Atlantic Avenue has become a surprisingly nice place to walk, which is not what you'd expect of a bustling, traffic-laden road. The Avenue begins at
South Station and ends at Commercial St., across from Lewis Wharf. Since the "Big-Dig" removed the 50 year old overhead artery, most of the Avenue has blossomed into one of Boston's "greenest" and most people-friendly spaces. With the development of the
Rose Kennedy Greenway, along the middle-area where the "overhead" once was, the area provides a beautiful respite any time of day or night. It's very pedestrian-heavy, with lots of crossing lights as well as places to sit and relax. A curious person could spend a full day walking from South Station, with the Boston Harbor on one's right, towards the
North End and discover so much of Boston's history. All of the Avenue on this side is a part of Boston's "Harbor Walk", which has prominent signage, and leads one around the many wharfs. There are frequent stops for visitors, both adult and child, to learn of each wharfs historical signifigance. One can eat at excellent restaurants in small bistros and/or 5 star hotels; catch a boat trip to the
Harbor Islands or a water-taxi to any Harbor destination, including
Logan Airport or
Charlestown, to visit the
U.S.S. Constitution. One can see a movie at the I-MAX theater, visit the
New England Aquarium, and enjoy concerts and the Memorial Rose garden in
Christopher Columbus Park, which has a playground. Once one has enjoyed ALL of this, one reverses direction, crosses to the other side of Atlantic Ave. and the rest of the city of Boston will be on the right. Now there will be the entryway to even more history, shopping and fun things to do, including the
Quincy Market with
Faneuil Hall, the Customs House Tower, and the bustling
Financial District with its award-winning "urban green space."
Hmmmmnnnnn - so much history - so much to absorb - maybe the visitor should take 2 days for an "Atlantic Ave. Adventure"!!!!!