Fort Point Channel
Boston Children's Museum
The first "green" museum in Boston opened 14 April 2007! Families and the general public are enjoying the newly renovated Boston Children's Museum along the Fort Point Channel. The New Balance Climb, a three story climbing structure, and Kids Power, with bikes, basketball, wall climbing and an interactive dance floor, are already favorites of many children. Visitors can get lunch and snacks at the new Au Bon Pain cafe located in the Museum.
As part of its commitment to "green design", the Museum has integrated roofs with plantings into the new addition; storm water retention system to reduce run-off into the Fort Point Channel; new infrastructure and fixtures to ensure building efficiency; and use of recycled, local, low-emitting building materials. A new permanent exhibit, “Our Green Trail”, which opened in September, 2009, includes six stations on green aspects of the Museum’s building and grounds.
The Boston Children's Museum is a much-loved destination for kids of all ages. Originally founded in 1913 by a group of teachers from Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood, the museum is designed to help children understand their environment, the nature of disabilities, science, and cultural diversity. Representative exhibits address recycling, boats, music, construction, art, and theater. "Boats Afloat," a popular ongoing exhibit, highlights the Fort Point Channel with displays on boats, navigation, and bridges in the Channel. Visitors can also buy arts & crafts materials from the "Recycle Shop" on the second floor, which is stocked with surplus materials donated by local businesses.
The Boston Children's Museum is located on the Fort Point Channel on a wide section of HarborWalk that becomes a bustle of activity in the summertime. Visitors can bring their own lunch to enjoy at picnic tables next to the HarborWalk. Since July 2005, the public has been enjoying the new HarborWalk segment and park built by the MBTA next to the Boston Children's Museum. The expanded Harborwalk provides added space for free events sponsored by the Boston Children's Museum, including mural painting, summertime music and dance series on the HarborWalk, and movies at the Milk Bottle. The new open space next to the Museum provides a lawn area for play and large rocks for children to climb. The extension of the HarborWalk, linking the Boston Children's Museum to the Evelyn Moakley Bridge, and the much-needed open green space, is part of the MBTA's Silver Line waterfront construction mitigation.
Enjoy ice cream and snacks at the recently renovated Hood Milk Bottle, a popular landmark on the Fort Point Channel for the past 30 years.
Special thanks to Target for $1.00 admission Fridays 5:00-9:00 pm.
For additional information, please call 617-426-8855 or visit Boston Children's Museum website.
Site Photos:
Getting There:
- Subway:
Take the Red Line, Silver Line, or Commuter Rail to South Station. Cross the Summer Street Bridge and take a left and walk along the Harborwalk along the South Boston side of Fort Point Channel until you reach Congress Street (where the next bridge crosses the Channel). The Children's Museum is across Congress Street (5 minute walk). - Bus:
Take MBTA Route 4, 6, 7, or 11 to South Boston or take any bus that goes to South Station, such as MBTA Route 448, or 449, or 459. From there, it is a five-minute walk from South Station. - Address:
300 Congress St; Boston, MA 02210
Contact Information:
Name: Boston Children's Museum
Phone: 617-426-8855
URL: http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org
