Explore the Museum of Fine Arts

One of the things I love about living in Medford is our proximity to the resources of Boston: world-renowned medical care, top-notch colleges and universities, fine dining and Fenway Park, for example. This week's recommended escape is Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. And just like visits to Boston, visits to the MFA can be different every time you go. For example:

The "Sex in the City" Escape: Meet your girlfriends at the MFA's New American Café for a glass of wine or a cappuccino, then stroll through an exhibit celebrating the work of fashion designer Arnold Scaasi. The Boston Globe calls the exhibit "... a thrilling look into a universe of wealth, charm, and celebrity."

The "History Buff's" Escape: Visit the MFA's new Art of the Americas Wing. Part of the Museum's most recent expansion, this new wing includes four floors of more than 5,000 works of art produced in North, Central and South America over the course of three millennia. I recommend limiting your first visit to a "broad brush" introduction to the wing captured by the central galleries on each floor.

The "Family Fun" Escape: The MFA is a great place to visit with kids. I highly recommend checking out the tips for family visits provided on the MFA's website before you go. In addition, the museum's handheld multimedia guides (just $4 to rent for kids) works wonders for keeping kids engaged during a visit.

Keep it cheap!

Children six years old and under always get free admission to the MFA, and kids 7-17 get in free during non-school hours. But the Museum offers many opportunities for adults to visit for free or reduced prices, too!

• Enjoy free admission all day May 30 for the "Memorial Day Open House."
• Wednesday nights after 4 p.m., admission is by voluntary contribution (suggested donation $20). And on May 18, the free admission Wednesday night evening hours will be held in celebration of International Art Museum Day.
• Museum passes for reduced admission prices are available from our local library. You may request them in-person at the library or reserve them online.