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How to spend the perfect day in the Seaport
Local residents and employees share their best neighborhood recommendations.
In Boston.com’s Perfect Day series, we’re talking to local experts in each of Boston’s 23 neighborhoods about how they’d spend their perfect day. See what makes this city so special to your neighbors, and share your perfect day with us at [email protected].
The Seaport District, known for its sleek design and quick redevelopment in the last decade, has become Boston’s trendiest neighborhood for tourists, residents, and commuters alike.
Martina Langdon has been commuting from Jamaica Plain to work at Life is Good (253 Summer St.) for the past five years. Ariel Foxman has worked as vice president of brand and experience for Boston Seaport Development – WS Development (Seaport Blvd and Boston Wharf Rd.) for four years and lived in the neighborhood for two. They each have unique experiences of the neighborhood, but both are fans of its trendy cafes and frequent the Seaport’s nightlife, while still feeling a sense of community.
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“It’s just really accessible. It has things that make me happy and bring some joy to the day-to-day,” Langdon told Boston.com.
There are also longtime dwellers of the neighborhood, like Christine Vaillancourt who has lived in Fort Point since 1992, and is the president and interim executive director of the Fort Point Arts Community (70 Sleeper St.).
Fort Point is an area tucked between the Seaport, South Boston, and the Fort Point Channel which separates South Boston from downtown.
Vaillancourt is “grateful” for being in the neighborhood. “Living here feels like a dream,” she told Boston.com. “The community has fostered for both [my husband and myself] wonderful friendships with fellow artists and neighbors.”
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David Eagle, who relocated to the neighborhood with his wife in 2014 from Southborough, said of the Seaport, “Whether you are a baby boomer or millennial, there are endless amounts of activities to do in the Seaport.”
The Seaport intertwines a variety of residents, visitors, and small businesses. We tapped Langdon, Foxman, Vaillancourt, and Eagle for how to spend a perfect day in the Seaport.
Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Map | Share your perfect day in Boston
Morning in the Seaport: Breakfast, exercise, and the Harborwalk
Our neighborhood experts Vaillancourt, Eagle, Foxman, and Langdon all agree that their perfect days would take place in early fall, which means that morning walks along the Harborwalk are a must. While she used to walk the 43-mile linear park for fun, Vaillancourt now takes strolls to and from the Fort Point Arts Community Art Space (70 Sleeper St.) to get to work. While taking a walk, Eagle and his wife may stop by Tatte (200 Pier 4 Blvd.) and grab two cappuccinos.
“Strolling along the Harborwalk, tracing the edge of Fort Point Channel and Boston Harbor, is a constant source of happiness,” Vaillancourt said.
Langdon cites Flour Bakery (12 Farnsworth St.) as a staple for breakfast and a coffee, saying, “If time allows, I’ll hit up Flour Bakery. They have this lemon ginger scone that I can’t say no to.”
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Foxman dives deep into his love for PopUp Bagels (70 Pier 4 Blvd.).
“Everyone who works there is so lovely, fun, and vibrant. If you weren’t feeling great about your day before you walked in, you feel great about life after you leave,” he said.
A Seaport morning isn’t complete without a workout. The Seaport Sweat series was recommended by our neighborhood experts, which is a free weekly program taking place in Seaport Common (85 Northern Ave.).
After a workout, Eagle and his wife like to shop at spots like Injeanious (70 Pier 4 Blvd., Suite 440) and STAUD (70 Pier 4 Blvd., Suite 120). An unglamorous but noteworthy mention is their local CVS (91 Seaport Blvd.) which is their go-to for medication and other conveniences. Eagle and his wife shared a shout-out to their favorite pharmacists, Laura and Jenna.
Afternoon in the Seaport: Museums, lunch, and mindful moments
The Seaport offers so much to do at any time of day, which emphasizes the importance of taking quiet moments and finding your bearings.
“I just have to get my food, sit in one of the public spaces, people watch, and figure out what’s next,” Foxman said.
Eagle and his wife like to sit in the courtyard of Echelon (133, 135 Seaport Blvd), while Langdon prefers the partially-enclosed Martin’s Park (64 Sleeper St) to eat lunch and enjoy the quiet.
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If you need a lunch recommendation, Foxman and Langdon have a couple that top the list.
Foxman said he’ll take visiting friends who want a lobster roll to Row 34 (383 Congress St.).
Langdon recommends picking up Sweetgreen (47 Northern Ave.) and bringing it to the picnic tables located near the giant Hood Milk Bottle (306 Congress St.) — which also offers soft serve and hot dogs in the warmer seasons.
You’ll also find soft-serve at Taiyaki NYC.
“Taiyaki is a must, especially the fish shaped ice cream!” Eagle said.
After filling up on a delicious meal, it’s time to head to a neighborhood museum or two.
The Institute of Contemporary Art (25 Harbor Shore Dr.) is a favorite, especially among families, as is the Boston Children’s Museum (308 Congress St.).
“My son loves [the ICA],” Foxman said. “There’s not always a ton of people around. The elevator is magical, it’s a huge spot [that feels like] you’re in ‘Willy Wonka.'”
For entertainment, Eagle recommended the Museum of Ice Cream (121 Seaport Blvd.) which opened in December.
“On the weekends, when our beautiful grandchildren come, we take them to their new favorite place, the Museum of Ice Cream,” he said.
Alamo Drafthouse (60 Seaport Blvd.), is another good option, Foxman said. The theater often holds movie “parties” where they give out swag and encourage moviegoers to engage with each other.
A worthwhile tourist attraction, even for locals, is the immersive The Boston Tea Party Museum (306 Congress St.), according to Langdon. “You can actually reenact throwing fake tea over the side of the ship,” Langdon said.
Evening in the Seaport: Bookstores, dinner, and nightlife
All tuckered out from the busy day? After wrapping up at work, Foxman recommends heading over to Porter Square Books: Boston Edition (50 Liberty Dr.) or East End Books (300 Pier 4 Blvd.).
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“I find it very mind-clearing to browse books. They are both small, independent bookstores…They’re passionate about the books, and they can really give great recommendations,” he said.
Eagle recommends Davio’s (26 Fan Pier Blvd.) and Nautilus (300 Pier 4 Blvd.) for dinner, where he can end his night with a cookie at Frank Anthony’s (9 Fan Pier Blvd.).
Langdon and Foxman both recommend Lolita (253 Summer St.) for dinner.
“Lolita’s is just easy. You can bop down there and just grab chips and guac and have a margarita, and that’s a perfect evening,” Langdon said.
For a more upscale option with live music, Foxman recommends Grace by Nia (60 Seaport Blvd.) as a top choice.
An uncommon feature in the Seaport neighborhood is its range of offerings for an activity with dinner. Foxman will ask visiting friends if they want to try things like golf, an F1 car simulator, or darts.
When asked if there’s anything else visitors should know, Vaillancourt said, “I love living here. [It’s] close to transportation, art, waterfront, great food, [and] close friends. [I] can get on the train at South Station and be in NYC in 3.5 hours, or get to and from the airport quickly on the Silver Line.”
Map: Where to spend the perfect day in the Seaport
Disclosure: A few of Foxman’s recommendations are WS Development retail tenants: PopUp Bagels, Grace by Nia, and Alamo Drafthouse.
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