Boston Convention and Exhibition Center – Experiences

Find the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on a map and you might be surprised to see that it’s not located near many of the city’s historic landmarks and other popular tourist spots. Getting to Boston Common or Faneuil Hall Marketplace will take you almost 30 minutes on foot. Fenway Park, the iconic home of the Boston Red Sox, is almost three miles away. If you’re planning to visit the Paul Revere House, the oldest house in Downtown Boston, be prepared to make an almost two-mile trek.

Boston, Massachusetts, may be considered one of the country’s best walking cities, but when you’re in town to attend an event taking place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, there’s only so much time you can spend sightseeing. There are still plenty of sights to see and experiences to enjoy just a stone’s throw from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center however. Watch as ships make waves in Boston Harbor. Try some beers at one of Boston’s best breweries. Get a taste of the local cuisine. There’s plenty of fun to be had in South Boston no matter what you’re into.

 

Morning

Noon

Night

  • Dive into a delicious lobster roll at one of three great restaurants
  • Take part in some evening sightseeing on the Rose Kennedy Greenway

 

Morning

Whether you’re spending the day on the exhibit hall floor or the streets of Boston, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. That means skipping breakfast isn’t an option during your trip to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Fortunately for you there are plenty of breakfast spots well within walking distance of the facility.

Since you’ll be spending most of your time attending an event at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, chances are you’re on a pretty tight schedule. If that’s the case, don’t waste time dining at a sit-down joint. Get a head start to your day and get your breakfast to go.

There are two options for a good on-the-go breakfast near the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The first is a Starbucks located inside The Westin Boston Waterfront hotel. The Westin is adjacent to the convention center, making this Starbucks a convenient pit stop when you’re on the way there.

Due to its proximity to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center however, this Starbucks can get pretty busy whenever there’s a big event in town. Get there early to avoid the crowds of fellow eventgoers also lining up to get their morning coffee fix. Or, just grab breakfast at Flour Bakery + Cafe instead.

Flour Bakery + Cafe is a quick-service eatery located less than a half-mile from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Like Starbucks, they serve cups of hot, delicious coffee needed to keep warm on those cold New England days. Also on the menu at Flour Bakery + Cafe are freshly baked pastries, including scones, croissants, and sticky buns slathered in caramel and pecan topping. For lunch they’ve got artisanal salads, sandwiches, and more.

If you’d rather take things slow and have breakfast at a sit-down restaurant, try Mul’s Diner. It’s located a mile away, but is well worth the walk. You could always take a taxi there too if you’re short on time.

Boston Convention and Exhibition CenterFrom the outside, Mul’s doesn’t look like much. It’s also tucked away in a quiet area of South Boston. Really though, that’s all just a testament to how good their food is. Their menu features plenty of diner classics, from waffles and omelets to burgers piled high with toppings like crispy onion rings and barbecue sauce. If you want to eat like a local during your visit to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Mul’s is the place to go.

After breakfast, stretch your legs with a stroll around The Lawn On D or Boston Harborwalk. Both are located near the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. In fact, The Lawn On D is right next door.

This two and a half-acre greenspace occupies what was once an undeveloped parking lot, substituting asphalt for manicured lawns and greenery. While you’re there, go for a ride on Swing Time. This space-age swing set features swings equipped with solar-powered LED lights that change color when swung at varying heights and speeds. Hop on and feel like a kid again!

Boston Harborwalk isn’t as conveniently located as The Lawn On D, but it’s also worth visiting if you’ve got the time. It stretches for almost 50 miles, winding through neighborhoods like Dorchester, Charleston, and the North End. Getting to Boston Harborwalk from the convention center takes about 15 minutes on foot.

A stroll down Boston Harborwalk will provide you with picturesque views of the city’s historic waterfront. You might even pass by a landmark or two, such as the 40-foot-tall Hood Milk Bottle located in front of Boston Children’s Museum. This quirky attraction has been the site of countless photo ops since it arrived in the city by ferry in 1977.

 

Noon

After all that walking, you’ll probably want to take it easy for a couple of hours. If that’s the case, there are plenty of attractions nearby where you can have fun while passing the time. The aforementioned Boston Children’s Museum, along with the Boston Fire Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art are all solid choices depending on what you’re into.

Another popular tourist spot is Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall. A visit to this acclaimed Boston brewery is a must for all beer fans, from casual drinkers to craft beer connoisseurs. They’re best known for offerings like their India Pale Ale and UFO line of unfiltered beers, but don’t expect to find those on tap at the beer hall.

What you’ll come across instead is a lineup of Harpoon’s limited edition pilot beers. These concoctions range from mild to wild, so you’re sure to find something that’ll suit your tastes. On the mild side of things there are beers like Chad’s IPA and New England Pale Ale, which both feature strong fruity notes. At the other end of the spectrum you’ll find eclectic offerings like Mike Wine, a Belgian stout that’s had Amarone red wine added in during the fermentation process.

As it turns out, Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall is also a great place to grab a light lunch. That’s because they serve fresh, handmade pretzels that pair perfectly with a pint. These pretzels come in three different flavors: salted, cinnamon sugar, and Parmesan. They’ve got dipping sauces too, including ale mustard, bacon ranch, marinara, and more.

Once you’ve polished off your pretzel and drank the last few drops of your pint, consider taking a guided tour of the brewery. Tours last about an hour and cost only $5. Best of all, you’ll get the chance to sample a few more beers before you head out.

Boston Convention and Exhibition CenterThose who prefer tours of the historic variety will instead want to visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Located only a half-mile from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, this popular family-friendly tourist attraction takes visitors back in time to learn about the Boston Tea Party, one of the most pivotal moments in American history.

Like Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall, tours of the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum also last about an hour, which is good since you’ll be left with plenty of time to see and do other things afterwards. A knowledgeable guide dressed in period-appropriate garb will lead the way as your group takes part in unique experiences like an interactive colonial town meeting and throwing tea into Boston Harbor off the side of a restored 18th century sailing vessel.

After returning from your voyage through time, wrap up your visit to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum by perusing the selection of souvenirs in the gift shop, or if you’re hungry, a meal at Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace. This charming eatery serves a variety of freshly baked sweets and savory lunchtime offerings such as soups, salads, and sandwiches. They also offer a unique tea tasting that features five kinds of tea that were thrown overboard at the Boston Tea Party.

 

Night

Although the food at Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall and Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace is indeed delicious, hopefully you saved plenty of room for dinner. That’s because no trip to New England is complete without scarfing down one of the lobster rolls that the region is famous for.

Finding a place that serves lobster rolls near the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center isn’t a difficult task. You’re just blocks from Boston Harbor, after all. What will be difficult however is choosing which one to dine at. They’re all just too tempting!

To help make your life a little easier, here are three of Boston’s best lobster roll purveyors: Row 34, Yankee Lobster, and James Hook & Co.

Out of these three restaurants, Row 34 is nearest to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. So if you find yourself craving a lobster roll after a long day of shuffling around the convention center, make a beeline for Row 34. It’s located less than a half-mile away and should take about 10 minutes to get to on foot.

Yankee Lobster and James Hook & Co. are located within a five-minute walk of Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, respectively. In Boston, you’re never far from a great lobster roll. That’s for sure.

While the lobster rolls at these three restaurants are equally delicious, they’re all a little bit different. Row 34 offers lobster rolls of the cold and hot variety, serving each in a traditional split-top bun griddled in clarified butter with a side of chips and cool, crisp slaw. Yankee Lobster has both too, along with an uber-decadent fried version that’s guaranteed to convert even the most diehard lobster roll purists.

Last but certainly not least, James Hook & Co. has been in the lobster roll business since 1925. That’s almost 100 years of piling fresh, sweet lobster meat into their signature hot dog buns. As per tradition, James Hook & Co. serves their lobster roll on an untoasted bun, setting them apart from the other two aforementioned eateries. If you want yours toasted though, all you’ve got to do is ask.

After indulging in a true taste of Bostonian cuisine, take part in some evening sightseeing on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a linear park that cuts through the heart of Downtown Boston, providing the city with a mile and a half of lush gardens, art installations, kid-friendly attractions, and more. The park is free and open to the public every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

A visit to the Rose Kennedy Greenway after dark means seeing the Light Blades is a must. These 12 24-foot-tall glass and steel structures are outfitted with LED lights capable of displaying up to 16.7 million different colors. The Light Blades tower over the Wharf District Parks plaza, bathing the space in dazzling light once the sun goes down. They’re basically the last thing you’d expect to find in a city as old school as Boston. Then again, this is a city that’s full of surprises. All you’ve got to do is know where to look.