Boston Harbor is a unique urban harbor that offers a wide range of opportunities for family fun, boating, swimming, Harbor Island getaways, waterfront walks, sightseeing, and observing marine life.

Check out The Boston Harbor Association's "Best of Boston Harbor"
as selected by TBHA members and friends.

Since the events of 11 September, some activities, trips, and access may
be limited or altered due to new security measures. Before planning your
trip, please call ahead to re-confirm the information.

Start the workday hassle free by commuting to Boston by water transportation. Boston Harbor Cruises, Massachusetts Bay Lines, and Harbor Express offer water transportation service from the South Shore to Long Wharf and Rowes Wharf, Boston. For more information on schedules and fares, visit the MBTA website at www.mbta.com, Boston Harbor Cruises’ website at www.bostonharborcruises.com, Massachusetts Bay Lines’ website at www.massbaylines.com, or Harbor Express’ website at www.harborexpress.com.

Water transportation service also provides a fast and easy way to travel between Rowes Wharf next to the Financial District and Logan Airport. The on-call service operates daily April through October, and weekdays between November and March. For more information, visit Rowes Wharf Water Taxi’s website at www.roweswharfwatertaxi.com, or call 617-406-8584 for reservations. 

Those going to and from the South Shore and Logan Airport can take Harbor Express’ service from Hull. For more information and schedules, see Harbor Express’ website at www.harborexpress.com.

The City Water Taxi provides another alternative method of getting around Boston with pick-ups from more than 16 docks along the waterfront April through November. Call (617) 422-0392 for more information or to schedule a pick up, or visit the website at www.citywatertaxi.com. 

For quick travel between Downtown Boston and Charlestown, try the MBTA water transportation service. Water shuttles can be boarded at Long Wharf at the foot of State Street next to the New England Aquarium. One-way tickets cost $1.50, and provide a scenic way to see Boston as one goes to and from the Charlestown Navy Yard. . For more information, see the MBTA’s website at www.mbta.com or Boston Harbor Cruises’ website at www.bostonharborcruises.com.

Other Water Transportation Providers: 

A. Boston Harbor Cruises
Boston Harbor Cruises offers winter wildlife trips, as well as comedy, music, mystery, lighthouse, and sunset tours in and around the Harbor, trips to Provincetown, and 3-hour whale watches on high-speed catamarans. Group charters are also available. The 2005 tour and whale watch season will start in April and run through October. For more information, call (617) 227-4321, 1- 877-SEE-WHALE or visit www.bostonharborcruises.com.

B. Massachusetts Bay Lines
Massachusetts Bay Lines offers a variety of exciting ways to enjoy Boston Harbor by boat. Take your pick of evening entertainment cruises with a live band, sightseeing Harbor tours that run throughout the day, or head out to Massachusetts Bay for an exciting 4-hour whale watch cruise. In addition, Mass Bay Lines offers a charter cruise, "Boston by Sea" tour, which incorporate musical theater with Boston's early maritime heritage. For New Year’s celebration, join Mass Bay Lines on their New Year's Eve cruise. Private charters are available year-round for small and large size groups. The Summer 2005 season begins in late May and operates through October. For more information, call Massachusetts Bay Lines at (617) 542-8000 or visit www.massbaylines.com. 

C. AC Cruise Line 
AC Cruise Line offers year-round chartered cruises for 50-500 guests around Boston Harbor and special holiday cruises. For more information on chartered cruises, call (617) 261-6633 or visit www.accruiseline.com.

D. Harbor Express
Harbor Express operates the ferry service to the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. The ferries Adventurer and Doc Edgerton provide seasonal service connecting Quincy and Boston to the Harbor Islands. Harbor Express makes regular stops at Georges Island and provides an inter-island shuttle between Georges, Bumpkin, and Lovell’s Islands. For additional information on schedule and fares, visit the website at www.harborexpress.com.

Odyssey Cruises: The Odyssey, Boston's premier dining cruise line of the Harbor and the Harbor Islands, offers elegant sit-down lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises every day of the week as well as seasonal moonlight cruises, festive holiday season cruises, and a gala New Year's Eve cruise. The Odyssey can also be chartered for private or corporate parties for up to 600 guests. Cruises depart the dock at Rowes Wharf. For more information call (617) 654-9720 or visit www.odysseycruises.com.

Spirit Cruises: What better way to see Boston’s remarkable skyline than from the Spirit of Boston and the Seaport Elite vessels. Both depart from the World Trade Center and offer lunch and dinner cruises with Boston Harbor views, and a variety of live entertainment and dancing as well as cruises to Boston Light and other historic sights in the Harbor. Holiday cruises offering lunch or dinner, include Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and 4th July cruises, group charters, and moonlight charter cruises from 12am-2am are available. Also try their "Lobster Lunches" Thursday through Sunday from June to October. For more information call (617) 748-1499 or visit www.spiritcruises.com.

Check out the Events section on this website for up and coming events in and around Boston Harbor.

A. New England Aquarium
In addition to the playful harbor seals that can be seen for free in the outdoor tank next to the ticketing booths and HarborWalk, the New England Aquarium's indoor 200,000 gallon "Giant Ocean Tank" is home to endangered and threatened sea turtles, stingrays, needlefish, and other animals in a Caribbean reef exhibit. A live penguin habitat and animal recovery center can also be viewed at the Aquarium. At the ”Amazing Jellies” exhibit, see the smallest and largest jellyfish, and learn how the jellyfish swim, eat, sting, and glow. The Simons IMAX Theatre, located next to the Aquarium, features a 65-foot screen. Coming attractions include “Aliens of the Deep 3D” by James Cameron, director of Titanic, and “Sharks 3D” by Jean-Michel Cousteau, as well as on-going showings of “Galapagos” in IMAX 3D and “Volcanoes of the Deep Sea” in IMAX. For more information, call the New England Aquarium at (617) 973-5200 or visit their website at www.neaq.org.

B. Boston Children's Museum
Like its neighbor the New England Aquarium, the Boston Children's Museum on the Fort Point Channel is a popular destination for families and visitors. One of our favorite exhibits, "Boats Afloat," uses hands-on activities to teach young people about boats and navigation in Boston Harbor and the Fort Point Channel. The new "access/ABILITY” exhibit is a highly interactive yet sensitive disability awareness exhibit, aimed at helping children, parents and educators gain a better understanding and appreciation for the similarities and differences of people with disabilities. Opening January 30, 2005, the newest exhibit, “Think Tank” offers kids new and fun ways to solve old problems and exercise creative thinking. Be sure to visit the “Recycle Shop” for materials to use in arts and crafts projects. For more information, call (617) 426-8855 or visit www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org.

C. The U.S.S. Constitution and the WWII destroyer U.S.S Cassin Young
Among the best bargains on Boston's waterfront are visits to the U.S.S. Constitution and the WWII destroyer U.S.S. Cassin Young. Both are free to the public and an easy trip from downtown Boston by MBTA water shuttle for $1.50 one way. The U.S.S. Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Built in the Navy Yard between 1794-97, it has been permanently berthed there since 1897. Every year, we look forward to the Constitution's Turnarounds when it goes into Boston Harbor on the celebration of Bunker Hill Day and the Fourth of July. Tours of the Constitution are available from 10:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays during the winter and Tuesdays through Sundays during the summer. The destroyer Cassin Young was de-commissioned in 1960 and has been docked at the Navy Yard since that time. Tours for the U.S.S. Cassin Young are available daily at 10 am and 4 pm, weather permitting. For more information call (617) 426-1812, (617) 242-5601 or visit www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org. 

D. Fort Point Art Gallery 
Located on the lower level of 300 Summer Street, in the Fort Point Channel Area, the Fort Point Art Gallery displays innovative works by Fort Point artists. The gallery is located in an artist coop-building with artist's live/work space exclusively. While visiting the gallery, be sure to leave time to eat at the popular Channel Café. For more information on exhibition schedules, call (617) 423-4299 or visit www.fortpointarts.org.

According to our fishing sources, striped-bass are the #1 catch in Boston Harbor these days. Try your luck at these recommended spots: Worlds End in Hingham, the Washington Street Bridge over the Charles River, and the Castle Island Pier in South Boston.

A. Barking Scoops
Check out "Barking Scoops” during the warm months, located in the Milk Bottle next to the Boston Children's Museum. Operated by the Barking Crab Restaurant, "Barking Scoops" offers ice cream cones and sundaes, Barking Crab’s famous clam chowder, variety of salads, hot dogs, sandwiches, and cold drinks. Be sure to take your ice cream and food and enjoy the Fort Point Channel along the Boston Children's Museum Harborwalk.

B. Daily Catch Restaurant
In addition to a second floor café inside the Moakley Courthouse with incredible views of the harbor and downtown Boston, the Daily Catch Restaurant next to the water transportation dock and Courthouse HarborWalk is open for lunch and dinner. The Daily Catch prepares some of Boston’s freshest fish. While taking in the views of the Harbor and downtown Boston, come and enjoy the seafood offerings that include the Famous Fried Calamari. Be sure to view the free interactive displays of the Boston Harbor Islands during your visit. For more information, call (617) 772-4400 or visit www.dailycatch.com.

C. Cold Stone Creamery
Nestled in 100 City Square in Charlestown is what some consider “the highest quality ice cream available.” Stone Cold Creamery got its name from its ice cream creations, which were made to order for each customer by “blending in mix-ins on a frozen granite stone.” The ice cream is made fresh in the store every day!

D. Navy Yard Bistro and Wine Bar
If fine dining in a “relaxed atmosphere” is your thing, then you must check out Navy Yard Bistro. Located on the corner of First Avenue and 6th street (behind “Store 24”), this restaurant brings you fine French cuisine “with an international twist.” The restaurant provides an open kitchen atmosphere, an extensive bar with many wine and beer selections, and indoor and outdoor dining.

E. The Barking Crab
A great seafood restaurant and bar that offers harborside dining in Fort Point Landing, 88 Sleeper Street. Favorite dishes from the menu include New England clam chowder and fried clam platters. Non-fish dishes are also available ranging from pastas to curries. Live music is provided every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday night.

F. Boston Harbor Hotel
Two dining facilities you must check out include the Meritage and the Intrigue Café. For fine indoor dining, go to the Meritage where chef Daniel Bruce provides seasonal dishes that include Kobe beef and Nantucket scallops. For a casual outdoor experience that provides views of the water, go to the Intrigue café. Both are located at 70 Rowes Wharf.

G. The Sail Loft
Located at 80 Atlantic Avenue, the Sail Loft’s nautical theme fits its location on the North End Waterfront. A great menu includes fried shrimp, burgers, and their house-made clam chowder (served in a big ceramic mug). One of the Loft’s staples: Cookie jars filled with Oreos, a sure crowd pleaser!

H. Tavern on the Water
Located within walking distance of the U.S.S Constitution, Tavern on the Water on 1 Pier 6, 8th Street in Charlestown provides views of the city from the Charlestown Navy Yard. The restaurant serves great meals in a casual environment, that include burgers and daily fish specials.

I. Tia’s on the Waterfront
Popular among the young professional crowd, Tia’s, located at 200 Atlantic Avenue, serves a wide selection of cocktails (try the signature Flirtini) and beers (15 varieties). The 55 outdoor tables draw crowds, especially during the warm summer evenings.

For a listing of activities and access for the Boston Harbor Islands national park area, visit our Boston Harbor Islands page.

For more information about Boston’s Harborwalk,
please visit www.bostonharborwalk.com.

For more than a decade, The Boston Harbor Association has been actively working with local and state officials and waterfront property owners to create a 43-mile HarborWalk in Boston featuring continuous public access and amenities along the waterfront. When complete, the HarborWalk will be an inviting public walkway along Boston's waterfront, with public parks, seating areas, cafes, exhibit areas, water transportation facilities, viewing areas, and other public amenities. Some special sites we recommend on the HarborWalk include:

• Rowes Wharf offers a wide range of options for anyone who is enjoying a walk along Boston's waterfront. Enjoy scenic Harbor views from Foster's Rotunda, a priceless map collection of Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay in the lobby of the Boston Harbor Hotel, spectacular architecture, or people watching while relaxing on a waterfront bench. Water transportation is readily available, including to and from Logan Airport and the South Shore.
• In the North End, view the yachts at Yacht Haven Marina, see historical waterfront displays in the lobby of Lewis Wharf, and enjoy the HarborWalk at Joe's American Bar and Grill. 
• One of our favorite quiet places is the herb garden and small fountain at Lewis Wharf- an oasis for reading and contemplation. 
• While visiting the Boston Children's Museum, children will be delighted with the various free outdoor activities, along one of the newest segments of the HarborWalk on the Fort Point Channel.
• Public access at 470 Atlantic Avenue offers a 14th floor observation deck with a panoramic view from the Blue Hills to Deer Island. This unique vantage point is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, including weekends. 
• In Dorchester, look out from the Harbor Point development, where on a clear day you can see the egg-shaped digesters of Deer Island.
• Over in South Boston, stop by International Cargo Port to make use of their mounted binoculars to see ships unloading their cargo at Conley Terminal and planes landing at Logan Airport.
• On East Boston's HarborWalk next to the Hyatt Harborside Hotel, there is a bronze sculpture with the skyline of Boston etched into it and locations identified.
• In front of Boston Design Center in the Boston Marine Industrial Park is a large sculpture by the noted French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

For more information about Boston’s Harborwalk,
please visit www.bostonharborwalk.com.

A. Rowes Wharf Events

Boston Harbor Hotel plays host to a variety of special events throughout the year.  In the warmer days of summer, come and enjoy a free movie by moonlight or a free concert by an outdoor band. Step onto the Blues Barge and dance the night away.  During the cool fall days, warm yourself up by attending a number of events throughout the duration of the three-month long wine festival. For more information, please call the Boston Harbor Hotel at (617) 439-7000 or visit their website at www.bhh.com.

B. The Barking Crab Restaurant 
The Barking Crab Restaurant on Fort Point Channel offers rhythm & blues, jazz, reggae, and rock 'n roll throughout the year. In the winter months, we enjoy sitting by the wood stove, roasting chestnuts, and playing board games. For more information and weekly schedules, call (617) 426-2722.

C. Marriott Long Wharf Hotel
The Marriott Long Wharf Hotel's lounge, "Waves," features a DJ playing hits from the 1950's to 90's on Friday and Saturday nights. Call (617) 227-0800 for more information.

D. Lucky's Lounge
A favorite among locals, Lucky's Lounge not only has reasonably priced food and drinks, it also offers live music. Sunday nights are popular as covers of Sinatra's best are played all evening. Lucky's is located at 355 Congress Street near the Boston Children's Museum and the Fort Point Channel. For more information, call (617) 357-5825 or visit www.luckyslounge.com.

E. Bank of America Pavilion
If you enjoy top-notch concerts combined with remarkable views of Boston's skyline and Harbor, check out the Bank of America Pavilion. Pop, country, jazz, and rhythm & blues are all represented here. For more information and concert schedules, please call the Bank of America Pavilion at (617) 728-1600. Tickets can also be ordered through Ticketmaster at (617) 228-6000 or on the Ticketmaster website, www.ticketmaster.com.

A. The U.S.S. Constitution Museum
One of the little-known jewels along Boston Harbor is the U.S.S. Constitution Museum in Charlestown, with its excellent interactive exhibits devoted to the history of "Old Ironsides." Visitors can swing from a sailor's hammock, maneuver Old Ironsides into a firing position, try a video battle, take a self-guided tour of the highlights in the Museum, and watch volunteers from a Model Ship Building Club. Join the staff for Gallery Talks at 1:30 and 2:30 pm each day and learn about topics ranging from the construction of the USS Constitution to the War of 1812. The visitor's information desk is staffed by knowledgeable staff/volunteers. The Museum, located in Dry Dock One's Pumphouse, is free to the public (donations accepted), and is handicap accessible. The Museum is open daily from 9am-6pm, May through October and from 10am-5pm during the winter months. For more information call (617) 426-1812 or visit www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

B. The Charlestown Navy Yard
The U.S.S. Constitution Museum and the U.S.S. Constitution are just part 
of the National Park Service's offerings and attractions at the Charlestown Navy Yard. The information center also provides daily program schedules. Self-guided or ranger-guided tours can be arranged to explore other sites, including Dry Dock 1, which is one of the first dry docks constructed in the nation. Hours of operation are from 9am-5pm. For more information, call the National Park Service at (617) 242-5601.

At Yard's End on the Little Mystic Channel, visit Building #114. Built in 1903 as the U.S. Navy's joinery shop, Building 114 is now a state-of-the-art biomedical research facility. The ground floor features an exhibit of the building's rich history, old photographs, boat models, and a display of tools used in boat making. Outside, a 25-foot bandsaw, once used to cut lumber for naval vessels, is displayed next to the HarborWalk. The blade for the bandsaw hangs from the ceiling of the building's lobby. Public restrooms and vending machines are also available to the general public.

C. Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant
Besides one of the best-designed Harborwalk segments, we highly recommend a tour of the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. A gem in the eyes of environmentalists and water-quality activists, this secondary treatment facility serves as a model for engineers and public works professionals around the world. The 140-foot-high, 3-million-gallon egg-shaped digester tanks have even been hailed as an architectural marvel. Available by reservation on the first Tuesday of each month, tours include a chance to view the state-of-the-art facility that treats wastewater from 43 communities to ensure that Boston Harbor remains one of the cleanest harbors in the United States. Tours also include a visit to the award winning Pump House building. By reservation, groups may also arrange for tours Monday through Friday. Please contact the MWRA at (617) 660-7607 for more information or visit at www.mwra.com.

D. Marriot Long Wharf Hotel 
One of the best-kept secrets among Harbor goers is a series of Harbor-related art on the second-floor lobby of the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel. As you step off the escalator, note the 19th Century ship model of the USS Constitution. Turn left off the escalator, and see a timeline of the development of Spectacle Island and porcelain artifacts recovered from it. In the lobby area next to the registration desk, note the two-story paintings (a set of three) showing Long Wharf as a major fishing and maritime trading center done by artist William C. Reynolds. Across from the murals is a 19th Century painting by Rufus Porter entitled "A View of Boston Harbor," rescued from a New Hampshire tavern slated for demolition.

E. "Atlas of American Independence " - Commonwealth Museum
When visiting the Kennedy Library, be sure to leave time for the Commonwealth Museum at the Massachusetts Archives. A special exhibit, "Highway to the Past," includes excavated items from Charlestown, the North End, South Boston and a portion of Massachusetts Bay as part of the preparation for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Also visit another of their ongoing exhibits, "Atlas of American Independence” which explores the political philosophy of John Adams and the remarkable influence of Adams on national political culture. The Commonwealth Museum is open to the public, 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and on the second and fourth Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm during non-holiday weekends. Parking and admission is free. For more information please call (617) 727-9268 or visit the website at www.sec.state.ma.us/mus. 

F. Moakley Courthouse 
On the South Boston waterfront, stop by to enjoy a guided tour of the art (including specially-commissioned paintings by Ellsworth Kelly) and architecture of the Moakley Federal Courthouse and to learn about the Federal Court system. Offered by "Discovering Justice: the James D. St. Clair Court Education Project", these unique tours take place on the first Tuesday of each month during the summer starting at 1 pm. During the rest of the year, group tours may be arranged by reservation. All electronic devices are not permitted in the Courthouse and must be checked with security. In addition, two pieces of identification, including one piece with a valid photograph, are required to gain access to the Courthouse. For more information, call (617) 748-4185 or visit www.discoveringjustice.org.

G. History of Boston Harbor
The lobby of the Boston Harbor Hotel is home to Norman B. Leventhal's renowned collection of Boston Harbor maps. Nearly 90 maps show exploration, development, and changes along the waterfront of Boston and the New England coast from the seventeenth century through the nineteenth century. These priceless maps are on permanent display. For more information, contact the Boston Harbor Hotel at (617) 439-7000.

H. Arts on the Point 
Besides offering spectacular views of the Harbor and Islands, the University of Massachusetts Boston Campus is also home to Boston's first contemporary sculpture park that exhibits large-scale outdoor sculpture by some of the world's leading artists. Founded in 1997, Arts on the Point includes both outside and indoor works of art on display seven days a week for free. Tony Smith's piece "Stinger" is the newest addition, installed in front of the new Campus Center between Perimeter Road and the Harbor Walk. This "bold and magical" sculpture weighs 36,000 pounds and takes up 32 square feet in area. Other pieces throughout the campus grounds and buildings include Willem deKooning's "Reclining Figure" and sculpture by Luis Jimenez, Dennis Oppenheim, William Tucker, and Sol LeWitt. Interpretive signage describes each piece. For more information, call (617) 287-5347 or www.artsonthepoint.org. 

I. Charles River Dam and Pumping Station 
One of the best places to see the transition between the Charles River and the Boston Harbor is the Charles River Dam and Pumping Station. From this vantage point, come and see pleasure boats negotiating the dam’s lock system. The dam also includes a fish ladder that allows for passage of anadromous fish (alewife herring, rainbow smelt and shad) during the migration season in late spring. A pier overlooking Boston Harbor with fish cleaning stations is a perfect spot for some friendly fishing. Visitors can also create their own music by playing with the colorful, interactive bells designed by local artist Paul Matisse (relative of French impressionist Henri Matisse), or admire the nearby elegant Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. An earlier dam, located beneath the Museum of Science, was completed in 1910 with the purpose of creating a freshwater river basin and riverfront park in Boston. The current Charles River Dam and Pumping Station, completed in 1978, is located behind the Fleet Center and houses six pumps that provide flood control protection. An interpretive display and periodic tours describe the management history of the Charles River Basin, water quality improvements, and background on the dam and locks. For a tour schedule and more information, please call DCR at (617) 626-1481 or (617) 626-1483 or www.mass.gov/dcr. 

J. TBHA Display Windows
Finally, check out The Boston Harbor Association's display under the rotunda at Rowes Wharf for up-to-date waterfront information. 

The current display is "Naturally Boston Harbor" featuring wildlife around the Harbor. Click here for more information!

You can enjoy wonderful vistas on many of the green spaces surrounding the Harbor. A few include:

A. Deer Island Harborwalk
The HarborWalk at Deer Island includes a 4.6-mile pathway lined with interpretive exhibits and is perfect for walking, jogging, fishing, picnicking or simply relaxing. From Deer Island's highest vantage point, there are sweeping views of the Harbor and downtown Boston. The public can also visit and learn about the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Boston Harbor Project at the award-winning Visitor Center, which was once the original pump house on the island. For more information, contact the MWRA at (617) 660-7607 or www.mwra.com. 

B. Piers Park, East Boston 
Enjoy stunning views of downtown Boston from the Massport-owned Piers Park. One of the best-maintained parks in the City, Piers Park has a well-lit promenade leading to two pavilions, which provide a view of the city skyline across the water, and four smaller shade pavilions. One pavilion honors the memory of Donald McKay, the noted builder of clipper ships whose facility was located in East Boston. The park also features an amphitheater, an outdoor fitness system, and a large playground. Piers Park Sailing Center, located in the park, provides an affordable and popular community-boating program. For more information regarding the Piers Park Sailing Center, call (617) 561-6677 or www.piersparksailing.org. 

C. Harborside Skate Park, East Boston
Next to the Harborside Community Center and the Umana Barnes Middle School is the City's first skateboard park. Dedicated in 1999 by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the park offers access to basketball courts and a sports field for local youths. In addition, the park provides excellent views of Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. From the back of the Center and along the water’s edge, one can observe tankers and ships as they enter and leave Chelsea Creek and the Mystic River. 

D. Belle Isle Marsh, East Boston
The 241-acre Belle Isle Marsh is one of the Boston area's largest surviving salt marshes, and is a calming, natural oasis in the midst of the city's bustle. With saltwater, freshwater, and meadow areas, this coastal marsh is a critical habitat for diverse wildlife and vegetation. Tall reeds provide cover for muskrats, opossums, snapping turtles, and garter snakes, and the grasslands are home to meadow voles, monarch butterflies, and songbirds. Visitors can stroll along Belle Isle Marsh's winding pathways, sit quietly and enjoy the natural surroundings, or take in the wide ocean view from the observation tower.

E. Condor Street Urban Wild, East Boston
A former industrial site, the Condor Street Urban Wild on Chelsea Creek has been redeveloped into a magnificent urban park. The restored site features salt marshes, meadow grasses, and other coastal habitat elements, as well as walking paths, a boardwalk, public art and sculptures, and a viewing platform overlooking Chelsea Creek. Park visitors can observe urban wildlife and sometimes during winter and spring, porpoises swimming in Chelsea Creek.

F. Paul Revere Park, Charlestown
Located next to the Charles River Bridge where the Charles meets the Inner Harbor, the five-acre Paul Revere Park features a large, grassy oval, a great place for ball throwing or flying kites, with a stage for performances and a large, fenced-in playground for toddlers and older children. The Park also offers great views of the new Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. Paul Revere Park is one of the new parks along the Charles River being developed as mitigation for the river crossing of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project. When completed in 2007, these parks will include more than 40 acres of new public space with over 7 miles of bicycle, pedestrian, and ADA-accessible pathways. This significant addition to the Charles River Reservation System will serve to "link the river to the sea" when the new parks are completed. For more information, please call DCR at (617) 626-1481, (617) 626-1483 or visit www.mass.gov/dcr. 

G. Shipyard Park, Charlestown
The award-winning Shipyard Park in the Charlestown Navy Yard provides a quiet oasis in which to relax. With its many benches, green lawns, and a fenced-in playground, the park is an ideal place to walk your dog or to take your children. In hot summer weather, visitors can take advantage of the intriguing fountain in the middle of the park as well as the wading pool. The fountain was designed to incorporate the granite entrance of the former building with pipes and plumbing to create the unique waterfall and wading pool so enjoyed by visitors to the park. 

Next to Shipyard Park is the Korean War Monument honoring Massachusetts Korean War veterans and those killed in the War. A motion-sensitive short oral history describes the monument and the War, and benches allow visitors to sit and reflect. Other works by the monument's sculptor, Robert Shure, include the Irish Famine Monument and the FAO Schwartz Bear sculpture now located in front of the Floating Hospital for Children on Washington Street. 

H. Puopolo Park / Langone Park / Mirabella Pool / Steriti Memorial Rink, North End
The North End waterfront has the most extensive network of recreational facilities along Boston’s Harborwalk. Puopolo Park and Langone Park, designed in 1894 by Frederick Law Olmstead's firm, are popular open spaces along the waterfront. Puopolo Park has well used baseball diamonds and a basketball court. Newly redone, Langone Park has a playground, baseball diamond, and three regulation bocce (Italian lawn bowling) courts. The Harborwalk along these parks has views of Charlestown and the Bunker Hill Monument, and remnants of the promenade pier foundation provide terrific fishing and viewing area. Mirabella Pool, open to the public during the summer months, has a shallow spray pool for toddlers in addition to the regular pool. Nearby, the newly renovated Steriti Memorial Ice Skating Rink is a popular indoor skating rink, with two additional indoor bocce courts. Public restrooms and a drinking fountain can be found on this section of the Harborwalk. 

I. Christopher Columbus Park, Downtown/North End
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, the City of Boston's first waterfront park, was renovated and reopened in 2003. This 4.5-acre park is an oasis in the North End and an excellent place to relax and enjoy the Harbor. The grassy park features a play lot, a statue of Christopher Columbus, fountains, and a rose garden. A wisteria-covered trellis provides shade and spray showers are perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Joe’s American Bar and Grill Restaurant next door has restrooms open for use by the general public. 

J. Fort Point Channel 
In early 2005, visitors will enjoy attractive new open spaces built by the Central Artery/Tunnel Project. The new open spaces, including Vent Building 1 Open Space, Binford Park, Cabot Cove, and Channelwalk, will include seating, lighting, and many trees and plantings. Special features at the Vent Building 1 Open Space include a refurbished arm of the rolling bridge that formerly occupied the site. Also at this site, stones arranged in a seating pattern mimic a circular configuration of another bridge, which occupied a nearby site. Access to the open space at Cabot Cove will be via a pedestrian bridge built into the Old Colony Railroad Bridge. New HarborWalk segments with benches and trees will also open along Dorchester Avenue across from the Federal Reserve Bank at Tufts Wharf immediately north of Congress Street. Other amenities by the Central Artery/Tunnel Project include the 6,000 square feet Wormwood Park, which opened in late fall 2004, and design and construction of a new Fort Point Channel Water Transportation Facility at 500 Atlantic Avenue. 

K. Eastport Park, Seaport Hotel, South Boston 
Eastport Park at the Seaport Hotel/ World Trade Center complex offers over an acre of one of the most attractive outdoor public spaces on the waterfront. Across from the World Trade Center, Eastport Park features unique benches and sculptures from renowned artists, including David Phillips’ whimsical sea creatures (Hermit Crab, Scallop Scuppers, Shrimp, and Frog Guardians); Judy Kensley McKie’s Bird Chair and Fish Benches; and abstract sculptures relating to astronomy, evolution and navigation. Eastport Park has beautifully landscaped areas and sitting areas for relaxing, and views of the Harbor and the Fish Pier. The Park is located adjacent to a two-story atrium open to the general public.

Make sure to visit Wendy Ross’ “Leviathan” sculpture suggestive of a fanciful sea serpent. The sculpture is located on the staircase between the Seaport Hotel and the West Office Building. 

L. South Boston Maritime Park, South Boston
South Boston Maritime Park, next to Eastport Park, is the newest park near the South Boston waterfront. Built by Massport, the park boasts a sizeable lawn, shaded sitting areas, extensive landscaping, a fountain, benches, public art focusing on the Working Port, public restrooms, and a seasonal cafe serving breakfast and lunch. The South Boston Maritime Park celebrates Boston's history as one of the oldest seaports in the Western Hemisphere and once the busiest trading post in North America. Maritime related elements and interpretive art adorn the park reminding visitors of Boston's proud maritime past as well as modern day activities within the Port of Boston. The park provides an inviting place to catch a glimpse of the city's working waterfront including the historic Fish Pier and other waterfront activities.

M. Park at the Moakley Courthouse, South Boston
The open space on the waterside of the Moakley Courthouse provides stunning panoramic views of Boston Harbor from Downtown to East Boston. Along the HarborWalk, interpretive panels and ship silhouettes present the history of Fan Pier and Boston Harbor. A large medallion next to the HarborWalk shows the history of Boston Harbor and the Islands (popular with visitors for stone rubbings). The area includes sitting areas, picnic tables, public restrooms, and native plantings with informative plaques. For those who would like to purchase food, The Daily Catch, a popular seafood restaurant on the ground floor next to the Harborwalk, and the second-floor cafe looking out onto the Harbor, provide a variety of options. Be sure to visit the Island Alliance’s free “Virtual Tour of the Harbor Islands” monitors in the Daily Catch Restaurant. 

N. Interim HarborWalk at the Fan Pier, South Boston
Opened in 2004, a much-improved interim HarborWalk with benches, plantings, and eventually, interpretive signage, replaced a temporary walkway on the undeveloped portion of Fan Pier. The site offers one of the best panoramas of the city, with unobstructed views of downtown to East Boston. From this location, one can also monitor the progress of construction of the new Institute of Contemporary Art (slated to open in late 2006). This portion of the HarborWalk can be accessed from either the John Joseph Moakley United State Courthouse or from Northern Avenue next to Pier 4. A permanent HarborWalk will replace the interim HarborWalk upon completion of development on Fan Pier.

O. Castle Island / Pleasure Bay, South Boston
The jewels of the Boston Harbor beaches can be found on the South Boston waterfront. Pleasure Bay is a calm, enclosed lagoon with a sandy beach for swimming, and is one of Boston’s most popular swimming and sunning beaches. Foot showers and water fountains are located on-site. The causeway located behind the beach provides a great walkway for strolling around Pleasure Bay and offers stunning views of the harbor. Originally freestanding, Castle Island has been connected to the mainland since the 1930s. Fort Independence, located on Castle Island, is a five pointed granite structure. Constructed between 1834 and 1851, the fort is open during the summer months for visitors to explore independently or take a free tour. The fort and the island are on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and Fort Independence is a National Historic Landmark. There are views to Logan Airport and the Harbor Islands, and visitors can observe boating activity in the Harbor. The area is excellent for jogging, walking, picnicking, biking and hiking, and there is a fishing pier and swimming area. Food service and restrooms are open to the general public. 

P. Pope John Paul II Park, Dorchester
Pope John Paul Park II now re-connects area residents to the resources of their unique and delicate river estuary by offering picnic facilities, soccer fields, play areas, paths for walking, restored salt marsh, and extensive plantings of native trees and shrubs. Pope John Paul II Park, on the banks of the Neponset River, is a 65-acre park with walkways, scenic open areas, newly designed visitor’s center, playing fields, and native plantings. Formerly a landfill, the site has been restored to a place of natural splendor. The Pope John Paul II Park is part of the three-mile Neponset River Greenway walking and biking trail. During the summer, many events are held here, including family movie nights, guided canoe trips, and festivals. For more information on these events, call the Boston Natural Areas Network at (617) 542-7696 or visit www.bostonnatural.org.

Q. John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Dorchester
The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, is poised on Columbia Point and features a glass pavilion that serves as the main lobby, soaring 115 ft., with a huge 26' X 45' American flag. The presidential library and museum, with its exhibits and programs honoring the nation’s 35th president, is set on a 9.5 acre park landscaped with pine trees, shrubs and wild roses reminiscent of the familiar landscape of Cape Cod. The HarborWalk offers a spectacular view of the downtown skyline and connects to the long stretch of HarborWalk along the UMass Boston campus. During the summer, President Kennedy's sailboat, Victura, is on display outside on the grounds of the Library.

R. Old Harbor Park, Dorchester
Old Harbor Park is part of the Harbor Point residential development, and is a welcoming, beautifully maintained portion of HarborWalk. Its many amenities -- benches, shelters, and lighting -- make this portion of HarborWalk one of the best along Boston Harbor. Old Harbor Park is well situated, with a stunning view of the downtown skyline as well as a view of the egg-shaped waste digesters on Deer Island. Interpretive signage on this portion of the HarborWalk conveys tales of fishermen and shipwrecks. A large medallion-map of Boston Harbor and the Harbor Islands is very popular with children for stone rubbings.

S. UMass Boston / Arts on the Point, Dorchester
The University of Massachusetts Boston campus, located on Columbia Point, provides one of the city's longest uninterrupted portions of HarborWalk, perfect for walkers and joggers, as well as a great venue for photographing the Harbor and the City. Besides offering spectacular views of the Harbor and Islands, UMass Boston is home to Arts on the Point, the region's first collection of large-scale outdoor sculpture by some of the world's leading artists. Founded in 1997, Arts on the Point is conveniently located near the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum and The Commonwealth Museum on the Red Line at the JFK/UMass T stop.

A. Courageous Sailing Center
Learn to sail in Boston Harbor! The Courageous Sailing Center at Pier 4 in the Charlestown Navy Yard offers on-water sailing instruction for youths and adults, recreational racing classes, and overnight sailing trips to the Boston Harbor Islands. Winner of past "Best of Boston" awards as the best sailing center in Boston, Courageous offers adult memberships and runs a free summer sailing instruction program for Boston youths. For hardy individuals, the Frostbite Racing Series takes place on Saturdays from November 1 through March 31. The Summer 2005 sailing season begins May 1 and operates through October 31. For more information, call Courageous Sailing Center at (617) 242-3821 or visit www.courageoussailing.org.

B. Piers Park Sailing Center 
Located in Massport’s award-winning Piers Park, the Piers Park Sailing Center provides a variety of sailing programs for adults and children on the East Boston waterfront. There are free summer and after-school programs for youths (ages 10 to 17) as well as adult sailing instruction, weekly racing, adaptive sailing classes for persons with disabilities, and regattas and special events. The Summer 2005 season runs from April through October. For more information on Piers Park Sailing Center, call (617) 561-6677 or visit www.piersparksailing.org.

C. Community Boating
Community Boating is the largest and oldest public sailing program of its kind in the United States. Located on the Charles River Basin, the Club offers a variety of memberships for adults and youths as well as race nights, classes, windsurfing, special outings, children's field trips, and a $1 summer sailing instruction program for Boston youths. Community Boating is also the largest single site for high school sailing in the U.S., serving more than fifteen teams from the Mass Bay League each season. The sailing season operates from early April through October 31. For more information on Community Boating, call (617) 523-1038 or visit www.community-boating.org.

You don't need to drive to Cape Cod to enjoy the pleasures of swimming in the ocean. With ongoing water quality improvements and extensive landside amenities upgrades by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, swimming at Boston Harbor Beaches from Winthrop to Quincy is better than it has been in decades. Thanks to the $30 million “Back to the Beaches” Program, a number of improvements are underway to enhance Boston Harbor beaches for visitors. To learn about the many Boston Harbor Beaches available right in your own backyard, visit our extensive Beaches section. For water quality information at area beaches, visit the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority website at http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/harbor/html/bhbeaches.htm or visit Boston.com at http://www.boston.com/travel/newengland/beaches/summer/livereport/, which maintains a live report from Massachusetts’ Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) . 

A. Boston Duck Tours 
Boston Duck Tours offers a truly unique Bostonian experience. Board an authentic, renovated World War II amphibious vehicle for an exciting narrated tour of historic sites throughout Boston. Then "splash down" into the Charles River for an on-water tour. For more information call Boston Duck Tours at (617) 723-DUCK or visit www.bostonducktours.com. Reservations are required; during the summer months when the tours are very popular, reservations should be made as much in advance as possible.

A. "Foster's Rotunda" at Rowes Wharf
"Foster's Rotunda" at Rowes Wharf provides some of the most beautiful and expansive views of Boston Harbor looking toward East Boston and out to the Boston Harbor Islands. The rotunda is open to the public 11:00 am to 3:00 pm weekdays, and can be reached by entering 50 Rowes Wharf and asking the building staff at the Concierge’s Desk to escort you up the express elevator to the rotunda.

B. 470 Atlantic Avenue
Another great observatory is located at 470 Atlantic Avenue. The 14th floor deck offers dramatic views including the Fort Point Channel, East Boston, Deer Island and Blue Hills Reservation. The observatory is open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, including weekends, and has restrooms, benches and free binoculars for viewing. Don’t miss the lobby audio exhibit about Independence Wharf, the site of the Boston Tea Party.

C. Other views around the Harbor
For equally stunning but contrasting views of the Inner Harbor and Boston's skyline, look through the two story windows in the lobby of the Hyatt Harborside Hotel, East Boston; Piers Park, East Boston; and the Cafe on the second floor of the Moakley Federal Courthouse on the Fan Pier, South Boston. For a more panoramic view of the Harbor and South Boston, visit the top floor Library in the Moakley Federal Courthouse.

A. Boston Harbor Cruises
Take a scenic whale watch with family or friends out to Stellwagen Bank in search of Humpback whales. Boston Harbor Cruises offers 3-hour whale watches departing from Boston Harbor on high-speed catamarans. You are guaranteed a whale sighting; if you do not see a whale, you will get a free ticket on another trip. The 2005 tour and whale watch season will start in April and run through October. For more information, call (617) 227-4321 or 1- 877-SEE-WHALE or visit www.bostonharborcruises.com.

B. Massachusetts Bay Lines, Inc.
Beantown Whale Watch in association with Massachusetts Bay Lines and the Boston Steamship Company offer daily whale watch trips from Boston's downtown. The 4 or 5 hours journey provides a chance to see finbacks, humpbacks, and minkes. The Summer 2005 season begins on Memorial Day weekend in May and operates through the end of September. For more information, call Massachusetts Bay Lines at (617) 542-8000 or visit www.massbaylines.com.

C. AC Cruise Line 
AC Cruise Line offers private group whale watch trips out to Stellwagen Bank, one of the busiest feeding areas for whales. The Summer 2005 season runs from May through October. For more information, call AC Cruise Line at (617) 261-6633 or visit www.accruiseline.com.

D. New England Aquarium 
The New England Aquarium offers whale watch trips in conjunction with hands-on learning. Their special boat features interactive exhibits such as microscope stations and meteorological instruments. Trips run from April through October and generally last from 3.5 to 5 hours. On this fun family voyage, whale sightings are guaranteed. In the unlikely event that whales are not observed, passengers will receive a complimentary New England Aquarium Whale Watch ticket. For more information, call the New England Aquarium at (617) 973-5200 or visit www.neaq.org. 

The salt marshes, estuaries, and waters of Boston Harbor provide unique habitat and feeding areas for a variety of wildlife including shore birds, shellfish, harbor seals, and fish. Here are some common sightings:

• Snowy egrets, black ducks, and a variety of shorebirds are often seen at Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston... 
• Black-crowned night herons feeding along the Charles River at dusk...
• For wildlife sightings by canoe, park at the Milton Landing on the Neponset River and canoe from Lower Mills out to the Harbor. You will see a variety of birds and maybe some small mammals along the shoreline...
• Harbor porpoises can sometimes be spotted swimming in Chelsea Creek in the winter and spring
• Keep an eye out throughout Boston Harbor for harbor seals; they have been making a strong comeback in recent years...

The Boston Harbor Association (TBHA) has recently published “Naturally Boston Harbor”, a brochure highlighting places to enjoy nature in Boston’s waterfront neighborhoods and the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. The colorful brochure, written in English and Spanish, provides information about birds, native plants, fish, mammals, and other natural features found in Boston Harbor. To request a free copy, contact TBHA at 617-482-1722 or mail@tbha.org. 

For more information about wildlife in and around Boston Harbor contact the Boston Natural Areas Network at (617) 542-7696 or www.bostonnatural.org; the Massachusetts Audubon Society at (781) 259-9500 or www.massaudubon.org; the Neponset River Watershed Association at (781) 575-0354 or www.neponset.org; or the Charles River Watershed Association at (781) 788-0007 or www.crwa.org.  

Stop by The Boston Harbor Association's office to use the following resource materials:

Boston Harbor Islands
Sherman Morss Jr., 2005

Sherman “Pat” Morss is a member of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park’s advisory council, and has studied and photographed the Boston Harbor Islands for over a decade. This book beautifully documents these extraordinary New England landmarks through photographs, and also provides a narrative history of the islands from their discoveries to the present day.

The Islands of Boston Harbor
Edward Rowe Snow, updated by Jeremy D’Entremont and Foreword by William M. Fowler, Jr. 2002

Learn about the history and legends of every island to be found in Boston Harbor, including two famous lighthouses, Boston Light and Graves Light. In this book, you’ll read about Fort Warren on George’s Island, with its dungeons, its under-the-harbor tunnel, and the mysterious Lady in Black; about Castle Island and Fort Independence, now a popular recreational destination; and all the other islands in the harbor. 

Fort Warren, New England’s Most Historic Civil War Site
Jay Schmidt. 2003

Built before the Civil War, Fort Warren on George’s Island defended Boston for more than 100 years. It achieved it’s notoriety mainly because of the many famous confederate prisoners held within its walls. Fort Warren is now designated as a National Historic Landmark. Today, more than 100,00 people visit the fort each summer and is a popular destination of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park.

A Short History of Boston
Robert J. Allison. 2004

This is a great little book that retells the history of Boston, from the founding of the settlement on Shawmut Peninsula to the Big Dig. Robert Allison’s book introduces you to the characters and events that shaped Boston and its people. 

Chelsea Creek Activity Guide
The Boston Harbor Association, 2003, Free

This activity guide helps people learn what makes Chelsea Creek special. The fun games, fact sheets, and pictures introduce concepts that help identify where the Creek is located and the importance it plays in the economy and ecology of Boston Harbor. The guide is also in Spanish. 

State of the Bays Report 2004
The Massachusetts Bays Program. 2004

Massachusetts’ bays teem with life. Despite heavy use and often neglect by humans, the coastal and upland habitats are an incredible source of plant and animal diversity. From salt marshes and tidal flats to rich feeding grounds for whales on Stellwagen Bank, a tremendous number of species depend on the Bays’ water quality and habitat for survival. The State of the Bays’ Report presents the current status of environmental health for Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays, which are part of the important ecosystem in which humans and wildlife, economy and environment, and ocean and land constantly interact.

Political Waters: The Long, Dirty, Contentious, Incredibly Expensive but Eventually Triumphant History of Boston Harbor
Eric Jay Dolin. 2004

Since colonial times, Bostonians treated their Harbor as a cesspool. At one time, Boston Harbor was known as the most polluted harbor in the country. Dolin’s book provides an interesting and colorful overview of the events leading to the construction of one of the world’s most advanced wastewater treatment facility. Boston’s struggle to deal with its sewage problem is a dramatic story of failure and success, complete with legal, political, and bureaucratic upheavals, engineering marvels, and dedicated citizenry. 

The New Legal Sea Foods Cookbook
Roger Berkowitz and Jane Doerfer, 2003

The complete guide to buying, cooking, and enjoying seafood—with more than 200 fresh, simple, and delicious recipes from Legal Sea Foods’ kitchens. This cookbook covers not only the traditional fare from Legal’s menu (Smoked Bluefish Paté, Clam Chowder) but also contemporary dishes such as Crabmeat with Morel Mushrooms, Spicy Fried Grouper with Jalapeño Mayonnaise, and Bluefish in Kale and Tomato Sauce. Much more than a cookbook, this is the ultimate sourcebook from America’s seafood specialists. 

The Good City
Edited by Emily Hiestand and Ande Zellman, 2004

Featuring fifteen of Boston’s finest authors, this book is a rich collection of essays that celebrates Boston’s past, present, and future. Provocative pieces include essays on architecture by Robert Campbell and Jane Holtz Kay; Boston’s political past and present by Jack Beatty; literary landscape and the immigrant experience by Patricia Powell; the influences of Fort Point Channel and the history of Boston Harbor by Susan Orlean and John Hanson Mitchell, respectively; Boston scientific and technological innovation by Scott Kirsner; and the moving piece by All Souls author Michael Patrick MacDonald who pens a moving essay on gentrification and what it means to old neighborhoods like Southie. All of these writers and more offer an illuminating profile of the city that many people consider the birthplace of America. 

The Boston Harbor Islands National Park 
Ken Mallory, 2003

Designated a national park by an act of Congress in 1996, the Boston Harbor Islands range in size from less than an acre to 274 acres. Adjacent to one of the nation’s busiest urban centers, the 30 islands that comprise the 1,600-acre park are rich in history and both flora and fauna. 

With gorgeous color photographs, maps, and informative text, this book guides you to each of the islands in the park and describes what you can see and do on each one. Serving not only as an information resource but also as a souvenir, The Boston Harbor Islands National Park is sure to find a place on the bookshelf of everyone with an interest in the Boston area.

Boston’s Fort Point District
Michael J. Tyrrell, 2004

This jewel of a book presents a collection of approximately 200 vintage photographs and drawings of the Fort Point Channel from circa 1845 to today’s vibrant neighborhood. From a landscape of mud and sea grass to a teeming hub of commercial activity, Fort Point Channel’s proximity to Boston Harbor allowed the development of a flourish of industries, from molasses distilling to the manufacture of razor blades. 

Gaining Ground: A History of Landmaking in Boston
Nancy Seasholes. 2003 

Boston, one-sixth of which is from fill, probably has the most man made land of any coastal city in the US. Landmaking was spurred by the major economic and population events that were shaping Boston. From the burgeoning China trade in the late 19th century to the largest landmaking project of all, Logan Airport, the author gives us the first account of the when, why and how Boston was created.

"The Boston Harbor Curriculum Guide" 
The Boston Harbor Association, 2003, Free

Designed for grades 6-8, the Guide contains fourteen lesson plans based on The Boston Harbor Association’s "Adopt A Class" and "Harbor Mini-Camp" programs. This unique collection of educational material and hands-on activities focuses on aspects of Boston Harbor and the Harbor Islands including marine life, geologic features, cultural history, current maritime activities, and advocacy efforts. The Guide has been designed in an easy-to-use format which outlines the objectives of each lesson, suggests contacts at local agencies and organizations, and presents fact sheets, supporting activities and background information. Each lesson also contains links to the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework. 

"Boston Harbor Youth Activity Guide" 
The Boston Harbor Association, 2002, Free

This activity guide provides an excellent introduction to the many resources and opportunities available throughout Boston Harbor and its Islands. The games, puzzles and other fun and educational activities focus on efforts to improve the conditions of the Harbor as well as the variety of marine life within the Harbor today. 

"Citizen's Guide to Protecting the Natural Resources of Boston Harbor"
The Boston Harbor Association, 1998, Free

This bilingual Citizen's Guide (English/Spanish) highlights ways that people can help make a difference in Boston Harbor by taking action at home, on the water and in their communities. Tools for effective citizen advocacy are highlighted. 

"A Kid's Guide to the Neponset River"
Boston Natural Areas Network, 2000

This activity guide is a lively introduction to the Neponset River for children in grades 3-5. It includes word searches, puzzles, and drawing exercises on the plants and animals found along the River, the history of the River's use, watersheds, tides, human impacts, and pollution. Contact the Boston Natural Areas Network at (617) 542-7696 or www.bostonnatural.org for a copy.

Mapping Boston
Edited by Alex Krieger and David Cobb, 1999

This exquisite book, based on Norman Leventhal's extensive collection of maps, includes historical maps of Boston, the Harbor, and Massachusetts Bay as well as seven essays that explore the intertwining of maps and history. Each map is accompanied by a description and short essay offering insights on local people, landmarks, and events that were significant in shaping the landscape or life of Boston. Some of the maps in the book can be seen in the lobby of the Boston Harbor Hotel or at the Main Branch of the Boston Public Library. 

The Big Dig 
Dan McNichol with photographs by Andy Ryan, 2000 

Written by a former Big Dig staff member, this book is an inside look at the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, the largest and most complex highway construction project ever undertaken in the United States, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Interviews with many of the Big Dig's key players and detailed photographs that capture the project's evolution make this a-must-read for Boston-area residents. Particularly interesting is the chapter on the role of Spectacle Island in the Big Dig project.

The Big Dig at Night 
Dan McNichol with photographs by Stephen SetteDucati, 2002 

A companion to The Big Dig book, this collection with its spectacular photographs taken from unique vantage points allows the reader to learn about the work done on the Central Artery/Tunnel Project day and night.

Old Favorites

All About the Boston Harbor Islands
Emily and David Kales, 1993 

Republished in 1993, this book provides a wealth of information about the recreation, natural history, geography, and amenities available on the Boston Harbor Islands. Descriptions of the Boston Harbor Islands include historical accounts as well as interesting tales about pirates, ghosts and other nautical lore.

Shipwrecks and Nautical Lore of Boston Harbor 
Robert F. Sullivan, 1990 

The lore of Boston Harbor is captured in prints, maps, photographs, and details of wrecks in the Outer, Middle and Inner Harbor areas dating from colonial days to recent times. Stories include the capture and destruction of a French trading vessel off Peddocks Island by local Native Americans in 1614, and the 1938 wreck of the City of Salisbury, a 419-foot freighter loaded with a cargo of wild animals, exotic birds, and general merchandise. The book can also be purchased at the Hull Lifesaving Museum.

Official National Park Service Guide to Charlestown Navy Yard (Handbook 152)
Division of Publications, National Park Service, 1995 

Learn about the maritime heritage of the U.S. Navy and the origins of the Charlestown Navy Yard, including tales of ship building, the advent of iron and steam, a description of the U.S.S. Constitution, the workforces employed in the Yard, and the role of the Yard from WWII to its role today. This compact, well-written book can be purchased at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston National Historic Park, and the National Park Service Bookstore on State Street.

Waterfronts: Cities Reclaim their Edge 
Ann Breen and Dick Rigby, 1994 

This review of urban waterfronts showcases 75 award-winning waterfront design projects that have transformed previously neglected downtown areas in recent years. Chosen for outstanding design, site usage, and community impact, projects featured include the Monterey Bay Aquarium (California), Harbour Town (Hilton Head, South Carolina), Ellis Island Museum of Immigration (New York City), Darling Harbour (Sydney, Australia), and many more. Boston sites discussed include Long Wharf, Christopher Columbus Park, Coastal Cement Corporation Terminal, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston Fish Pier, and Rowes Wharf. This book also includes discussions on the planning and design of waterfront parks, housing developments, cultural facilities, marinas, boathouses, and commercial mixed-use properties.

The New Waterfront: A Worldwide Urban Success Story 
Ann Breen and Dick Rigby, 1996 

This book analyzes seven themes of waterfront development over the last thirty years: commercial, cultural, educational, historic, recreational, residential, and working waterfronts. Examples from around the world are discussed, including dramatic waterfront developments in Europe, Asia, and North America. Boston sites featured include the Columbia Point Housing Project and the Coastal Cement Corporation Terminal, as well as a detailed section on the design and planning of Rowes Wharf. Complete with stunning photos and an illustrated gazetteer, this book is a must for urban planners, landscape designers, architects, and anyone with an interest in waterfront development.
 

The Boston Harbor Association   -   374 Congress Street, Suite 609   -   Boston, MA 02210   -   617-482-1722 (P)   -   617-482-9750 (F)   -   mail@tbha.org