The closest things to do near Boston Logan Airport are in East Boston, the neighborhood the airport belongs to: Piers Park for harbor and skyline views, Constitution Beach for watching planes land, and Santarpio’s Pizza for a sit-down meal. With four hours or more, the Blue Line reaches the New England Aquarium two stops from Airport station, and the free Silver Line SL1 runs from the terminals to the Seaport and South Station. Landing with luggage? A private transfer from Logan to your hotel, or a private car back to the airport, can be booked in advance on Viator.
BostonVacay earns a commission from Viator if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
The Freedom Trail and Boston Common are not next to the airport. They are across the harbor downtown, about 2 miles away and a transit ride, not a walk. Below is what fits each length of layover.
What fits in your layover
| Time on the ground | Best plan |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 hours | Stay at the airport. From Terminal A or E, the covered walkway reaches the Hilton Boston Logan Airport and its pub, Connolly's Publik House. |
| 3 to 4 hours | East Boston: Piers Park, Constitution Beach, or lunch at Santarpio's, by taxi or the Blue Line. |
| 4 to 6 hours | Blue Line to Aquarium station for the New England Aquarium and the downtown waterfront. |
| 6 hours or more | A stretch of the Freedom Trail downtown, or the free SL1 to the Seaport for the ICA and the Tea Party Ships. |
Build in time to get back through security. Massport advises arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one, longer on summer weekends and holidays.
How close is Logan Airport to downtown Boston?
About 2 miles across the harbor, which makes Logan unusually close to a big-city center. Massport lists three public routes. Free airport shuttles connect the terminals with Airport station on the Blue Line, which runs to Maverick, Aquarium, State and Government Center. The Silver Line SL1 picks up at the terminal curbs and is free from the airport to South Station, with a free transfer to the Red Line. And the MBTA ferry runs year-round from Logan's Water Transportation Dock to Long Wharf downtown, reached by a free shuttle from the terminals.
Things to do in East Boston, minutes from the terminals
Piers Park
Piers Park, at 95 Marginal Street, is a Massport-owned park built on a former industrial pier, and it has one of the clearest views of the downtown skyline across the harbor. It has a long promenade to the end of the pier, shaded pavilions, playgrounds and a community sailing center, which makes it the easiest place to stretch your legs within sight of the city.
Constitution Beach
Constitution Beach, in the Orient Heights part of East Boston, is a crescent of sand that faces Logan's runways about 2,000 feet away, so planes take off and land right in front of you. It is run by the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation, and a footbridge connects it with Orient Heights station on the Blue Line.
Eat in East Boston
Santarpio's, at 111 Chelsea Street, serves pizza and grilled skewers every day from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. ReelHouse, on New Street, has a patio looking across the harbor at the skyline. Rino's Place is famous for big Italian plates but opens only in the afternoon and takes cash only. Our guide to East Boston restaurants has the full list.
With four hours or more: downtown on the Blue Line
Aquarium station is the second stop from Airport station, at the edge of the downtown waterfront. The New England Aquarium, built around its four-story Giant Ocean Tank, is the obvious stop, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace is close by for a quick meal. One stop farther, State station is on the Freedom Trail's downtown stretch.
With six hours or more: the Seaport on the free Silver Line
The SL1 runs from the terminal curbs through the Seaport to South Station, so a longer layover can take in the Institute of Contemporary Art on the harbor or the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum in Fort Point. The ride is free only in the direction away from the airport; you pay the regular fare going back.
Staying the night near the airport
For an early flight, the Hilton Boston Logan Airport at One Hotel Drive is connected to Terminals A and E. Coming from Rhode Island instead? See how to travel from Providence to Logan.