Welcome to the Travel Like a Local: MA “Tuesday Top 5″!
Every Tuesday I choose a different neighborhood in the Boston area and highlight my top five favorite things to do in each.

Today we’re showcasing The Boston Seaport. Up until a few years ago, the Seaport mostly consisted of warehouses and parking lots. But today, the Seaport offers trendy hotels and restaurants, a luxury movie theater, bowling alley and high end shops – plus a lot more. Read on for my Top 5 favorite things to do in the Seaport. (And make sure you follow @seaportbos on Instagram to stay up to date on everything new and noteworthy in the neighborhood!)

“Creation: Light” by Okuda San Miguel in the Boston Seaport.

Institute of Contemporary Art Boston.

“Diversity: Domestic” by Okuda San Miguel in Boston Seaport.

Boston Seaport: Explore Contemporary Art

Art lovers visiting Boston won’t want to miss the ICA Boston. Located right on the waterfront, the ICA offers breathtaking views of the harbor and East Boston, complementing the incredible visual art on display. In addition to current exhibitions, the ICA also recently announced its acquisition of Yayoi Kusama’s LOVE IS CALLING (2013), one of the artist’s 20 existing Infinity Mirror Rooms, which will go on display in Fall 2019. Open Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays), general admission to the ICA Boston is $15, and free on Thursday evenings from 5pm-9pm.

Art enthusiasts will also want to take a stroll down Seaport Boulevard to check out the Air, Sea, Land public art installation by Spanish contemporary artist Okuda San Miguel. Inspired by the location of the Seaport, the seven vibrantly colored geometric sculptures depict nature in a creative way. And they also happen to be incredibly Instagrammable. Free to the public, the sculptures will be on display through the end of 2019 (possibly into 2020), and can be found on Seaport Boulevard starting at Sleeper Street.

Round of Beers at Trillium Fort Point.

Exterior of Trillium Fort Point.

Duck Poutine and Deviled Eggs at Trillium Fort Point.

Harpoon Brewery in the Boston Seaport.

Tour of Harpoon’s brewing facility.

Boston Seaport: Drink Local Craft Beer

Home to both Trillium and Harpoon, the Seaport is a great place for beer lovers.

Trillium opened their Fort Point location in October 2018, which features a taproom, restaurant and roofdeck, along with a retail counter and 10-barrel brewhouse. They offer 24 tap lines, including a great selection of IPAs, sours, wild ales, lagers and stouts. Standouts on the food menu include deviled eggs, meat and cheese boards, duck poutine and the crispy chicken sandwich. Go for the beer, stay for the food, and take home some cans or growlers when you leave.

A bit further down Seaport Boulevard, you’ll also find Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall. Harpoon offers brewery tours, a wide selection of beers and a light menu of soft pretzels in their taproom. Brewery tours at Harpoon only cost $5. And they even include a souvenir glass and the opportunity to try as many types of their beer as you’d like at the end of the tour. With long, communal picnic tables and a ton of natural light, the Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall is a great place to spend an afternoon.

Want more? City Tap, Row 34 and Pastoral in Fort Point are local restaurants that also offer fantastic craft beer lists.

Exterior of James Hook Co. in the Boston Seaport.

Steamers and Buffalo Shrimp at Legal Harborside.

Friends having drinks at The Barking Crab.

Harborside Lobster Tempura Sushi at Legal Harborside.

Lobster Roll at James Hook & Co.

Oysters at Row 34 / Photo Credit: Row 34

Boston Seaport: Eat Fresh Seafood

With its prime waterfront location, it should come as no surprise that the Seaport is home to some great seafood restaurants.

You can often find me sitting along the windows at the bar area of Legal Harborside, the flagship restaurant of Legal Seafoods. It offers all the Legal’s classics (clam chowder, lobster rolls, etc.) with some additional signature offerings as well. I love their steamers, which are served in an herby lemon and garlic broth, along with their buffalo style shrimp. Their sushi menu is also noteworthy, specifically the Harborside Tempura Lobster Roll (pictured above).

The Barking Crab is another favorite, especially in the summer when their deck is open. With long picnic tables and a casual setting, it’s a great place for families or large groups. The hot crab dip is a must-get, and I also love their fried clams. The traditional New England clambake – a whole lobster, clams, corn and potato salad – is awesome as well.

If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, head over to Row 34 in Fort Point. Featuring one of the best craft beer menus in the city, they also offer elevated versions of traditional seafood items. I recommend starting off with some oysters and beer. And then ordering the famous Ethel’s lobster roll (served either with creamy mayo, or warm butter).

Lastly, if you’re looking for more of a grab and go option for lunch (they’re only open until 5pm), you can’t beat James Hook & Co. Known for their seafood market, James Hook also offers lobster rolls, clam chowder, whole steamed lobsters and more. It may be located in a trailer – but don’t be fooled by appearances – it’s some of the best seafood in the city.

Igloos during daylight.

Views of the Financial District and Rowes Wharf from Lookout Rooftop Bar.

Neon igloos at Lookout Rooftop Bar.

Boston Seaport: Take in Panoramic City Views from a Hotel Rooftop

The Envoy, located on Sleeper Street, offers a year-round roof deck that is open-air in the summer, and offers heated, neon-lit igloos in the winter. The Lookout Rooftop Bar offers some of the best views in the city, along with a menu of craft cocktails, wine and craft beers sure to please any palate. There’s no better spot in Boston to watch the sun set, and the backdrop is great for Instagram photos.

Another spot to check out is the Sky Bar at the Yotel on Seaport Boulevard. A popular after-work spot, the rooftop bar & outdoor terrace is located on the 12th floor of the Yotel. The Sky Bar also offers guided meditation on Tuesday evenings with The Boston Buddha Andy Kelly.

View of the Boston Tea Party Museum from the Harborwalk.

Hood Milk Bottle in Fort Point Channel.

Views of Boston from the Harborwalk in the Seaport.

Boston Seaport: Walk the Boston Harborwalk (And Snap Some Photos)

With an incredible waterfront location, my favorite thing to do when visiting the Seaport is to simply walk along the Boston Harborwalk. Walk toward the Harbor, and snap a photo at Fan Pier Park (one of the most photographed spots in Boston) and head toward the ICA. Afterward, pop into Tatte Bakery at Pier 4 for a coffee and a sweet treat.

Or, walk the other way toward Congress Street. If you have kids in tow, pop into the Boston Children’s Museum and take a photo with the Hood Milk Bottle. You’ll also encounter the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, one of Boston’s most interactive attractions. Afterward, pick up the Boston Water Taxi over by the Barking Crab to head to your next destination in the city.

What are your favorite things to do in the Boston Seaport? Let us know in the comments below!