Visiting Boston - what arch & U/C spots to see

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Czervik.Construction

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Hi guys - after many years, I am coming to Boston with my fam for a visit. Not sure if this is the right place to post...

Understanding that my family is not going to want to be dragged to to look at every hole in the ground, what should I focus on to hit a few key spots? Seaport? Maybe the MA Pike projects? Kendall?

I am also seeking advice on how to convince them on why we should go to Encore. :LOL: I am not a gambler but I am still stunned that it exists in Boston and need to see it.
 
Czervik.Construction said:
Hi guys - after many years, I am coming to Boston with my fam for a visit. Not sure if this is the right place to post...

Understanding that my family is not going to want to be dragged to to look at every hole in the ground, what should I focus on to hit a few key spots? Seaport? Maybe the MA Pike projects? Kendall?

I am also seeking advice on how to convince them on why we should go to Encore. :LOL: I am not a gambler but I am still stunned that it exists in Boston and need to see it.
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Go to Memorial Drive/Mass Ave Bridge area for a good look at the full skyline, cranes, etc. Try to catch something at the Garden or at least go to the general vicinity, since there are 4 new towers (including very activated Hub podiums) right there, plus Bulfinch Crossing is right down the street. If it's not too cold, check out the Seaport. Also Fenway has seen a lot of transformation, and Kendall too, although Fenway seems to feel a lot more vibrant and busy most of the time. Those are really the best neighborhoods to get yourself caught up on. DTX is also a good stop, and (the now 500' and counting) Winthrop Square is right by it.

If you haven't seen 1 Dalton up close, the money shot is walking down St Germain street from Mass Ave. That tower is absolutely fabulous.
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You gotta do the Duck Tour, the family will love it!! You will too!! And you'll see lots of UC stuff while you guys are having fun!

Boston Duck Tours | Boston's Best Sightseeing Tour

Experience the best introDUCKtion to Boston with our fully narrated, historic tours by the city's most notable landmarks, and right into the Charles River!
bostonducktours.com bostonducktours.com
 
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IF you're looking for a good construction site, Winthrop Square has been a hive and South Station is really interesting to look at. You can't see much with the Pike Parcels. For construction in the Seaport, the Summer Street sidewalk is a pretty good vantage of the stuff under construction and offers a distant view of the 'completed' portion as well. Seaport Blvd brings you through the most drastic changes, and the Harborwalk is nice, but not if its freezing out, personally. There's also the free/public observation deck at 470 Atlantic Ave that will give you a unique view of the Seaport (open-air). You just have to go to the front desk in the lobby and request to go to the observation deck. It won't be on the level of any observation decks in NYC (it is free, after all, and Top of the Hub is being renovated).

Cambridge Crossing went from nothing to a full size neighborhood redevelopment in the matter of a few years, and Kendall has changed a bit, though I wouldn't really bring my family there to look at stuff, unless you're already in the area..

I'll second the experience on the Mass Ave bridge (Harvard Bridge, despite going by MIT). It gives you a full 360 of the city, from Fenway/BU to the North End, and the Cambridge/MIT (but not Harvard) skyline.
 
Czervik.Construction said:
Hi guys - after many years, I am coming to Boston with my fam for a visit. Not sure if this is the right place to post...

Understanding that my family is not going to want to be dragged to to look at every hole in the ground, what should I focus on to hit a few key spots? Seaport? Maybe the MA Pike projects? Kendall?

I am also seeking advice on how to convince them on why we should go to Encore. :LOL: I am not a gambler but I am still stunned that it exists in Boston and need to see it.
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A few quick-hits:
1. The Harborwalk is MUCH improved. Start in the North End and follow it all the way through Seaport- stopping to wave at the aquarium seals. You'll catch the old and the new.

2. Encore - you can take the free ferry from Long Wharf. It's a fun ride under the Tobin and up the Mystic. You get to see the whole East Boston waterfront this way. Nothing too family friendly, but maybe walk through to say hi to the $30M Popeye Statue.

3. I love the duck tours as much as any Championship Parade goer, but the Hop-on-hop-off trolley is typically a hit with visitors who are on their own schedule. https://www.trolleytours.com/boston

4. Food halls are now a thing. Time Out has better food, but the HubHall is easier to get to, and you get to see the enormous Hub on Causeway project.

5. Bunker Hill Monument. Great walk, beautiful old homes, amazing view.
 
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Scott said:
This is complete maddness. My wife tolerates my peculiar interests but if I even suggested this she would kneecap me like Nancy Kerrigan
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Distastefulness of Scott's post aside, one activity you & fam can do if they're not into visiting construction sites is to actually see Nancy Kerrigan skate next saturday at the seasonal ice rink in Kendall (scroll down to events):
www.skatekendall.com

Skate @ Canal District Kendall

www.skatekendall.com www.skatekendall.com

And then, of course, you could check out Kendall-area construction sites ; )
 
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Eastie Harborwalk isn't a bad vantage point to get the complete picture (plus you can walk along Clippership Wharf and several other new construction projects). The walk itself is enjoyable even if your family doesn't care about the development aspect. But in terms of development you can clearly see all of the Bullfinch Crossing project, North Station area projects, Cambridge Crossing, Winthrop Square, Seaport, and Charlestown. The walk from The Eddy to Piers Park (and beyond if you want) is great and easily accessible from the Maverick stop.
 
Lrfox said:
Eastie Harborwalk isn't a bad vantage point to get the complete picture (plus you can walk along Clippership Wharf and several other new construction projects). The walk itself is enjoyable even if your family doesn't care about the development aspect. But in terms of development you can clearly see all of the Bullfinch Crossing project, North Station area projects, Cambridge Crossing, Winthrop Square, Seaport, and Charlestown. The walk from The Eddy to Piers Park (and beyond if you want) is great and easily accessible from the Maverick stop.
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Might be very cold, though, if Czervik’s trip is within the next couple of months.
 
Lrfox said:
Eastie Harborwalk isn't a bad vantage point to get the complete picture (plus you can walk along Clippership Wharf and several other new construction projects). The walk itself is enjoyable even if your family doesn't care about the development aspect. But in terms of development you can clearly see all of the Bullfinch Crossing project, North Station area projects, Cambridge Crossing, Winthrop Square, Seaport, and Charlestown. The walk from The Eddy to Piers Park (and beyond if you want) is great and easily accessible from the Maverick stop.
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It could be cold, but this is a nice idea. A great restaurant at the end of the walk is Reel House. It has wonderfully large windows and a nice open feel with great views of Boston even if it's cold outside. ReelHouse | East Boston Waterfront (reelhouseboston.com)
 
Czervik.Construction said:
Hi guys - after many years, I am coming to Boston with my fam for a visit. Not sure if this is the right place to post...

Understanding that my family is not going to want to be dragged to to look at every hole in the ground, what should I focus on to hit a few key spots? Seaport? Maybe the MA Pike projects? Kendall?

I am also seeking advice on how to convince them on why we should go to Encore. :LOL: I am not a gambler but I am still stunned that it exists in Boston and need to see it.
Click to expand...

I don’t know if anyone’s mentioned it, but Union Square could be a fun stop. You can see the new big building and train station U/C and for the fam there’s Bow Market, a bunch of restaurants, and axe throwing (if kids(?) are old enough, I guess).
 
Lrfox said:
Eastie Harborwalk isn't a bad vantage point to get the complete picture (plus you can walk along Clippership Wharf and several other new construction projects). The walk itself is enjoyable even if your family doesn't care about the development aspect. But in terms of development you can clearly see all of the Bullfinch Crossing project, North Station area projects, Cambridge Crossing, Winthrop Square, Seaport, and Charlestown. The walk from The Eddy to Piers Park (and beyond if you want) is great and easily accessible from the Maverick stop.
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Eastie? I don’t think so.
 
Vagabond said:
A few quick-hits:

2. Encore - you can take the free ferry from Long Wharf. It's a fun ride under the Tobin and up the Mystic. You get to see the whole East Boston waterfront this way. Nothing too family friendly, but maybe walk through to say hi to the $30M Popeye Statue.
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A few corrections:
- The Encore Water Shuttle is only running Saturdays and Sundays through winter. Refer to their schedule here.
- The Popeye Statue hasn’t been at Encore Boston Harbor for about a year… just sharing now to spare you any heartache later.
- There are about 5-6 restaurants there that you can dine at with your family without having to walk onto the casino floor: Rare Steakhouse, Mystique Asian Bistro, Nightshift Brewing Kitchen & Tap, Cheese Meet Wine, and Garden Cafe (brunch only). Harbor Lounge has karaoke Sunday evenings which could be a fun family activity. I’d recommend calling any restaurants to confirm whether they have an age restriction, but I have seen families dining at some of these places, and would argue they’re worth the venture.
 
themissinglink said:
Eastie harborwalk has a great view of the city.
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I agree. Hey Sprngh20, give it a shot. You'll be impressed by Pier Park I and the future plans for a II and III. It truly is one of the most fundamental transformations of the city.

And the views are to die for.

 
Inspiring video. Thanks for sharing...
 
shmessy said:
I agree. Hey Sprngh20, give it a shot. You'll be impressed by Pier Park I and the future plans for a II and III. It truly is one of the most fundamental transformations of the city.

And the views are to die for.

Click to expand...

Sorry, not what I meant. Love the developments and views in East Boston.
It was never “Eastie”
 
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