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deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

4.5 star rating
based on 47 reviews

Category: Museums  [Edit]

51 Sandy Pond Rd
Lincoln, MA 01773
(781) 259-8355
Hours:

Tue-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Good for Kids:
Yes

47 reviews for deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

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Photo of May N.

Elite '09

80

314

May N.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
7/6/2009

I convinced a group of about 10 to come along to check out this park. It wasn't hard - it was one of the first sunny days in July after weeks of cloudy/rainy days and it was the first weekend of the month which meant anyone with a Bank of America debit or credit card got in for free!  13 of us cheapskates in need of vitamin D frolicked around the sculpture museum. It was so cool to check out art outdoors, especially in nice weather.

We brought some picnic blankets and snacks and laid out after seeing all the sculptures, part of their permanent collection. It was so nice and relaxing. Cute families and kids running around, cute puppies running around, so nice. There is an indoor museum, too, which seems to have rotating exhibits. It's a great place to spend an afternoon and enjoy the outdoors without too much physical exertion.

Photo of emmy. r.

 

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emmy. r.

South Waltham, MA

5 star rating
6/3/2009

I write this as a photographer, as an artist, as a student, as a summer-lover who's always down for a great place to picnic and throw a frisbee around.

This is my favorite art museum. There is no reason to not go here, whether you're looking to exhibit some interesting sculptures, or just get the family out for a day. I always wanted to take a date here. (Takers? ;) Haha.)

It's all been said, but I thought I'd really push everyone's need to visit DeCordova at least once.

Oh, and there's an art supply store. I'm not allowed on the grounds without a chaperon.

Photo of Susan D.

Elite '09

46

306

Susan D.

Burlington, MA

5 star rating
9/24/2009 4 photos

Spectacular and unusual art pieces. I can't believe that I have lived in the Boston area all my life and I have missed out on this. The exhibits change. It is dog-friendly and picnics encouraged sans alcohol. First weekend of every month BoA is offering free admission. Ridiculous offer. Go open a checking account & get your fanny here!

Photo of Rachel A.

Elite '09

38

136

Rachel A.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
5/3/2009

After my second visit to the DeCordova Museum, I am twice as impressed. This is my kind of modern art, baby-- thoughtful and carefully crafted. The museum's curating team is creative with the indoor space, so the floor plan you see on your first visit may totally change on the next go-round.

I think they have four rotating indoor exhibits in addition to the vast, mostly permanent sculpture garden. The lovely grounds are a beautiful place to wander and encounter some sculpture, including many site-specific pieces, like the deeply creepy pine cone men in the trees. (Creepy, but cool!)

The DeC is very handicapped accessible, although if you come off the elevator, you may end up going through some exhibits "backwards." They also have a cool cafe with a pond view and interesting "wallpaper" that is an exhibit of its own.

Love, love, love. This is a fabulous side trip from Boston (and WGBH members get a discount!)

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Photo of molly f.

Elite '09

77

332

molly f.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
5/6/2009 3 photos

amazing amazing amazing TREMAZING! This is the perfect place to visit on a sunny, clear, beautiful day to get a break from the action of the city. Bring a picnic, bring a dog, bring your thoughts...just come here & enjoy the wonderfulness of 35 beautiful acres of meandering sculpture grounds.

I just loved how hands-on & interactive the experience at DeCordova was. You really get to physically interact with the larger than life works of art. The staff is phenomenal...so friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. We went on a gorgeous sunny spring day but would actually love to come back on a cloudier day & again in the fall to see how different the space & artwork feel. There are some really gorgeous pieces scattered around the grounds of this sculpture park & you would be doing yourself a true disservice to skip a trip to DeCordova. Grab a friend with a car, or rent a zip car, or hitch a ride with strangers...whatever it takes. Just get your butt to DeCordova...I promise, you will absolutely love it!

Photo of Francesca R.

Elite '09

78

345

Francesca R.

Allston, MA

5 star rating
7/15/2009

I think the other reviews have covered it, but I'll just reiterate--this is a brilliant place.  Combine a trip here with a visit to Walden Pond and you've got one hell of a day trip for your family, your out-of-town guests, or your date.  The park is beautiful and the art is incredibly thought-provoking.  I don't know what the reviewer below means when they said it was like business park art--what?!  I think you'd only see two scary black hearts that were made out of gruesome bits of body parts and/or a creepy pine cone army in an eeevil business park.

Photo of Harper D.

 

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Harper D.

MA

1 star rating
Updated - 10/9/2008

I forgot:  DONT rent this place for an event!  I worked for a Caterer once and we had a big shebang here,  it was a Nightmare Venue for us.  2/3 hours to completely set up from scratch after Security let us in: tables & chairs, glasswear racks, linen, changing for service, etc?  Any event Caterer should have an aggravation upcharge for dealing with a museum with NO kitchen facilities.
Been to an event here?  Your dinner was entirely made and served from the loading dock, and probably cooked in the hotbox with sterno, btw.  :)

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    10/3/2008

    Beautiful Park, Beautiful Museum with some groundbreaking and amazing shows like the Drawn to Detail… Read more »

Photo of Shivani G.

Elite '09

38

99

Shivani G.

Brookline, MA

5 star rating
9/4/2008

When I want to forward my argument with my husband that I have good taste, I always remind him that I have a degree in art history. The DeCordova made me feel like, yes, we art historians not only have good taste but we can make a bland landscape come alive with the inventive placement of sculpture and pieces that just puzzle you. For the laymen amongst us, the kid inside you will have a rollicking time being allowed to bang on a a certain sculpture.

Before the days get too cool to traipse and amble through their grounds, head over to the DeCordova.

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Photo of Tom E.

Elite '09

354

760

Tom E.

London SW7

UK

2 star rating
5/18/2008

What a disappointment. I came hoping to find a beautiful natural forest or parkland with playful and thought-provoking modern sculptures lurking around each bend and what did I get...

A holding pen for business-park art.

Know what I mean? The kind of sculptures that corporations buy for the fountains outside their skyscrapers. The kind that Tyler Durden's crew send rolling into Starbucks in Fight Club.

I still had a lovely day here, but I can barely think of a sculpture that made me even smile or think. They were all so very bland which went hand-in-hand with their presentation - just lumped on the lawn next to one another or dotted around the car park. Some imagination is needed with the curation here I think.

I did like the main gallery showcasing local modern art - the 2008 collection has some ups and downs but is worth seeing just for the Institute of Infinitesimally Small Things and the top floor's lovely view of the inaccessible pond adjacent that we're not allowed to go hang at.

If you're reading this and wondering "what is he grumbling about, the bitter old man?" then check out what I'm used to and was expecting: http://www.chilternscu.../
Modern, interesting sculptures made for specific sites in a gorgeous natural forest and entirely free. Oh, and most epileptic-inducing web page ever.

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Photo of Gina H.

Elite '09

121

57

Gina H.

Newton, MA

5 star rating
8/2/2008

WOW!!!!

I love this outdoor sculpture park. It is really such a hidden gem!

Today I came here with a couple friends and we brought our kids. They had fun running around, having a picnic and wondering through the indoor art gallery.

I really recommend this place to ppl with kids, ppl on dates and photographers too!

Id love to get married here one day :)

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Elite '09

107

331

Bridget M.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
6/25/2008

I'm going to be honest here, modern art makes me cranky. A Tom E astutely mentioned, some of the sculptures inhabiting the grounds of the DeCordova do in fact look like things that were destroyed in Fight Club.

However, there's still an element of wonder, wandering around and finding the good stuff (ahem, SHARKS IN THE TREES!!!).

One hint to people going during business hours - you have to pay full admission even if you don't intend on going inside the museum (which, honestly, judging by the size of the grounds, it's entirely possible to just spend a relaxing day wandering around taking pictures and looking at sculptures of varying degrees of quality) so make sure to give yourself enough time to experience both. The DeCordova is best known for the sculpture park, but the museum itself is amazingl

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Photo of Kathleen H.

Elite '09

142

266

Kathleen H.

Beverly, MA

5 star rating
4/6/2008

Love this place.
They have expanded their indoor gallery space last time I was here - right now there is a series of photographs of children that are really stunning - ranging from the venerable Dorothea Lange "Migrant Mother" all the way to a twenty year old newcomer. . .who's name I sadly don't remember, but will not doubt soon be famous judging from the amazing photos. There is new interactive gallery space with museum of science -like touch and try exhibits. . .good stuff.

Of course the main attraction for me is the outdoor space - it was chilly today, but still very very enjoyable. It really is a fantastic collection of sculpture.
One of my favorites. . the giant baby on the 4th floor Terrace that looks like the witch's baby from Spirited Away. Right next to the naked woman taking off her oversized head. So very. . odd. Lots of odd, some disturbing, all appropriate for the space they are placed in, many as though they came right out of  a dream. In the summer, take a picnic and spend all day. Several exhibits incorporate living plants that aren't so living now. . so it is definitely worth going back in the growing season.

Another favorite - "vision:" a dead white pine trunk, utilized where it lived, inlaid with glass eyeballs. Blleeeeeah. shiver. Really really creepy-cool. There is so much neat stuff here. Go. You won't be sorry. I love the giant hammer in the parking lot.

The only thing I don't like? They won't let you climb on the sculptures, dammit! "Donut with 3 balls" is just begging. . .
sigh. But there are some big boulders it's Ok to climb.
I think it's Ok to touch most of the outside sculpture though. I did scratch a big brass panther under the chin . . .I can't wait to go back again.

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Photo of Em C.

Elite '09

18

224

Em C.

Milton, MA

5 star rating
11/16/2008

This is possibly my favorite place in all of Massachusetts. If I ever get married, I'm SO getting married here. *hint hint Yelp boys*

This sculpture park is an aesthetic playground for adults and children. I remember coming here as a child and being just as thrilled and interested as I am now.

I commend the creativity of placement, the thrilling effect of having to "hunt" to find certain pieces, and the overall excellence the park possesses.

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Elite '09

12

209

Catie C.

Quincy, MA

2 star rating
6/28/2008 4 photos

Maybe I'm not artsy enough... this place does not capture me.

Some of the sculptures are..um... just plain.. or not thought provoking. I stare at them... and think.. "OK, so what's the point of this?" Perhaps, I had high expectation prior stepping into the park and be WOW'd.

The photographs in the museum were very ordinary. I don't know much about photography tho. They do not draw me into the moment.

This place is not worth $12 to take a walk around the park looking at sculptures that don't seem artistic. I can walk around Forest Hills Cemetery which has sculptures for free. I actually enjoy the sculptures and the scene at the cemetery more.

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GORMET TEEN R.

Wellesley, MA

5 star rating
7/20/2009

I am actually taking a class there. You can take classes in most every artistic medium whether it be abstract painting, sculpture or fashion design! There are beautiful sculptures everywhere that take your breathe away and are really cool. whether it be a giant spray painted silver car with T.V screen windows or a twisted lemon yellow structure that guards the entrance or even a gigantic pink metal pig... entering the decordava is like stepping into another world. I went there in the evening just walking around the grounds. You get this feeling when you are there. Like your are flying but have never been more still in your life. So calm, just looking at things that you don't fully understand and never will, walking through this silent dream world of beauty you can't find anyware else. Total peace. You never want to leave. It's a harsh, strange sort of beauty in the lit gardens that makes your breath catch in your throat and your soul soar.

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Photo of Kristin N.

Elite '09

11

82

Kristin N.

Quincy, MA

5 star rating
5/19/2008

Great place for photography
Great place to bring a date
Great place to look at art and be outdoors

I seriously recommend going here in late September / early October when it's still warm out. There's just so much to discover and although you do have to pay to go inside, there are always great artists on display.

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Dragony F.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
11/9/2008

Pine Sharks VS. a Trojan Chicken
Who wins the battle for attention?
Actually, the bronze Tigers 2, 3 and 4 would steal the show (and perhaps eat the Chicken).

Sculpture Park = A+ = eclectic mix of modern pieces scattered throughout a rolling landscape of woods and wetlands; lots of fun for both kids and adults, throw away the map and just go explore!
Don't miss: the aforementioned creatures, the Musical Fence and My Three Lilies

Galleries (as of Nov 2008) = A = wonderful collection of 5-6 exhibits from contemporary American artists involving diverse media and forms including painting, sculpture and photography

Skip the usual overpriced museum cafes and pack a picnic, it will save you money and sitting in the woods is peaceful and fun!

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Mary c.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
7/5/2008

Enjoyed my visit here!  I've been to heaps of museums in the US- (Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, New York, Boston, blah blah) and that gets tiring- a sculpture park sounded like a nice change.  I love sculptures, and seeing so many at one site was very lovely.  The only other sculpture park I had ever visited was in Washington DC, and that was rather limited and dull compared to this!

They provide a lovely map with all sculptures outlined clearly- we didn't even use the map as we wandered all over and stumbled upon sculpture after sculpture.  Heaps of fun.  The museum was a small little mix; nice break from the park.  

We were here on Saturday July 5th (long weekend) and while there were other people it wasn't packed; we were able to leisurely look at each sculpture on our on while continuing onward... didn't have to share the experience with strangers or move out of the way while people took pictures.  

Makes for a great day trip!

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Elite '09

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167

Benjamin K.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
3/12/2009

Not much to say that hasn't been covered.  Bring someone you love here for a picnic.  You won't regret it.

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Photo of V. X.

 

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V. X.

Jamaica Plain, MA

4 star rating
10/24/2007

Two words: Sculpture Park!

We came on a beautiful fall day, still warm enough to be t-shirt weather. I popped inside the museum for a quick look, but the weather was too gorgeous to be indoors!

We ran around the grounds of the DeCordova, took lots of pictures. The giant sculptures make you feel like you are inside a Tim Burton movie! Its a lot of fun. Also, the grounds are as beautiful as the sculptures themselves so we lounged on the grass just looking at the trees for at least an hour. I absolutely love this place! I cannot wait to come back in the spring.

Note: If you plan on spending a long afternoon here, be sure to pack a lunch! The cafe is tiny and had completely run out of food. Empty bellies are bad for art appreciation! Bring snacks.

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Kim G.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
2/28/2009

Completely random find in this part of the state. No need to go into Boston for all the good museums. Perched on a hilltop with a great view of a large pond, deCordova exhibits world class art and sculptures. We came for an hour and ended up staying three. At first we thought we would just skip through the museum and wander the grounds to view the sculptures, but ended up spending most of the time in the museum. Well worth the admission, which at first sounded steep.

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L D.

Montclair, NJ

4 star rating
5/8/2007

While I wasn't too into most of the indoor exhibits, the sculpture garden is now one of my most favorite things. Perfect for a nice spring/summer day and, as Mark S. said, a great date spot. Bring a picnic lunch or grab an overpriced sandwich at the cafe and head outside in the grass or on the lovely roofdeck.

Definitely check out the shop. They have some very unique gifts and random cool stuff. I snagged a robot pencil sharpener that doubles as a wind up toy. Awesome.

I'd hit the five star button if they had some sort of shuttle service. It's a shame you can't get here without a car.

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Elite '09

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Cara P.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
11/21/2007

Yes, my parents shipped me off to art camp here for three years. At the time I didn't realize just how lucky I was. I just wanted to be playing kickball or jumping in a pool at Camp Cabot over at the "Y"...

The first day we pulled in and drove along the windy roads into thick thick woods, I knew something was different. Was this a dream world?? The grounds gave me some type of Edwards Scissorhand's or Beetle Juice vibe...What the hell was that thing on the lawn over there??

The main building looked more like houses. I didn't get a camp "feel." Where are all the kids in yellow T-shirts???  Where are the Lifeguard's chairs?  Where are the basketball courts?? All I saw were hills, trees, grass and sculptures. Weird ones. 1000 soda cans lined up on string...huh???

Sure, I got to loom a basket; mold a clay pot and learn how to pick berries and use their juice as "color on the canvas."  I made authentic tribal costumes and learned the song and dance to many rituals. Did I really need to know how to make a sheet of paper???? Nope. Yet I now know how.

Those are just some of the thing I did during my summers here.  Each summer had a different theme. Little did I know how lucky I was being exposed to these programs.

My last summer there, I really understood DeCordova and I became extremely interested in Art. I could finally, appreciate the gorgeous sculptures displayed on the ground, the quirky art teachers and the "non" museum feel the building really gave off.

Now, I go every once in a while for their indoor exhibits, that change often. When I was into photography and lived only 10 minutes away,  I would come to the ground and pack a lunch, walk around and go to work. During the Fall season, the scenery will take your breath away.

No matter what brings you here, you will leave with a new appreciation for contemporary art and "museums" in general. Their whole laid back approach and crowd-less  atmosphere  contributes to my learning experience each time I arrive;  I leave just a bit more satisfied  upon my departure back into the real world.

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Elite '09

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237

Laura M.

Decatur, GA

4 star rating
8/8/2006

A really groovy little art museum nestled just past Lincoln Center. (When you drive past Lincoln Center, you'll think "This is it? This is the center?" Yes, that's it... it's basically an intersection and a library, and not much else.) For $9 general adult admission ($6 for students) you can visit the indoor museum, and even vote on what artists you think the museum should fund. The quality of the exhibits is variable, but the space itself is lovely, with a little terrace where you can eat lunch (we brought our own, but there's a small cafe) and a rooftop area where you can look down at the sculpture park. If you're cheap, go on a Monday. The museum is closed, but you can visit the park for free.

The park itself was a little tiring on a hot August day, but there was some cool stuff. The musical fence was a favorite, as were some really awesome trees that we climbed on. (There are many signs telling you not to climb on the large sculptures, but no such prohibition for the trees!)

All in all, worth a visit if you've got a lazy afternoon to spend in the area, but maybe not if you'd have to come out from Boston -- after all, there are plenty of other art museums around. If you drive out in a Zipcar, though, you get a $2 discount on admission!

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john w.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
11/18/2007

This is such a beautiful place. At least twice a year, I like to visit the DeCordova, a contemporary art museum 16 miles outside of the city. To wander through the beautiful sculpture park feels like strolling through a dreamscape - it can really be enjoyed any time of year. Their permanent collection of contemporary art, primarily by New England artists, is the largest in the region. They also have special exhibitions that change every few months.

A trip to DeCordova certainly is inspirational. And as Vanilla P notes, the gift shop does in fact = awesome.

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Matt L.

Roslindale, MA

4 star rating
2/15/2009

You would never know this place is here it is so tucked away nestled in the back woods of Lincoln, MA. The sprawling grounds cover a large area and contain over 50 different sculptured works of art, some made steel, glass, stone and all magnificent. Some are huge and others very simple and small. Either way it is an adventure for all ages to scope out the scultures and indentify what they mean. Inside the studios you can watch artists at work and see art in process. The main Museum is just as interesting, displaying works of art in changing exhibits. From painting to scultures to moving art it is truly worth the trip to this place. Use your Bank of America debit card to get in free the first weekend of any month with the promotion going on now and save on admission. I would highly recommend this place!

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Ryan B.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
3/25/2007

Bounding with large and small sculptures all over the property, this old suburban estate is a perfect place to spend a spring, summer or fall afternoon.  I highly recommend following the paths down to the pond "Sandy Pond" towards the end of the day you will understand why this area is so sought after and written about in so many books.   There is a great new (past several years) indoor exhibit facility that host several different types of installations that are amazing.  Check out the gift shop as a creative unique gift for a love one can always be found.  If you are looking for a low cost, culturally enhancing activity this year GO to the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park.  

One last piece of advice.... DRIVE THE SPEED limit in Lincoln the police are tenacious and have no problem giving tickets to anyone not following the towns "Linconites Drive 25" motto

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Jen and Tim S.

Littleton, MA

4 star rating
7/14/2006

I went here with my mom for the day last summer, what a great day!  So much to wander around and see (even some inside).  I would recommend bringing a lunch and picnicing on the grounds.  We didn't think ahead and the cafe had slim pickings.

Check your local library, many of them offer free passes to museums including DeCordova.  Some libraries require you become a "friend" and pay a small fee, which gives you access to these passes, but I know many libraries do not charge.

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Garth S.

Allston, MA

5 star rating
10/28/2007

Yet another one of my "cultchah" jaunts with B_____ and C______.  We happened upon a fascinating installation (at places like the DeCordova, most exhibitions seem to fall into the "installation" camp) of model trains chugging through imagined worlds of mammaries, stuffed animals, over-sized circuit boards, and cities of mirrored glass.  If I'd bothered to read the signs, I'm sure I would have learnt that it all had something to do with nostalgia for a world that never existed competing with modernity, hyper-reality, the objectification of women, and cruelty to toys but I just wanted to watch the choo-choos.

The sculpture garden was the perfect spot to pass a drizzly, grey afternoon, wandering among multicolored leaves drifting onto disembodied heads, Trojan farm animals, mechanical beasts, musical fences, fallopian bits of shiny metal, and great welded things painted black.

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Jane B.

Stoneham, MA

5 star rating
10/16/2006

A great place to spend a beautiful day. I've been in the museum once and they have some great pieces of art and exhibits. Some of them are very interactive, others are more like what you'd expect at a gallery.

There is something very relaxing about the place, even when there are screaming children running wild. The last time I went I was surprised to see some of the outdoor exhibits had been moved around, but I like that - it means it's not always going to be the same everytime you go.

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Vanilla P.

Belmont, MA

5 star rating
11/11/2007

Amazing. Even better when the sun is starting to set and the trees are a glowing backdrop for all the sculptures. We walked around here today, with chilly winter air making us move a little faster than we normally would have... All the more reason to go again and really savor the statues.

The interior of the museum is also interesting, but smaller than it looks from the outside. The current exhibit with the trains is fun, and it seems to really attract a younger (think elementary school) audience. Kudos to the DeCordova for starting kiddos off while they're young.

Gift shop = awesome. I want to buy so much stuff here. Especially one of these super neat pressed wool hats that look like something from the 20s. I can't wait to go back.

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E.N. Z.

Brookline, MA

5 star rating
7/13/2006

Wonderful drive from the city to this museum. Take the Winter St. exit on 95/128, follow winter st.  hugging the lake, turn right on Old Country Rd then left onto Trapelo, the rest is just normal way to the museum. This route is extremely scenic.

I agree with other reviewers about the sculpture park. It is playful and good for the entire family. There are some trails around the museum. One also leads to a lake.

Everyone forgot to mention the museum itself. You have to go to the roof deck. That's where my baby icon was taken. Roof deck has beautiful panoramic views of the area. The collections are frequently changing. They also tell you when the artists will be visiting so you can meet them next to their artwork and talk to them.

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Li S.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
11/8/2008

If you threw a playground, a museum and a park into a cloner you would end up with the Sculpture Park in Lincoln,MA. The photogenic artwork reminds me of the bushes in Edward Scissorhands. I completed a successful shoot out here and had my models had fun climbing through the wacky installations. Its an awesome venue that's open to the public during daylight hours, but you might find yourself peeing in the bushes because the museum operates during wonky hours (its ok because the locales let their animals run around and pee so why can't we?)

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Julie A.

Arlington, MA

5 star rating
3/31/2007

This is a great place to come in the summer, spring and fall. The outdoor sculpture park is fun and keeps you entertained as you get a little exercise in.
The indoor museum has always had some great exhibits every time I go.
The view is nice too, you can get married here, and I think that would be one cool wedding!
The staff are all nice and this is one of my favorite museum stores because it's got a good mix or affordable do dads and fun stuff mixed with the expensive MOMA type stuff. They have classes here too and offer shows for student which is cute too. I find something new and interesting every time I come.
TWO THUMBS UP for a random Boston Museum!

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Percy W.

New York, NY

5 star rating
7/8/2007

I've been here twice.  The sculpture park is an amazing place, to say the least. I wasn't expecting it to be as vast as it is -- there are 8 different sections. I recommend a full hour to see each sculpture and read the descriptions. There is no entrance fee for the sculpture park which is a definite plus for all you starving students. It's also open year round from dawn til dusk so those are pretty generous hours. And wear comfortable sneakers -- my friends and I learned the hard way with wearing heeled shoes which dug into some grassy areas and dirt paths -- think Sex and the City goes on a nature hike.

Apparently, the sculptures are rotated with permanent and temporary loan pieces which is really cool too. I was particularly impressed by three pieces of work. The first is ence pence which is a large formation of cedar and graphite. I can't even put it into words -- just the idea of shading a large amount of cedar with a pencil, essentially, is just so wacky it works. Wall of Ice III was really cool. Made of hydrostone, burlap, wood, and pigment, it looks just like its title -- sort of like a frozen waterfall. Lastly, my most favorite is Skirts and Pants, a piece made out of etched glass and wood. The frame looks Japanese-inspired with the etched glass pieces hanging onto the vertical pieces of wood. I suppose all this is really hard to imagine so I guess you'll just have to go and see for yourself.

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Ben R.

Lexington, MA

5 star rating
5/22/2008

Decordova is sizzling.  I haven't even been inside the building.  The best part is just chilling and walking through the outdoor exhibits, especially the hollowed-out pine tree.  Great place to bring your dog and let it run around near the sculptures.  It is awesome that I am able to live so close to this place.

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Mark S.

Jamaica Plain, MA

5 star rating
12/14/2006

The sculpture park is the perfect place for a date. It's a nice drive away from the city , just don't go too far or you'll end up in Fitchburg (ughh) .  It's nice to walk around and you can bring food for a picnic.   The fresh air and the sun shining makes for quite a romantic afternoon and it's FREE!!. Is it free or do I just not pay? Who knows?
A good 3rd or fourth date sort of place. The girl you are taking will think you are into modern art and stuff so thats good.
Don't forget your turtleneck and tweed blazer.
There's this sculpture of these 3 pieces of iron entangled together that always seems to turn me on. You can turn to your date and say "There's something really sexy about this piece" Don't worry she won't think its creepy.
Be sure to lie on the ground and look at the Shark in the trees sculpture. I think that one is my favorite. Your tweed blazer will get dirty of course but your date will think you are spontaneous.

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Anna S.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
12/3/2006

There has never been a museum that i've enjoyed more than the DeCordova, and that says a lot.  I've been here on many occasions, forth of july, family outtings and even speaking at fundraising events.  Everytime I come I'm awed by the beautiful outdoor statues, the ever-changing inside galleries and the wonderful services and staff.  
The museum is not over priced and you most likely won't pay anything except for parking if you wander aroudn the many outdoor gardens and see the sculptures.  You can even take a little hike in the woods if your adventurous.  This place is a fabulous.

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Elite '09

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jeremy k.

Framingham, MA

5 star rating
3/2/2008

what an awesome opportunity to expand your horizons.

common sense here, if its 72 and sunny, go there, it will be a fantastic decision. go by yourself, or with another, even a small group will benefit from this, like Walden Pond in a way, you should go there too.

right now, maybe not so much, hey its cold.

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K. F.

Louisville, CO

5 star rating
3/3/2006

This place is amazing. Walking through the sculpture gardens, you feel as though you have entered another land! This is a perfect retreat from the noise of the city. Plan for an all-day trip to see the gardens and then the unique exhibits inside the museum. The museum shop is even a great place to buy unusual gifts.

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