heritage area visitors center

The Visitor Center at the waterfront is a jewel.Staffed by friendly people. Well stocked with literature. As a result, however, it stands out like a sore thumb in what is basically a slum. The waterfront walkway (basically old railroad tracks) was overgrown with ankle-high weeds. People walking around muttering to themselves; we decided not to sit at the gazebo and take a chance on being panhandled. The streets immediately surrounding the waterfront area were overflowing with garbage awaiting collection--this was mid-day, not early morning, mind you. One restaurant had even put out about a dozen rubber floors mats to dry on the sidewalk! Storefronts in the very few stores that were there were uninviting. Most restaurants didn't even bother to display their menus. The pizza place down there, right up the block from the visitor center, where we ate had tasteless pizza (hunk of cheese, really)--how is that possible? And the place was dirty, too. Depressing, depressing, depressing.

Staff was extremely friendly, courteous and knowledgeable about the area. Lots of brochures and printed material to make your stay well worthwhile.