I mention this story in my Boston travel guide, but I’ll go ahead and repeat it… I waited an hour in the rain without an umbrella to get into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I was thoroughly soaked by the time I got in, but it was 100% worth it. Also, if you’re going to Boston, always bring an umbrella.
The museum is unlike any others I’ve visited. It was originally Isabella’s home, modeled in the style of Venetian palaces. Isabella was an avid art collector, and decided to open her home as a museum. The artwork was arranged to allow guests to feel more closely associated with the pieces.
It was one of my favorite parts of my Boston trip, and I highly recommend it. (And do give a listen to the “Last Seen” podcast before you go. it covers the 1990 theft and it’s a wild ride).
Anyways, I’ll quit rambling and let the artwork speak for itself.






















Who else now wants to become an art collector in a lavish Boston mansion-turned-museum? Let’s detail our plans for making it happen below!

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Safe travels!
-Maggie