North End, Boston

The North End is a lovely part of Boston to stroll around. Get a good friend or loved one (loved one is better, as the North End is very romantic) and some comfy shoes and walk all around the North End. It is largely an Italian neighborhood, and the buildings are beautiful old brick.

You'll find pastry shops that can not be beat anywhere (Mike's Pastry comes to mind) and they have great cappucinos, and for dinner your choices are amazing, and I have to say that Ive never heard of anyone having a bad dinner at any restaurant in the North End.

You will also find the Old North Church where Paul Revere saw the lamps alerting the Bostonians that the British armies were coming. And there are beautiful churches to explore and lovely tucked away gardens to discover (try the one directly in front of the Old North Church behind the Paul Revere statue)

Everything you could need to know is in the website below!

The North End has some of the oldest buildings still standing in Boston. Among the highlights are Paul Revere's home and the Old North Church from where the signal was sent letting the revolutionaries know that the British troops were advancing via the water. There are some charming areas with cobblestone streets and squares. The North End also became the focus of European immigrants during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The area is now best known for it's collection of Italian shops and restaurants. Be sure to get a cannoli at Modern or Mike's Pastry shops. Heck, get one at both!

The North End doesn't have any T stations but it's just across the bridge that spans I-93 from the Haymarket station. A better idea may be to get off at the Government Center station and ealk across City Hall Plaza, past City Hall and then the Holocaust Memorial. through the hustle and bustle of Haymarket and then across the Hanover Street bridge that will take you directly onto the main commercial street in the North End.

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.

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Those of us who are old enough can still remember the commercial. We can picture the kid in our minds, running up the streets like a maniac while his mother yelled "Aaaaaantho-NAY!" out a window, and all for a plate of Prince Spaghetti.

Well it all happened here: in the North End.

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!

Boston's North End Schedule of Events

June 1, 2003
Madonna Di Anzano
Procession

June 29, 2003
Society of Saint Jude Thaddeus of Boston
Procession

July 6, 2003
Maria del Graze Society
Procession

July 13, 2003
St. Rocco Society
Procession

July 20, 2003
St. Domenic Society
Procession

July 25 - 27, 2003
St. Joseph Society
Feast Celebration
Battery & Hanover Streets

August 1 - 3, 2003
St. Agrippina di Mineo Society
Feast Celebration
Battery & Hanover Streets

August 8 - 10, 2003
Madonna Della Cava Society
Feast Celebration
Battery & Hanover Streets

August 14 - 17, 2003
Fisherman's Feast of the Madonna Del Soccorso di Sciacca Society of Boston
Fleet & North Streets

August 29 - 31 and September 1, 2003
San Antonio Di Padova Da Montefalcione, Inc.
Feast Celebration
Thatcher & Endicott Streets

September 1, 2003
St. Lucy Society
Feast Celebration
Thatcher & Endicott Streets

September 7, 2003
Santa Rosalia Di Palermo Society
Procession

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
Opened in 1976, it is a large green area, with a great children's playground. The park is also a good place for a picnic because it is not far from Fanueil Hall and its food court, where you can pick up food to go. There is also a rose garden, a dedication to Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy who was born nearby.

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The north end got a real start for Italian influence around late 1800's when immigrants came to the town to help construct the new State House. They were masons, skilled in mosaic tile floor laying and making and placing stained glass. That took some 2-3 years, and they located in the north end to live in the interim. Before that the area was known as a peninsula that had not real value and the lower socioeconomic people lived there. Then came the Irish in early 1800's and they settled. Later the Italians also integrated to the area. What a history. Read the script attached

PAUL REVERE HOUSE: Built in 1680, bought by Revere in 1770. Lived here with his 1st wife Sarah, 2nd wife Rachel & 8 of his 16 children. He's famous for his midnight ride to Lexington on the eve of the Battle of Lexington & Concord to warn his fellow patriots that the British soldiers were on the march.

Downtown Boston's oldest building.

The North End of Boston is very unique. It is "The Italian" Section and a real community. People still speak their native language and work in the neighborhood shops, from barber shops, to bakeries, to some of the finest Italian food anywhere.

Every August they hold the St Anthony's festival. This is always a good time and they take it seriously, with parades, dancing in the streets and authentic Italian music. You cannot have a bad time here.