First in a series about Boston area musems.Though we all love the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, sometimes a museum-goer wants to add a bit of diversity to their art-related excursions into the city. Even if you're not really a fan of museums, Boston has so many to choose from that you're guaranteed to find one that's right for you-whether it's completely unconventional or strictly traditional. Listed below are institutions that are not only easily accessible from the Brandeis campus via public transportation, but also that will satisfy your art-thirsty palette and your quest for a fun weekend afternoon activity.

Institute of Contemporary Art
955 Boylston Street
(617) 266-5152

Web site: www.icaboston.org/Home
Public transportation: Take the Green Line B, C or D train to the Hynes Convention Center/ICA stop
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, 12 to 5 p.m.Thursday, 12 to 9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Admission: $5 for students

The Institute of Contemporary Art has built its reputation by showcasing the likes of Pablo Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol and Cindy Sherman. Two special exhibits are opening on Jan. 19. "Entitled Likeness: Portraits of Artists" by Other Artists. The exhibition consists of 50 pieces by artists including Robert Mapplethorpe, Deborah Kass and Sean Landers. The other show, "Momentum 3/ Kanishka Raja," pays homage to Indian and American culture through depictions of unusual interior spaces.

Sports Museum of New England
1 Fleetcenter
(617) 624-1234

Web site: www.sportsmuseum.org
Public transportation: Take MBTA Commuter Rail to the North Station.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 11 p.m. to 5 p.m.
(Admission is limited to 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.)
Hours are subject to change due to FleetCenter events, so call ahead.
Admission: $6 for adults

Divided by sport (hockey, basketball, football and baseball), the museum showcases a wide variety of sports artifacts in addition to temporary exhibitions comprised of both works of art, multimedia and interactive exhibits. Not only can you see a Bobby Orr sculpture kiosk and a Boston Celtics locker display, but you can also view a show dedicated to the history of Olympic posters.

Museum of Afro American History
14 Beacon Steet
(617) 725-0022

Web site: www.afroammuseum.org
Public transportation: Take the Red or Green line to Park Street. Walk up Park Street toward the Statehouse on Beacon Street. Turn left onto Beacon, then right onto Joy Street. The Museum is located at 46 Joy Street.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free

The institution is "dedicated to preserving, conserving and accurately interpreting the contributions of African-Americans during the colonial period in New England." Its three permanent exhibitions focus on the history, community and education of 19th century African-American Bostonians. There is also a traveling exhibition on view as of Jan. 14, entitled "Threads of Faith, Recent Works from the Women of Color Quilters Network."

Gardner Museum
2 Palace Road
(617) 566-1401

Web site: www.gardnermuseum.org
Public transportation: Take the Huntington Avenue no. 39 bus or the Green Line E-train to the Museum stop, cross Huntington Avenue (toward the Texaco) to Louis Prang Street and walk down Louis Prang Street for two blocks. The museum is on the left.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11 am to 5 p.m.
Admission: $5 for students

Opened to the public in 1903, this museum reflects the eclectic tastes of its founding collector, Isabella Stewart Gardner. Ten portraits of her can be found throughout the museum, amid the approximately 2,500 pieces of artwork including paintings, sculpture, furniture, textiles, drawings, silver, ceramics, illuminated manuscripts, rare books, photographs and letters. In the 1860s, Gardner traveled extensively throughout Asia, the Middle East and Europe, collecting the art of ancient Rome, Medieval Europe, Renaissance Italy, Asia, the Islamic world and 19th-century France and America. Today, you can go see this vast permanent collection in its quaint house near Fenway Park. The museum's latest special exhibition is "Chairs," a photography show by artist Dayanita Singh, which opens on Feb. 11.