Boston: Convention Center – Forays on Foot Walking Map

The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center [BCEC] symbolizes the city’s redevelopment of a former industrial area. The BCEC, a new Boston landmark designed by architects Rafael Vinoly/HNTB, opened in 2004. The area around it, originally a 1,000-acre salt marsh, was filled incrementally for use by marine-related industries and railroads. With those now gone, the South Boston Seaport District is becoming a cultural, tourist and residential neighborhood. Its development gained force with the opening of the Big Dig roadways, which provide new vehicular access.

Near the BCEC are many “only-in-Boston” sights – some immediately visible, some hard to find. Within easy reach are three museums, the Boston Tea Party site, the Big Dig, historic engineering bridge artifacts, the harborfront, a fishing fleet, Boston’s old wool trade buildings, contemporary architectural landmarks, and many restaurants. A bit farther are downtown’s Colonial and Revolutionary attractions.