Romance at the Gardner Museum- Valentine's Weekend Destination

The courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of the most romantic spots in Boston. The museum is a perfect setting for an interlude of togetherness for Valentine's Day, an anniversary or a special date. 

 
In our Valentine's Day Dining post we asked readers to, "Stay tuned, because we plan to tell you about some even less expensive ways to treat your favorite date to a special Valentine adventure without breaking the piggy bank."

The Gardner has alternatives for every budget. 

• The museum welcomes you to enjoy the courtyard for free. To access the Cafe or Gift Shop, you pass through the courtyard, and you'll often find people waiting for a table at the cafe on stone benches with a view of the garden. 

• Add a very reasonable admission fee ($12 for adults $10 for seniors) and spend the day exploring the palace.  If your budget is really tight, the Gardner provides some free passes through the Boston Public Library's museum pass program. 

• You can visit to The Gardner Cafe for lunch or dessert. The menu is moderately priced, and the food is delicious. (The Cafe accepts reservations for the 11:30 am seating on weekdays and the 11:00 am seating on weekends.)

• Or, you can splurge for a very special evening on February 14th. The museum is holding A Venetian Valentine event priced at $195 per couple. (That price includes a full year's membership for the Museum.)  

  

Here's the description of A Venetian Valentine 

"The evening begins with romantic jazz ballads performed by the Patrice Williamson Quartet, setting the mood for romance from the Gardner’s fragrant blossoming courtyard. Attendees will feast on a sumptuous array of artfully designed sweet and savory small plates such as crispy parmigiano, sage, and wild mushroom risotto cakes, many showcasing romantic foods like oysters and chocolate. An open bar will feature that most Venetian of cocktails, the Bellini, mixed exclusively for the occasion by Chef Peter Crowley of The Gardner Café.

Throughout the evening, the Gardner Museum’s softly-lit galleries will be open for an intimate stroll through 30 centuries of fine art. Guests are invited to explore the museum’s sensuous masterworks on a poetry-infused selfguided our of the collection, and to discover one of Isabella Gardner’s favorite works, Titian’s magnificent Europa, of which she wrote: “I am breathless about the Europa, even yet! I am back here tonight after a two days’ orgy. The orgy was drinking my self drunk with Europa and then sitting for hours in my Italian Garden at Brookline, thinking and dreaming of her. Every inch of paint in the picture seems full of joy.” 

 

 

As you can see, there's something for everyone in this palace built by a woman who loved to entertain. Isabella Stewart Gardner left us all a destination full of treasures, lovely spaces, and her enchanting spirit. A visit, this time of year, will delight any romantic soul.

Details:
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (map )
280 The Fenway, Boston, MA‎
617-566-1401‎

www.gardnermuseum.org 

 

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photos: Courtesy of  Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum