Top things to do within easy reach of InterContinental Boston
InterContinental Boston sits on the Fort Point Channel waterfront at 510 Atlantic Ave, placing the Harborwalk, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, South Station, and Seaport attractions within easy walking reach. From the hotel you can step out to Harborwalk access and arrange harbor ferries, water taxis, and MBTA transit for day trips to the Harbor Islands, the New England Aquarium, Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, and other downtown sights.
In this guide
- Historic downtown: Freedom Trail, Boston Tea Party, and waterfront landmarks
- Harbor cruises, water taxis, and Boston Harbor Islands
- Arts and museums: ICA, New England Aquarium, and Boston Children's Museum
- Dining near the hotel: Matria, Bar Fellini, Loyall Counting Room and waterfront options
- Relaxation at Spa InterContinental and the indoor lap pool
- Getting around: South Station, MBTA, and public transit options
Historic downtown: Freedom Trail, Boston Tea Party, and waterfront landmarks
The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum sits adjacent to the hotel; expect a very short walk to the museum and the living-history exhibits along the Fort Point Channel. The hotel's location makes it simple to pick up the Freedom Trail and follow downtown historic sites on foot.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market are an easy walk from the hotel along the Harborwalk; those cobbled and pedestrian sections of downtown contain historic buildings, shops, and food stalls frequently visited by sightseers.
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum — adjacent to the hotel
- Freedom Trail — accessible from the hotel into downtown
- Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market — roughly a 15-minute walk along the Harborwalk
| Landmark | How to get there |
|---|---|
| Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum | Walk (adjacent) |
| Freedom Trail | Walk from hotel onto downtown route |
| Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market | Walk along Harborwalk (about 15 minutes) |
Harbor cruises, water taxis, and Boston Harbor Islands
A water taxi dock is located directly outside the hotel on Fort Point Channel, and the concierge can help arrange on-demand water taxi service or private harbor cruises. Water taxis connect multiple waterfront stops in the Inner Harbor and can be used as an alternative to surface transit.
Day-trip ferries to the Boston Harbor Islands depart from Long Wharf (near the Aquarium and Faneuil Hall). Ferries run to islands such as Spectacle Island and Georges Island; schedules vary seasonally and the hotel concierge or local ferry operators can confirm departures and ticketing.
- Water taxi: direct access from the hotel's Fort Point Channel dock
- Ferry to Spectacle Island and Georges Island: depart Long Wharf (near Aquarium)
- Concierge can book sailing trips, picnic options, and ferry tickets
| Destination | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spectacle Island | Beach and hiking; alcohol rules vary by island |
| Georges Island | Historic Fort Warren; seasonal ferry schedules |
| Harbor cruise / private sail | Book through concierge or local operators |
Arts and museums: ICA, New England Aquarium, and Boston Children's Museum
The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) and the Seaport cultural venues sit across the Fort Point Channel in the Seaport District; these are a short Harborwalk route from the hotel. The ICA focuses on contemporary visual art and often schedules special exhibitions and performances.
The New England Aquarium and the Boston Children's Museum are reachable on foot along the Harborwalk toward Long Wharf and Children's Wharf. The Aquarium is a major visitor attraction with marine exhibits and nearby ferry connections.
- Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) — across Fort Point Channel in the Seaport District
- New England Aquarium — walk along Harborwalk toward Long Wharf
- Boston Children's Museum — on the Children's Wharf, accessible via Harborwalk
| Museum | Approximate access from hotel |
|---|---|
| Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) | Short Harborwalk across Fort Point Channel |
| New England Aquarium | Harborwalk toward Long Wharf |
| Boston Children's Museum | Nearby along the Harborwalk |
Dining near the hotel: Matria, Bar Fellini, Loyall Counting Room and waterfront options
On-site dining includes Matria (Northern Italian), Bar Fellini (Italian cocktail bar), Loyall Counting Room (speakeasy cocktail bar), and Five-10 Waterfront for seasonal American plates. Matria offers Fort Point Channel views and a seasonal outdoor terrace; reservations are encouraged.
For a quick waterfront drink, the hotel's 510 Waterfront terrace and Bar Fellini are convenient; the Loyall Counting Room operates as an intimate speakeasy reached via Bar Fellini and may require a reservation or access through the reservation desk.
- Matria — breakfast, brunch (weekends), and dinner; seasonal terrace (reservations recommended)
- Bar Fellini — Italian cocktail bar with evening hours; access desk for the Loyall Counting Room
- Loyall Counting Room — speakeasy-style cocktails; limited seating and set hours
- Five-10 Waterfront — American seasonal menu with water views
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Matria | Breakfast, Brunch (weekend), Dinner |
| Bar Fellini | Cocktails and pre-dinner drinks |
| Loyall Counting Room | Evening speakeasy cocktails |
Relaxation at Spa InterContinental and the indoor lap pool
Spa InterContinental is on the hotel's second level and includes six treatment rooms, steam rooms, locker rooms, and a 45-foot heated indoor lap pool that overlooks the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Spa hours are published as daily; guests can contact Spa InterContinental directly for treatment reservations.
Hotel guests have complimentary access to the pool and the fitness area; the fitness center is open 24 hours and features cardio and weight equipment. Non-hotel guests may be able to use spa and pool facilities via a paid day pass—ask the spa or concierge for current options and availability.
- Spa InterContinental — treatment rooms, steam rooms, and relaxation areas
- 45-foot heated indoor lap pool — complimentary for hotel guests
- Fitness center — 24-hour access with weight and cardio equipment
- Spa reservations: call Spa InterContinental for appointments
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Indoor lap pool | 45-foot heated pool; complimentary for guests |
| Health club | Open 24 hours; equipment for cardio and weights |
| Spa treatments | Reservations recommended; select treatments include pool/steam access |
Getting around: South Station, MBTA, and public transit options
South Station (MBTA Red Line, Silver Line, commuter rail and bus hub) sits a short walk from the hotel and provides easy access across the city and region. The Silver Line SL1 connects South Station with Boston Logan International Airport on a transit route with free transfer for MBTA riders.
The Harborwalk and water taxi services outside the hotel provide alternatives to surface transit for waterfront destinations. The hotel's concierge can advise on MBTA schedules, water taxi operators, and booking help for ferries and harbor cruises.
- South Station — short walk to Red Line, Silver Line, and commuter rail
- Silver Line SL1 — direct public-transit link to Logan Airport terminals (check schedules)
- Water taxi — docked outside the hotel for on-demand harbor connections
- Concierge can help with MBTA, ferry, and water taxi arrangements
| Option | Use |
|---|---|
| South Station (MBTA) | City and regional subway/rail access |
| Silver Line SL1 | Public-transit link to Logan Airport (no-bus fare transfer applies) |
| Water taxi | On-demand harbor connections from the hotel's dock |
