beautiful place, packed with tons of different art objects - some really obscure. The museum itself is quite big and for the price, you do get go see interesting objects from around the world, but at the same time, because so many of the objecta are small, they get lost in the big picture. Isabella herself was a hoarder with tons of money. But hey, at least she left something for all of us to enjoy. It is not expensive at all and it's very close (within walking distance) to the Boston Museum of Arts. Must see objective while in town. The inside garden is quite beautiful and while we were there, there were a couple of women singing opera live (they were picking someone randomly and dedicating the song to them).

One of the must see Museums in Boston. Very classic stuff.

Breath taking interior and paintings of Isabella Stewart. This museum opens the doors to a new world that you feel you are no longer in Massachusetts. I recommend this place for anyone who appreciate culture, art, and antique taste.

Lovely hidden gem of Boston. Beautiful museum.

It is a beautiful escape from the city. Nice art, beautiful garden, helpful staff.

My wife and I went to visit and loved a beautiful place with a sensational indoor garden. It was a very pleasant day.

Wonderful museum with a fantastic restaurant.

Amazing indoor garden! Very beautiful with many old artifacts! It's a Venetian style palace that was built to be a gallery people only lived on the fourth floor. There are many things from ancient China, Netherlands, Spain, and much more! But I do not recommend for young children since they get scared at the old sculptures and painting due to the old age. It's also pretty chilly even in the late summer!

Beutiful!!!!! It is still open. Just by appointment for selected time slots!

Past loyalties

It was very interesting and charming, I recommend the visit.

Thanks for opening and giving Boston culture again with great exhibits at a great price, free for a short time.

Make this a stop, and make sure you set aside enough time to explore. Multiple levels with a fantastic collection, as well as the building itself. One of the best museums I've been to.

(Translated by Google) it's very nice inside (Original) bardzo ładnie jest w środku

really lovely place and a lot of stories and history to learn about for people who enjoy visiting museum. highly recommend.

Extraordinary place.

Peaceful interiors

Beautiful place

this place is beautiful

There are many great things about this fabulous collection of art works but there is a relatively new one which you may not know about . . . the AUDIO TOUR the museum makes available through your own cell phone or other mobile device. There are two outstanding features to this great functionality, well, actually three, outstanding benefits: 1) no standing in line to pick up or drop off the museum's headset; 2) no need to wear the museum's headset which could potentially bring with it illness-inducing germs; and 3) the ability to listen to the complete tour of the museum without actually being there. You can listen to the audio tour prior to arriving at the museum from anyplace you have an internet connection. This is a big plus because when you are actually at the museum you already know so much about where you are and what you are looking at. It allows you to pick and choose where to spend your time without feeling like you are maybe missing something you will later really wished you had been able to take the time to hear/see.

The art, the architecture, and the arrangements are beyond what one expects. Watch out for the weekends can be crowded with Taurus taking selfies pretentious art students all in black and class trips try to go acquire time where you can relax and enjoy what you see

It felt as though time has stopped and transported me back to a time of musing, revelry and wonder. This museum is one of the best museums I have ever been to. It was absolutely amazing experience.

Gorgeous Palazzo with 3 floors of art.

This is my most favorite museum. It's so complex and so much to see. I always notice something different when I go.

Phenomenal! Everyone was exceptionally nice and it was like walking into a dream home. All of the art was beautiful.

(Translated by Google) This museum is a very nice experience, it is Isabella's private collection, and that makes it special. Just imagine the trips this woman made at the beginning of the last century, moving these pieces of art, incorporating all of them into her house, wow ... The building is also part of the museum. Worth it. (Original) Este museo es una experiencia muy linda, es la colección privada de Isabella, y eso lo hace especial. Solo imaginar los viajes que hizo está mujer a principios del siglo pasado, trasladar estás piezas de arte, incorporar todas a su casa, wow.... El edificio también es parte del museo. Vale la pena.

(Translated by Google) Excellent collection, (Original) Excelente colección,

*** Historical note, On March 18th, 1990, 13 works of art valued at a combined total of $500 million were stolen from this museum. A $10 million reward is still offered on finding them. This place is two blocks walking distance from Museum Green-line stop. * Walk down ** Louis Prang St. ** to busy intersection. You will See Evans Way St. on the left, continue pass Park to 2nd Evans Way St. another 150 feet. Walk down that one to Museum entrance. *** Evans Way, Street runs on both sides of this little Park in a ”U” shape. The original building of the museum is on Fenway Street. No entrance. Food, gift shop, and entrance is the new addition on Evans Way. *** 1st photo with the Evans Way sign is the actual house and Museum behind the sign.

A unique museum that preserves Isabella Stuart Gardner‘s vision of beautiful living and art. Eclectic and personal, and the docent was really good at helping us to connect and appreciate the museum.

It was great have more concerts there!!

Very elegant and exquisite museum with art work that is breathtakingly beautiful. This place truely is a wonder. Much better than the MFA. The garden is so peaceful and one could sit there for hours enjoying the view and taking in the calming atmosphere.

Simply the most beautiful museum in Boston, if not on the whole of the East Coast. The vast and impressive collection of European and Asian art from the Renaissance to the late 1800’s, acquired by Mrs Isabella Stewart Gardener herself during her lifetime, reflects her sophisticated taste and exquisite eye. The Venetian-style palace housing Mrs Gardener’s collection is an immersive art experience all in itself. The court yard features a beautiful Roman mosaic floor and many enchanting garden sculptures. It also serves as indoor garden space to a wide range of rare plants. The museum has a wonderful restaurant and library seating lounge. Music performances are scheduled throughout the year. Don’t miss this amazing collection while visiting in Boston.

Fascinating collection

Awesome

Really cool museum

Incredible. It brought history to life.

Awesome collection and a good inspiration

Beautiful garden! Very picturesque! Feels like you’re in Europe. Isabella has spot of artwork in her palace!

Very interesting and cool art

Beautiful museum with many things to see. I loved that each room has guides to paintings and works of art

This museum is the legacy of Isabella Stewart Gardner a very wealthy Bohemian who loved collecting rare books, manuscripts and works of art from all over the world including Venice, Egypt and the Middle East. Isabella’s museum was conceived in 1899 - she lived on the 4th floor of this palatial style building and created a private museum in the first three floors filled with ‘beautiful pictures and objects of art for people to come and enjoy’. I really enjoyed the eclectic nature of this museum. The central courtyard is just beautiful and its worth a visit just to admire it from every possible vantage point on each floor.

Really beautiful museum with an interesting art collection. Different area of the museum's are theme based on time period and/or region of the world. In center of the property is a large courtyard and beautiful garden. I honestly could have sat next to the garden for hours. It's hard to really absorb everything in one visit so I will definitely be returning!

Astounding!

Note: Novice Art Review This was my first time in an art museum and It was such an amazing experience. To see these works up close and to just try and understand and digest what I was seeing was an exciting challenge. The amount of items on display is extremely impressive. Although the exhibits are mostly Italian, there are a number of other works such as items from Japan, from Sudan, and many other locations. The one con is that nearly information was only available by using a cell phone and scanning a QR code. I wasn’t given an option for using an audio device, and had not known about it, but this is important to know. Due to this, I was left with asking staff questions on certain items I didn’t understand and tried to figure out information on stuff on my own— which wasn’t a bad style but I believed I missed out on a lot of information. Kudos to Isabella Stewart Gardner and to all those that made this museum possible.

I took my family to the museum, and we were enjoying it a lot, in a beautiful showcase I received information from an employee that I could take off my mask to take the photo. And then we made a beautiful photo. When I got to the garden I wanted to take a picture and I put the mask down as I understood that I could just take the picture. But another one worked by and with a lot of ignorance and being very rude, he shouted pointing at my face that I should put the mask on, I said it was just for the photo and he walked away and shouting that he couldn't even take the mask off, he was very aggressive, uneducated and made me so embarrassed that I quickly took my family and left there almost crying. It was very humiliating and a very bad experience. If you intend to come now where we are in a pandemic, I do not recommend you stop by, as it will not be worth it.

This is a must visit if you are into art museums and are in Boston. Dont underestimate it because of it being a private collection. It has some of the best artworks even comparing with big famous art museums. And including, in my opion, the best work from J S Sargent. It also has one of the most beautiful courtyard that will take your breath away when you enter. Also, remember to eat at their cafe! The food was delicious!!!!!!!

Pretty art museum, especially the courtyard with statues. However they have absolutely no signs or labels, only a QR code in each room to scan and find a guide. This purely electronic system is a huge hastle, and completely useless if your phone is dead or you're bad with technology. It felt pretentious, even for an art museum. There are also creepy security guards in every room who stare at you constantly and yell at you if you even stand close to the art. I understand the things are valuable and need protecting, but the guards really detract from the experience and made me uncomfortable.

Very peaceful and beautiful; definitely bring someone with you so they can snap your photos in each room!

Unfortunately I can't weigh in on the price because somebody else bought my ticket for me, but it was a good time. You can listen by scanning QR codes, and if you do it would probably take a lot longer, but if you just want to walk through, it takes about one and a half to two hours. I did very little listening but it was still very enjoyable to just browse through casually.

Very nice scenery! The main building was very confusing. The map directed there was art pieces on the third and fourth floor but there were not. If you’re someone who likes taking pictures, there is a lot of great photo ops such as the balcony.

great museum experience if you want to just fly through and absorb the material and learn about the details later this is a great way to do it. Very impressed with all the painting statues and furniture in this place it was all amazing and worth every minute.

So gorgeous! The wallpaper and the garden! Wow! Plus I really liked the historic aspect of it especially about the african-american artist back then etc

Really wonderful museum, do not miss this! I really enjoyed their concert series as well. Can't wait until those come back.

Very interesting museum!

Everyone I encountered in Boston said that I had to go there. They were absolutely right, it was gorgeous and unique. I would go back again when Im in the area.

A hidden gem in Boston. It is so pretty that takes your breath away. The collection of art is huge and this place is definitely worth visiting. The architecture intertwines with the garden and becomes an art itself. Stunning!

The museum impressed me. Large, historic building with a large number of historical exhibits.

Great art

Unbelievably wonderful tribute to the arts and beauty.

I love it here. I think it’s the perfect place in Boston to clear your head. It’s so peaceful. The energy and love that Isabella put into creating and curating this place is still felt so purely. It radiates throughout all the spaces. It’s my favorite place to spend an hour reading and they’re doing such a good job during Covid to give people space and maintain its true atmosphere. Highly recommend for visitors and locals alike.

This is quite the photogenic museum. I thoroughly enjoyed photographing the palace which can easily see in the pictures. There was great accessibility to information by the touch of your device to learn about each room/area. I highly recommend adding this to your list of destinations to visit when in Boston or "saving something for a rainy day". I will surely return for future visits!!

Looooved this museum. Definitely a must! I highly recommend the audio guided tour. Will be visiting again!

It will always be top of my list for Boston venues! Simply superb!

Super amazing and beautiful experience The museum was really good I liked everything there the garden the house and everything was beautiful

The best date I ever had.

Very beautiful and magical place but staff is the rudest. I wish they improved their customer service and people communication skills.

(Translated by Google) Very crazy, both the impressive building and the incredible collection of art it contains. The most must in Boston. (Original) Muy loco, tanto el impresionante edificio como la increíble colección de arte que contiene. El must más must de Boston.

Nice place

Amazing 🤩

Amazing!

they did a great job with Covid precautions. lovely collection!!!

must have Instagram place for photos

My favorite museum in the state! Gardens are amazing.

The courtyard is absolutely beautiful. Went late on a Thursday night and had a blast.

Read up on it first. There is a lot to appreciate but it is not spelled out for you when you visit.

This is my favorite museum. It's so unique and every inch is covered in history and elegance.

Came visit for the Adam Pendleton's exhibitions, although the admission required online reservation, wasn't expect that much people inside at the same time.

Amazing even with 500 million dollars of art spoken, look that up, interesting read

Beautiful museum. The audio guides needs to be updated. It discusses paintings that are not on display, ruining the experience.

It's breathtaking. The space is like no other in Boston. Museum, cathedral, garden rolled into one.

Breathtakingly gorgeous artwork. The building is a piece of art in itself. I spent about 2 hours here. I overlooked this place for years but it really is worth a trip, and was only $15 to get in.

and a garden so beautiful if I could I lived there.

It was nice..

Amazing art collection. Very neat purpose built space.

I don't typically enjoy art museums so take this with a grain of salt. Pretty paintings and decor mainly from the Venetian era. I would loved to have looked closer at the items, but the museum has employees constantly observe you so you don't damage the items. I got in free with my college ID so I cannot comment on the pricing.

Awesome museum!

(Translated by Google) It is tireless to look at such beauty impossible to retain in the retina (Original) Es incansable mirar semejante belleza imposible retener en la retina

Just beautiful!

Wonderful museum, very interesting history, absolutely incredible building.

Loved the experience. The garden is beautiful! Reminded me of the secret palace gardens of Jaipur, India.

Wow! Not just a museum with art, but the building itself is beautiful and historic art! Loved the garden and the story around the place.

Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection is rivaled only by the Museum of Fine arts in Boston museums. The art is great, they have many events (went to a very nice concert here), and it's laid out very well. The cafe is pricey and has very high-end food, so unless that's really your thing I'd recommend eating elsewhere, especially if you have kids.

Beautiful Instagram place❤️ Make sure that you have fabric mask with you cause if you have face shield or scarf -it’s not gonna work. Also you can buy ticket only online.

This is a place i would never have wanted to visit ten or twenty years ago . Im glad my palate has opened to the arts . The I.S.G.M. is a more than once place to visit . Exceptionally laid art with Masterpieces it is truly a work of art in itself !

めちゃめちゃ綺麗な美術館でした。この場でプロポーズしている方がいたりするぐらい綺麗です。 ぜひボストンを敢行する際には寄ってみてください。

I love this place! Super peaceful and if your name is Isabella, your entrance is free! :)

(Translated by Google) A unique museum! (Original) Уникален музей!

This is a must for any tourist in Boston! I've never been to another art museum this beautiful and with the amount of history and personality as here. There are numerous places for great photos, and there is art everywhere you look. Whether you just look around or study every inch, there is no better use of your time or money for museums in Boston.

Wow amazing Garden what A breath of fresh air feels like you are in A time machine beautiful art

Simply beautiful and full of history and life. The sanitation and cleanliness was great and there were hand sanitizing stations at every corner, so don't be afraid. Wear your mask and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

An Oasis of Calm. the current exhibition is Shen Pei is so beautiful.

Super neat sanctuary.

a place to visit after MFA

(Translated by Google) An imaginary place I enjoyed my time and went back to the days of the people who lived in it (Original) مكان خيالي إستمتعت بوقتي ورجعت لأيام الناس اللي عاشوا فيه

AMAZING! absolutely gorgeous in many, many ways!

While the garden is lovely, I'd personally suggest to go to another museum if you're intent on seeing art or learning about the pieces. The inside was dark, dingy, cluttered, and lacked information about most paintings or items unless you took the time to scan every room.

Beautiful museum with an amazing inner garden and a lots of interesting history

Favorite museum in the whole world.

Very nice museum to visit. But do make reservations!!

Soooo loved this place. Spectacular. What an eccentric place. Perfect. What art and rooms. The best!

Excellent! One of my favorite museums in the world. It's fascinating to hear the history of the art pieces and also how Isabella acquired them and why she placed it where it is.

A little #DARK. But appropriate mood for a Pandemic weekend.

I used my Go City Boston passes to enter the museum for free. Initially, I didn't plan to come here, yet I'm glad I did. On Thursdays, the museum is open for a bit longer than usual, up to 9PM rather than the usual 5PM, which I was so grateful for! As such, since I didn't do much research on the museum prior. I just made a reservation while traveling to the museum, and I was lucky they had a few spots left. Despite COVID, the museum is still somewhat "full" of people. Yet, I was the only one who was given a locker that day (they don't allow large bags, probably because they don't want another heist 😜). Upon entrance, I went up to view the exhibit on the second floor, and thiught that the exhibit was the entire museum. It took a bit of time for me to see the corridors that access the beautiful garden and 2-story exhibit on the opposite side of the entrance! And it was beautiful! Unfortunately, my battery was running low when I had arrived (hence the low quality images), yet every collection was amazing to look at, each getting better with every floor. At its center, you could always view the beautiful garden that looks absolutely maintained! Do note, Ms. Gardner's handwriting is also amazing haha. I think that my experience would have been better had I been able to use my phone to listen to the virtual tour. And the extremely high amount of security, although somewhat necessary, just ruined some of the atmosphere. Regardless, I recommend you take the time to view the museum. *I recommend meter parking, but if unavailable, they offer a discount if you park at the University that is one block away*

Beautiful museum but kinda weird that some of the frames in the Dutch Room were empty…

Amazing

Must see super beautiful indoor garden and if you like catholic art

A great place to spend 3 relaxing hours. Beautiful courtyard and elegant mansion housing wonderful collection of paintings and artifacts. The setting gives people a sense of intimacy like looking into Mrs Gardner's treasure chest. Pity for the stolen masterpieces...

Love this place.

Very enjoyable visit. We spent 2 hours during the Titian exhibit. We could have spent many more hours to fully enjoy all the rooms. The QR codes were excellent to get good insight into the other rooms.

A Boston institution, not to miss! exhibits = world-class, a COVID-safe space. exceptional collection that will OPEN MINDS! art & culture history, Do your soul a solid, and GO SEE!

This place is a must seen, even if you are not an artist fan. The story behind is very interesting. Every room has a bar code that you can scan with your phone and listen the history and information about the rooms.

Interesting take on a museum. The courtyard is a fantastic feature. The rooms are a little dark and it's not easy to enjoy the artwork to the fullest. It's worth the trip though and make sure you buy your tickets in advance to guarantee entry. They did sell out as it was mother's day and had to turn people away who didn't have a ticket.

I absolutely loved this museum. The courtyard is very pretty as much as the art inside the palace. The museum is well accessible with 4-5 mins to the green line station. There are folks to help around to navigate the entire place. Even a single art piece seen inside cannot be articulated in words. All I would say, this museum visit definitely inspires you to travel more. Important to note - free passes are given on the first Thursday of every month.

I had a special feeling once I came into the place. I felt like I was invited and received a warm welcome by museum itself. Beautiful building/amazing garden/nice setting of each room and fantastic artworks. I have so many want to talk about the museum, but it will never be enough words to describe it. Please go check and enjoy the nice tour yourself.

My first time there and I was completely taken by the art everywhere I looked. The atrium in the center of the museum with centuries old sculptures and a large variety of plantings, potted plants and flowers, water fountain all under the natural daylight of the sun and sky through the glass above. The gift shop offered a nice variety of museum Anna flower-related items including books, note cards, jewelry and accessories. The cafe offered a great menu from breakfast bakery items to sandwiches and dinner selections as well as desserts. All this makes for a full and wonderful day in Boston

I’ve lived in Boston for two years and had never made the trip never to this museum until recently. From all the photos and stories, I had high expectations. I went during the cold months so the warm indoor climate was great. The garden courtyard was beautiful and kept super well. Unfortunately they keep it roped off these days, so there’s no way to walk around inside of it. The architecture is gorgeous! The lighting in a lot of the indoor exhibit rooms was really dim and it was difficult to see the artwork (though I do understand many pieces are old and very light-sensitive). All of the stuff that we encountered were unfriendly. The vibe was really not what I expected at all and I was super disappointed. The gift shop had some beautiful things, but none of then really related to the museum at all.

Absolutely stunning! I've been desperate to visit this museum ever since I saw photos of the interior courtyard and heard about the infamous $500,000,000 art heist. Definitely buy tickets in advance - when I visited at 10am, the next availability was 2pm so I had to entertain myself elsewhere for a few hours. The museum is very grand and I could've stayed staring at the courtyard for hours. So beautiful and picturesque!

What a wonderful place to explore the amazing collection of art and artifacts from the mind of a passionate collector. The wonderment of wandering around and seeing the many paintings, furniture, architectural objects and especially the stunning courtyard with meticulously maintained plants and flowers - just plain amazing.

This is one of my absolute favorite museums. It’s stunning and so interesting. The audio tours are fabulously put together and the heist tour was so much fun. I highly recommend, I’ve been coming for years and it’s one of the top museums I’ve ever been to.

This place is interesting. I thought it was going to be really small but we actually spent quite a long time in here. There are 3 floors with many interesting pieces on display. It’s difficult to bring young children here because they expect not touching. Everything is out there unprotected so it’s hard for the kids to not touch it all.

The museum to visit in Boston! A personal collection housed in a purpose built home with gardens, 3 floors of curated items and different themes. Just wonderful visiting again in Jul 2023 after my first visit in May 2007. Also, way more crowds now do its not the little known secret anymore.

Great museum, expect about 2 hours to spend in this museum. 3 levels stories, tickets must be purchased in advance. Not much of seating, so be prepared to do a lot of standing. Also have ur phone battery fully charged since the exhibit requires your phone if u want that to know about the details about the art on display.

Beautiful and well curated museum! The self guided audio tour was a perfect way to explore the museum in our own time and curate the experience to our personal interests. Entry is $20, and the cafe on the ground floor is lovely for an afternoon break

One of the most unique and fascinating museums I've ever been to. I went on a Sunday and it was VERY busy. Buy your tix online ahead of time to make sure you can get in.

What a fantastic unique art museum experience! I have been to a lot of art museums, but never one like this. So many amazing, wonderful pieces of art displayed up close and personal. Rare to see so many Renaissance and Italian works in one place. Kind of like if your grandma's house was full of precious priceless art instead of trinkets and pretty dishes. And a pretty garden in the center of it all! Very unique experience, well worth the $20 entrance fee. Highly recommend!

Eclectic collection, oddly arranged & difficult to navigate. Nothing is labeled, and the pamphlet is not helpful. Using the QR code is a must & everything is outlined & labeled that way. Interesting & worth the visit. I'll need to watch the Netflix special about the art heist!

Absolutely beautiful place, incredible artwork, gorgeous grounds. It was very crowded the day we went, make sure that you have your tickets in advance. Plan on spending a good three hours here, there is so much to see. Wheelchair access could be difficult in some parts of the museum.

Wow. Can't say enough about this experience. I had been wanting to visit this museum for years based on their instagram and it did not disappoint! The atrium is even more spectacular in person. The collection was varied and very impressive, and there were so many beautiful details throughout. The only thing that might have been nice was labels next to each piece, but they did have a brochure with some highlights listed and there was an audio tour if that's your thing. Also ate lunch in the cafe which was DELICIOUS, the best polenta dish! So glad I visited and hope to come back sometime.

One of the best stops on our entire Boston trip! Truly unlike any other museum we have ever visited and a must-do activity for anyone visiting Boston. Would highly recommend buying tickets a couple days ahead of time as we tried to go earlier in the week but it was sold out by the time we arrived.