The New England Aquarium is one of the most desired Boston waterfront attractions amongst kids and adults. The aquarium is one of the largest and best in the country, and its collection of fish, mammals and reptiles includes everything from penguins and fur seals to whales and giant octopus. The aquarium occupies a large modern building directly on the waterfront across the underground I93 from the Boston Financial District. Inside you will find endless tanks of both salt and fresh water designed with as little visible obstruction as possible. The result is a feeling as though you are at the bottom of the ocean. The aquarium also offers whale-watching tours on charter boats located just outside and an IMAX theater where nature films are shown.
Long Wharf is a traditional docking site for sailing ships entering Boston harbor for any length of time. Today the wharf is where many visitors catch ferries, harbor tours and whale sightseeing charters. The Long Wharf is located directly opposite the New England Aquarium and the Financial District on the Boston waterfront. In addition to a mix of private and commercial watercraft you will find restaurants including a Legal Seafood, shopping, street performers and the massive Marriott Long Wharf hotel.
On the Charlestown side of the Charles River Basin opposite Boston's North End, you will find the Charlestown Naval Shipyard and the USS Constitution. The Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the world and is still staffed by U.S. Navy personnel. The ship is affectionately known as "Old Ironsides" thanks to the poem by Oliver Wendel Holmes and the ship's ability to survive enemy cannon fire. On board you will see 18th- and 19th-century cannons, crew berths, the galley and rigging true to the original. The ship and separate museum are both stops on the famous Freedom Trail. Admission to the USS Constitution is by guided tour daily every half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Boston Duck Tours have been around since 1994 and have provided countless patrons with a perspective of the city by land and sea. The tours are given on-board World War II era amphibious vehicles which trudge through the streets of Boston showing passengers the sites and reciting history over loudspeakers until they reach the water's edge. Here is where the Duck Tour really comes to life as the truck rolls into the water and becomes a boat. Once in the harbor, the tour takes you up and down the Charles River.
