Concierge.com's insider take:

Think of the MFA as a mini-Met: This grand, neoclassical building, opened in 1909, holds American and European paintings from the 7th century to the present (Sargent, O'Keefe, and Monet are well-represented); sizeable collections of African, Egyptian, and Near Eastern artifacts; and one of the most highly regarded collections of Asian art in the Western world. The Chinese furniture gallery feels like a 19th-century private home. Recent temporary exhibits included "Art during the Reign of Philip III" and "Rockwell and Shinjin: Celebrating Baseball and the Red Sox," a collection of American and Japanese artwork depicting the hometown team and the cross-cultural love of the game. A major renovation and an expansion designed by British architect Norman Foster is slated for completion in 2010; the museum will remain open throughout the project.

Open daily 10 am to 4:45 pm; the West Wing and select galleries stay open until 9:45 pm Wednesdays through Fridays.