When fully completed, after having been established in 1984 and after three decades of redevelopment, the Boston Harborwalk will extend a distance of 47 miles from East Boston to the Neponset River. It currently covers 43 miles and connects eight distinct neighborhoods.
This public walkway follows the edge of Boston Harbor’s shoreline, wharves, piers, and beaches and also includes restaurants, museums, an art gallery, the Boston National Historic Park, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and other attractions and amenities. The trails are popular with walkers, hikers, and those on bicycles and skates.
Special Features of Those Neighborhoods
Dorchester was the Harborwalk’s first neighborhood and includes the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, the UMass Boston/Arts, and beaches.
Downtown is a visually-stunning stretch where pedestrians walk past several wharves, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Harbor Hotel, and more.
Fort Point on the outskirts of downtown is emerging from a lengthy revitalization. Attractions include the Children’s Museum, the dazzling InterContinental Hotel, and several new restaurants.
South Boston has the historic Castle Island with Fort Independence, a national landmark built in 1634 to aid in the protection of the Boston coast.
North End has the Christopher Columbus Park and the Commercial and Lewis Wharves where you can watch boating activity.
Charlestown is where you can wind past Paul Revere Park, the USS Constitution, and the Charlestown Navy Yard and can hop a ferry to downtown or East Boston.
Deer Island has a three-mile walking trail and the wastewater treatment facility that provided the biggest component in the Boston Harbor cleanup.
East Boston is visually stunning with a different view of downtown. You could go to LoPresti Park for a picnic or catch a water taxi back to downtown.
PUBLIC BEACHES ALONG THE HARBORWALK
Revere Beach
Established in 1896, Revere Beach was America’s first public beach. It is home to the annual July International Sand Sculpting Festival and is also famous for the fried clams and sandwiches at Kelly’s Roast Beef.
Singing Beach
This is one of the most scenic beaches in Massachusetts. The name is because the sand makes a noise when you walk on it that sounds like music!
Carson Beach
Located in South Boston, there are walkways for bikers and pedestrians, a chance to see locals playing volleyball, and a beach nut that serves ice cream and lunches.
M Street Beach
This is just a few blocks from Carson Beach and tends to have more of a Millennial crowd at part of the beach.
Castle Island Beach
This beach is a favorite with locals who also flock to Sullivan’s for their famous lobster roll take-out. You’ll also find the imposing Fort Independence, the oldest and continuously fortified site of English origin in the USA.