Step into a city where history and hustle collide along the harbor’s edge. Begin with a stroll along the HarborWalk, weaving past waterfront cafés serving clam chowder in bread bowls and public art installations that line the promenade.

From there, drift into the North End’s narrow streets, where bakeries in red brick buildings fill the air with scents of cinnamon, and espresso shots fuel your next stop. Sidestep historic cobblestones to Paul Revere’s House, then follow the Freedom Trail’s painted line past Old North Church and the Paul Revere statue, each marker a snapshot of Revolution-era drama.

For a taste of Bostonian adventure, rent a kayak at the Seaport District and paddle beneath the Zakim Bridge, or hop aboard a schooner for a swift sail around the harbor. Speaking of taste, line up at a waterfront shack for a lobster roll dripping with lemon-butter or sample a New England brew at a Seaport taproom. Don’t miss a scoop of artisanal ice cream in Faneuil Hall; the clam-shell dome overhead echoes with street performers and market stalls brimming with local cheeses and honey jars.

Wander through Beacon Hill’s gas-lit lanes and peek through picture-postcard doorways, then pause on a bench in the Public Garden to feed the swans and watch rowboats drift by. Cross the street to Boston Common for a quick stroll under century-old trees before you circle back to the ship.

With centuries of stories in every brick, on-water thrills at every turn, and flavors as bold as the city’s spirit, Boston greets your Escape with Effy charter cruise with an inviting mix of past and present. Whatever pace you pick, the next Boston discovery is never more than a few steps away.