One of Boston's Oldest Gets A New Makeover

diana flores

You've taken your family to Faneuil Hall, Boston Common's Frog Pond and Fenway. Now you'll want to explore Boston's up and coming neighborhood, Fort Point Channel. And one of the best parts for summer is that it's on the water! With nicknames such as "New Boston," "Boston Common on the Water" and "Boston's next great place," this developing area is a new way to enjoy an old favorite.

Where is it?

Fort Point Channel is located at the base of the Financial District in walking distance to Faneuil Hall, the Boston Aquarium and the North End. It's actually the area surrounding the body of water with the same name (Fort Point Channel), the water that flows into the Boston Harbor.

A pedestrian-friendly Harbor Walk runs along this waterfront area, which bustles with family- friendly venues such as:

• The Boston's Children's Museum (completed a $47 million renovation and addition in 2007)

• The Institute of Contemporary Art (opened in 2006, offering year-roundfamily programming)

oscar williams The Boston Children's Museum

• A public observation deck at 470 Atlantic Avenue (offers stunning views of Boston Harbor)

• Boat tours of the Channel (take a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands or zip along the harbor in a water taxi)

• Frequent outdoor concerts at lunch and in the evenings

• Bostonharborwalk.com/audio_tour (offers a free 1-hour MP3 tour to download)

• Open Studio weekends showcase works by neighborhood artists.

Plus, a new $15 million Boston Tea Party museum is under development: The future site will be located on the Congress St. Bridge where guests relive the act of rebellion aboard a replica of the original ships.

How did Fort Point Get its Name?

In colonial times, this area was actually a hill with a section of land protruding into the Atlantic Ocean as a point (the "Point"); cannons were stationed on the hill to protect the inner harbor (the "Fort"). As Boston grew, the hill was leveled. Today the land is flat; landfill has extended the shoreline outward, so the location of the old fort is no longer directly on the waterfront. In the mid- 1970s, a group of artists moved to the Fort Point area, and in the 80s, the area began to grow again as a bustling artistic, business and tourist destination.

BOSTnOeN'wS the boston harbor association The Boston Children's Museum

Visit friendsoffortpointchannel.org and bostonharborwalk.com for more informaiton.

Where to Stay and Play

At the site where the Boston Tea Party took place in 1773, the chic waterfront hotel, the Intercontinental Boston, now stands. One of the newest hotels on the water, The Intercontinental opened in November 2006, overlooking Boston Harbor and Boston's Children's Museum on one side and the Rose Kennedy Greenway, 21 acres of green space and gardens (the site of the Big Dig) on the other. The hotel was actually designed by renowned Boston-based firm Elkus Manfredi Architects to reflect the sky, the water and Boston's beautiful cityscape. In fact, the architects imagined the tall ships like those that came into Boston Harbor centuries ago. The result is a stunning, all-glass exterior that resembles modern masts and sails.

friends of fort point channel

There is much for parents to love at the Intercontintental (including a full spa and gym, complimentary sunrise yoga on the terrace, olive oil tastings, live music on the gardened terrace, full-licensed, bonded child-care professional and cribs, strollers and car seats). This luxurious hotel also caters to the kids' unique interests.

Kids Will Love:

• A recorded bedtime story of Boston's own award-winning, "Make Way for Ducklings" on the phone system, extension 4545.

• The hotel's signature restaurant, Miel "Brasserie Provencale"'s special children's menu and kitchen tour for children complete with chef hat.

• A 45-foot heated indoor pool that is 100% kid-friendly

 

LmDESaT k the boston harbor association The Intercontinental

• The Bath Butler program ($50 for first child; $25 for eachadditional child). What a treat for the birthday boy or girl!

• InterContinental Boston Gardens, a gorgeous, two-acre outdoor grassy waterfront promenade for children to play

• Walking to the Boston's Children's Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art, The North End, Faneuil Hall/ Quincy Market, New England Aquarium and Chinatown.

Find out more at the intercontintentalboston.com.

July Events at Fort Point Channel

Thursdays: Fort Point Channel Summer Music Series: Free and open to the public, this outdoor summer evening concert series at Boston's Children's Museum, Children's Wharf Park, offers musicians, singers and musical entertainment each week through August 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday evening. Free. 617-451-9239. friendsoffortpointchannel.org.

Sun., July 5: The Greenway and Beyond Walking Tour. 10 a .m. - 12 p .m. Explore the Greenway parks, development parcels and changes along the Greenway's edge. As the centerpiece of the Big Dig's urban restoration, learn how the Greenway is changing the way residents and visitors experience and interact with the city. rosekennedygreenway.org or bostonbyfoot.org.

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Wed., July 8 - Mon., July 13: The Tall Ships are sailing into Boston Harbor. sailboston.com

Sat., July 11: Bastille Day. Outdoor Gardens of the Intercontinental Hotel. 5 - 10 p.m. In celebration of the French national holiday, the public is invited to Miel "Brasserie Provençale." There is no entry fee. Play the popular French game of 'boules de pétanque' (similar to the more widely known game of boccie) and enjoy a choice of French cuisine and $8 cocktails.

Saturdays: Georges Island Programs: Sat., July 4: Sea Shanties with the Jolly Rogues; Sat., July 11: Vintage Baseball with the Essex Ball Club vs. Melrose Pondfielders; Sat., July 18: PEAK in your Park: Promoting Environmental Awareness; Sat., July 25: Rebel Shakespeare presents Hamlet. Take a ferry from Rose Warf ($8 - $14) and enjoy this free entertainment! 617-223- 8666 or bostonharborislands.org.

GeEToSv A er institute of contempoirary art Institute of Contemporary Art

Do you know of a great place to visit in Massachusetts? E-mail editor@baystateparent.

 

diana flores