Being a good New England girl, I truly love being on the water. The beach, boats, vacationing on the Cape, sipping a cocktail on an oceanside deck…ahh, now you’re speaking my language.
So you’ll understand why the idea of spending two hours on a sailboat with my family, cruising around Boston Harbor, enjoying the warm (but not too warm) sunshine and gentle breeze was a perfect day for me.
Want to know more? Here are my top 10 reasons why we loved setting sail this summer with Classic Harbor Line:
1. Seeing Boston from the water gave me a new appreciation for the beauty of the city.
2. I learned a lot! Our captain was so knowledgeable about everything from the current city real estate situation (especially in South Boston) to folklore and legends surrounding the Harbor Islands.
3. It’s sooo convenient and easy to get to. The boat departs from Rowes Wharf, a beautiful area right behind the Boston Harbor Hotel (you know, the hotel with the multi-story arch over the wide public plaza between Atlantic Avenue and the Boston Harbor waterfront.)
There is lots of nearby parking (we paid a $16 weekend flat rate to park at Rowes Wharf) and the check-in area is well marked and air conditioned. Another plus? There’s a Panera Bread just across the street, perfect for a quick lunch with the kiddos before setting sail.
4. The 80-foot-long Adirondack III schooner is intimate, only accommodating 41 people. Also, the fact that it is a sailboat, as opposed to a motorized (and much larger) ferry or motorboat, made it seem that much more authentic and less touristy.
Like if I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine it was just our little family out for a sail. The cushioned seats were pretty comfortable too.
5. They serve beer and wine (for a nominal fee) on board. Just keepin’ it real, friends. (Water and soft drinks are complementary).
6. When you’re always on the go and rushing here, there and everywhere, being “trapped” (which I say tongue-in-cheek, but you know what I mean) for two hours on a boat forced me to just sit, relax and enjoy. Plus, on a small sailboat, there was no place for my kids to run (AKA I didn’t have to chase them).
7. Two hours is the perfect amount of time: you get to really enjoy the sail and check out everything from Castle Island, Spectacle Island, Georges Island, and more, but you’re not giving up your entire day, either.8. You can bring your own snacks and drinks on-board (perfect for those traveling with kiddos). Also, there are safety lines all around the boat, making it same for little ones, too. (The boat also comes equipped with life vests, if you prefer).
9. Being on the water sparks interesting conversation with your kids (we’ll leave out the part about the ghost stories involving some of the Harbor Islands, which kind of freaked Buddy out). Mimi talked about mermaids and fish gave the evil eye to every seagulls she saw, still blaming the entire species for stealing her Pirate’s Booty on the beach last summer.
Buddy listened intently to the captain’s history lesson (well, listened intently part of the time; he also took a little snooze, not that I can blame him. It WAS pretty relaxing out there).
And he did his best “sailing yacht club kid” impersonation (which was a little scary).
10. When the boat ride is over, there’s still plenty you can do “on land” in the area: check out the New England Aquarium, walk the 10 minutes to Fanueil Hall, or explore the absolutely stunning Rose Kennedy Greenway, like we did. A little oasis in the city.
So tell me: Are you a boat person? Or a margarita-on-the-deck-while-overlooking-the-ocean person? Or a little of both?
Disclaimer: Keeping Mommy Sane received four complimentary passes for Classic Harbor Lines. However, all opinions and photos are my own.
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