Live as You Wish in Boston: A Guide to the City’s Luxe Seaport Neighborhood

About a decade ago, plans got under way to transform Boston’s Seaport district from a gritty plot of space into a dynamically balanced mixed-use neighborhood of contemporary, high-rise residences; regionally inspired restaurants; and public green spaces dotted with artistic and cultural shrines.

Once the revitalization started, a domino effect began; the Seaport was successfully repositioned as Boston’s hottest neighborhood — and now everyone wants a slice of it.

Read on to discover how to make the most of Boston’s most coveted address.

For Culture Lovers

For art lovers, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Boston is a longstanding modern exhibition space and museum, also boasting a waterfront locale, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a recognizable facade, whether you’re approaching from the water or on foot.

The celebrated museum moved to its current location in 2006, dedicating a space for both upcoming and established contemporary creatives. Showcasing everything from sculptures to striking films, the ICA has previously exhibited artists such as Georges Braque and Edvard Munch, as well as served as a platform for emerging artists like Kara Walker and Cornelia Parker.

The ICA also hosts free live music throughout the summer, and for concert aficionados, the Leader Bank Pavilion is a stone’s throw away, welcoming chart-topping names in an intimate outdoor setting.

For Food and Drink Connoisseurs

The Seaport’s waterfront locale may perhaps be its most compelling asset, as any restaurant occupying the harbor-front will gladly boast.

Take, for instance, Woods Hill Pier 4, which offers a farm-to-table inspired menu and sources the majority of its meats and produce from the owner’s farm in Bath, New Hampshire. Next door, Nantucket-born restaurant Nautilus brings its Asian-inspired seafood to the shared waterfront.

Of course, restaurants aren’t confined to the waterfront. Inland options include the Greek–Mediterranean hot spot, Committee; new American cuisine at the chic Gather; and premium Italian icon, Davio’s.

A variety of high-end classics are also sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, including seafood and steakhouse Ocean Prime, Morton’s The Steakhouse and Del Frisco’s steakhouse.

For the Explorer

The neighborhood’s flow makes it easy to hop from restaurant to bar to shop to museum to concert via the portion of Boston Harborwalk that connects the piers and wharves of the Seaport and beyond.

The Harborwalk starts in lower Dorchester and spans a total of 43 miles that pass through seven of Boston’s famed neighborhoods, including East Boston, the North End and Downtown.

In addition to the Seaport, one of the neighborhoods along this walk is historic Charlestown, Boston’s oldest neighborhood. The historic district is also accessible by hopping on a water taxi from the Seaport’s Rowes Wharf, which provides a stunning view of the neighborhood.

For the Fashionista

Aside from a prominent dining imprint, the Seaport invested in more than one million square feet of retail space with the luxury shops at The Superette — a multiuse development spread over 20 blocks.

This hub is set to enhance the existing retail offerings, like Warby Parker, Mejuri, Lululemon and Everlane, currently spread throughout the neighborhood, boosting the destination as a vogue paradise.

For the Mariner

A number of private charters offer seasonal outings and opportunities to wine and dine on the water, from classic sailboats to glitzy yachts featuring sunset excursions and jazz dinners, all offered by Classic Harbor Line.

This is a one-stop shop for joining special-event group outings or chartering a private yacht to create your own itinerary.

For the Movers and Shakers

While the Seaport’s permanent offerings provide a consistent reason to stay and play, the variety of pop-up happenings throughout the year also elevate the district.

Spring kicks off a live concert series, in addition to an ever-rotating catalog of boutique shops, from sustainable clothiers to floral designers.

In the summer, New England craft beer gardens flourish, from the likes of the sprawling Cisco Brewers Seaport to the more intimate Trillium Brewing on the greenway. Free fitness classes, from Zumba to yoga, are also offered throughout the summer and into the autumn through the Seaport Sweat series.

And in the winter, Seaport becomes Snowport, a wonderland of holiday markets, an ice-skating rink and globed dining venues.

As it flexes its array of specialty experiences, lifelong Bostonians and newcomers to the city alike can agree that the Seaport successfully made up for lost time, now shining as a place to see and be seen — and it doesn’t appear to be quieting down anytime soon.

Learn More

In the heart of The Seaport, you will find The St. Regis Residences, Boston looking over the Harbor. As the first St. Regis property in Boston, this stand-alone boutique community offers just 114 condominium homes and is designed to immerse you in an unparalleled seaside experience, from dramatic harbor views and waterfront dining to an esplanade pier along Boston’s enchanting Harborwalk. With a full floor of amenities and legendary St. Regis services, The Residences provide an exquisite private waterfront living experience where you can indulge in luxury and live as you wish. Opening 2022.

For inquiries: info@srresidencesboston.com or call 617-357-8000.