One of the best museums in the city is actually a reboot. In 2008, Harvard set about building and expanding the old home for the Fogg Art Museum, and in 2014, the new Harvard Art Museums building was opened, boasting the European art collections of the Fogg, the Germanic works of the Busch-Reisinger and the Asian holdings of the Sackler museums all combined in one place. The works that you'll find here are mostly gifts provided to the university by Harvard's various generations of successful alumni.
With all that said, given that the museum's holdings have been largely built by donation rather than active acquisition, its catalog is still very impressive. They have the largest collection of Chinese jade outside of China, their European and North American art features a respectable number of works from famous masters, and their collection of photographs from the pioneering fine art photographer, Alfred Stieglitz, is stunningly comprehensive. This all exists in a building that's about a quarter the size of the MFA and quite manageable for a leisurely hour in the square or a whole afternoon if you want to get lost in it.
Also as a bonus for actual locals - Cambridge residents get in for free whenever they'd like, and Massachusetts residents can go in for free on Saturday mornings before noon.
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Cacao in Boston, run by a Dominican couple, offers rich hot chocolate, spicy cocoa, and delightful truffles — sweet haven for reading or writing.
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"Brooklyn Boulders" is a solid addition to the climbing scene in Boston. Of course the choice to set up show in this specific street is deliberate & edgy.
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"Puritan & Company" in Boston is a brunch spot when the day calls for luxury. The reason I go to this cafe is to indulge on their pastry basket...
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"Artisan's Asylum" in Boston is a former warehouse that has been taken over by a collective of engineers and craftspeople. I just think they're crazy good!
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