You may know Boston for the historic sites that make up its core – the Freedom Trail that weaves through the downtown and north end up into Charlestown – but Boston’s Seaport District offers a distinctly different Boston experience. The Seaport District of Boston lies across the Fort Point Channel from Downtown Boston. It’s a formerly industrial area that has undergone redevelopment over the years, and is home to the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center (formerly Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, or BCEC). The area around the convention center is full of modern architecture and trendy restaurants and entertainment options.
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I had been to Boston once before as a tourist, and stayed mainly in the downtown and north end areas to experience the Freedom Trail sites. This fall I returned on a business trip, attending a conference at the Menino Convention Center. Aside from meeting a colleague downtown for a drink one evening, I stayed primarily in the Seaport District this time around. It was a quick two-night stay, but I had some time on the afternoon I arrived and in the evenings to experience a bit of the neighborhood.
Stay
I stayed at the Westin Boston Seaport District, a 793-room hotel attached to the Menino Convention Center. The hotel features a pool and hot tub, 24-hour fitness center, full-service Starbucks, and a few other dining outlets. And of course those Heavenly Westin Beds! It was a great location for my stay and an easy walk to Seaport attractions and restaurants and even not too far of a walk from downtown.
See and Do
The Seaport District offers several museums and attractions, including the Boston Children’s Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art. I had the afternoon to explore on my first day in town, and opted for the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum located on the Fort Point Channel. The museum is a guided tour experience led by re-enactors that takes you on a replica 18th century masted ship and concludes in the museum’s tea room. It was a great way to experience and learn more about the history of the famous Boston Tea Party incident that took place nearby on the harbor, and the early days of the American Revolution. After touring the museum, I took a walk along the Fan Pier Walkway, a landscaped path along the waterfront offering gorgeous views of the downtown skyline and Boston Harbor.
Imbibe
The Seaport District is home to a few breweries, and I got to check out two while I was there. On Sunday, I visited Lord Hobo Boston and enjoyed their “glorious fish and chips” for dinner with some good brews while watching football. I also tried to visit Harpoon Brewery as it’s a short walk from Lord Hobo, but they were closed for a private event that night. The next day, I sat at the bar of Trillium Brewing Fort Point and participated in their Monday night trivia. Not only are their beers spectacular, but their food was pretty great too! During the summer months, there is also a Cisco Brewers beer garden in the Seaport District, but it was closed for the season when I was there.
Eat
There’s no shortage of dining options in the Seaport District. It’s full of upscale and trendy restaurants. On my last day before heading to the airport, I had a nice dinner at the Legal Seafoods Harborside. If you’ve ever been to Boston, you’re probably familiar with the Legal Seafoods brand as one of the most notable seafood restaurants with locations throughout the area. It’s a reliable option for some good Boston seafood and classic dishes like clam chowder and of course Boston cream pie. The Seaport District location provides a great atmosphere as well, with stunning harbor views.
My brief stay in the Seaport District introduced me to a new and dynamic waterfront neighborhood, with a sophisticated and walkable blend of modern amenities, a blossoming culinary scene, and craft beer hotspots, all set against tranquil harbor views. While you can’t beat the classic downtown Boston experiences and the history of the Freedom Trail, the Seaport is well worth a visit and a great neighborhood to stay in for business.
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