7 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Boston on the Water

When you’re exploring Boston with kids, there aren’t too many opportunities to sit back, relax, and enjoy the water views, but as recent guests of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, my family of four had the opportunity to do just that as we experienced some of the city’s favorite historic destinations as well as new offerings making a splash on the Boston scene. As a takeaway, here are seven fun things to do in Boston on the water.

7 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Boston on the Water

Boston Harbor City Cruises Whale Watch

A whale watch just might be the ultimate nautical experience for city explorers. There’s nothing like seeing a pod of dolphins or a pair of humpback whales in real life to elicit childlike wonder and “oohs” and “aahs” from a crowd. And in terms of family togetherness, some of the best moments onboard are those spent watching and waiting. Located just outside the New England Aquarium, the 3.5-hour Boston Harbor City Cruises whale watch departs from Central Wharf for a trip to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Our whale watch was narrated by an expert naturalist, who provided plenty of entertaining, educational moments along the way. In addition to getting an up-close look at ocean life, attendees learned some ways they can help protect these animals, such as Whale Plate | Saving Whales One Plate at a Time. It was our family’s first whale watch, and with both a kindergartener and middle schooler included in our group, the time went by quickly without any “Are we there yet?” moments. For those seeking something more fast-paced, Boston Harbor City Cruises recently introduced the high-speed boat Codzilla, a water thrill ride that delivers a 40-minute tour of Boston Harbor fueled by two turbo-charged engines.

New England Aquarium

Located a short walk from Faneuil Hall, the New England Aquarium first opened its doors 50 years ago and has become one of the premier harborside attractions in Boston, drawing more than 1.3 million visitors a year. It’s also a major public education resource where kids and adults can learn about ocean exploration and marine conservation. Exhibits include the largest shark and ray touch tank on the East Coast and the four-story Giant Ocean Tank, home to Boston’s famous Myrtle the Turtle.

Boston Duck Tours

Boston Duck Tours are the perfect option for those wanting to see both land and sea. Each of the World War II–style “duck” boats is playfully named for a Boston landmark or neighborhood and comes with its own distinct personality (ours was named Red Sox Nathan). Passengers from all over New England, the country, and the world joined us for our tour, which was entertainingly narrated by our guide, Gary. Departing from Copley Square, the adventure provides passengers of all ages with a distinct point of view as it weaves through Boston’s historic city streets and finally splashes into the Charles River for the amphibious portion of the ride.

Community Boating

A highlight of our Boston Duck Tour was catching a glimpse of young sailors from Community Boating, the oldest public sailing organization in the United States, gliding on the Charles River with the cityscape for a backdrop. Now celebrating its 75th anniversary year, Community Boating offers classes ranging from novice to advanced, as well as a range of memberships; non-member rentals are available for sailors with previous experience. With a mission of enabling “sailing for all,” Community Boating works to bring sailing and other water sports to people of all ages, abilities, and means in the greater Boston area.

Swan Boats

Located a short walk from our room at the historic Boston Park Plaza hotel and nestled in a small lagoon in the heart of the Boston Public Garden, the Swan Boats have become city icons and a favorite warm-weather photo op since they first launched more than 140 years ago. Designated an official Boston landmark in 2011, the Swan Boats remain one of the most quintessential Boston family on-the-water experiences — and one of the city’s biggest bargains, too, at $4.50 for adults and $3 for kids ages 2 to 15.

Seaport Neighborhood

Boston’s Seaport neighborhood is gaining popularity as one of the hippest destinations in the city. Restaurants such as Legal Harborside, Row 34, and chef Barbara Lynch’s diner-influenced Italian joint, Sportello, entice hungry diners, while cultural attractions such as the Institute of Contemporary Art are helping to usher in a new era for the revitalized Boston waterfront. Shop for gear at L.L. Bean’s first urban store, visit the pop-up from Nantucket’s Cisco Brewers for award-winning craft beer and wine, and peruse the wares at For Now, a retail incubator that provides a brick-and-mortar option for emerging entrepreneurs from New England and beyond. With so many cultural, shopping, and dining destinations to choose from, the Boston Seaport neighborhood truly offers something for everyone.

Boston Harborwalk

Spanning nearly 50 linear miles along wharves, piers, bridges, beaches, and coastline from Chelsea Creek to the Neponset River, the Boston Harborwalk winds through Boston’s waterfront neighborhoods, connecting walkers to Boston Harbor and beyond. Along the way, you’ll find parks, playgrounds, museums, beaches, resting areas, cafés, water taxis, and many other public amenities. Special thanks to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau for facilitating our visit. For a similar experience, check out the Boston Park Plaza’s Digital Nomad Family Package.

PRINT