Boston

Welcome

Welcome to the Walking City!

Massachusetts Bay Company

In 1629, the Massachusetts Bay Company was a joint stock company chartered by the English Crown. On March 29, 1630 a fleet of 11 ships lead by John Winthrop carrying 700 passengers sailed from England to Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Bay Company was quickly taken over by Puritan leader John Winthrop who wished to develop a religious community in the New World. The Puritans goal was to transformed the Massachusetts Bay Company into a religious commonwealth and create “city on the hill” also known as a Godly society for the entire world to see.

Fast forward to 1631, the first sail ship was built in America which lead to the shipbuilding industry to thrive. The whaling industry and fishing industry started to boom.

Public Art Greenway

Seaport District

The Seaport District consists of 4 neighborhoods; Fort Point, Fan Pier, Convention Center, and Marine Industrial Park.

The Seaport District is easy to get to and is accessible by boat, car, water taxi, and bus.

During the 1800’s growth was booming in the Seaport District. When the mid 1900’s came around, the Seaport District became a ghost town. The area became a desolate wasteland of empty parking lots and abandoned warehouses. In 1993, Tom Menino was elected as the 53rd mayor and had a goal to rebuild the Seaport District. Mr. Menino pushed for construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center which has 2.1 million square feet of space. Mr. Menino also pushed for construction of the Institute of Contemporary Art which features existing and growing artists. By 1998 the John Joseph Moakley US Federal Courthouse designed by Heny Cobb was fully built. Over a period of time traffic increased and businesses came in and and started to grow. By the early 20th century ships began delivering raw material to the emerging factories in the area. In the last decade new developments, some delivered at the height of the real estate crash, are the result of a collaboration between local and state authorities, private investors, developers, and residence.

Today, the Seaport District is lined with a beautiful waterfront and modern neighborhoods, with glass towers and futuristic culture and event venues. If you have time, you can eat at Trillium Fort Point Restaurant or Stroll the Harbor Walk and take some nice selfies.

Buildings

Lawn on D

In August of 2014, The Lawn on D opened up for residents, tourists, artists, and conventioneers to come and play on an interactive, flexible, and vibrant temporary urban space. The space has sent a tone of civic impact and expressing ambitions of the new district on D Street. The space has achieved its aspirations as a hub of activity for a wide range of events, installations and programs. The space is conceived as a platform for innovation and armature for infinite programming. This new district aspires to be interactive, flexible, technologically advanced, inspired by art and events, and inclusive of many constituents. Before The Lawn on D was created, D street consisted of vacant parking lots and aged industrial buildings.

Ted Williams Tunnel

At almost 8,500 feet long is the Ted Williams Tunnel that connects the Seaport District to Logan International Airport and Central Maverick Square/Paris Street. Ted Williams Tunnel was the first major link constructed as part of Boston’s Big Dig.

South Market Street

A quit day on South Market Street.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Faneuil Hall was built in 1742 by Peter Faneuil as a gift to the city. Faneuil Hall used to be waterfront property before the early 1800’s. Over time Bostonians needed more land so they filled in the harbor to where it is today. Faneuil hall has had many great speakers like Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Susan B. Anthony, and Oliver Wendall Holmes. Today Faneuil Hall is still known as a central meeting place. Foodie lovers and shoppers will need at least half a day here. You will find an array of great food, like their baked beans, clam chowder and lobster rolls. Some of the best known shops are L’Attitude Boston Boutique, The Black Dog, Irish Eye pushcart, and American Rhino. You can also go shopping along the Greenway walking trail which have some unique handcrafted items like handmade scarfs, jackets, hats, bags, and watches.

The Little Creatures

Random Facts

In 1896 Revere Beach became the first public beach in the U.S.A.

Fig Newton was named after a Boston Suburb.

The oldest free library in the United States is the Boston Public Library founded in 1863.

Custom House Block

A former warehouse located on Long Wharf at the end of State Street.

Parking can be quite expensive so I would recommend parking outside the city and taking public transport into the city. The train, also known as the “T” will get you everywhere you need to go. Another way to get around is by bus, lyft or uber.

If you are taking a cruise out of Raymond L. Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal I recommend staying at a hotel in the Seaport District. The ALoft-Marriott is only 0.8 miles (1.28 km) from the Raymond L. Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. This hotel is also across from the Lawn D where the ring swings are located. The park is lit up and is a nice park to hangout and play ping pong and get some food at during the late evening, early night. The hotel also serves a quick and hot breakfast each morning for a small fee. There is also a pool table, bar, fitness center, and pool.