Directions

PLEASE NOTE: The ICA has a new address!

25 Harbor Shore Drive
Boston, MA 02210
617-478-3100

Located on Boston Harbor in the city’s dynamic Seaport district, the ICA is within walking distance from downtown Boston and is easily accessible by public transportation, car, bike, or water taxi. Parking options have recently changed; see below for a range of options. Please be aware that parking availability is limited, especially on weekdays. We encourage visitors to use public transportation whenever possible.

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Take the MBTA Red Line to South Station and transfer to the Silver Line Waterfront. The ICA is a short walk from either the World Trade Center or the Courthouse station.

From World Trade Center Station
Exit left onto Congress Street. Walk one block to the corner of B Street and turn right, crossing Congress Street. Follow B Street for one block. At the corner of B Street and Seaport Boulevard cross the street and turn left. At the next corner, turn right onto Northern Avenue. Make your first right on Harbor Shore Drive, which leads directly to the ICA. 

From Courthouse Station
Exit the station onto Seaport Boulevard and follow it, walking away from downtown. Just before the first traffic light, you will see a gray building called District Hall. Turn left at District Hall and follow the sidewalk leading to Northern Avenue. Cross Northern Avenue where it intersects with One Marina Park Drive and follow the pedestrian path leading to the harbor. The ICA is located to your right. 

BY CAR

The directions below take you to the ICA. Please note that the ICA does not have parking; parking options are listed below.

From Logan International Airport + Route 1A South
Follow the signs toward I-90 West / Ted Williams Tunnel. Take the Ted Williams Tunnel to Exit 25, “South Boston.” At the top of the ramp, continue straight, crossing Congress Street, and take a left onto Northern Avenue at the next light. At the first light, take a right to stay on Northern Avenue. Make the first right onto Harbor Shore Drive to reach the ICA.

From the West, via Massachusetts Turnpike
Follow the Massachusetts Turnpike / I-90 East to Exit 25, “South Boston.” Once you are in the Exit 25 tunnel, stay left and follow sign for “Seaport Boulevard.” At the top of the ramp, continue straight, crossing Congress Street and then Seaport Boulevard onto Northern Avenue. Make the first right onto Harbor Shore Drive to reach the ICA.

From Points South, via I-93
Heading northbound on I-93 toward Boston, take Exit 20. Follow signs to I-90 East. Take the first tunnel exit to “South Boston.” At the top of the ramp, continue straight, crossing Congress Street and then Seaport Boulevard, onto Northern Avenue. Make the first right onto Harbor Shore Drive to reach the ICA.

From Points North, via I-93
Heading southbound on I-93 toward Boston, take Exit 23 for Purchase Street. Stay in the left lane, taking the first left at the end of the ramp onto Seaport Boulevard, crossing Atlantic Avenue. At the next light, take a left onto Sleeper Street and then a right onto Northern Avenue. Make the first right onto Harbor Shore Drive to reach the ICA.

BY WATER

Boston Harbor Cruises Cultural Connector
May through September, take a ride on the Cultural Connector, an easy (and seafaring!) way to explore the ICA and other top Boston museums along the waterfront. Try it FREE through the end of July! For locations, schedules, and rates, visit bostonharborcruises.com. 

Rowes Wharf Water Transport
Visitors can take the Rowes Wharf Water Transport ferry from one of its numerous stops to the Seaport World Trade Center, just minutes from the ICA. Rowes Wharf Water Transport provides year-round passenger water transportation throughout Boston Harbor. For reservations, call 617-406-8584. For more information, please visit roweswharfwatertransport.com. 

BY BIKE

Bring your own or use one of the two Hubway docking stations by the museum.

Parking

Like many Boston cultural institutions, the ICA does not own or operate a parking garage. 

There are multiple paid parking options near the ICA (see below), but please note, parking can be challenging due to the construction taking place in our developing neighborhood. We strongly recommend that visitors consider taking public transportation; the museum is a short distance from the Courthouse stop on the MBTA Silver Line. Taking a car service may also be a more convenient and cost-efficient option, in particular for visitors with accessibility concerns.

Area Parking Lots
All local rates and availability are subject to change without notice.

NEW parking option right behind the ICA:
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210

Evenings after 5 pm Mon-Fri, up to 10 hours – $15
​Weekends, up to 10 hours – $15
ICA visitors receive an additional $2 off parking on weekends and weekdays after 5

Weekdays before 5:
Up to ½ hour – $15
½ to 1 hour – $30
1 to 10 hours – ​$36         
10 to 24 hours – $38         

Pilgrim Parking – Fan Pier Garage
One Marina Park Drive
Boston, MA 02210
ICA visitors receive an additional $2 off parking on weekends (10 hour limit) and after 5 pm on weekdays with ticket validation at the Holly and David Bruce Visitor Center at the ICA. 

LAZ Parking – 25 Northern Avenue
25 Northern Avenue*
Boston, MA 02210
*For GPS, use 233 Northern Avenue as destination address.

LAZ Parking – 391 Congress Street 
391 Congress St. 
Boston, MA 02110

Further Parking Options

The website Parkopedia is useful for looking up current rates in there area. There are also numerous free apps available to download on your smartphone that assist users in finding available parking, including BestParking and Parker. 

Tours + Talks

Drop in for a FREE guided tour and get a closer look at our current exhibitions and iconic architecture every Thursday evening during ICA FREE Thursdays and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Current offerings include:

ICA Architecture: Enjoy an exciting look at some of the unique features of the ICA’s one-of-a-kind, stunning architecture.

Feature Focus: Nalini Malani + Liz Deschenes: Discover our feature exhibitions in this interactive tour led by one of the ICA’s expert guides.

FREE THURSDAY NIGHTS

6:00 PM | ICA Architecture
7:00 PM | Nalini Malani + Liz Deschenes

SATURDAYS + SUNDAYS

1:00 PM | ICA Architecture
2:30 PM | Nalini Malani + Liz Deschenes

POP UP TALKS

Every Friday night from 6:30 to 8:30 PM!
Get a different perspective on contemporary art from individuals that study the ICA’s exhibitions every day—the Visitor Assistants (VAs). Pop-Up Talks—15-minute conversations in front of works of art—are led by a team of VAs identifiable on the gallery floor by their Ask Me buttons. Stop by and hear what works they’ve chosen to reflect on in these surprising gallery conversations.

Have a question about free drop-in tours? Contact us.

Looking to schedule a group tour? Learn more about group visits and tours. 

Shopping + Dining

ICA Store

With a distinctive selection of contemporary design objects, jewelry, art books, and children’s toys, the ICA Store is a one-of-a-kind Boston destination. ICA Members receive 10% off every purchase. All purchases support ICA exhibitions, performances, and educational programs.
Open during museum hours; admission is not required.

Visit icastore.org

Water Café

Experience casual harborside dining at the Water Café. Our menu is updated seasonally to highlight local ingredients and New England favorites with contemporary flair. ICA Members receive a 10% discount off their purchase at the Water Cafe. Museum admission is not required to dine.

LUNCH MENU

EVENING MENU

Hours

Tue: 11 AM – 4 PM
Wed: 11 AM – 4 PM
Thu: 11 AM – 8 PM
Fri: 11 AM – 8 PM
Sat: 11 AM – 4 PM
Sun: 11 AM – 4 PM

Reservations

Call 617-478-3291 or email watercafe@icaboston.org.

Explore the Neighborhood

The Institute of Contemporary Art is located on the waterfront of one of North America’s most walkable cities. This flourishing neighborhood and burgeoning creative center is home to cultural and historic attractions such as the Children’s Museum, the New England Aquarium, Fort Point, the Rafael Viñoly-designed Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, a variety of exciting restaurants, new hotels, and residences—all just a short walk from the ICA and part of a transformed, vibrant new Boston. The ICA is one of the jewels along the HarborWalk, an inviting public walkway around Boston Harbor with parks, public art, seating areas, cafes, and more. Learn more.

Visitor Policies

Coat/Bag Check

The ICA requires visitors to check backpacks of any size, shopping bags, and bags 11 x 14 inches (28 x 35.5 cm) or larger. The museum reserves the right to refuse other items and is not responsible for items held by the checkroom.

Photography

We welcome visitors to take still photographs for their own use, of the ICA building and select works on view in the galleries. No flash, tripods, or video recording allowed. When taking photographs, please consider fellow visitors. Photographs may not be reproduced, distributed, or sold without permission from the ICA.
 
  Please note: as indicated by this symbol, there are select works of art and exhibitions where photography of any kind is prohibited. We appreciate your considering other museum visitors by taking photographs in an unobtrusive manner.

Visiting with Kids

A few tips:

• Changing stations are located in both women’s and men’s restrooms on the first and fourth floors. 
• Strollers are permitted throughout the ICA. For safety, please do not leave strollers unattended. 
• Children are welcome in the Water Café. Outside food and drinks are not permitted in the museum, but may be enjoyed outside on the grandstand. 

Learn more

Accessibility

The ICA welcomes and endeavors to provide a positive, engaging experience for all visitors.

• The ICA is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible. Visitors who use wheelchairs may be dropped off directly in front of the museum. Available parking options are here. Power wheelchairs and scooters are allowed; Segways are not. A limited number of wheelchairs are available in the State Street Corporation Lobby first-come, first-served, and free of charge. Reserved wheelchair seating for theater productions is available by advance request; please call the Box Office at 617-478-3103.  
•   Assistive-listening devices and sign language interpretation are available by advance request; please call the Box Office at 617-478-3103 (TTY 617-478-3287) to make a request.
   
• Service animals are welcome.
   
• Large-print label texts are available in the galleries; please ask a member of the gallery staff for assistance.
• Icaboston.org is translatable for non-English speakers: see the bottom of every page for links (note that automatic translations are provided by a third party and may contain inaccuracies).
• The ICA does not discriminate on the basis of disability with regard to admission, access, or employment.

Contact us

If you have questions or feedback about your visit to the ICA, please contact us at info@icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.