When the rain is pouring and there is stormy weather, it is best to spend some time at a museum or a concert. Boston has many options to offer for an afternoon of knowledge and an evening of fun. So far, I have visited two museums that I really enjoyed:
The Museum of Fine Arts has permanent collections and room reconstitutions of old American art that will make you dive into history. It is interesting to visit an American museum, because as a French citizen, I have always been used to seeing typical old French furniture and paintings. But seeing things that are not from my country and that have been sitting here for a few centuries gives you a fresh feeling, because it is like acknowledging another culture and realizing that even though the US is a young country, it has its own history and its own culture. It is looking further from what you have always known and what or who you have been surrounded by. I think that European Museums do not have that much of American furniture collections. They mostly display Native American items and arts - the collection at the British Museum in London is amazing by the way - which are also largely showed here in American Museums – the MET in New York for instance has a great collection of Native American items as well. The MFA also exhibits an interesting contemporary exhibit that you will enjoy, because it makes you think and search for what the artists really meant. Below are two pieces of art from the contemporary collection.
- The MFA (Museum of Fine Arts): FREE after 4pm for students (and always free with your BU ID!)
- The Museum of Science: $10 to visit the planetarium.
The Museum of Fine Arts has permanent collections and room reconstitutions of old American art that will make you dive into history. It is interesting to visit an American museum, because as a French citizen, I have always been used to seeing typical old French furniture and paintings. But seeing things that are not from my country and that have been sitting here for a few centuries gives you a fresh feeling, because it is like acknowledging another culture and realizing that even though the US is a young country, it has its own history and its own culture. It is looking further from what you have always known and what or who you have been surrounded by. I think that European Museums do not have that much of American furniture collections. They mostly display Native American items and arts - the collection at the British Museum in London is amazing by the way - which are also largely showed here in American Museums – the MET in New York for instance has a great collection of Native American items as well. The MFA also exhibits an interesting contemporary exhibit that you will enjoy, because it makes you think and search for what the artists really meant. Below are two pieces of art from the contemporary collection.
Another great museum is the Museum of Science, and more specifically the Charles Hayden Planetarium. Located on the Monsignor Obrien Highway on the Charles River, you can take beautiful pictures of the view before visiting it. The planetarium - $10 for students – offers a visual and musical experience, which engages the visitor in a sensory journey. Today’s most popular artists such as Beyoncé, Radiohead, Lady Gaga or Prince are mixed with innovative images that will send you into another world. After attending one show, I felt relaxed and filled with positivity. The planetarium also has space shows that are interesting and impressive. As a technological and scientific hub, I think that visiting the Museum of Science’s planetarium is a must.
Here is myself in front of the planetarium and the dinosaur guarding the entrance of the building.
Here is myself in front of the planetarium and the dinosaur guarding the entrance of the building.
I am also a big music fan, so attending a concert in Boston, whether it was big or more intimate, was on my list. It is very easy, since there are a lot of venues. However, a lot of them have a bar inside so they require people to bring IDs at the entrance. The state of Massachusetts is very strict on the “no alcohol served to people below 21” rule so if you go to a concert, make sure you bring your ID or passport with you. If you are below 21, you will get access to the venue but the staff will make sure you do not touch any alcohol and trust me, if you can drink in your country below 21 and think that’s a good idea to try it here, they will let you know in a split second that it’s not.
But enough about regulations. At the House of Blues, close to Fenway Park, you will experience a great sound and warm show! The rapper Post Malone did a concert there and the venue was fantastic! The atmosphere is really artistic, and as you can see in the video below, the stage is visually accessible from pretty much everywhere.
But enough about regulations. At the House of Blues, close to Fenway Park, you will experience a great sound and warm show! The rapper Post Malone did a concert there and the venue was fantastic! The atmosphere is really artistic, and as you can see in the video below, the stage is visually accessible from pretty much everywhere.
The Royal is also a nice, but smaller, venue. Most of the time it is a nightclub, but developing artists are coming to this venue to get closer to the public. During her tour, the singer Kehlani did a show at the Royal and even said, “this show is the best one so far!” Finally, the TD Garden is the biggest venue and the first one that I have been to in Boston. I saw Kanye West – yes he did a full show and it was the best I have experienced so far – and the stage was one of a kind! It was a platform moving in the air thanks to cables attached to the ceiling. Therefore, anyone from the back to the front crowd could see the show as clear as crystal. Another band I really enjoyed there was Pentatonix. They are an acapella group and the sound in the whole stadium was magnificent.
This picture was taken during Kanye West’s concert at TD Garden:
This picture was taken during Kanye West’s concert at TD Garden:
One application that I have been using many times is called GAMETIME. It lists all of the shows and sports games happening in Boston with tickets available at reasonable prices. I would advise you to get it as soon as you land at Logan International Airport to start planning your entertainment here in Boston!
RSS Feed