The Athenaeum

You can visit the Boston Athenaeum without buying an annual membership. The Beacon Street library offers first-floor admission for its gallery, exhibitions and art installations, while a day membership opens access to the reading rooms and other floors. Choose the latter if your plan is to bring a book and stay awhile, rather than just look around downstairs.

The building holds books, paintings and sculpture, with a fifth-floor terrace included in day-member access. Art and architecture tours offer a guided introduction and should be booked ahead. Author talks and other events have their own tickets, and researchers can request appointments for special collections. It’s a working library as well as a place to visit, so leave time for some actual reading.