Seaport District Harbor Walk

Nearby Guides

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: Concerned that there are only five spots on this guide? It's a bit deceptive actually. With the museums and sightseeing opportunities along this route, you may not get to all of them.

Boston's HarborWalk is a public walkway along the waterfront, with parks, public art, seating areas, cafes, exhibit areas, interpretive signage, water transportation facilities and a wide range of other amenities. Like many cities, Boston has had to reclaim its shoreline from years of neglect. The HarborWalk is part an ongoing project that will eventually culminate in the creation of about 45 miles (39 are fnished) of a continuous path along wharves, piers, bridges, beaches and shoreline from Chelsea Creek to the Neponset River.

This guide weaves on and off the HarborWalk as the Rose Kennedy Greenway is almost adjacent (separated by one road) and there are several detours you can make, into Faneuil Hall or the North End, for example.

You may wonder why there's no Boston Tea Party site mentioned here. Years ago the Boston Tea Party Museum burned down. A new one is being planned and should open in a couple of years. There is an official marker located on the corner of Congress and Purchase streets, near the Boston Children's Museum.

Tips: Even on a hot summer day, the wind can whip up along the harbor and the Greenway. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket or windbreaker with you.

All of the museums listed here have snack bars and restaurants and there are also various food trucks you'll spot as you walk around.

Points of Interest

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Rose Kennedy Greenway

Boston’s infamous Big Dig construction project may be a distant memory, but the Rose Kennedy Greenway is a happy result of the years of work. It was named in honor of Kennedy family matriarch Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. The milelong ribbon of parks and green space runs from Atlantic Avenue to High Street, connecting the Wharf District parks to Faneuil Hall to the Financial District to Boston Harbor. There are plenty of benches and seating areas, two fountains, three open lawn areas, gardens, art and often live performances. The carousel that runs from May through October is always a big hit with kids.

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Boston Children's Museum

If you have younger kids, then this is a must-do activity. The waterfront museum, which underwent an extensive renovation a few years ago, is one of the best children’s museums in the country. There is a fun, two-story climbing structure, several permanent exhibits and usually a special exhibit. A construction zone, a science playground and an infant playspace for very little ones are just a few of the attractions.
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Admission
1 and older $12
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Hours
Daily 10am-5pm (Fridays until 9pm)

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The Institute of Contemporary Art

Don’t miss a visit to the stunning ICA, which sits overlooking the water. Even if it’s closed or you don’t have time to go inside, at least walk around the beautiful building, which reflects the scene outside. But you really should go in! The museum always has a fascinating special exhibit and it rotates the works in its permanent collection.
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Admission
Adults $15
Kids 16 and younger Free
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Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (Thursday-Friday until 9pm)

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Barking Crab, Boston

This unpretentious spot is the perfect place to embrace the waterfront. Order a lobster roll, some peel-and-eat shrimp or steamers and settle down at a picnic table to enjoy.

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New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium offers more than 70 exhibits featuring animals from around the world. Without a doubt, crowd favorites are the African penguins, which you’ll see as soon as you enter; the northern fur seals outside in an open-air space; and the four-story ocean tank that you can walk around on a spiral walkway. There are touch tanks with sea creatures that the kids will love, as well as dozens of tanks to peer into.
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Admission
Adults $22.95
Kids 3-11 $15.95
Kids 2 and younger Free
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Hours
Opens daily 9am; closing hours vary with season