Trolley Stop 15: 39 Dalton St

• First Church of Christ, Scientist
• Mapparium
• Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• Berklee Performance Center

First Church of Christ, Scientist, & Mapparium

New Englander Mary Baker Eddy founded the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in the nineteenth century. This era was a rich one for religion in Boston and also saw the rise of Congregationalism, Unitarianism, and Transcendentalism. Here at the Christian Science Center, world headquarters of the religion, you can tour the 14-acre plaza with its calming reflective pool and take in the gorgeous Vatican-like architecture of the Mother Church.

This stop offers one of Boston’s truly special gems: the three-story tall Mapparium, a stained glass globe that visitors walk through and view from the inside. The artistic accomplishment of this masterpiece is enhanced by the unusual acoustics of the room and is a genuine wonder.

Boston Symphony Orchestra

One of the premiere symphonies in the world, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has for over a century set a tone of professionalism and artistic integrity. It’s proud accomplishments continue today as it charts a new musical direction even while reveling in its rich history.

Likewise, the architecture and acoustics of Symphony Hall are a rare treat and must be experienced first hand.

Museum of Fine Arts

Nearby are Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, both world-class art collections with something for everyone. The Museum of Fine Arts recently completed a multimillion dollar expansion, adding an “Art of the Americas” wing and over 133,000 square feet of space.

The Museum of Fine Arts attracts over one million visitors annually and is one of the largest museums in the United States.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Isabella Stewart was a philanthropist and art collector who, with her husband, amassed a large and diverse collection. She created the museum at the turn of the last century and sometimes lived on its fourth floor. It’s a special place, as much for its architecture and glass-enclosed garden courtyard as for its art.

Berklee Performance Center

If you’re more in the mood for audio than visual art, catch a performance at the Berklee School of Music for a change of pace. Berklee is the largest college for contemporary music in the world and has produced a lengthy roster of celebrity musicians. The Berklee Performance Center features frequent performances of a great mix of music.

This stop offers a rich trove of architecture, religious history, art, and culture, and is well worth taking extra time to explore.