Biking the Boston waterfront

Discovering Boston's Harborwalk and the best views in BostonThe suites on the top floors have easily the best views in Boston. From ours we look out on the harbor with Logan Airport and Winthrop beyond.

At the Seaport Hotel for a water taxi and an eclectic meal or two

By Walter & Patricia Brooks

A spectacular entrance.

A beautiful suite with a harbor view.

We watched the MMA Training Ship Kennedy sail up harbor toward Tobin Bridge from our living room.

Across Seaport Avenue is the World Trade Center.

The Seaport Water Taxi in front of the hotel.

The Urban Renewal Band plays in the lobby Thursdays.

Readers of our newspapers know that we love to break away from the Cape several times a year to visit the most cosmopolitan seaport in America only fifty miles over the Sagamore Bridge.

We usually stay in a downtown Boston hotel, but we just discovered a new and different way to enjoy Boston.

It's embarrassing to admit that after literally dozens of visits to 'The Hub of the Universe', as Boston modestly refers to itself, we never stumbled upon the harbor walk which starts at the World Trade Center in front of the Seaport hotel.

This luxurious property is located on the Boston waterfront in the bustling Seaport District in South Boston, a short walk from the Financial District, Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall and the North End.

This is a fresh and new way to experience this historic seaport with dazzling city and harbor views, and it's incredibly convenient access to all major points of interest including the World Trade Center in front of the Seaport hotel.

The Harborwalk and Water Taxis

The fascinating Harborwalk starts across Seaport Avenue from our hotel and winds its away along the busy harbor for miles.

Unlike any other Boston hotel we've stayed in, the Seaport offers complimentary bicycles for guests, and I used one each day to discover this district in a new light.

One morning I headed south past the busy fishing docks, and I found a small city park looking out at the harbor just as the T.S. Kennedy came in from Bourne with the after-deck lined with cadets awed as I was at the scene.

The next day I biked for miles along the harbor crossing a pedestrian bridge to the city proper.

See Boston from the sea

The next day the hotel packed an enormous lunch in a roller suitcase for us, and we walked across the street, and hopped on the Seaport Water Taxi alongside the World Trade Center dock.

The electric motored craft toured the harbor and we jumped off at the aquarium and picnicked at the Christopher Columbus Park nearby.

Amenities include music

The Seaport boasts of their excellent gym, but since I prefer perspiring outdoors, I saved my energy for the remarkable free entertainment the hotel offers every a couple evenings a week.

As a jazz aficionado going back to the Blue Note, Birdland, Village Vanguard and the Village Gate across from our coffeehouse on Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village back in the day, it takes a lot to stop me in my tracks as the Urban Renewal Band did last Thursday night at the Seaport Hotel.

On to the food

But man does not live by fun and games alone, a deeper hunger was also satisfied at the Seaport Hotel after a visit to its two dining rooms. the Aura and Tamo. And now Aura unveils new Chef's Selection dinner menu, 3 courses, $30.

Here's what we enjoyed at Aura.

Our dinner at Aura from the top left included a Duck and Cheese Tart, Crispy Artichokes in a coriander‐lemon dressing, shaved Parmesan, roasted garlic and baby lettuce. This was followed by (from left on the bottom) Brandt Farm Steak and Eggs which was Brandt filet mignon, potato puree, crispy poached truffle egg, asparagus, Bordelaise sauce and Georges banl Scallops with Potato‐chive Agnolotti, brie de meaux, passion fruit, shaved baby fennel & radish, garden petals. Aura unveils new Chef's Selection dinner menu, 3 courses, $30.