Lots of Boston’s primetime summer destinations are perched on the edge of the Boston Harbor. From the Institute of Contemporary Art to the New England Aquarium, it’s no wonder that the Harbor Walk is a frequented path for tourists and adventurous locals alike. But instead of walking from point to point along the Harbor, why not do it by boat?
Starting today, Boston tours by boat just got a lot easier. Boston Harbor Cruises and the Fallon Company have launched the Cultural Connector, a shuttle that will transport visitors to different cultural highlights of the city throughout the day. Similar to Boston’s bus tours, you can hop off and on the Cultural Connector all day as you make your way around the city’s hotspots on the Harbor. Stops include Central Wharf, Fan Pier and Fort Point Channel, which gives riders access to attractions like the ICA, the Boston Children’s Museum, the Tea Party Ship, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Harbor Islands Gateway, the USS Constitution and Museum, the Rose Kennedy Greenway and more.
According to an official release, the Cultural Connector is the city’s latest endeavor to enhance tourism, as well as adhere to state regulations that require public access to the Boston waterfront. In support of the program, Mayor Martin J. Walsh said in an official statement:
Boston has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and services like the Cultural Connector provide both residents and visitors with an opportunity to experience our city’s premier cultural assets in a completely different context. With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to come enjoy the beauty of the city’s waterfront while visiting Boston’s leading cultural venues.
In celebration of the Cultural Connector’s launch, guests can enjoy free trips from today, July 18, to next Sunday, July 27 (except if you’re heading to the Charlestown Navy Yard, then you’ll have to pay for the charge of the MBTA commuter boat). After that, the trips will cost $5 from one destination to another, or $15 for an all-day pass. As an added bonus, you can show your Cultural Connector ticket at the ICA and receive $2 off admission.
The connector will make multiple stops at each drop off point throughout the day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.; click here for the complete summer schedule. To get an idea of where the harbor trips will take you, check out the map of the route and its stops below.
Image via Institute of Contemporary Art/Facebook
