Walk in Boston #14, the touristic Waterfront, is a 2.5 miles self-guided tour to explore 3 different parts of Downtown.
Shopping, sightseeing and strolling are on the program: you’ll sometimes be along the water, sometimes on the Greenway, sometimes in the Financial District.
This walk is now only available on Payhip in pdf format with a clickable map and updated descriptions.
In this pdf you will also find:
- the list of Highlights.
- the T stops to get there and back and infos for Cars.
- tips about restrooms, places to sit and eat.
- details about a particular place you will find on your route.
You can download it (or just the map of the walk) to your phone to help you in your discoveries.
This will allow you to live a unique experience of the city far from what you might find elsewhere.
The description below, incomplete and with cropped photos, gives you an idea of this walk before you decide to buy it.
A: Your walk starts at …, like Walk in Boston # 2, the other North End. This time you are going to take the stair on the right …
You’ll see … in front of you, below, and most likely, street performers in front of it. On its right, a BosTix booth where you can buy performances tickets for half-price the day of the show, or go and pick-up the ones you’ve bought online.
… has been a marketplace since 1743, and is now part of a National Historical Park.
Enter the building to admire it; there, find a kiosk staffed by the Park Services and get information about all of the other National Parks in and around Boston; go and buy stamps for your postcards to a small post office; shop for typical souvenirs of the city.
B: However, wait until you load yourselves with stuff: you’ll come back to … at the end of this trek as there is another part of it to explore.
Right now, you’re heading to …
It has been built in the 1800’s …
The other buildings, …, host restaurants, specialty shops, and office space. More street performers will entertain you on the plaza …, or in the cobblestones streets around it.
Today, the trading tradition is kept alive with food-stalls of all kinds under its roof, and tables and benches in its center, under the dome. On each side, gift stalls under glass enclosures.
C: You can easily spend one hour …, but once you are done, head east toward …
You’ll find a carrousel on your way, made of animals typical of New England. There will also be an information booth about the Boston Harbor Islands National Park, then grass, benches and views of sailing boats and yachts.
D: Next, follow ….
You’ll pass piers where ferries could bring you either to other cities along the Boston Bay, to the airport, or to the Harbor Islands.
For now anyway, stay on land and go and see the seals next to …, on the left. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever see seals again so close!
On the right …, you’ll find plenty of tables and benches if you need some. Otherwise, keep walking, except …. It will take you at least another hour.
Next, you’ll be in a more residential part …, with some public art and luxury apartments ..
E: Once you reach ….
Follow it on you left amid trees, flowers beds, and temporary art installations. You’ll be surrounded by ….
F: At the next intersection, go left …..
You now reach … with its impressive blue glass façade, and some interesting public art on each side of its entrance.
On the other side, across …
If you come at the right time, you’ll even see people re-enacting …. If you want to do it yourself, the … is just a few yards away. It will enlighten you a lot about the beginning of the American Revolution, but count another hour to visit it.
On the pier where you are, you also stand where the Great Boston Fire of 1872 started, destroying nearly all the Financial district and part of downtown Boston. A panel will tell you what happened here with images and details about the event.
G: Once you are done reading it, find …
After your visit, keep going …, and take it on your right.
You’ll again walk between sculptures, lawns, trees and beds of flowers.
H: Once you reach…., take it on you left. You are now in the Financial District, and you’ll understand why if you come during a weekday.
For an even better experience of it, enter …
It’s the 7th tallest skyscraper of the city, but you won’t be able to access the 46th floor, nor the others, if you do not have a pass. You’ll however find a central glass dome there, with a winter garden and a rain fountain, surrounded by shops, restaurants and a café area.
There are tables and chairs under the dome, around the fountain, but will you dare sit there amid the business men and women having tea and looking at numbers on computers, it’s up to you .
The building itself is remarkable, both inside and outside. Made of marble and granite imported from Europe and Africa, it mixes unique architectural details with classical lighting fixtures. A small pyramid tops it, illuminated at night.
From …, go through a circular and impressive hallway, and exit on …
I: You’ll find … in front of you again, and you’ll take it on your left.
This section is a more open space with gathering places. Its main attraction is a giant ring fountain with pulsating shoots of water going in the air at different intervals, surrounded by temporary exhibitions. The fountain is working from May to October only and very popular during hot summer days!
Once you see…., go left to have a look at …
Built in 1837 in a neoclassical design,…
To visit it, inquire beforehand for days and hours, they can vary.
J: In any case and next, take …
You are now going to visit … an historical place on the second floor … You access it through doors facing … Many famous speeches have been made between these walls by very famous politicians, and new citizens emerge through it every week after their “Oath of Allegiance” ceremony.
It seems to be a good ending to this walk, does it not?
Except if you now want to take Walk in Boston # 2, the other North End. It starts a little further up but you can rejoin it by going right on Congress St.
You could also take Walk in Boston # 1, the forgotten West End, it ends here so you’ll do it in reverse.
Convinced that this walk will be exceptional? Find it on Payhip.