deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts

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The largest sculpture park in New England, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts is spread throughout 30 acres and features walking trails, gardens, terraces, lawns, and views of adjacent Flint’s Pond. The 50+ sculptures are on rotating display and many sculptures are loaned to the museum. The property includes indoor museum exhibits, a gift shop and cafe, and the Lincoln Nursery School.

The property is overseen and maintained by The Trustees, Massachusetts’s largest preservation and conservation nonprofit, which includes 100 properties throughout Massachusetts (read our features of the Crane Estate in Ipswich and Naumkeag in the Berkshires).

While the indoor museum spaces are under renovation throughout 2024, the Sculpture Garden is open to the public and is a wonderful way for the whole family to enjoy the grounds and sculptures (some are even interactive!) 

Travel Tips:

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  • The sculpture park is open from 10am-4pm (until 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays) during the warmer months and Wednesday through Sunday during the winter; get up to date information on hours and admission fees here. The museum is currently closed for renovations- get up to date information on progress here. 
  • Plenty of free parking in the lot in front of the store and Café.
  • The Twisted Tree Café and Gift Store are located next to the main parking lot. The cafe offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks and has plenty of indoor and outdoor dining. The Gift Store sells a curated collection of jewelry, housewares, kids games and books, and many unique and handmade items.  Check here for info on hours for the store and café.
  • Restrooms are located inside the cafe and in a small building near the studios. 
  • Check here for the calendar of events and programs– families will enjoy A Walk in the Park  guided tours, Family Yoga, and the Performance Series.
  • Scan the QR code next to each sculpture to learn more about the artist and artwork; check here for a cell audio tour.
  • Plan on 75-90 minutes to walk the full path and see all sculptures- see a good map here. 
  • Make sure kids print out this scavenger hunt ahead of time to complete while exploring the sculpture park. 

Some of our favorite pieces include Huff and a Puff (2023), Two Big Black hearts (1985), Platform 21 (translucent casts of doors), The Musical Fence (1980)- go ahead and play the aluminum sounding bars!, Sun and Moon Protector (2016), and Watershed. See the full list of sculptures here. 

  • Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • Platform 21 sculpture at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • Two Big Black Hearts sculpture at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • The Musical Fence at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • Huff and a Puff sculpture at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • Huff and a Puff sculpture at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA
  • deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA

Looking for other sculpture gardens throughout the Northeast? See our post featuring the Kendall Sculpture Gardens in Purchase, New York; Hogpen Hill Farms in Woodbury, Connecticut; and Storm King Art Center, in New Windsor, New York. And check out our City Guides to nearby (under an hour) Salem and Gloucester, and our index of DOZENS of Massachusetts posts.  

Disclosure: Our family was given a media pass to explore the Sculpture Park; all opinions expressed are my own.

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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2 Comments

  1. Awesome! I love that there’s a QR code next to each — makes it so simple to hear about the ones you like!

    Reply

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