Best of Boston

2016 Best Museum

The Institute of Contemporary Art

Where else can you spend date night dancing to live DJs, eating oysters on the harbor, and checking out a Shepard Fairey original? With some of the best waterfront views in town, the museum itself is a sleek architectural masterpiece—a place to see world-class contemporary art and be seen at the institute’s rocking First Fridays events, which feature live outdoor performances. Armed with 20 recently donated works from philanthropist Barbara Lee, the 80-year-old museum is getting fresher every day. 

25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston, 617-478-3100, icaboston.org