3. The ICA
Opened in December 2006, the Institute of Contemporary Art in South Boston is arguably more interesting for its architecture than its art. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the museum is all glass and sharp angles, a stark departure from the city's presiding aesthetic. One of the most arresting features is the rear of the museum, a cantilevered glass expanse that hovers vertiginously over Boston Harbor. The lure of the ICA has managed to spark a blossoming of the nearby Fort Point Channel district, a short walk away, which until recently had been a somewhat deserted area most notable for the collective of artists taking advantage of ample studio space. Recently, a smattering of new stores has opened, as have some places to eat and drink, most notably Sportello, a by-all-means-go-out-of-your-way Italian restaurant by local celebrity chef Barbara Lynch.