Best Museums in New England

Norman Rockwell Museum

Stockbridge, MA

The Norman Rockwell Museum boasts the largest collection of original Rockwell art.

In addition to the 574 original works of art, the museum also includes the Norman Rockwell Archives.

These archives are a collection of over 100,000 various items, which include photographs, fan mail, and various business documents.

The town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts greatly influenced Rockwell's art.

Rockwell spent the last twenty-five years of his life in Stockbridge and many of the residents and locales of the small town were woven into his paintings depicting rural American life.

RISD Museum

Providence, RI

Get out of your house and explore the exhibits at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art.

Due to this museum’s close relationship to the Rhode Island School of Design, its galleries and collections will be sure to educate and inspire students, designers, artists and the general public.

Explore everything from sculptures, contemporary art and costumes.

Check out Circus, RISD's latest exhibit.

Circus explores the American and European circus during 1850 to 1960.

Worcester Art Museum

Worcester, MA

The Worcester Art Museum is celebrated for its 35,000- piece collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs and more.

The museum’s collections span over 5,000 years of arts and culture, so there is plenty to see and experience.

Check their website for different activities including lectures, workshops, and tours.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Boston, MA

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum houses more than 2,500 objects.

These objects include paintings, sculpture, furniture, textiles, drawings, silver, ceramics, illuminated manuscripts, rare books, photographs and letters hailing from all over the world.

The museum is modeled after a 15th-century Venetian palace.

If you are named Isabella, you will receive free admission.

Photo credit: M.V. Jantzen

New England Carousel Museum

Bristol, CT

A diverse collection of carousel art and memorabilia is on display at the New England Carousel Museum.

In addition to the hand-restored carousels and their horses, the museum has an antique Wurlitzer carousel organ, carousel art, and an exhibit on the early carousels of the Middle Ages.

Barker Character Comic and Cartoon Museum

Cheshire, CT

The Barker Museum is home to 80,000 antique toys and collectibles.

This unique museum allows you to travel through 15 years of American history by exploring popular memorabilia from your childhood.

Popular exhibits include The Simpsons, Star Wars, Looney Tunes, and classic lunch boxes.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center

Somerville, MA

The LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is ideal for kids three to ten.

In MINILAND, see Somerville and Boston's iconic buildings and attractions made from LEGO® bricks.

For older children, there is the Model Builder Academy.

This is where budding engineers can learn LEGO® building tips from the experts.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Boston, MA

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum celebrates our 35th President.

The library's first floor features a museum containing video monitors, family photographs, and political memorabilia.

The oral-history project, begun in 1964, was a unique undertaking to document and preserve interviews with those associated with Kennedy. It contains over 1,100 interview and continues to this day.

There are seven permanent exhibits

-Campaign Trail
-The Briefing Room
-The Space Race
-Attorney General's Office
-The Oval Office
-First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
-The Kennedy Family

Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts Museum

Providence, RI

If you are a foodie, head on down to the Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts Museum.

This is a 250,000 piece collection of cookbooks, menus, kitchen appliances, and more.

GoLocal's exhibit pick is Diners: Still Cookin' in the 21st Century.

This exhibit shows the diner’s origins in Providence, Rhode Island, as a horse-drawn lunch wagon, to the sprawling “retro” establishments of today.

Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Brookline, MA

The Larz Anderson Auto Museum contains the largest collection of motorcars in the United States.

The museum examines automobile's impact on society and culture.

In addition to themed car shows on the grounds of the museum, there is also musical entertainment such as "The Carriage House Concert Series".

Photo credit: Kim K. (Yelp)

Boston Museum of Science

Boston, MA

Perfect for a rainy day!

The Boston Museum of Science will keep you and your children (even the little ones) occupied for hours!

Explore the Planetarium, walk through a butterfly garden, operate a robot, and even see a 4-D film at the IMAX Theatre!

Salem Witch Museum

Salem, MA

The Salem Witch Museum takes you back to 1692 Salem.

Experience the drama of history in life-size stage sets, figures, lighting and a stirring narration.

Live guides take you through changing interpretations of witches, the truth behind the stereotypes, witchcraft practice today and the frightening phenomenon of witch hunting.

Providence Children's Museum

Providence, RI

Kids can get restless on rainy days so get them out of the house and into the Providence Children’s Museum.

Designed for children ages 1 to 11, the museum allows children to learn through play with its many hands-on learning activities.

Featuring mazes, a tree house, slides, and crafts, the Providence Children’s Museum is the perfect cure for boredom.

The New England Aquarium

Boston, MA

Now better than ever, the New England Aquarium includes a four-story Giant Ocean Tank

There are plenty of new species at the aquarium and old favorites including lionfish, the giant pacific octopus, California sea lions and penguins.

The International Cryptozoology Museum

Portland, ME

Cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals

As one of the most quirky museums on this list, the International Cryptozoology Museum investigates the mystery of Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, mermaids, and more.

One exhibit includes the alleged hair samples of Abominable Snowmen, Bigfoot, Yowie, and Orang Pendek.