Twenty years ago, most of the Seaport was parking lots and old warehouses on a stretch of filled land across Fort Point Channel from downtown. It has since been rebuilt as one of the newest neighborhoods in any American city, with offices, apartments, hotels, restaurants and a long public walkway along the harbor. It feels very different from historic Boston, but it has some of the city's best views and several excellent attractions.
What to see
- The Institute of Contemporary Art: a striking building opened in 2006, with a gallery that cantilevers out over the water and a glass-walled room facing straight down onto the harbor. Its collection and changing exhibitions focus on contemporary art, and its steps by the water are a fine place to sit in summer.
- The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum: on Fort Point Channel, a museum with replica eighteenth-century ships, costumed guides and a chance to throw "tea" overboard, recreating the protest of December 1773. Popular with families.
- The Boston Children's Museum: one of the oldest children's museums in the country, in a converted warehouse with a giant milk bottle outside.
- The Harborwalk: a public path along the waterfront, with benches, art and views across to the airport and the islands.
- Fort Point: the older warehouse district on the channel, with brick buildings, art studios and restaurants.
The harbor and the islands
Boston Harbor was once famously polluted; a major cleanup in recent decades transformed it. From the waterfront, seasonal ferries run to the Boston Harbor Islands, a group of islands managed as a national and state park area, with old forts, beaches, trails and camping. Georges Island, with its Civil War-era fort, and Spectacle Island, with views back to the skyline, are the most visited. Check the season's ferry schedule.
Eating and drinking
The Seaport has many restaurants, from seafood places on the piers to rooftop bars, food halls and steakhouses. Prices tend to be high, but the views are part of the bill. For the classic Boston seafood experience, look for a raw bar with local oysters. See what to eat in Boston.
Staying in the Seaport
Modern hotels here suit business travelers and families who want space and a waterfront setting. The trade-off is distance from the historic city. Compare it with other areas in where to stay in Boston.
Getting there
Walk from South Station over the Congress Street or Summer Street bridges in about ten minutes. The Silver Line buses run through the Seaport, connecting it to South Station and the airport. Water taxis cross the harbor from the airport and other waterfront points. See getting around Boston.
A half day in the Seaport
- Start at the Tea Party Ships on Fort Point Channel.
- Walk through the Fort Point warehouse streets.
- Follow the Harborwalk east to the ICA.
- Lunch on the waterfront.
- Continue along the water for the views to the airport and the islands.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Seaport worth visiting?
Yes, for the ICA, the harbor views and the waterfront walk, especially in good weather.
Is it good for families?
Very: the Children's Museum and the Tea Party Ships are among the best family attractions in Boston.
How far is it from downtown?
About ten to twenty minutes on foot from South Station, depending on where you are going.