Don’t call it Beantown
Founded in 1630, Boston is among the oldest cities in America. It was the setting for many important moments in the American Revolution, from the infamous “Boston Tea Party” to Battle of Bunker Hill. Today it is known as a hub of scientific research and higher education. The following are some of the points of interest that can be seen from Boston Harbor.
Boston Harbor
Outer Harbor
The outer harbor is fed by several rivers and contains a numerous islands, 34 of which are part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.
Hotel Del
The Hotel Del Coronado (known locally as the Hotel Del) is a historic beachfront hotel in the city of Coronado. It is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is the second largest wooden structure in the United States.
Fort Independence
This granite bastion fort located on Castle Island is among the oldest continuously fortified sites in the U.S., with the first fortification being constructed in 1634. While under British occupation it was known as Castel William, but was renamed by American forces after the British abandoned it in March of 1776.
Northern Avenue Bridge
Also known as the Old Northern Avenue Bridge, it was built in 1908 and served the city until it was closed in 2014 after inspectors found it to be unsafe, even for pedestrian foot traffic. Various proposals have been put forth to renovate, develop or tear down the bridge, and as of 2020 the fate of this historic structure remains uncertain.
JFK Presidential Library & Museum
Designed by I.M. Pei and located on Columbia Point, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum holds documents and memorabilia relating to the 35th President. The project suffered years of setbacks, and more than 15-years passed from the time the project began to its official dedication in 1979.
Cheers Beacon Hill
Norm! This pub was used as the exterior for the long-running sitcom of the same name. Best to manage your expectations, as the interior bears no resemblance to the set used to film the TV show. Although the original name was “Bull and Finch Pub”, it was officially renamed “Cheers” in 2002.
Faneuil Hall
This historic meeting hall was the location for many speeches by the founding fathers, including Samuel Adams and James Otis. Built as a public market house in 1743, it has seen numerous expansions over the years, including the addition of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace which is an indoor/outdoor mall and eatery reported to welcome over 18 million visitors each year.
Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge
This iconic, cable-stayed bridge was opened in 2003 as part of Boston’s “Big Dig” project. It is named after a local civil rights activist and the infamous battle that occurred during the American Revolutionary War.
Wind Technology Testing Center
Also known as the WTTC, this $35M facility is dedicated to testing and certifying extremely large wind turbine blades. It is the only lab in the U.S. that can test blades up to 295-ft long.
The Greenway Carousel
All of the animals featured on this carousel are inspired by the wildlife and legends surrounding Boston Harbor.
New England Aquarium
This public aquarium welcomes more than 1.3 million visitors each year. In addition to it’s popular Giant Ocean Tank, it also features an IMAX theater and regular whale watching tours.