The Westin Boston Seaport District sits in one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods. Here’s what’s worth your time before, after, or between sessions.

The Seaport District (Walking Distance)

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is a 10-minute walk from the hotel and sits directly on the harbor. The building itself is worth seeing; the cantilevered architecture over the water is one of Boston’s most photographed structures. Admission is free on Thursday evenings.

The Boston Children’s Museum is across the Fort Point Channel if you’re traveling with family. For adults, the Fort Point neighborhood behind the convention center has a concentration of artist studios, galleries, and converted warehouse spaces that feel nothing like the glass towers on the waterfront.

The Boston Harborwalk runs along the entire waterfront and connects the Seaport to the North End, the Aquarium, and downtown. It’s flat, paved, and a good way to cover ground without navigating traffic.

Food and Drink Near the Hotel

Row 34 is a seafood restaurant and oyster bar two blocks from the Westin. It’s the kind of place where the menu changes based on what came off the boats that morning. Expect a wait at dinner without a reservation.

Legal Harborside has three floors: casual seafood on the first, a full dining room on the second, and a rooftop bar on the third. The rooftop has harbor views and works well for groups.

For coffee, George Howell Coffee in the Seaport is one of the best specialty roasters in the city. Flour Bakery has a Seaport location for pastries and sandwiches if you need something quick between sessions.

The Seaport also has Lolita (Mexican), Pastoral (Italian), and Committee (Greek), all within a few blocks. Most are walkable from the Westin without needing a car or rideshare.

Beyond the Seaport

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walking route through 16 historic sites including the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, and Faneuil Hall. It starts at Boston Common and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. You can walk the whole thing in a few hours or pick a section.

The Boston National Historical Park covers many of the same sites and is managed by the National Park Service. Ranger-led tours are free.

The North End is Boston’s Italian neighborhood and has some of the best food in the city. Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry have been in a cannoli rivalry for decades; both are worth trying. For dinner, Giacomo’s (cash only, no reservations, expect a line) and Neptune Oyster are local favorites.

Newbury Street in Back Bay runs eight blocks of shops, galleries, and restaurants. It’s Boston’s version of a high street, and the cross streets get progressively more interesting as you walk from the Public Garden toward Massachusetts Avenue.

Getting Around

The Silver Line SL1 runs from Logan Airport directly to the Seaport and is free from the airport. It stops at the World Trade Center station, which is a 3-minute walk from the Westin. This is the fastest and cheapest way to get from the airport to the hotel.

The MBTA subway (the “T”) connects the Seaport to the rest of the city. The Red Line gets you to Harvard Square, MIT, and Cambridge. The Green Line reaches Fenway Park and the Museum of Fine Arts. A single ride is $2.40 with a CharlieCard.

Boston is compact enough that rideshares to most destinations run $10-20. Walking is practical for anything in the Seaport, downtown, or the waterfront area.

If You Have a Full Day

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest art museums in the country and worth a half-day visit. The American art wing and the Japanese collection are standouts.

Harvard Yard in Cambridge is a 20-minute ride on the Red Line. The campus is open to walk through, and Harvard Square has bookstores, restaurants, and street performers. MIT is one stop further on the same line.

For baseball fans, Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball (1912). Tours run daily even when the Red Sox aren’t playing. If there’s a home game during your trip, tickets are available on the secondary market.

The New England Aquarium is on the waterfront between the Seaport and the North End. The Giant Ocean Tank is a four-story coral reef exhibit with sea turtles, sharks, and rays.

Planning Resources

The official Boston tourism site has current information on events, restaurant openings, and seasonal activities. The City of Boston visitor page covers transit, parking, and neighborhood guides.

For restaurant reservations, most Boston restaurants use Resy or OpenTable. Book dinner reservations at least a few days in advance for popular spots, especially on weekends.

The Forum

The 2026 PaymentsEd Annual Forum runs July 27-29 at The Westin Boston Seaport District. Registration is open.