The 15 Best Things to Do in Boston's Seaport Neighborhood

Enjoy Rooftop Drinks with a View

Three of Boston's best spots for drinks with a view are located in the Seaport. They are Legal Seafoods Harborside, the Envoy Hotel’s Lookout Rooftop & Ba, and Deck 12 at YOTEL Boston. Legal Seafoods Harborside has an open bar overlooking Boston Harbor and both the Lookout Rooftop & Bar and Deck 12 have great views of the city skyline and waterfront. 

Catch a Concert at the Leader Bank Pavilion

The Leader Bank Pavilion (formerly Blue Hills Bank Pavilion) is one of the best places to see live music in Boston. The outdoor, circular amphitheater is located right on Boston Harbor, looking out on Rowes Wharf, and seats 5,000 for concerts that take place from May to September. Top musicians perform at this venue each year including acts like Sting, Death Cab for Cutie, the Backstreet Boys, and John Legend. 

Order Fresh, Local Seafood

You can't come to Boston without enjoying some fresh-caught seafood. The Seaport is where lots of that seafood comes in on fishing boats, so you're in the right place to sample the city's offerings.

Legal Seafoods Harborside covers a sprawling 20,000 square feet, divided in to three dining concepts across three floors. The menu offers seafood in a variety of ways from a raw bar to fried shrimp to signature crabs cakes.

The Barking Crab is another popular seafood restaurant, especially when the weather is warm, as the sides are open and it's on the water looking out on the city. They do have heaters and pull the plastic sides down in the winter, so don't let cold weather keep you from visiting. Order fresh lobster and other seafood combo plates.

Get a Workout in with Seaport Sweat

From May through September, the Seaport puts on free outdoor workout series called Seaport Sweat. Two classes are offered on Mondays through Thrusdays. There is only one class offered on Saturday and all of them are led by popular Boston fitness instructors. The classes take place on the Seaport Common. Register in advance or on-site, but keep in mind that classes could fill up so it's best to plan ahead.

Tour and Taste Beers at Local Breweries

There are local craft breweries popping up all over Boston and the surrounding towns. You can try many of these at the city's bars, but it's more of an experience to visit one of the actual breweries, such as Harpoon Brewery and Trillium Brewing Company. Trillium isn't actually in Seaport, but it's close by in the Fort Point neighborhood.

View Boston by Boat on the Spirit of Boston

You can head out onto the ocean year-round with the Spirit of Boston, which leaves right from the Seaport by the World Trade Center. There are lots of options to choose from, including those that serve lunch or dinner and also holiday and other themed cruises, all of which typically last between two and three hours. No matter which cruise option you go with, you'll get food, dancingm and great views of the Boston skyline and landmarks along the city's waterfront.

Walk Along the Boston Harborwalk

The Boston Harborwalk is a 43-mile public walkway that goes through Boston's waterfront neighborhoods, including the Seaport, Fort Point, South Boston, Charlestown, and the North End. It was developed by the Boston Redevelpoment Authority, Harborpark Advisory Committee, and the Boston Harbor Association to protect public access to the waterfront as the city began a three-decade period of redevelopment.

The Harborwalk is now almost complete and includes the Seaport. Along the walk, visitors can take in key attractions, restaurants, beaches, and more. Check out the interactive Harborwalk map if you plan on using it to explore several of the city's neighborhoods.

Go Shopping at One Seaport

The Seaport wasn't much of a shopping destination until 2018, with the opening of many of the stores within One Seaport, a two-block destination for retail, dining, fitness, and entertainment. Here you'll find stores like Away luggage, Bonobos, L.L.Bean, Le Labo, Outdoor Voices, and Warby Parker.

Go Bowling, Play Games and Catch a Movie

One Seaport is also home to lots of entertaining, including Kings where you can take your pick from bowling and games like shuffleboard while enjoying delicious bar food at this retro-inspired entertainment spot.

Take in Modern Art at the Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art is one of Boston's top museums and is located on the water along the Harborwalk. Here you'll find a wide variety of contemporary art, from visual arts and music, to film, video, and performance art. Check out current performances and events, such as First Friday with drinks and music, before you go. Thursday evenings are the best time to attend given that admission is free; kids under 18 can attend for free any day.

Experience More of Boston's Top Museums

If you walk into the Fort Point neighborhood, which is just a couple of streets over from the Seaport is where you'll find two of the city's most popular museums, the Boston Children's Museum and the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. They're both located along the Fort Point Channel, which connects Fort Point and the Seaport to the rest of the city.

Enjoy Drinks and Games at the Lawn on D

Started as somewhat of a popup during recent development of the Seaport, The Lawn on D has become a popular outdoor destination for food, drinks, lawn games, and hanging out in the city. Games include bocce, ping pong, cornhole, and giant Jenga. And if you've ever seen a photo of The Lawn on D on your Instagram feed, you'll recognize Swing Time, a set of swings with solar-powered LED lights that change color when you swing.

Unless an event is going on, The Lawn on D is seasonal and open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and stays open an hour later on weekends. With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed at the Lawn on D

Go Dancing at The Grand

If nightclubs and dancing are your thing, the Seaport is home to Boston's newest and most popular club, The Grand, located in One Seaport. This is where you'll want to be if you're into bottle service and listening to music from top DJs.

Enjoy Food and Drink at Favorite Restaurants and Bars

As the Seaport has grown, so has the number of restaurants. Aside from the seafood restaurants and bars listed earlier consider one of the following for a standout meal: bartaco, Committee, Strega Italiano, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar, Del Frisco's, or Gather. For a more casual lunch, there's Flour Bakery or The Smoke Shop BBQ. This is just a sampling of the area's restaurants, as there are plenty of others to choose from and new options being opened as the area continues to grow.

Take the Water Taxi to Other Boston Destinations

You can take a taxi, Uber. or Lyft anywhere, but while you're visiting Boston, you may enjoy taking advantage of the city's year-round water taxi services. Pick up your water taxi at the World Trade Center and avoid city traffic as you travel by boat from the Seaport to neighborhoods like Charlestown, East Boston, Logan Airport, and more. Boston Water Taxi and City Experiences both offer water taxis.