Faneuil Hall - Quincy Market, Boston

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Faneuil Hall is also know as
Quincy Market, a tourist-oriented
mall downtown ....

Monday - Saturday 10 AM - 9 PM
Sunday - Noon -6 PM

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Restaurants and pubs are open late every evening

There is usually something going on around Faneuil Hall. Walking through the old building...there are numerous vendors on either side of the broad walkway. Each is selling a different kind of food, candy, ice cream, coffee...You can pick up lunch and find a seat in the center area...watching the hundreds of people who pass through each day.
Outside you find park benches..shopping, nearby restaurants...but best of all are the street entertainers. Jugglers, mimes, all sorts of performers amuse the passerby. Always an active spot just across from the Government Center and a short walk to the Old State House.
TAKE A TOUR OF BOSTON'S FANEUIL HALL ON THEIR WONDERFUL ACTIVE WEB SITE ~
FANEUIL HALL

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Faneuil Hall is a fun marketplace to visit, full of life and busyness. People come here to shop, have lunch, catch up with friends or just watch the people. There are food vendors and restaurants as well as other shops. On nice days you can eat outside.

Originally Faneuil Hall’s second floor (above the shops) was where founding fathers and patriots would give stirring speeches that led to the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution. A national park ranger is available for historical talks every 30 minutes each day. Admission is free.

In front of Faneuil Hall is a statue of Samuel Adams, who was one of the primary rabble-rousers and speech makers at the hall.

Faneuil Hall is on the Freedom Trail – if you get by it around lunch time, plan to stop and have something to eat. A second location for the “Cheers” bar and restaurant is located there (although I recommend you visit the original one near the Public Gardens if you are really a fan of that TV series).

In 1742, Peter Faneuil, Boston’s wealthiest merchant at the time, had Fanueil Hall built as a gift to the city. The edifice was home to merchants of all types and fishermen. It is best known as being a platform for the country's most famous speakers. The Sugar Act in 1764 was first protested here by the colonists and the doctrine of "no taxation without representation" was established here. Here George Washington toasted the nation on its first birthday. Over the last two and a half centuries Faneuil Hall has played host to many famous speakers including Oliver Wendall Holmes, Susan B. Anthony, Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy. Fanueil Hall has been nicknamed "The Cradle of Liberty."

Faneuil Hall was expanded in 1826 to accomodate it's growing clientel and merchants. This is when Quincy Market was added. Quincy Marcket is named for former Boston mayor Josiah Quincy. By the mid-1900's, the buildings of Fanueil Hall and Quincy Marcket had fallen into great disrepair and many stood empty. The vision of Jim Rouse, Benjamin Thompson and Mayor Kevin White, brought these broken down buildings from dilapidated structures to what it is today. This renovation forever changed the look of downtown Boston.

Today Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market attract more than 18 million visitors annually. Dozens of shops, carts and kiosks make up this wonderful shopping district in downtown Boston. As a college freshman, this was where I went to shop for a dress to wear on my first date with Robert. I also performed my first Kareoke number with my friend Beth here in 1992. This is also the place responsible for all my college credit card debt. Hard core shoppers will find it difficult not to spend a bundle of cash in the varying shops. As a side note, located somewher amogst the shops used to be the best chocolate shop I've ever been to. If it's still there, try the chocolate covered raspberries, they are divine.

Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from noon to 6pm.
Restaurants have extended hours.

Quincy Market isnt just about shopping, there is plenty to see and do. Lots of places to eat when you are hungry and there is quite a few events happening over the course of the year to keep you entertained.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is located in the heart of historic downtown Boston. Right next to historic Faneuil Hall is the financial district, the waterfront, the North End, Government Center and Haymarket.
It is a well-traveled part of Boston's “Freedom Trail.” You’ll also be glad to know there are four hotels within a three-block radius.
The Cheers bar is here too - although this is the replica Cheers Bar (the real one can be found on Beacon Hill, its a great place to have something to eat and drink.

Built in 1826, Quincy market was originally an open air food market. Faneuil Hall was constructed in 1776, it was known as "the cradle of liberty". Nowadays, this is the place to go if you want to shop til you drop. It's teeming with people, lots of tourists. There are a million shops and resturants lining the cobblestone streets. You will most likely see a few street performances going on as well. I've found lots of wonderful little things to buy in this marketplace. Most recently Lou bought me the most perfect necklace to wear for our wedding in a little gemstone shop.

Faneuil Hall is a historic building located along the Freedom Trail. It was built in 1742, burnt down and rebuilt in 1761, and served as a town meeting center until the 1800's. The Hall served as an important meeting place for planning the revolution in Boston.

The 1st floor of the hall is a marketplace with souvenir, craft, and memorabilia shops, and some food shops.

The 2nd floor is where the actual meeting hall, the Great Hall, is located. Park rangers give brief and interesting lectures on the history and significance of the hall every half hour.

The 3rd floor contains a museum for the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. The Company was formed in 1638 and has been headquartered at Faneuil Hall since 1746. Most people don't bother going up there, but it is worth a look.

Faneuil Hall is open daily 9 AM - 5 PM except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. It is also closed during public functions. Admission is free.

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Lovingly known as "Cradle of Liberty," for being the venue of Samuel Adams' impassioned speeches on independence from their British colonial rulers, Faneuil Hall retains its original purpose as focal point of civic life and open debate in Boston. At the time of my visit, the hall was filled with supporters from two candidates for mayor of Boston during a town hall meeting. With the two camps trying their best to outdo the other party with catchy slogans, it was an interesting display of democracy.

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Faneuil Hall has been a marketplace and a meeting ceneter since 1742. Several famous people such as Samuel Adams and James Otis gave sppeches to rally support for Indepence from Britain. Fanueil Hall is part of the Freedom Trail in Boston and is a Historic site. Faneuil Hall is named for Peter Faneuil a wealthy merchant who provided the funds for the construction.

The building itself is impressive with a large cuppola and a grasshopper weather vane.

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Quincy Market is a three-level Greek revival-style building. Quincy Market is a hub of activity with locals and tourist visiting daily for shopping and a bite to eat. The central corricdor of the Market is a large food court with every type of food imagianble from seafood, Greek, Italian, Indian, deserts and ice cream. There are small vendors selling local items and crafts as well as typical chain stores and shops.

My wife and I enjoy wandering the Market and seeing the sights. The food court is always jam packed and the smell of food gets your tummy rumbling. We spent some type shopping and browsing through stores; which is always a favorite activity of ours. Yes, this is a big "tourist" spot but sometimes it's fun to be a "tourist".