United States
Massachusetts (MA)
Boston
Places to visit in Boston
The Institute of Contemporary Art
See all things to do

The Institute of Contemporary Art

See all things to do
See all things to do
The Institute of Contemporary Art
3.5
490 reviews
#90 of 445 things to do in Boston
Art Museums
Read more
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Write a review
About
This museum features cutting-edge contemporary painting, sculpture, architecture, film and photography.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Seaport District / South Boston Waterfront
This area has been expanding and becoming more and more popular, for good reason. Not surprisingly, the seaport district of South Boston is located beautifully along the water. The area is designed for easy strolling along the HarborWalk, and there are bars and restaurants for all ages and budgets. The Institute of Contemporary Art is located in this area in a contemporary building with an absolutely stunning deck overlooking the water. In the summer time there are Friday music concerts on the deck of the museum. Nearby, there are many green spaces to enjoy.
How to get there
  • Courthouse • 4 min walk
  • World Trade Center • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,971 within 5 kms
Ocean Prime
528
0.2 km₹₹₹₹ • American • Steakhouse • Seafood
Flour Bakery + Cafe
837
0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
Row 34
982
0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Bar • Seafood
Morton's The Steakhouse
475
0.5 km₹₹₹₹ • American • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
Committee
267
0.2 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Mediterranean • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly
Menton
471
0.5 km₹₹₹₹ • French • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Strega Italiano Seaport
499
0.1 km₹₹₹₹ • Italian • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Tamo Bistro & Bar
303
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Bar • Contemporary
James Hook & Co.
1,742
0.7 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Quick Bites • American • Seafood
Barking Crab
2,580
0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Bar • Seafood
See all
Attractions
560 within 10 kms
Fan Pier
52
0.3 kmHistoric Walking Areas • Piers & Boardwalks
World Trade Center Boston
36
0.3 kmConvention Centres
Bay State Cruise Company
42
0.3 kmFerries
Boston Children's Museum
989
0.6 kmChildren's Museums
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
6,635
0.7 kmShips • History Museums
Crump McCole Seaport Art Gallery
1
0.3 kmArt Galleries
Freedom Trail
17,716
1.7 kmHistoric Walking Areas
Rose Kennedy Greenway
568
0.9 kmParks
Boston Seaport
6
0.4 kmNeighbourhoods
Trillium Brewing Company
127
0.5 kmBreweries
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
490 reviews
Excellent
144
Very good
141
Average
113
Poor
61
Terrible
31
Cameron Brushwood
Leeds, UK6 contributions
Only two exhibits open
Feb 2023 • Family
At the time of visit (Feb 2023) there were only two exhibits open which were both small. It took about 30 minutes to look at everything. Had there have been more it would have been much better. However a reduced entry rate of $15 was charged which was appreciated. A slight disappointment though as I had high hopes for this place.
Written 17 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun K-B
Romford, UK13 contributions
Great way to spend a couple of hours
Aug 2022
Had a few hours to kill in Boston so came here - one of the best galleries I've ever been to! Fourth floor sprawling with different kinds of artwork from different cultural perspectives..... no idea what the folks giving 1/5 ratings are talking about! Perhaps we saw different pieces (we were there in early August). Loved every room.
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred34
4 contributions
Boston ICA AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!
Aug 2022
The ICA is a woke caricature of a museum. The exhibits present on my visit included a video from a queer Brazilian dance troop with a sound track (with subtitles) graphically describing sex acts, work by a artist that scrawls red demons on otherwise ordinary works (unintentionally making them look vandalized), a series of self-indulgent "woe is me" self portraits that looked to be be a middle-schooler, a series of sadly failed attempts to invoke native American traditional ceramics, a set of interesting works of the friends of an artist (but clearly only present because they represented the "intersectionality" of the gay artist's friends, as if that had not been a part of the art world for a century or more). The ONLY remotely redeeming feature was the view of Boston Harbor away from the exhibits. I was there during a free evening and feel I was completely robbed. NO WAY I would suggest anyone under 18 attend as the museum seems to have NO CONCEPTION of content that demanded at least an age advisory. I only wish TA allowed negative dot ratings.
Written 26 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carina
Sterling, VA1 contribution
Not art at all
Aug 2022 • Solo
Terrible . You pay $20. Only fourth floor is open with few “artworks”. In The video, teenagers plays dirty street dancing.
Written 18 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theuncle2018
Scottsdale, AZ225 contributions
Hit or Miss
Jul 2022
I looked at a few reviews. You may wonder as well how a museum could have such different ratings. Well, its because the gallery changes their installations and the one I happened to be at was terrible. Honestly, it was some of the worst "Art" that I've ever seen. One room had an NC-17 video playing which was very uncomfortable to see since I was with my family. The room should have had warning signs and restricted it to adults only. It was film art but simply vulgar and disgusting. Also horrible paintings with extremely "woke" themes. I was for sure the wrong target market for this "art". Strong opinions and viewpoints were expressed and again, some people will love it, but I couldn't leave the place fast enough... I'm giving it 2 points only because they have a fantastic view of the harbor and my wife liked one of the interactive exhibits.

Side note, the gift shop is a horrible mish mash of random trash. Almost nothing is original art or museum type fare. Among the items were random books, school supplies, Umbra items from a catalogue, etc.

Don't expect any type of normal culture or art.
Written 2 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EcoBean
Kennington, UK261 contributions
Superb gallery with exciting exhibitions
Apr 2022
Only down side is they don't accept Apple Pay! This is a great building - light and airy. Main galleries are on the top floor, but there is lift access for those less mobile. The art work was well displayed, and truly fascinating. There was a great installation from Japanese artist was a son et lumiere type immersive experience. Incredibly good value.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN2,702 contributions
Worth the 15 dollars and 1-1 1/2 hours
Mar 2022 • Solo
Hard to decide on 3 vs 4 stars, but I really loved the Napoleon Jones Henderson exhibit, so that’s definitely a step up.

I’m not a huge fan of modern art, but I’ve periodically found some exhibits that moved me. This museum only had a few exhibits and only took me an hour or hour and twenty minutes to move through, but the Henderson exhibit is powerful. Such a bold, colorful statement on race, genocide, and black culture and struggle.

There was also an exhibit from Raul De Nieves. An amazing encrusted, jeweled horse, amongst other similar pieces that allow for tons of Instagram photos.

Tickets are 15 dollars with a couple strong exhibits and a view of the water and sail boats. Even if it’s not my style, still worth it.
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annekabjorkeson
Boston, MA513 contributions
Love this place
Feb 2022
Love this museum. The exhibits are always so engaging, the Christmas market is so fun & t's always great to have lunch in the back on the water.
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olya X
Boston, MA17 contributions
HORRIBLE museum, very rude employees and stupid rules. Save your time and money.
Dec 2021
Apparently, in 2019, Kusama exhibit was OK, and no one kicked people out, they spent as much time as they wanted. And NOW, they made a money machine out of this!

So, the ICA Director Jill Medvedow , I wonder if she is aware of the behavior of her employees and what it looks like. I totally want my lost money and time back for this! We did not deserve to come for 50 seconds to an ART SHOW, to have NO time at all to enjoy the installation and to be YELLED at by some young rude boy who was given way too much power just because he is handling a walkie-talkie and threatens to call security on us. And for what?? For 1 photo that I wanted to take with a smile on my face? Really? Who are you to talk to us like that?

Boston Globe should check this out, as well as Boston Phoenix , NBC10 Boston , PBS , ABC News and all the others! This is a GREAT lesson how to extract money from people. Shame on you!

Outrageous, to be honest! We were really looking forward to this exhibit of Kusama creations, but who could ever imagine that everyone is being KICKED OUT after 1.5 minutes of being there?!? And when i wanted to take 1 more photo after they told us to get out of the room, I heard "I'm going to call security!" and the rude dude started calling them in front of my eyes. I laughed at his face, but what is this?!??

I asked who set such rules. They said, ICA . Well, this is horrible. Would the artist herself know that people cannot look at her art and just must FLY through something she was creating for some time?? Who can pay attention to it?

And! Where is warning for people who have motion sickness? I saw NOTHING on the site about it. You warn us when we get there, but this is AFTER we buy the tickets. Not nice at all! I have no kiddies with this, but even i felt it for a brief moment when turned inside too quickly at some moment. So, you KNOW there's a problem, but mention nothing when people are buying tickets?

Also, some mannerless youngster will be threatening us by calling security? I feel like it i didn't laugh at his face (which drove him mad, of course), i would gladly slap this little rude face.
Written 12 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven H
Bourne, MA142 contributions
Great setting.
Oct 2021 • Couples
Small venue. Interesting art work. Beautiful setting. Having been to the MFA and many other art venues, I guess I was expecting more. The art was fascinating though I am a lover of the more traditional.
Written 20 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 434
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

The Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about The Institute of Contemporary Art
The Institute of Contemporary Art is open:
  • Tue - Wed 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thu - Fri 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Restaurants near The Institute of Contemporary Art: View all restaurants near The Institute of Contemporary Art on Tripadvisor