Exploring the North End of Boston

Italian Restaurants, Paul Revere's House, Feasts, Festivals

Exploring the North End, Boston's oldest residential neighborhood, takes you through streets first settled by the Puritans, then by waves of Irish, Portuguese, and Jewish immigrants, and finally by Italians throughout the 20th century.

You'll find today's North End filled with old buildings dating from 100 or more years ago, sleek condos, stunning waterfront views, gorgeous parks and green spaces, and interesting boutiques and food shops. 

For visitors and locals alike, top attractions include the almost 100 Italian restaurants, bakeries, and cafes.

Stay in the luxurious Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel Boston or the Boston Marriott Long Wharf - two of the best Boston waterfront hotels.

Visit Paul Revere's house and other Freedom Trail sites in this historic neighborhood, enjoy the colorful Columbus Day parade, and join the festivities during the many saints' feasts.

Quick Links to North End information:  Attractions  |   Photo Gallery   |   Restaurants   |   Nightlife   |   Hotels   |   Shopping   |   Parks   |   Colleges   |   T Stations   |   Parking   |   Boundaries   |   More 

Things to Do and Top Attractions in the North End

Columbus Day Parade - The colorful Columbus Day Parade honors Boston's Italian heritage and features floats, marching bands, military groups, and entertainment

Saints Feasts and Festivals - The North End turns into a giant street party on almost every summer weekend as residents celebrate different saints with huge feasts and festivals, as they have for the past 100 years, following traditions dating back to Italy.

Paul Revere's House (19 North Square) - Dating back to the 17th century, Paul Revere's medieval-style house is the oldest wooden residence still in its original site in Boston. On the fascinating tour, you'll see original household items in this home where Revere lived with his wife and 16 children.  Included with Boston discount card

Old North Church - In 1775, on the eve of the American Revolution, Paul Revere arranged for lanterns to be hung from the steeple of the Old North Church to signal the path the Redcoats would take on the eve of the American Revolution before he left on his own midnight ride to alert the Massachusetts countryside. 

Copp's Hill Burying Ground (21 Hull Street) - You can see plenty of 17th century grave markers with skulls and crossbones here in Boston's 2nd oldest cemetery, dating from 1660. Some gravestones bear pockmarks from musketballs, made when the British expressed their contempt for the Colonists by using this burial ground for targat practice.

Paul Revere Mall (Hanover Street, near Clark Street) - This small brick-paved walled park, locally called "The Prado," features a wonderful statue of patriot and silversmith Paul Revere on horseback to represent his famous midnight ride.  Bronze tablets on the walls document in fascinating detail the lives of other lesser-known North End residents.

Great Molasses Flood Site - (Puopolo Park, 529 Commercial St) - A small plaque marks the spot of this horrific disaster. Close to Copps Burying Ground on the Freedom Trail.

Steriti Ice Rink (561 Commercial Street) - Although this North End ice skating rink offers only limited public skating hours due to all the hockey teams with ice time, it's a lot of fun if your timing is right.  No need to bring your own skates; rent them at the rink.

North End Hotels

Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel (3 Battery Wharf)

The luxury waterfront Fairmont Battery Wharf is the only hotel right in the neighborhood, as well as Boston's only waterfront boutique hotel.  Sweeping views of the Harbor, a top on-site spa, and direct water taxi service from Boston Logan Airport make the Fairmont one of Boston's best hotels.

As you can see in the photo, Harborwalk passes by the hotel - perfect for a stroll or early-morning jog.

Rates /reviews for Fairmont Battery Wharf   |   Other Luxury Boston Boutique Hotels

Other hotels close to the North End

Boston Marriott Long Wharf  (296 State Street, Downtown Waterfront)

The Marriott Long Wharf's location next to both the North End and the New England Aquarium and across the Rose Kennedy Greenway from Faneuil Hall Marketplace ensures its position as one of Boston's most popular hotels, especially with families.   

The large indoor swimming pool is one of the nicest in the city, and for more entertainment, head to the IMAX theater next to the Aquarium or out to the Greenway with a frisbee.

You can easily walk to all of the North End's attractions within just a few minutes.  If you're traveling with children, you'll also want to check out the playground in Christopher Columbus Park next to the hotel.

Rates / reviews for Boston Marriott Long Wharf  

Other Luxury Boutique Hotels

Millennium Bostonian (26 North Street, Historic Downtown)

The Millennium Bostonian is almost as close to the North End as the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel - just a short walk across the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

If you want to be near Faneuil Hall Marketplace and other historic Freedom Trail sites in Downtown Boston yet just a few minutes away from the North End, the Millennium Bostonian is a great choice, especially because its balconies, gas-burning fireplaces in most rooms, and fabulous Italian linens provide lots of luxury hotel amenities at a mid-range price.  For added interest, Boston's historic Haymarket takes place next to the hotel on Fridays and Saturdays, as you can see in my photo.

TD Garden is also very close, if you're planning to go to a Boston Bruins game or other entertainment or sports event there.

Rates / Reviews for Millennium Bostonian Hotel

Other Historic Downtown Boston Hotels

Onyx Hotel Boston  (155 Portland Street)

Located just a block away from sports/entertainment complex TD Garden, the Onyx is an easy 5-10 minute walk to the North End, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the New England Aquarium, and Beacon Hill. 

If you're planning to go to a game or entertainment event at the Garden, or want to enjoy the sports bars and other nightlife in the immediate area, the Onyx is a great choice, especially because it offers some nice luxury touches and Kimpton's famous stylish decor.

Rates / Reviews for Onyx Hotel Boston

More Hotels near the North End

North End Restaurant Recommendations

Quite honestly, you can't go wrong wherever you choose to eat in the North End.  Here are just a few suggestions:

Mamma Maria (3 North Square) - Northern Italian cuisine, excellent wines, and a romantic setting a 19th century townhouse in historic North Square.  One of Boston's top restaurants, and the only Boston Italian restaurant with a 4 diamond rating from AAA.  

Cantina Italiana (346 Hanover St., 617-723-4577) - Traditional Italian classics, cooked to perfection.  House-made pastas.

Ristorante Fiore (250 Hanover St., 617-371-1176) - Traditional Italian classics, beautifully presented.  Charming roof deck dining.

Neptune Oyster (63 Salem Street, 617-742-3474) - Terrific raw bar, a Maine lobster roll (one of my top favorites) served hot with butter or cold with mayo, daily specials plus a half-dozen or so seafood entrees, including the best cioppino in Boston.

More Boston Italian restaurants and bakeries in the North End

More Boston seafood restaurants

North End Photo Gallery

Scenes from the North End, from left to right, top to bottom:

1) Ristorante Villa Francesca on Richmond Street (near corner of Hanover)
2) Statue on Paul Revere on horseback to commemorate his famous midnight ride, in Pall Revere Mall
3) Another view of the trees surrounding the Christian Science Church, photographed from Huntington Ave with Prudential Tower to the right
4) Prudential Center's "South Garden" - one of my favorite "hidden" gardens in Boston
5) Love these red trees in the median strip on Huntington Ave - this block is more or less in between Symphony Hall and Northeastern University

North End Nightlife

North End nightlife use to center on the small cafes and bars, and end early.  After all, this is primarily a residential neighborhood.

But that was back with the Central Artery, an ugly elevated highway, cut off the North End from the rest of Boston.  Now that the Central Artery has been sunk underground and replaced by the Rose Kennedy Greenway, North End nightlife is undergoing a change (not for the better, many residents will tell you) as Bruins and Celtics fans from TD Garden pour into the formerly quiet streets and the bars.

North End Shopping

Explore small Italian groceries, specialty wine shops, and clothing and home decor boutiques for unique gifts.

Parks and Green Spaces

Rose Kennedy Greenway

Christopher Columbus Park

Harborwalk

Paul Revere Mall

St. Cecelia's Peace Garden

North End Professional School

• North Bennet Street School

North End T Stations

Although no T stations are located within the North End, one is just steps away, and two others are very close:

• Blue Line / Aquarium - Downtown Waterfront, next to the Boston Marriott Long Wharf, just to the south of the North End's Christopher Columbus Park
• Green and Orange Lines / North Station - West End, across the Greenway from Commercial Street (which turns into Causeway Street in the West End)
• Green and Orange Lines / Haymarket - West End, across the Greenway from Salem Street

North End Parking

Almost no metered parking exists in the North End, and most streets are almost too narrow to navigate by car.  

The easiest way to get to this neighborhood is to take the T (Boston's subway) to Haymarket or North Station, and walk across the Greenway.

But if you must drive, check out nearby parking garages and lots near the North End

North End Boundaries

North:  Mouth of the Charles River

East:  Boston Harbor

South:  Christopher Columbus Park

West:  Rose Kennedy Greenway

More about the North End

The North End's most arrivals during the last couple of decades have been young professionals, attracted by the central location, the combination of waterfront views, nice parks, and the strong sense of community in the community, and of course, all the great food.  At this point, only about half of the neighborhood's residents are Italian or of Italian descent.

Despite these newcomers and the many tourists who visit the North End, you'll still hear plenty of Italian spoken in the streets. 

But what you'll NEVER hear is anyone local calling this neighborhood "Little Italy" - Boston locals always say "the North End."