Childrens Wharf Harborwalk

Boston's Harborwalk is one of the city's great free family experiences — a continuous public walkway along the inner harbor that passes playgrounds, public art installations, working piers, and some of the best waterfront views in New England. The stretch near Children's Wharf and the Boston Children's Museum is among the most family-friendly sections of the entire 43-mile path.

For kids, the appeal is immediate: boats of every kind move through the harbor, from kayaks and sailboats to ferries and cargo ships. The working waterfront provides a natural education in Boston's maritime history and current harbor life. Kids naturally slow down to watch, point, and ask questions — which is exactly what a good family outing should do.

The giant Hood Milk Bottle sculpture outside the Boston Children's Museum has been a family photo tradition for decades and remains one of the most photographed spots on the waterfront. Nearby, the Fort Point Channel area offers public art and the kind of open waterfront space that's increasingly rare in dense urban environments.

The path is paved and largely flat, making it excellent for strollers, and the open layout means kids can move freely without the confinement of a building or a structured activity. In summer, the harbor breeze makes it one of the most pleasant places in the city.

The Harborwalk itself is completely free. Budget for food from nearby vendors or plan to pack your own. Combining the walk with the Boston Children's Museum makes for a full day; families can walk the harbor, play outside, then duck in for the museum portion.