John F Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

Boston

LoginSave

The legacy of JFK is ubiquitous in Boston, but the official memorial to the 35th president is the presidential library and museum – a striking, modern, marble building designed by IM Pei. The architectural centerpiece is the glass pavilion, with soaring 115ft ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Boston Harbor. The museum is a fitting tribute to JFK’s life and legacy. The effective use of video re-creates history for visitors who may or may not remember the early 1960s.

A highlight is the museum’s treatment of the Cuban Missile Crisis: a short film explores the dilemmas and decisions that the president faced, while an archival exhibit displays actual documents and correspondence from those 13 gripping days.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Baseball game in Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts.

    Fenway Park

    3.87 MILES

    Home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, Fenway Park is the oldest operating baseball park in the country. As such, the park has many quirks that make for a…

  • Elevated view, Lowell House, Harvard Square, Harvard University and Charles River.

    Harvard University

    5.83 MILES

    America's oldest college, Harvard University is one of the country's most prestigious universities. It was originally founded in Harvard Yard in 1636 by…

  • Museum of Science

    Museum of Science

    4.04 MILES

    The educational playground that is the Museum of Science has more than 600 interactive exhibits. Favorites include the world’s largest lightning-bolt…

  • Minute Man National Historic Park

    Minute Man National Historic Park

    15.13 MILES

    The route that British troops followed to Concord has been designated the Minute Man National Historic Park. The visitor center at the eastern end of the…

  • Punto Urban Art Museum

    Punto Urban Art Museum

    15.74 MILES

    If you walk south on Lafayette from Derby St, you'll find yourself on the other side of the tracks (or river, in this case). Welcome to El Punto, or ‘The…

  • Harvard Yard

    Harvard Yard

    5.84 MILES

    Harvard University was originally founded here in 1636, and Harvard Yard remains the historic and geographic heart of the university campus. Flanked by…

  • DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum

    DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum

    16.23 MILES

    The magical DeCordova Sculpture Park encompasses 35 acres of green hills, providing a spectacular natural environment for a constantly changing exhibit of…

  • 500px Photo ID: 14084519 -

    Institute of Contemporary Art

    2.57 MILES

    Boston has become a focal point for contemporary art in the 21st century, with the Institute of Contemporary Art leading the way. The building is a work…

View more attractions

Nearby Boston attractions

2. Commonwealth Museum

0.16 MILES

The Commonwealth Museum exhibits documents dating to the early days of colonization. The permanent exhibit uses interactive multimedia to trace the…

3. Thompson Island

1.26 MILES

Thompson Island was settled as early as 1626 by a Scotsman, David Thompson, who set up a trading post to do business with the Neponset Indians. Today this…

4. Dorchester Heights

1.3 MILES

High above Boston Harbor, this strategic spot played a crucial role in overcoming the British occupation. The Georgian Revival tower that stands today was…

5. Castle Island & Fort Independence

1.92 MILES

The 19th-century Fort Independence sits on 22 acres of parkland called Castle Island (a misnomer, as it’s connected to the mainland). A paved pathway…

6. Midway Gallery

2.21 MILES

Fort Point is no longer the gritty, offbeat artists' enclave it once was, but there is still a flourishing artistic community here – which you will find…

7. Alpha Gallery

2.38 MILES

Once a Newbury St staple, this venerable art gallery is one of many that have relocated to SoWa. Presenting the work of some headline-grabbing artists …

8. SoWa Artists Guild

2.41 MILES

The brick-and-beam buildings along Harrison Ave were originally used to manufacture goods ranging from canned food to pianos. Now these factories turn out…