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Boston AthenaeumvsBoston Public Library
Boston Public Library and Boston Athenaeum are both recommended by those who travel for a living. Overall, Boston Public Library ranks slightly higher than Boston Athenaeum. Boston Public Library scores 92 with accolades from 14 publications including On the Grid, Concierge and Michelin Guide.
Boston Athenaeum
Lonely Planet
Time Out
Condé Nast Traveler
Not For Tourists
Michelin Guide
Where
Atlas Obscura Atlas Obscura
Frommer's
10 Beacon St., Boston, MA
From $0/night
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"An old and distinguished private library, having hosted the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne." Full review
Time Out "The Boston Athenæum published America's first literary magazine and acquired an extensive library of books and works of art." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "This magnificent private library is tucked away behind red leather–bound doors with more than 600,000 volumes of gilt-lettered books and rare manuscripts." Full review
Not For Tourists "Old books, including one true crime account bound in the author's skin."
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"The Boston Athenaeum is one of the nation's oldest private lending libraries." Full review
Where "This landmark is one of the city’s largest and oldest membership libraries and its first museum of fine arts." Full review
i
Free admission to museum; donation of $5 requested for special exhibitions.
Atlas Obscura "A morbid secret lies hidden within the beautiful walls of the Boston Athenaeum. " Full review
Atlas Obscura "A morbid secret lies hidden within the beautiful walls of the Boston Athenaeum. " Full review
Frommer's "Mounts exhibits in the compact art gallery on the first floor... and schedules lectures, readings, concerts, and, on rare occasions, viewings." Full review
Boston Public Library
Concierge Lonely Planet Time Out
Fodor's Not For Tourists
Travel + Leisure Michelin Guide
Afar Magazine
On the Grid Where Show All Reviews
700 Boylston St., At Copley Sq., Boston, MA 02116
From $0/night
Concierge "The Boston Public Library is a destination in itself, and not just for bookworms."
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"Dating from 1852, the esteemed Boston Public Library lends credence to Boston’s reputation as the ‘Athens of America.’." Full review
Time Out "The original structure, designed by Charles McKim and completed in 1895, is now the research library, while an extension opened in 1972 to function as a general library." Full review
Fodor's "This venerable institution is a handsome temple to literature and a valuable research library." Full review
Not For Tourists "People need at least one place where they can be their most effective, motivated and focused. Sometimes it's their home, a coffee shop, the back corner of a bookstore, a random park..."
Travel + Leisure "This central branch at Copley Square is home to the magnificent Bates Hall reading room, the most architecturally revered and historically significant room at America’s first public library." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"The first in the country to lend books." Full review
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Before you enter, admire the granite facade's wrought-iron lanterns, relief panels... the inside is even more elaborate.
Afar Magazine "A lovely find for a lover of literature and libraries full of old charm." Full review
On the Grid "Beautiful Italianate courtyard in the BPL’s historic McKim building, the Courtyard Restaurant is steeped in history." Full review
Where "America’s first municipally-funded public library houses millions of books, manuscripts, music scores and art and boasts a scenic courtyard, events, readings and exhibits." Full review
