Fan Pier
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Seaport District / South Boston Waterfront
This area has been expanding and becoming more and more popular, for good reason. Not surprisingly, the seaport district of South Boston is located beautifully along the water. The area is designed for easy strolling along the HarborWalk, and there are bars and restaurants for all ages and budgets. The Institute of Contemporary Art is located in this area in a contemporary building with an absolutely stunning deck overlooking the water. In the summer time there are Friday music concerts on the deck of the museum. Nearby, there are many green spaces to enjoy.
How to get there
- Courthouse • 4 min walk
- World Trade Center • 9 min walk
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Restaurants
2,221 within 3 miles
Attractions
922 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
56 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
14
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Sandgrown
Newcastle upon tyne25 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Loved this park for a walk on a warm sunday evening. Nice to see locals and tourists alike enjoying the view and the park. Fire pits are available, I guess on colder days. We could see the harbour and skyline and planes taking off right over the harbour from Logan airport. We only stopped for drinks at one of the bars as the restuarants looked very formal and dressy. We didn't feel we were appropriately dressed for those having spent the day roaming the city. I guess the prices would be expensive to eat. Nearby appartments in high rises were selling for over $1 million, so a very nice area indeed.
Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Piotr H.
Lodz, Poland3,877 contributions
Jun 2019
It is very nice place to stay. Really great skyline and great bay views. I really liked it and recommend
Written October 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
youngyew
98 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
I am surprised that this spot has not scored higher in TripAdvisor. I can safely say that this is THE spot for sunset photography of Boston skyline - because of the geography, the sun sets right behind the buildings from this spot, and emanates great colour without blowing off the the photo.
It is slightly tricky to get to via public transport, the closest T station is Boston South, which is some 12 minutes walk from the pier. If you are shooting sunset, make sure you account for the travel time - I almost missed it myself.
It is slightly tricky to get to via public transport, the closest T station is Boston South, which is some 12 minutes walk from the pier. If you are shooting sunset, make sure you account for the travel time - I almost missed it myself.
Written November 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charm_of_finches
Boston, MA66 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
I love Fan Pier and the Harborwalk in general, but the management at Fan Pier needs to do something about the rude family who docks at the boat slips parallel to Liberty Drive (near the ICA). The family has a small boat where they sit at a table with fake candles and try to police the public gangplank, telling people to leave because it's a private area, which it is not. The man (big guy, white hair) is obnoxiously passive-aggressive with his relentless harassment of people. He is loud and belligerent. His wife (shoulder-length white hair) and daughter participate in the heckling and are equally repugnant. They all seem to think it's their duty to tell people not to take photos there and leave the area. It's not their duty, and it's not a private area, but more importantly the way they harass people is absolutely despicable and abusive.
I called management to complain about this family, particularly the man, and they knew who I was talking about and said my complaint was not the first. If that is the case, this family should not be allowed to continue docking at this slip. Their behavior is vulgar, and it's truly unfortunate that unsuspecting people have to deal with them again and again. It's a shame that this family is in a position to make other people's experiences absolutely miserable in what should be a fun, family-friendly environment.
I called management to complain about this family, particularly the man, and they knew who I was talking about and said my complaint was not the first. If that is the case, this family should not be allowed to continue docking at this slip. Their behavior is vulgar, and it's truly unfortunate that unsuspecting people have to deal with them again and again. It's a shame that this family is in a position to make other people's experiences absolutely miserable in what should be a fun, family-friendly environment.
Written June 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kbisono
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic57 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Seaport was a nice surprise. We liked walking around it and seeing how a new neighborhood develops. This pier is beautiful and has very nice views and even a small fire to warm yourself.
Written November 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam J
Seattle, WA74 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Nice short walk. It was very quiet on a Sunday night. There's a fire pit along the walkway. You can hear the planes roar taking off from the horizon.
Written May 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drepi
Trento, Italy65 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
If you like taking citiscapes, this will probably be your favorite spot in Boston! Just a suggestion: if you want to take awesome pics, the light looks perfect around twilight there.
Written May 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara45678787
New York City, NY9 contributions
Apr 2012 • Solo
Fan Pier is exactly what it says it is, a fan shaped pier on the waterfront. But, it offers amazing views of Boston, the Tobin Bridge, and Logan Airport. Tourists, listen up, 5 minutes here and you will have amazing photos of the city to take home. If you like to watch planes take off, well maybe the kids do, there is no place better in Boston to see them take off and land.
I also have to mention fan pier is surrounded by the Federal Court. An amazing public building in its own right but also the seat of the First Circuit Court of Appeals and US District Court. The building itself has a few historical documents located inside and you can always go in and watch the goings on. Outside there is plenty of seating and Fan Pier is located on the Harborwalk so it is a short walk to the ICA in one direction and Rowes Warf in the other. This location has been used in many different movies in the last few years. The Departed, What's your number and the Game plan. Get a photo where Leo DiCaprio stood. It is located on the Silver Line (courthouse station) and there is a Hub-way bike station very close.
I also have to mention fan pier is surrounded by the Federal Court. An amazing public building in its own right but also the seat of the First Circuit Court of Appeals and US District Court. The building itself has a few historical documents located inside and you can always go in and watch the goings on. Outside there is plenty of seating and Fan Pier is located on the Harborwalk so it is a short walk to the ICA in one direction and Rowes Warf in the other. This location has been used in many different movies in the last few years. The Departed, What's your number and the Game plan. Get a photo where Leo DiCaprio stood. It is located on the Silver Line (courthouse station) and there is a Hub-way bike station very close.
Written May 19, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
susis123
Singapore, Singapore257 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
I walked along the waterside without any help of GPS. It was pretty easy and most importantly, beautiful!
It was quiet, I hardly saw any other passerby.
Awesome views of Boston skylines, or simply boats... I sat down by the water and just watched the therapeutic movement of the water and boats. Nobody would disturb you!
It was quiet, I hardly saw any other passerby.
Awesome views of Boston skylines, or simply boats... I sat down by the water and just watched the therapeutic movement of the water and boats. Nobody would disturb you!
Written September 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rich Z
Syracuse, NY418 contributions
Mar 2015
Great views of the city skyline at night. Perfect for a walk with the family, friends, or a significant other anytime of year. At night, the view of the city as well as the planes taking off from Logan is fantastic. Very peaceful setting nestled in the bustle of a big city. Several great restaurants nearby. This is a must do for a those who love a great view of the harbor and city all in one.
Written June 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Any boat tours of the harbor departing from from fan pier?
Written May 21, 2017
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