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Perk of the week: Museum admission (Boston campus)

It’s cold out. Warm up for free among ancient artifacts, priceless artwork and more. 

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Cyrus Dallin’s ‘Appeal to the Great Spirit’ statue welcomes visitors to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts near Northeastern’s campus. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

What is it?

One of the most beloved perks for Massachusetts higher education employees: Through university membership programs, Northeastern faculty and staff on the Boston campus can enjoy free or deeply discounted admission to several area museums (including special exhibitions), as well as discounts on dining and gift shop purchases inside. Just bring your Husky Card and a government-issued ID for verification.

What does it include?

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) alone is worth the price of admission, so to speak. With 225,000 square feet of gallery space, you could spend literal days there and not see everything. Plus, its location next door to campus makes it a great spot for lunch at one of the two restaurants, where university ID holders get a 15% discount.

What about museums that are a little more off the beaten path? 

Down the road is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which boasts an eclectic art collection in a beautiful old estate; book a timeslot in advance  and enter the promo code NORTHEASTERN at checkout. The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is also free for university employees.

How much can it save me?

MFA nonmember admission is $27 for adults, plus more for special exhibits. The Gardner and the ICA are $22 and $20, respectively.