Built by the lady of the same name to house a stupendous art collection, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum with its red-tiled roof, elaborate shutters and stately stone facade, echoes a Venetian palazzo. By the terms of Mrs. Gardner's will, there must be no change in the placement of art and decorative objects within the galleries, so entering the museum is like stepping back to the 19th century.

The interior three-story atrium is one of our favorite places in the world. French tapestries, Italian Renaissance paintings, and sculptural fragments of antiquity abound in a setting designed to complement each item.

The Gardner Museum is easily accessed via public transportation by taking the Huntington Avenue No. 39 bus or the Green Line train to the Museum stop.

There are two things we especially love about the Gardner Museum. The first is indulging in wonderfully decadent desserts at their cafe; the second is enjoying a performance of classical or jazz music in this beautiful setting. To learn more about both options, and to check on the museum's hours and admission fees, visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum web site.

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