The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of Boston’s true masterpieces. More than a jewel for visitors, it’s a treasure trove. “It is a window to the past,” says Dr. Christina Nielsen, curator of the collection and director of program planning, “and in some ways feels like a time capsule, like you’ve traveled back in time and can see and experience the vision of a creative individual who lived in a very different era.”

While discovering Boston’s museums can keep you busy for weeks, take the time to go beyond city limits and explore Massachusett’s vibrant art and culture institutions. Here are six museums just a short trek away.

Brush up on everything from art and history to science and nature at 10 of Boston’s most illustrious repositories of knowledge.

Boston is brimming with intriguing new museum exhibitions to explore. Here's a few to add to your to-do list.

Considering the amount of time we spend with our bodies, it’s insane how little we actually know about them.

The Spring 2014 season promises “The Very Best of Boston Pops,” with a series of concerts kicking off on May 7 at Symphony Hall. On Opening Night, “Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander hosts a night

Discover some of the most promising photographers from North America and the U.K. at the Flash Forward Festival hosted by the Magenta Foundation.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has only been in office for a few months, yet he’s already clearly distinguished himself from his predecessor Thomas Menino, who held the mayoral seat for a record five terms.