I know the Museum of Fine Arts is crazy-busy on their free days, but they do offer lots of really wonderful family programming on those days. It can also be a great, low-cost way to spend time with friends. Even this introvert has gone to 4 or 5 MFA free days over the years!

The next free admission day at the MFA is on January 20, 2020 in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And if you can’t make it, there’s another on February 1, 2020 to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Here are my tips to maximize your visit:

• Arrive EARLY is #1, the lines in won’t be as long, and the lines for the coat room won’t be long either.
• Arrive LATE, another good move if you don’t mind a short visit. Note that most of the family programs will be winding down by mid-afternoon.
• Do not drive there! The garage, lots and street parking will be full and traffic will be sluggish around the museum with people trying to park, save yourself the headache and either take the T or plan to park far away and walk over. Also, museum parking is NOT free on free days.
• If the line to get in winds out to the sidewalk on Huntington Ave, go around to the Fenway entrance. The line is usually SO MUCH SHORTER! Keep in mind, the Huntington entrance also has a long line inside, whereas the Fenway inside line is about 1/4 the length. The Fenway coat room usually has a shorter line too.
• The downstairs cafe is going to be mobbed, consider eating outside before going into the museum, or visit the cafe at non-peak times.
• You can bring your own food into the museum to eat at the cafe, make sure you’re carrying it in a museum approved bag.

Do you have any tips to share? Please leave them in the comments below! ❤️