Every Thursday evening, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the Fenway opens its doors free of charge. That means no-cost access to one of the most singular buildings in America: Isabella’s Venetian-style palace, the flowering courtyard glowing under its glass roof, and gallery after gallery arranged exactly as she left them — empty frames from the infamous heist included.

Thursday nights carry a looser, more social energy than a weekend visit, with drop-in art-making alongside the permanent collection. It works as a date, a solo decompression hour, or a first visit for anyone who has somehow never been. Register ahead for the free timed-entry tickets — advance registration is strongly recommended and demand runs high, so don’t gamble on day-of availability.