This is Part One of a two part series about Boston's Waterfront. Part One explores Atlantic Wharf, Rowes Wharf and the many historic buildings along Boston Harbor. Part Two is a trip down Boston's famed Charles River.
If you've been to Boston before, but have never spent much time along the waterfront, you've missed experiencing one of the best parts of the city!
Located near South Station, Boston's Atlantic Wharf at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Congress Street is a great place to start your journey through Boston's Waterfront District. Built in 1930, the Congress Street Bridge used to be movable but was later converted into a fixed bridge.
.jpg "Atlantic Wharf, Fort Point Channel, Boston Massachusetts")
The Atlantic Wharf area includes a public dock. Departing from here are the architectural boat trips conducted by the Boston Society of Architects (which provided transportation for the majority of the photos in this photo blog entry).
At Atlantic Wharf, you'll also find the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, a newly renovated $28 million dollar project that is operated by Historic Tours of America with three tall ships and the Robinson Half-Chest, a tea chest which has survived the original tea party of 1773.
It would be hard to miss the Boston Children's Museum, with it's iconic Hood milk bottle and giant inflatable Arthur!
Fort Point Channel separates South Boston from Downtown Boston.
The 21-story Intercontinental Boston hotel overlooks Fort Point Channel.
Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects of Boston, it has a great modern look.
Anyone else up for breakfast on the patio?
As you make your way towards Boston Harbor, the first bridge you'll be passing under helps move the traffic up above along Seaport Boulevard.
.jpg "Seaport Boulevard Bridge, Fort Point Channel, Boston Massachusetts")
The Seaport Boulevard Bridge is tall enough for many boats to pass through, but...
...in order to get to Boston Harbor from Fort Point Channel, you'll also need to pass under the old Northern Ave bridge. Depending on the tide, you could get stuck at this point!
.jpg "Old Northern Avenue Bridge, Boston, Massachusetts")
Fortunately, the Northern Avenue is a swing bridge and with a little patience you'll get through - even at high tide. In the background is James Hook Lobster, which has been serving up seafood since 1925.
And across the water is another seafood restaurant, the Barking Crab, which opened in 1994, and handily includes a marina should you choose to visit by boat. So tie up on the docks and head in for some great crab cakes!
.jpg "Northern Avenue Swing Bridge Opened, Boston, Massachusetts")
In spite of its age, you'll admire this historic truss bridge as you pass along by.
The unusual double truss design in this bridge is not something you get to see up close every day.
The bridge-tender's house by the Northern Avenue Bridge is no longer used, but it's an interesting structure to view as you next make your way to Rowe's Wharf.
In the 1600's, this area was known as the South Battery which served to defend the early colonists.
It looks a bit different today, no defensive structures remain!
Rowes Wharf is now the home of Boston Harbor Hotel.
Cruise ships like the 100 foot Samuel Clemens depart from here...
...as does the Odyssey, which offers luxurious dining cruises. John Henry, owner of the Red Sox, docks his boat, the Iroquois, at Rowes Wharf too.
The MBTA also operates commuter boats out of this wharf, such as the Asteria seen here churning up the water.
...as does the Odyssey, which offers luxurious dining cruises. John Henry, owner of the Red Sox, docks his boat, the Iroquois, at Rowes Wharf too.
The MBTA also operates commuter boats out of this wharf, such as the Asteria seen here churning up the water.
It's hard to beat this view for a waterfront dining location...at Anthony's Pier 4 restaurant.
When it was constructed in 1901, Commonwealth Pier was the largest in the world of it's kind. In 1986, it became the Boston Seaport World Trade Center. At nearly 120,000 square feet, it is Boston's largest convention center facility and exhibit hall.
What is the oldest, continuously operating fish pier in the United States? You're looking at it! The Boston Fish Pier opened in 1914 and is now owned by Massport. The site is used for fish processing and has a fish auction house. How much will you bid?
These luxury condos on Battery Wharf which borders Boston's North End make a striking pose along the water.
This stretch of water is also home to the Boston US Coast Coast Guard Base.
Boston's Custom House Tower (Marriott's Custom House Hotel) stands nearly 500 feet tall in McKinley Square. The distinctive clock is 22 feet in diameter.
When you get far enough out in the water to look back at the Boston skyline, you'll be treated to a stunning view of this great city on the waterfront.
Visit www.abovetheglow.com for more poetry and photography from David Mark Fowler.
