Boston's most stylish galleries

The Hallway
This sliver of a spot could be mistaken for hallway, but in fact it comprises an entire, particularly skinny, high-ceilinged building that once housed a ladder store. Founder and curator Brent Refsland fills the space with group shows spanning both walls, and also hosts open mics and live music. 66a South St, Jamaica Plain, Boston (617-818-5996, thehallwayjp.com)

Fourth Wall
Though owned by the same team who run Bodega, the underground(ish) streetwear boutique, Fourth Wall features art for more than just the sneaker-loving set. Since opening in the dormant commercial space in a Fenway-area building in 2009, curators have featured works from local and national artists. The expansive, raw space lends itself to some out-of-the-box installations—as well as fantastic parties. 132 Brookline St, Fenway/Kenmore, Boston (fourthwallproject.com)

Voltage Coffee & Art
Voltage could be considered a modern throwback to the salons of the early 20^th century, where artists gathered to discuss ideas and share their work. Owner Lucy Valena pulls some of the best espresso in town (try the Atticus Finch), perfect for savoring while contemplating the rotating exhibits. Shows run for about six weeks, and usually feature local artists such as Tommy Dahlberg, Josh Falk and members of artist collective Rifrakt. Occasionally Voltage hosts events, such as artist open studios. 295 3rd St, Kendall Square, Cambridge (617-714-3974, voltagecoffee.com)

The Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art, The Museum of Fine Art
The latest big reveal from the MFA, the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art is actually a renovated and repurposed wing that was designed by I. M. Pei in 1981. It’s freshly painted expanses house some of the MFA’s permanent collection, grouped by themes such as “Art can be...” and “Familiar-Altered.” It’s an interesting approach that doesn’t always gel, but there are bright spots around each corner as you discover art and artists rarely showcased by Boston’s most prestigious museum. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Mission Hill, Boston (617-267-9300, mfa.org)

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
While this place has always had style in spades—it was curated by Boston’s O.G. eccentric millionairess, after all—but a whole new wing opened earlier this year to quite the fanfare and we fell in love all over again. The massive new building, which connects Ms. Gardener’s stately Venetian-style palazzo by glassed-over bridge, houses multiple new galleries, a restaurant, a 297-seat concert hall, artist residency spaces and a greenhouse. 280 The Fenway, Mission Hill, Boston (617-566-1401, gardnermuseum.org)