Free Museums in Bostonia

"As one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers of the 20th century, the USS Midway boasts an extensive and incredible history. Built-in only 17 months and named after the climactic Battle of the Midway in 1942, the USS Midway served the nation honorably during its 50 years in commission. It continues to serve the public as a museum by reminding it of world history and of the U.S. military’s impressive power."

"The San Diego Museum of Art is a fine arts museum located in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. SDMA houses a wide collection of curated exhibitions that shouldn’t be missed!. Current exhibits range from the beautiful “Art of the Open Air” (excellent for those with concerns over social distancing) to the Modern and Contemporary Art gala."

"Known for its Spanish baroque and Renaissance paintings, including works by El Greco, Goya, Rubens, and van Ruisdael, San Diego's most…"

"This award-winning children’s museum encourages children to think, play, and create with over 50,000 square feet of child-centered art installations, studios, and interactive spaces. From free play to guided workshops, this modern museum has a wide range of activities and events for creative kids. Young visitors are free to interact with working artists, design something in the Innovators LAB under the guidance local professionals, or explore the museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces with their families."

"The New Children’s Museum is an interactive art museum that strives to deliver tactile interaction with its visitors. Children and adults alike will enjoy a more hands-on museum of art. So be ready to think, play and create your way through this enchanting art museum."

"The NCM blends contemporary art with unstructured play to create an environment that appeals to children as well as adults. The 50,000-square…"

"See the world through the lens of a trained eye at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), home to over 9,000 images from the 19th century to today. The MOPA is dedicated to collecting, conserving, and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. The museum’s diverse exhibits explore cultural, historical, and social issues through photography."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts was founded in 1974 and opened in 1983. It is one of three museums in the US dedicated to the collection and preservation of photography. The museum’s mission is to inspire, educate, and engage the broadest possible audience through the presentation, collection, and preservation of photography, film, and video."

"An independent institution devoted to photography, film, and video. Founded in 1983, MOPA consistently addresses cultural, historical, and social issues through its visual learning programs."

"Founded in 1973, it was the first museum to build a planetarium and IMAX dome on site, offering its guests a wide range of entertainment options even as it educated them on scientific subjects. Other museums quickly went “hey, that’s a good idea” and copied the design, and now, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a museum dome. The good news is that the Fleet Science Center is still just as fun as it was in the ’70s."

"Children of all ages are in for a real treat when visiting the Fleet Science Center. From virtual reality to interactive exhibits and the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater, most folks are having too much fun to realize they’re learning!. In the IMAX Theater, see the biggest films on the planet and feel the sensation of floating in space."

"The Fleet Science Center is always a crowd-pleaser for the crew. Get the fam in free the first Tuesday of the month. (Go early and avoid large crowds)."

"The Wells Fargo Museum, located inside the Colorado House, features one of the company’s original 1867 Concord stagecoaches. The recreated and historically-furnished former hotel also houses actual historic telegraph machines and a variety of other memorabilia related to the banking and transportation company. Photo Courtesy of Historic Old Town Community Foundation"

"Therefore, it’s possible to walk into this museum to learn about California’s mission history (the museum sits on the first European settlement site in California) for free. If you did enjoy your visit and feel compelled to donated upon exit, this is possible. (Location: Presidio Park / Old Town)"

"Within Old Town don’t miss Casa de Estudillo, which is one of the few original buildings (many are reproductions), Whaley House and Museum, which is believed to be haunted and Junípero Serra Museum, literally the place where California began. You can get more information here."

"EncinitasSan Diegans can once again experience the cuisine of Executive Chef Claudette Zepeda, whose former restaurant in Liberty Station, El Jardín, was included on Michelin's Bib Gourmand list in 2019, at VAGA Restaurant and Bar, newly opened at Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas. Boasting expansive ocean views and a dramatic open kitchen, Chef Zepeda fuses diverse cultures with local ingredients from places like Chino Farms and Cyclops Farms in dishes such as heirloom bean soup, brisket buns, and Baja sea bass on a seasonal menu. The beverage program, led by Alexander Gregg, features rotating signature cocktails, local microbrews, and a dynamic wine list incorporating natural wines utilizing grapes from low-intervention/biodynamic vineyards.How to book: Reservations are recommended and can be made online via SevenRooms."

"Money can't buy happiness but it can buy you and your someone special a palate-pleasing pan-Asian feast of Korean fried chicken, 45-day dry-aged rib eye, Ora king salmon with pomegranate ponzu, or a variety of delicious crudos at "Top Chef" contestant Brian Malarkey’s latest entry in the San Diego fine dining scene. The space, a $5.5 million project, is awash in sumptuous shades of gold, chartreuse, and coral from the elegant chandeliers to the custom carpeting. Both can be admired while sipping something from the quality Japanese whisky collection."

"Make dinner a truly grand affair at San Diego's "it" restaurant, Animae. The 5.5 million dollar pan-Asian restaurant sprawls across 9,300 square feet and the ambiance is opulent and seductive. If you go on Valentine's Day, they offer a four-course menu for $95/person."

"The pork belly is perfectly cooked, both crispy and melt in your mouth (can that be an adjective?), which is oftentimes difficult to find. They also serve shrimp and grits with a spicy kick, chilaquiles, crab cake bennie, steak and eggs and corned beef hash. Start your breakfast off with some banana bread - they make a pretty mean one."

"A warm, comfortable San Diego breakfast restaurant with a stylish atmosphere, serving share plates. Breakfast and brunch items are served on weekends only, but it’s worth the wait. You’ll savor pork belly hash, house-made banana bread, bottomless mimosas, and even a short rib breakfast poutine!"

"You thought wrong — the duck fat fries at Searsuckers, one of the restaurants of Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey, are fried in rendered duck fat, giving them a rich flavor."

"For nearly 40 years, this family owned shop has been scooping cones of traditional Mexican-style ice cream in wild flavors that include chili cucumber, rice pudding, and the customer favorite pistachio. With their secret recipe, owners Juan and Juanito Andrade use old-fashioned methods to create their creamy specialties. While a scoop will only set you back $1.90, make sure to bring cash."

"This old-school (and cash only) gem in the South Bay has been making delicious Mexican style ice cream and traditional paletas, plus sundaes, fresh sorbets and banana splits since the late 1970s. Still family owned and operated, flavors here range from tropical guava and coconut to jamaica and tamarindo."

"It's hard to imagine how remote California's earliest mission must have once been; these days, however, it's accessible by major freeways…"

"Whether it's the funfetti cookies paired with cookies and cream ice cream or chocolate chip cookies sandwiching cookie dough ice cream, Baked Bear will have you all screaming for ice cream for delivery through Uber Eats. Even more, check their Facebook page for delivery of their Quaratine Kit (2 pints + 1 dozen cookies) which can make up to 6 ice cream sandwiches. The price (including delivery) is $35 flat, and for every kit delivered, they will be donating a dozen cookies to our brave medical staff working so hard in the local hospitals."

"Pacific Beach/Carlsbad/Petco ParkWhat you're getting: Custom ice cream sandwich ($3.25-$4.25)Whether you build your own ice cream sandwich with cookies, brownies, or a donut, it’ll still ring in well under $5. Our pick is the cookie and brownie combo ($3.70), a delicious treat big enough to satisfy the sweet tooth of a bear under the influence of appetite-increasing herbs."

"If you’ve got a sweet tooth and like to Instagram your desserts, try Baked Bear!. They have the best ice cream sandwiches in town. These freshly baked cookies topped with delicious craft ice cream will leave you and your followers drooling."

"Time: Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.Specials: $2 off of appetizers and other food and drink specialsOcean View: Panoramic ocean viewWhy Go: Counter-serve café serving mostly Italian cuisine adjacent to UCSD with views in addition to indoor and outdoor seatingNeighborhood: Torrey Pines/UCSDAddress: 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California 92037"

"It's always good, but the drinks are pretty inconsistent in quality. It seems like they always have new employees making the drinks different ways."