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Fort Point Channel

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this waterway—which separates South Boston from downtown—was surrounded by scores of busy warehouses, where leather goods were manufactured, wool was stored, and beer was bottled. Over the past few decades, though, the formerly industrial area has evolved into a vibrant artists' community, with studios, galleries, cafés, and wine bars all linked by a spiffy waterfront promenade, the Harbor Walk. One prime point of interest here is the Boston Children's Museum, whose interactive exhibits include a full-body maze, a bubble-blowing gallery, and a “recycling shop” full of reusable materials for art projects (617/426-8855; www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org). Another highlight is the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), where the installations of modern art and avant-garde film have brought comparisons with New York's MoMA (617/478-3100; www.icaboston.org).