Boston’s Harbor and Seaport District

Boston’s Seaport District stands as the city’s most dynamic waterfront destination, where innovative architecture meets harbor views and world-class dining mingles with cutting-edge technology. Once an industrial wasteland, this transformed neighborhood now pulses with energy as home to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, luxury hotels, acclaimed restaurants, and the headquarters of major companies. From the sleek glass towers that define its skyline to the harbor walk that connects visitors to the water’s edge, the Seaport District represents Boston’s bold vision for the future while celebrating its maritime heritage.

I haven’t visited every corner of Boston, but I feel like the views from this area of town are pretty hard to beat.

I stayed on the far end of the Seaport District at the Hampton Inn & Suites. This was a budget based decision, as many of the places were well over $300/night. I had plans to visit the historical sights on the North end as well as the waterfront. For a full review on the Hampton Inn & Suites you can check out my Youtube video review here.

Attractions in the Seaport District

Museum of Ice Cream

The Museum of Ice Cream opened in the Seaport in 2024, featuring two floors of interactive entertainment with 14 immersive installations celebrating ice cream and Boston’s culture. This Instagram-worthy destination offers visitors the chance to play in sprinkle pools, slide down rainbow slides, and enjoy unlimited ice cream tastings. Find the Museum of Ice Cream right here.

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum provides guided tours lasting about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes through virtual exhibits, authentically restored tea ships, and interconnected museum exhibits that bring the famous 1773 protest to life. Visitors can participate in reenacting the historic tea dumping and explore replica 18th-century vessels. Find the location here.

The Institute of Contemporary Art serves as Boston’s premier destination for new art and ideas, housed in a stunning waterfront building in the Seaport District where it relocated from Back Bay. The ICA offers free admission every Thursday from 5-9 pm and features rotating exhibitions of cutting-edge contemporary art from emerging and established artists.

The Boston Children’s Museum offers hands-on learning experiences for families with interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds. Located along the Harborwalk, it’s one of the oldest children’s museums in the world and features three floors of engaging activities.

Leader Bank Pavilion is Boston’s premier outdoor amphitheater, seating 5,000 guests with a season running from May through October. Located on the South Boston waterfront in the Seaport district, Leader Bank Pavilion is one of the best spots to catch a concert during the outdoor event season. The venue features a distinctive sail-like tent structure and offers an intimate VIP Club alongside its open-air amphitheater setting.

Liberty Fleet offers daily sails in Boston Harbor aboard the authentic 67-foot Schooner Liberty Star, including day sails, sunset sails and Sunday brunch sails from mid-May to late September. These schooner charters are powered by sails and are reminiscent of centuries past, offering passengers the chance to board a tall sailing ship in Boston Harbor. Sailing is a great, family-friendly way to see Boston from a new viewpoint, with options to take the wheel, set the sails, or simply relax while enjoying harbor views and the Boston Islands. Find these ships here.

Boston Harbor & Long Wharf

Boston Harbor and the historic Long Wharf area serve as the heart of the city’s maritime legacy, where cobblestone streets meet the sparkling waters of one of America’s most storied harbors.

Long Wharf, built in 1710 and once extending nearly half a mile into the harbor, remains a bustling gateway for ferry services to the Boston Harbor Islands, whale watching excursions, and harbor cruises that showcase the city’s skyline from the water. This waterfront district seamlessly blends colonial history with modern attractions, featuring the New England Aquarium at its base, waterfront dining with panoramic harbor views, and easy access to the Harborwalk that connects visitors to the greater Boston waterfront experience. The area pulses with activity year-round, from summer festivals and outdoor concerts to winter’s serene harbor views, making it an essential stop for anyone exploring Boston’s connection to the sea.

There’s a large selection of harbor tours available. The specific one I took is the Historic Boston Harbor cruise. If you have the time for seeing multiple attractions, I highly recommend the Boston Go City pass where you can see MANY attractions for one low price.

More to come soon on Boston! To learn about more US Destinations, you can find it here: