The North End

The North End is Boston's oldest residential neighborhood, settled in the 1630s on a peninsula jutting into the harbor. Its streets are narrow and crooked, following the paths of the colonial town. Over the centuries it was home to Puritans, Irish, Eastern European Jewish and finally Italian immigrants, who arrived in great numbers from the late nineteenth century and gave the neighborhood its character. Today it is known for its bakeries, restaurants and summer festivals, and for two of the most famous stops on the Freedom Trail.

Revolutionary landmarks

• The Paul Revere House in North Square, built around 1680, the oldest building in downtown Boston and Revere's home at the time of his famous midnight ride.
• The Old North Church, Boston's oldest standing church, built in 1723. On the night of April 18, 1775, two lanterns hung in its steeple signaled that British troops were crossing by water. Behind the church, the Paul Revere Mall, a brick plaza with an equestrian statue of Revere, leads towards the church's steeple.
• Copp's Hill Burying Ground, one of the city's oldest cemeteries, with views across the harbor to Charlestown and the USS Constitution.

Italian North End

Hanover Street is the main street, lined with cafés, restaurants, bakeries and pastry shops. Salem Street and the side lanes have more restaurants, butchers, and shops selling Italian groceries. Old men still play cards in social clubs, and you will hear Italian spoken in the cafés.

What to eat

• Cannoli: the North End's most famous treat, with long lines at the best-known pastry shops. Locals argue loudly over which is best; try two and decide for yourself.
• Pizza: thin, charred pies from some of the city's oldest pizzerias.
• Pasta and seafood: from casual family places to formal dining rooms.
• Espresso: taken standing at the bar or at a sidewalk table.

See what to eat in Boston for more.

The feasts

Every summer, especially in July and August, the North End's religious societies hold feasts honoring patron saints from their home villages in Italy. Statues are carried through the streets, covered in ribbons and money, with bands, food stalls and processions. The largest feasts draw huge crowds at the end of August.

Practical tips

• Restaurants are small and popular; many do not take reservations. Go early or late.
• Many places are cash only; check before you sit down.
• The neighborhood is compact and walkable; driving and parking are very difficult.
• Haymarket, on the edge of the North End, holds an open-air produce market on Fridays and Saturdays.

Getting there

Walk from Faneuil Hall across the Rose Kennedy Greenway, or take the subway to Haymarket. The North End is part of almost every first-time itinerary, including two days in Boston.

Frequently asked questions

Is the North End safe?

Yes, it is one of the city's safest and liveliest neighborhoods.

Where should I get cannoli?

The famous shops on Hanover Street have the longest lines. Smaller bakeries nearby are just as good and quicker.

Can I visit the Old North Church?

Yes. Check current visiting times; there are also behind-the-scenes tours of the crypt and bell-ringing chamber at some times of year.