About · Volume I
BOSTON
A 250th-anniversary field journal to the harbor, rivers, and made-land of the Cradle of Liberty.
Boston is fundamentally a maritime city — a peninsula pushed out into a great glacial harbor, ringed by drumlin islands, and cut by the Charles and Mystic rivers. For much of the twentieth century that shoreline was walled off behind highways, freight yards, and industrial piers.
Going Coastal Boston's mission is to bridge that gap, connecting the public to the water by celebrating the Harborwalk, the Esplanade, and the century-long work of reclaiming public access to the harbor.
Understanding the “made land” of the Back Bay or the granite piers of the Charlestown Navy Yard gives Bostonians a deeper sense of stewardship for the harbor that sustains them.
250th Anniversary
Why we listen for echoes.
As we approach the Semiquincentennial of the United States, this edition introduces “Echoes of 1776” to highlight the strategic military geography that birthed the nation. Boston was where the Revolution began — at the Old North Church signal, on the redoubt at Breed's Hill, and on the guns of Dorchester Heights that ended the eleven-month siege.
The Journeys
How to use this guide.
Each journey is designed to be experiential, evocative, and practical. Whether you are walking the Harborwalk from Long Wharf to the Institute of Contemporary Art, or climbing the 294 steps of the Bunker Hill Monument, look for the “At a Glance” section for logistical details and the “Echoes of 1776” entry to connect with the ghosts of the Revolution that still haunt these piers.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
About Going Coastal, Inc.
A volunteer-run organization advocating for the public waterfront and the ecosystems that sustain it.
Going Coastal, Inc. is a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting city dwellers with their coastal commons. Every educational tool we create, every guide we write, and every book we publish is powered entirely by our members and community partners.
Clean Water
Championing the maritime legacy and coastal resilience along the Charles and Mystic.
Coastal Ecology
Protecting salt marsh, eelgrass, and the drumlin islands that shelter Boston from a rising sea.
Waterfront Access
Advocating for access to every pier and beach. We map public access and work to ensure the coastal commons remains open.
VOLUNTEER-POWERED · COMMUNITY-FUNDED · USA-BASED