Boston Live Cam

Experience Boston -- New England's biggest playground. Fantastic museums, incredible shopping, wonderful restaurants, unforgettable entertainment, and places and sites right out of the history books!

Travel with us as we visit Boston, Charlestown and Cambridge. Regularly scheduled, daily departures from suburban hotels will take you to historic sites, shopping, restaurants and attractions, complete with full commentary. Visit and see virtually every important landmark Boston offers, including The Charlestown Navy Yard where Old Ironsides is berthed, Bunker Hill Monument, Old North Church, a lunch stop at Quincy Marketplace and Faneuil Hall. Travel along the Freedom Trail, past the site of the Boston Massacre, Boston Common, Symphony Hall, down Beacon Hill, and a brief stop at Copley Square and Victorian Back Bay. Your tour will also take you into Cambridge, into sections of Harvard University, through Harvard Square and to see the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Massachusett's only international airport, Logan is minutes from the heart of Boston. Convenient mass transit can bring travellers to and from the airport via rapid transit rail and water shuttle.

Enjoy the tranquility and history of Rhode Island's Blackstone Valley -- the birthplaceof America's Industrial Revolution. Spend some time in a quiet seaside village. Walk where the Pilgrims walked centuries ago. Relax and enjoy Massachusett's South Shore! The fun and excitement of white sandy beaches. The charm and tradition of Martha's Vineyard. The solitude and natural beauty of Nantucket Island. Welcome to Cape Cod and the Islands! Central Massachusetts is the Heart of the state. It's farmland and rolling countryside, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and home to the second largest city in New England! Take a walk in Walden or a stroll on the Gloucester shore. Discover colonial history in Salem, Lexington and Concord, and industrial history along long-abandoned milltown canals. You're on Massachusett's North Shore!

Ahhh... the Seacoast! Where tiny villages meet ocean breezes. Where nature and history combine, and where New Hampshire once began.

Boston Symphony Orchestra - You are invited to experience the transforming power of live symphonic music with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall. The BSO's distinctive sound - warm and welcoming, glowing and rich - is part of the orchestra's heritage, a combined legacy that continues today. Among the esteemed artists returning to Symphony Hall for concerts under Seiji Ozawa''s direction are Ian Bostridge, Paula Delligatti, Emanuel Ax, Helene Grimaud, and Krystian Zimerman.

Boston Pops Orchestra - Step into the spotlight in 1999 with one of Boston's most vibrant traditions! You'll experience the flair of swing, the zest of gospel, the panache of Broadway, and the pizzazz of jazz, all performed in the unique style of "America's Orchestra." Your favorite guest conductors and theme nights will be back in '99, including a salute to baseball's 1999 All-Star Game, to be held at Boston's Fenway Park. But no matter which night you attend during the season, you'll hear unforgettable music performed in glorious Symphony Hall by the Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. Boston's springtime nights never sounded so bright! You're sure to leave with a song in your heart and a smile on your face.

The Freedom Trail - A walk that is also a "must" for any tourist in Boston, leave a full day to really enjoy all the historic sites. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile walk that covers 350 years of American history. Walkers very simply follow a red line on the sidewalk as they walk across Boston. Among the sites are some legendary places. All of the following are listed seperately in the Historic Sites section: Boston Common, State House (1795), Park Street Church, the Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel (1754), America's First Public School site (1635), Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House (1713), Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall (1742), Paul Revere House (1680), Old North Church (1723), Copp's Hill Burial Ground, Bunker Hill Pavilion, Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Constitution Museum, USS Constitution, USS Cassin Young, Bunker Hill Monument, Dorchester Heights Monument.

From Boston, follow Massachusetts Routes 2 and 4 to Lexington. From Lexington use Rte. 2A to Concord. The road winds through brilliant autumnal countryside, and past Concord's famous Old North Bridge and Minuteman Monument. Pass through Concord Center and bear left at the fork on Sudbury Road. At the Sudbury line, this becomes Concord Road; follow it through Sudbury Center to Rte. 20. Return on Rte. 20 through Waltham, and back to Boston.

The Boston Harbor Association (TBHA)

The Boston Harbor Association (TBHA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 to promote a clean, alive and accessible Boston Harbor. TBHA brings together diverse interests -- harbor users, environmentalists, developers, waterfront businesses and decision makers -- to develop balanced solutions for maritime development, environmental protection and public access around the Harbor. The Boston Harbor Association's priorities include improving water quality in Boston Harbor, restoring Boston Harbor Beaches, promoting the Port of Boston's maritime and recreational economy, establishing continuous public access along the waterfront through our Harbor Walk program, promoting affordable public water transportation throughout the harbor, and educating young people about Boston Harbor and related career opportunities through our Harbor Bound Program.

You can swim, sunbath, fish and walk sandy beaches right in the Boston area! Boston Harbor beaches are undergoing a tremendous restoration. Multi-billion dollar projects to improve water quality are paying off with swimming conditions that are better than they've been in decades at Boston Harbor beaches. Boston area beaches are also undergoing a major restoration of landside facilities which includes new benches, sand, walkways, landscaping, and much more.

Short Beach, Winthrop - Facilities: This relatively compact strip of rocks and sand serves local residents by providing access to swimming, passive enjoyment of the shore and extensive views of the northern harbor. Access: There is limited curbside parking along the seawall, and pedestrian access to the beach is impeded by a difficult crossing of the adjacent divided Parkway. Accessible via Point Shirley or Winthrop Beach bus service from the MBTA's Blue Line Orient Heights Stop.

Winthrop Beach - Facilities: This regional beach is actively used for swimming, sunning, kayaking, canoeing, walking, picnicking and volleyball. Offshore breakwaters known as the "Five Sisters" help protect Winthrop Beach from coastal storm damage. This year, the MDC has begun design for major improvements at the beach. The MDC will conduct a one-way trial along much of Winthrop Shore Drive until Labor Day to determine if it is feasible to convert the roadway from two-way to one-way in the future. This option would increase opportunities for additional landscaping and public amenities along the Beach. Access: Winthrop Beach is highly accessible by foot from the surrounding neighborhood. Limited curbside parking is available. Accessible via Point Shirley or Winthrop Beach bus service from the MBTA's Blue Line Orient Heights Stop.

Donovan's Beach, Winthrop - Facilities: This small "inner harbor" beach primarily serves the nearby neighborhood by providing a small area of open space along Pleasant Street. The mudflat conditions of the beach are not great for swimming, but the area does provide access to the shoreline and views of Crystal Cove. Access: No parking, pedestrian access from nearby neighborhoods. Blue Line T to Orient Heights, Center Bus.

Yirrell Beach, Winthrop - Facilities: Yirrell Beach is a relatively small, popular swimming and sunning beach used primarily by local residents. Access: Local residents have direct pedestrian access to the beach. Minimal on-street parking is available. Point Shirley bus service from Blue Line T Orient Heights stop.

Constitution Beach, East Boston - Facilities: Constitution Beach is a major regional recreational facility providing a diverse mix of activities and facilities for the East Boston community and other regional residents. The beach features swimming areas with lifeguards, a bath house with concessions, a tot lot, and tennis courts. Major landscaping improvements are nearing completion. The new pedestrian overpass, tot-lot, handball courts, parking and shade shelters are available this season. Restrooms will be available at the Porazzo Skating Rink on site throughout the 2000 summer season because the Bathhouse is scheduled for demolition. Plans for the new bathhouse are midway through the design phase. Access: Two hundred and eighty parking spaces are available which fill up quickly on any sunny summer day. The beach is T accessible by taking the MBTA Blue Line to Orient Heights stop and by MBTA bus which stops at the Bennington Street entrance of Constitution Beach.

L and M Street Beaches, South Boston - Facilities: The L and M Street Beaches lie adjacent to each other along Day Boulevard in South Boston. These popular local beaches provide excellent swimming conditions and are located near the L Street Bathhouse which offers gyms, showers and many other amenities for a small membership fee. The MDC is restoring walkways and seawalls between the L Street Bathhouse and the Carson Beach Bathhouse during 1999. Access: Curbside parking available along Day Boulevard. Easy pedestrian access from nearby neighborhoods. Some limitations during construction of seawall and walkways. Publicly accessible via City Point Bus #7 from the Red Line T at South Station.

Carson Beach, South Boston - Facilities: Carson Beach is a regional beach with excellent water quality. In addition to new volleyball nets, Carson Beach was resanded during the summer of 1997. The newly restored Carson Beach Bathhouse opened in October 1998, and now provides restrooms, concessions and footshowers for beachgoers. The pedestrian walkways, seawall repairs, and landscaping improvements have been completed. A new Ski Market Kayak Center has just opened at Carson Beach Bathhouse. The facility rents kayaks, beach chairs, games, and more, Wednesday through Sunday. Gerard's Beachside Cafe in the Bathhouse is now open to 11 p.m. during the summer. Access: Parking available. Carson Beach is T accessible by taking the MBTA Red Line to the UMASS/JFK stop and walking across Day Boulevard, or take City Point Buses from the Green Line T at Copley Station.

Savin Hill / Malibu Beaches - Facilities: Savin Hill and Malibu beaches serve the Savin Hill neighborhood and the surrounding communities. This area features swimming and a small bathhouse. Increases in salt marsh grasses over the past decade have limited swimming areas. Savin Hill and Malibu Beaches are currently being improved with new walkways, landscaping, and re-sanding. The Bathhouse at Malibu Beach is closed for the summer, 2000 due to construction activities. Access: Small parking lot for 50 cars. Accessible via the MBTA Red Line's Savin Hill stop.

Tenean Beach, Dorchester - Facilities: Tenean Beach features swimming areas, a tot lot, and picnic shelters. Although difficult to get to, many Boston residents call this beach one of Boston's best kept secrets. Swimming area is currently limited by salt marsh grasses. Access is somewhat limited during the summer of 2000 by major construction activities. The Bathhouse at Tenean has been removed and major landscaping will take place throughout the summer. Access: Parking for approximately 150 cars. Accessible by taking Red Line to North Quincy and walking over Neponset Boulevard, or Neponset Adams Bus #20 from Red Line T Fields Corner station.

Nickerson Beach, Quincy - Facilities: Nickerson Beach is a very small beach which primarily serves the adjacent Squantum residential neighborhood. This scenic coastal area is more attractive to birds than swimmers because of its extensive salt marsh and mudflats.

Wollaston Beach, Quincy - Facilities: Wollaston Beach is the largest Boston Harbor beach providing three miles of shoreline access. This urban beach features a continuous walkway, a seawall and several concessions on the other side of Quincy Shore Drive. During 1996, much of Wollaston Beach received a new layer of sand through the Metropolitan District Commission's beach restoration program. The MDC will be hosting community meetings to solicit public input regarding the design of major beach improvements at Wollaston Beach. Recommendations for water quality improvements are in the "Plan to Restore Water Quality at Wollaston Beach", 1999, which the City of Quincy, MDC and groups like The Boston Harbor Association are helping implement. Copies of "A Dog Lover's Guide to Cleaner Boston Harbor Beaches" are also available from TBHA. Access: Wollaston Beach is directly accessible by foot from the many residential neighborhoods located along Quincy Shore Drive. Ample parking is available. Take Wollaston Beach/Ashmont Bus #217 from Red Line T Wollaston station, or walk along Beach Street from Wollaston T Station.

Lovell's Island Beach - Facilities: Lovell's Island Beach is the only official beach on the Boston Harbor Islands. The beach features a beautiful, natural landscape with stunning views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline in the background. Water quality is excellent at this outer harbor beach. For the Summer, 2000, Lovell's Island is closed due to docking reasons. Access: Except for Summer, 2000, the beach is accessible via ferry service leaving from Long Wharf, Boston, or Hewitt's Cove in Hingham. Blue Line T to Aquarium (Long Wharf).

Restoration Of Boston Harbor Beaches

Swimming conditions at Boston Harbor beaches are better than they've been in decades. With improved water quality and upgrades to aging beach facilities, people are sunbathing, swimming, fishing and walking Boston Harbor's sandy beaches.

In 1994, Governor William F. Weld and Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced a $30.5 million program to restore landside facilities at Boston Harbor's beaches. Since that time, the Metropolitan District Commission, Boston, Quincy, Winthrop and The Boston Harbor Association have been working together to restore Boston Harbor beaches to their former glory.

During the next several years, all of Boston Harbor's beaches will benefit from landscaping improvements, and new facilities such as bathhouses, benches, walkways and park areas. Projects completed to date include:

27,000 tons of new sand at Pleasure Bay Beach in South Boston and Wollaston Beach in Quincy; 35,000 tons of new sand at Constitution Beach in East Boston, and Carson Beach in South Boston; Restoration of the Carson Beach Bathhouse in South Boston; Restoration of Mother's Rest Pavilion and Marine Park Bandstand in South Boston; New Fishing Pier in South Boston; Seawall repairs at Winthrop Beach; Plantings, benches, colorful beach banners and other minor improvements at several other beaches; Completion of new pedestrian overpass, tot-lot, handball courts, landscaping, parking, and shade shelters at Constitution Beach, East Boston. Completion of pedestrian walkways, landscaping, and seawall repairs at South Boston beaches.

Water Quality At Boston Harbor Beaches

Cleaner waters at Boston Harbor's beaches are a direct result of the multi-million dollar water and sewer projects being implemented by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. These projects are resolving long-time bacteria problems associated with wastewater discharged into Boston Harbor.

The new plant on Deer Island now provides improved treatment of sewage and removes solids from wastewater before the remaining effluent is discharged into the ocean. The following milestones of the Boston Harbor Project have already made a significant difference in water quality as evidenced by MDC water quality data and the return of porpoises, seals and other marine life to the Harbor.

In 1989 both Deer Island and Nut Island treatment plants implemented screening which halted discharge into Boston Harbor of more than 10,000 gallons per day of floatable pollution, grease, oil, and plastics, known as scum.

Since 1991, sludge from the 43 communities served by the MWRA sewer system has been sent to a pelletizing plant in Quincy, recycled into fertilizer and marketed all over the country. Before that time the sludge was dumped directly into Boston Harbor.

In 1995, the new primary treatment facility came on-line providing greater capacity and treatment for wastewater. As a result, the number of combined sewer overflows was greatly reduced and wastewater being discharged into the Harbor was much cleaner.

During 1997 and 1998, secondary treatment came on-line providing biological treatment of wastewater before being discharged into Boston Harbor for the first time. The result is cleaner waters for marine life.

Boston Harbor beaches already have the most comprehensive water quality sampling program for beaches in the country, with samples collected at least weekly at each beach. The Boston Harbor Association is working with the Metropolitan District Commission, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission to provide the public with comprehensive information about beach conditions in Boston Harbor.

Beginning during the summer of 1996, several of Boston Harbor's beaches were sampled daily to assess the impact of rainfall and related stormwater runoff on water quality. Results showed that water quality was excellent at most beaches during dry weather. However, swimming at many Boston Harbor beaches is not recommended for 24 hours after a heavy rainstorm due to potential water quality problems associated with combined sewer overflows (CSOs). This summer, water quality flags will continue to be flown at Boston Harbor's beaches so that swimmers know when the waters are swimmable. Blue flags indicate good swimming conditions, and red flags indicate a potential water quality problem.

Significant water quality problems remain at two of Boston Harbor's Beaches: Tenean Beach in Dorchester, and Wollaston Beach in Quincy. The Boston Harbor Association is currently working with the cities of Boston and Quincy, the MDC, the MWRA and the Wollaston Beach Task Force to resolve these local water quality problems.

Before the improvements discussed above, Boston Harbor beaches were often posted with water quality warnings throughout the summer during both dry and rainy periods. Many of the remaining water quality problems at the Boston Harbor beaches are related to sewer problems. Like many other older urban cities across the country, Boston has some antiquated sewer systems which overflow into storm drains during heavy rainstorms. These systems are known as Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). Many of the beach postings at Boston Harbor beaches are a result of CSO pollution after rainstorms.

The MWRA and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, with support from The Boston Harbor Association, are working to eliminate CSOs completely from the beaches. The complex nature of this project, which involves separating sewers from storm drain systems, makes it both costly and time consuming. Approximately $420 million is being spent to completely eliminate combined sewer overflows from the Boston Harbor beaches by the year 2008. In the meantime, existing CSOs are being treated and filtered to reduce the problem in the short term.