As part of Highland Street Foundation’s Free Fun Fridays, admission to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is free today.  I had never been to the museum so I decided to check it out this morning.  Although it was overrun with school and camp groups full of loud kids (who really didn’t care about any of the exhibits), I’m really glad I went.  I kind of want to go back when there won’t be so many people so I can get a chance to read all the information.

Your visit starts with a 15 minute video presentation on JFK’s early life and work up until the 1960 Democratic National Convention.  You then walk through a long series of multimedia exhibits including videos, clothes, letters, and other artifacts.  It’s all really informative and thorough.  The tour ends in the beautiful glass pavilion overlooking the harbor.

Regular Admission:
$12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $9 for kids ages 13-17, free for children 12 and under.

Deals:
Get museum passes from the Jamaica Plain branch of the Boston Public Library

How to get there:
Take the Red Line (either Ashmont or Braintree) to JFK/UMass.  There is a free shuttle from the T stop to the museum that leaves every 20 minutes.

Good for kids?
There were a lot…a LOT…of kids there today. The ones who were there with their families and whose parents were explaining things and interacting with them seemed to be enjoying it.  The ones who were there with big school/camp groups with three chaperones for 30 kids didn’t seem to care about what they were seeing and were loud especially during the initial video.  When I was in the line waiting for another video about the Cuban Missile Crisis, a man in front of me mentioned to the woman he was with “at least there won’t be kids in this one” and I had to agree with him.

Find out more about the exhibits here.