North End, Boston

A guided tour of Paul Revere's house if you're into history. It's not an overly fascinating house, but the history of the man himself makes it a worthwhile stop, and the guided tour gives you some good information.

The Society of Santa Maria Di Anzano, di puglia of Boston, will be celebrating their 100th Anniversary on Sat, June 4th and Sunday June 5th.

Saturday on June 4th, there will be a BarBQ at St Leonards hall at the corner of Hanover and Prince Streets at 5:00PM. At 7PM, members of the ladies and Men Society will take the blessed statue of the Madonna and have a small procession thru the street of the North End to open the feast which will be followed with a candle light procession. Refreshments will be served afterwards

SUNDAY June 5th. 10:15 Mass for the Madonna at St Leonards Church. At 2PM, members with the Italian American band and the North End band will escort the members of the society with the Madonna for a grand procession thru the streets of the North End, fireworks at 7PM, refeshments at the hall. At 9PM, the members will have a small procession thru some the streets and return the blessed statue to Siant Leonards church which is her home. PLEASE join us for our 100th year.
Michaelbos45@aol.com

Stopping for a cappuccino or lunch in one of the businesses along the streets of Little Italy can be a complete departure. You could forget you are in the states. Old men sit in chairs on the street to reserve parking spaces. (they get paid to do it) You hear Italian bellowed across the street or spoken on street corners. Specialty pastries, candy, Italian ice cream....all are favorites which you will find difficult to resist. Restaurants are plentiful and usually very good. Stay with the Italian theme....try the olives! and the bread!

The North End -- which sits between the Central Artery and the harbor -- is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston and has been host to periods of various immigrant influences throughout its history. Since the 1920s, however, Italians and Italian-American culture have dominated it. You see their obvious imprint as you walk down the area's main drag, Hanover Street. Churches, small meeting houses, cafes, and of course, restaurants are everywhere you turn. The sounds, in love or anger, of the Italian tongue are never far away. The Mafia presence is notorious, but probably overstated -- and it is best not to talk about that anyway.

In recent years, though, incoming urban professionals, attracted to the North End's nightlife and proximity to the financial district, have thinned the Italian community out a bit. Many of the restaurants also have become distinctly trendy and slick -- if not downright touristy. This becomes most obvious on weekend nights as limousines and beautiful people fight for space in the hipper restaurants and cafes.

ATTRACTIONS
Of course, it isn't entirely dining that makes the North End a place to visit. History (and it's corresponding attraction, the Freedom Trail) also brings sightseers to the area. Paul Revere's house, built around 1680, looks absorbing from the outside, but really isn't worth the price of admission (which is only a few dollars). The Paul Revere Mall, however, is an agreeable, shaded square, which has some interesting historical plaques for your perusal. Next to Revere's Mall is the famous Old North Church (or properly, Christ Church). It's a pleasant enough glimpse into the past. The church is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

IF YOU LIKE MY POST PLEASE GIVE POSITIVE FEEDBACK, THANKS

The North End is Boston's most historic district: this is where the city got its start, slowly moving outwards from around this area. Paul Revere was from the North End, and you can see his house, or what remains of it, among other historical sites - the Old North Church, for example.

But mostly these days when people say 'the North End' they mean the Italian part of town. Unlike New York's Little Italy, which is more of a tourist trap than a genuine Italian neighborhood these days, the North End still has more of an Italian feel, especially on a warm day, when the residents fill the streets, and you can hear Italian spoken all around. Even on the grayest days, posters around the community make clear that Italian is very much the language of the streets.

Needless to say, there are many Italian restaurants in the area, as well as a smattering of excellent cafes that also serve up tasty Italian pastries.

This is an area to be explored slowly: there are dozens of notable sights scattered around the area, and a cappuccinno and a biscotti is the perfect pick-me-up - and save some room for a slice of great pizza or a bowl of pasta later in the evening.

In addition to all of the great Italian restaurants and bakeries, the North End is home to the Old North End Church and also of Paul Revere's house and a statue of him. Each of these is on the Freedom Trail.

In terms of restaurants, etc. the below link provides more details on the North End. Note: I had tried the link www.northendweb.com; however it did not seem to work, and so I found the below one. It seems to have pretty good info and also includes links to some pretty cool tours.

Beautifull, romantic and peacefull neighboorhood. The freedom trail runs through it but it is worth it to discover some other parts of Noth End as well. There are many beautifull italian grocery stores, bars and restaurant. When following the freedom trail you can have luch at Faneuil Hall and have your coffee in North End.

The North End is Boston's Little Italy (but please don't ever call it that...this is not New York) as well as the oldest part of the city. The area is a mishmash of historic sites, narrow brick homes, excellent Italian restaurants, and expensive waterfront condominiums. It's an absolute must for those who enjoy wandering narrow, circuitous streets lined with tall homes as one finds in Europe, and the Italian character of the neighbourhood (occasionally residents actually shout at each other in Italian across the streets) adds to the Old-World charm. Granted, you won't feel like you're in Siena with the brick homes and New England Patriots football jackets, but the area has an unrivaled uniquity. The Old North Church, a major historic landmark, is located here, as well as the Paul Revere House, the oldest structure surviving in the city. Don't forget a visit to Mike's or Modern Pastry for some delicious half-moons or cannolis. Food is the North End's essence, as one may garner from Bostonians who virtually use the name of the eponymous neighbourhood as a synonym for gastronomic ecstacy.