The MFA Boston in 2 hours: the essential route
Quick answer
In 2 hours you can see the MFA Boston's highlights in this order: Egyptian art (Menkaure and his queen), Impressionism (Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin), American art (Copley, Sargent, Homer) and the Tenshin-en Japanese garden. Galleries rotate, so check the day's floor plan.
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The route: 8 stops in 2 hours
The MFA is a very large museum. We give wings and areas rather than room numbers; the free floor plan shows where each work is and whether a gallery is closed. Timings are approximate.
- 1
0:00 · Ancient World galleries · Egypt
Menkaure and his queen
A slate pair statue of the Fourth Dynasty pharaoh (about 2490–2472 BC) excavated at Giza. One of the masterpieces of Egyptian art outside Cairo.
- 2
0:15 · Ancient World galleries
Greece and Rome
A quick walk through classical sculpture to place the origin of the tradition you'll see next.
- 3
0:30 · 19th-century European Impressionism
Monet: La Japonaise (1876)
Camille Monet in a red kimono among Japanese fans. A nod to Japonisme and one of the museum's most popular works.
- 4
0:45 · 19th-century European Impressionism
Van Gogh, Renoir and Gauguin
Look for Van Gogh's Portrait of Joseph Roulin, Renoir's Dance at Bougival and Gauguin's Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? (1897–98), his great pictorial testament.
- 5
1:05 · Art of the Americas
Copley: Paul Revere (c. 1768)
The silversmith with a teapot in hand, arms crossed, portrayed as a proud craftsman. A classic of colonial portraiture.
- 6
1:20 · Art of the Americas
Sargent: The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit (1882)
Four girls in a dim hallway. One of the most enigmatic compositions in modern portraiture.
- 7
1:35 · Art of the Americas
Winslow Homer: Fog Warning (1885)
A fisherman and his boat facing the approaching fog: a scene of silent tension.
- 8
1:50 · Japanese art · Tenshin-en garden
Finish in the Japanese garden
If time and season allow, end at the Tenshin-en garden beside the Japanese art collection, one of the most important outside Japan.
Tips to make the most of it
- Enter at 10am: the first hour is the quietest in the Egyptian and Impressionist galleries.
- Plan by wing and ask at the information desk where a work is hanging that day.
- Leave coats and large backpacks in the cloakroom.
- Point the AnyArt camera at any work not on this list to hear its story without hunting for the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the MFA Boston in 2 hours?
Yes, if you focus on the masterpieces. This route covers Egypt, Impressionism and American art in about 2 hours.
What about 1 hour?
Prioritise Monet and Impressionism, Sargent and Copley, and the Egyptian sculptures. That's about 60 minutes including walking.
Which entrance should I use?
The Fenway Entrance is currently closed; check the official site for the entrance to use on your visit day.
What is the best time to visit?
10am opening on a weekday. Thursdays and Fridays the museum stays open until 10pm, so evenings are calmer.