Boston is home to wonderful historic and cultural landmarks. Famously, Boston is the home of the legendary baseball team, the Red Sox, and their home stadium, Fenway Park, located right in the city.
Without a doubt, Boston is an amazing city for sports fans. However, there are numerous other incredible sites, many under-the-radar and free of tourists. Keep reading to learn about the 25 most surreal places to visit in Boston.
All Saints Way
Location: Battery Street in North End
Peter Baldassari, a Boston resident, has been collecting a pile of statues, photographs, prayer cards and various trinkets for decades. With these objects, he has created a shrine right on the street. Actually, the alleyway is technically private, but pedestrians can still take a look at the extraordinary collection. In the event Peter is there at the time you arrive, you can also enjoy a personal tour, where he shows you everything and explains the stories behind the objects.
Museum of Modern Renaissance
Location: 115 College Ave., Somerville
This amazing museum — which is also home to Russian artists Ekaterina Sorokina and Nicholas Shaplyko – is a modern tribute to the Italian Renaissance. Walking through the museum is like finding yourself in a kind of kaleidoscope, since you’ll constantly be surrounded by colorful and exquisite art.
The works include lively murals and pictures of mythical creatures, celestial objects, fauna and flora. Every single inch of the building is covered by these murals. A fun and interesting fact is that the building that now houses the museum was once used by the West Somerville Unitarian Church and according to the records, this is the place where Paramahansa Yogananda promoted yoga in the United States for the first time in 1920.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Location: 25 Evans Way
The first thing that grabs your attention is the wonderful courtyard of the museum. The architecture is inspired by Renaissance-era palaces. However, the garden is not the only surreal aspect of the museum. The unbelievable history shared is the other feature of this venue. It bears the name of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a bohemian millionaire. In the late 19th century she had the chance to travel around the world, so she was able to collect an amazing collection of art. Actually, her collection was so large that in 1990 it became the subject of one of the most popular art thefts on the planet. Thirteen works were stolen, including masterpieces of Degas, Manet, Vermeer and Rembrandt, which are all still missing today.
Mapparium
Location: Mary Baker Eddy Library, 200 Massachusetts Ave.
The Mapparium building is a globe with stained glass windows and offers a completely unique view of the world. The three-story structure provides a stunning three-dimensional view of our world, starting from 1935. The experience is further boosted by nice music and LED lights. The Mapparium is, without a doubt, one of the coolest things in all of Boston.
Museum of Bad Art
Location: Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville
This is the only museum in the world that collects, preserves, and exhibits only ugly art in all its various forms. Displayed here are works of art that are too ridiculous to ignore. At any time, you can walk through the Somerville Theater basement and view the pieces that are on display. The museum also claims its collection has over 700 pieces in it!
The Steaming Kettle
Location: 63 Court Street
Boston’s famous for its tea-related history, so it’s no surprise there’s a literal massive copper kettle in the city. Presented in 1873 by the Oriental Tea Company and was originally a marketing tactic to generate business for the company. Now, the kettle is featured in a Starbucks in Government Square. It’s one of the oldest signs in the city, and yes, it’s actually steaming.
Kelleher Rose Garden
Location: Back Bay Fens, 125 Fenway
This wonderful secret garden is cozily tucked into Fenway and has over a thousand roses for visitors to enjoy. Once you get there, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a magical garden. The aroma of roses is absolutely captivating. This amazing place may feel surreal, but it’s really a part of Boston.
Bodega
Location: 6 Clearway Street
From the outside, this fashion retailer appears to be located in a convenience store. However, once you pass through the fake door that looks like a Snapple vending machine, you’ll find yourself in one of the coolest shops in the city. The location is one of the most unique retail experiences you’ll find in Boston.
Golden Grasshopper Weathervane
Location: Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Square
We must admit that the Golden Grasshopper WeatherVane is really weird. Even stranger are the things it holds: old notes, newspapers, coins dating back from 1763. On top of the building is, as the name suggests, a golden grasshopper in the shape of a weathervane. If you’re interested in learning how this object came to be atop one of the most famous buildings in the city, consider checking out the Golden Grasshopper Weathervane.
Brattle Book Shop
Location: 9 West Street
Though this book store is only three stores high, it’s packed with over 250,000 books, maps, postcards, and prints, many of them antique. Outside the store is a discount book sale, with books going for less than $1. This bookstore has been a Boston family business since it originally opened in 1825.
Forest Hills Cemetery
Location: 95 Forest Hills Avenue
As interesting as it may sound, few people are keen to stroll in a cemetery, especially on their vacation, but this one deserves to be visited. The cemetery has a Victorian atmosphere and takes up 275 acres. It includes a picturesque lake, twisting paths and wonderful views. But the otherworldly and surreal feeling comes from the distinctive sculptures, the mausoleums with striking architecture, and the elfin housings forming a tiny village, made by an artist named Christopher Frost.
Empire Garden Restaurant
Location: 690 Washington Street
The restaurant is located in Chinatown, under the roof of a truly majestic old theater. From the outside, it doesn’t look special, but inside, you’ll be blown away by the incredible ambiance in the building.
Scarlett O’Hara House
Location: Rollins Place
The façade of this plantation style house features columns typical for Greek Revival style, making it look like a house from the “Gone With The Wind”. However, this is not a house at all! The façade is fake and the idea behind it was to cover an unpleasant wall in the otherwise posh neighborhood. Even though visitors can’t actually open the door and enter inside, the fake house still deserves a visit.
Caffé Vittoria
Location: 290-296 Hanover Street
You probably wonder how surreal a coffee shop can be. This one has four seating levels and a total of three bars. Fun fact: the first Italian café in Boston was located in the same building. The atmosphere is further enhanced by the vintage espresso machines, coffee makers, and mugs.
Museum of Science
Location: 1 Science Park
The museum looks like the laboratory of a mad scientist. Here you can see the biggest air-insulated generator ever made by Van de Graaff, as well as a huge rock garden and a stunning exhibit going simply titled “seeing is believing.” This is a great spot in Boston, awesome for kids and adults alike.
