East Boston is a neighborhood of Boston, located across Boston Harbor from the city center. It is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city, with a large immigrant population. East Boston has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for great food, culture, or history. Here are the best things to do in East Boston.
The best things to do in East Boston
Here are the best and most fun things to do in East Boston:
Admire the beauty of Madonna Shrine
Renowned as Boston’s “Madonna, Queen of the Universe Shrine”, the faithful Catholic pilgrims all over the world keep on visiting this wonderful shrine. Built into a hillside, it features a gift shop and a great view of the Boston skyline, North Shore and Boston Harbor. Yes, this is New England’s tallest statue, massive and majestic.
Piers Park: Marginal Street
Piers Park is the perfect place to spend a day outdoors. You can stroll along the 600-foot promenade, work out on the outdoor fitness machines, or let your inner child loose on the playground.
Piers Park is a great place to get away from the busyness of Boston and just enjoy the city life from a distance. The park is a perfect spot to see stunning skyline views and enjoy being near the harbor in a tranquil, relaxed setting.
It provides a refreshing respite on hot summer days with its several decorative gazebos and sprays fountains. It also boasts an amphitheater and direct access to the waterfront, providing an amazing view of downtown Boston across the harbor.
Piers Park Sailing Center: 95 Marginal St.
Sail away from the mundane and into an adventure by taking a sailing lesson at the Piers Park Sailing Center!
If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can take the non-profit’s 21-hour sailing course.
However, if you just want to relax and enjoy the waves, you can also rent both a sailboat and a staff member to sail it for two hours.
The Piers Park sailing center is a great place to learn how to sail. The Learn to Sail course is a two-weekend or two-week evening program that takes 21 hours to complete.
If you want to sail one of the center’s 23-foot Sonar sailboats, but didn’t take lessons there, you’ll need to pass a “check out” test. Discounted memberships for early registrants, college students, East Boston residents, veterans, and seniors are available for the entire sailing season.
This is one of East Boston’s most popular attractions, with easy access to the Inner Harbor and Harbor Islands. The center provides outreach programs for underserved youth and offers one of the country’s best programs for disabled sailors.
See also [related]: 34 Fun Things to do in Barnstaple That Will Keep You entertained
Beat the heat at Constitution Beach
Constitution Beach is the perfect place to have some fun with your honey or friends, with plenty of water-based activities on offer. This man-made crescent-shaped beach is sandy and boasts a playground, tennis court, and gazebos, not to mention stunning views. The water is also relatively warm, making it a great spot for a dip.
Explore true water adventure at New England Aquarium
How would you like to spend three hours whale-watching in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary? This tour is the highlight of your East Boston escapade, and you’ll get to see more than 800 different marine life up close!
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation: Bennington Street
Did you know that there is a large salt marsh right inside the city limits? The Belle Isle Marsh reservation is open year-round from 9 am to dusk and preserves 152 acres of the 241-acre marsh – the last remaining salt marsh in Boston. The protected waters of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area are a breeding ground for numerous fish and shellfish, as well as for native vegetation. The islands offer a view of wildlife rarely seen in a metropolitan area, including the marsh, Logan Airport, and the nearby town of Winthrop. Visitors can scan the area from an observation tower.
See also [related]: The 13 Fun and Best Things to do in Harrogate in 2022
LoPresti Park: Sumner Street
LoPresti Park, along the Maverick Square area waterfront, is another great spot for outdoor recreation.
You can shoot some hoops on one of the park’s two basketball courts (you can play under the lights at night), play street hockey on the rink, or play a game of ping-pong in the picnic grove.
The artificial turf soccer field, children’s play lot, and spray fountain make it a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful Boston skyline. You can also fish along the waterfront, a popular dusk activity here.
Rino’s Place
258 Saratoga Street, MA 02128
If you’re looking for a delicious Italian meal, Rino’s Place is the perfect spot. This small but mighty-tasty eatery was featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, & Drives and is famous for its hearty, mouth-watering Italian food.
Opened 24 years ago by Rino and Anna DiCensio, the restaurant is now run by son, Chef Anthony. So grab an early dinner at Rino’s and enjoy some of the best Italian cuisine around.
Slush King: 211 Bennington St.
This Italian corner shop serves up delicious slushies, gelato, and soft serve ice cream made with fresh, all-natural ingredients. With over 15 delicious flavors to choose from, there’s something for everyone!
Why not try a gelati (layers of slush and soft serve) or one of Slush King’s specialty sundaes?
We recommend the s’mores, the fluffer nutter, or the turtle sundaes. Customers can add walnuts, sprinkles, and cookie dough to their soft serve. Gelato flavors include hazelnut, espresso, cream and cookies, and rum raisin.
You can still find Slush King’s original pushcart vendors selling slush and freshly squeezed lemonade at summer festivals throughout New England and on the Boston Common.
The company began as a mobile vendor in 1965 and didn’t open its East Boston brick-and-mortar location until 2020.
Taqueria Jalisco: 291 Bennington St.
At Taqueria Jalisco, you can enjoy classic Mexican staples like tortas, tacos, burritos, and meat and seafood entrées in a cheerful and colorful setting.
If you’re looking for a delicious breakfast option, why not try a breakfast burrito, chilaquiles (eggs scrambled with red or green sauce and tortilla chips), or huevos con chorizo? All of these egg dishes are sure to start your day off right!
Some of the most popular menu items at this restaurant include birria tacos, carne asada, tamales, enchiladas, and quesadillas – all of which go wonderfully with a side of rice and beans.
Be sure to order some chips so you can sample the restaurant’s fabulous salsa. The fresh guacamole is also superb and not to be missed.
You can order your food to go and take a stroll over to the waterfront for an outdoor meal and a perfect view of Boston Harbor and the city skyline.
See also [related]: The 14 Best Things to do in Artesia, NM in 2022
Condor Street Urban Wild: Condor Street
This area was once a marine industrial site, but thanks to the efforts of the Urban Wilds Initiative, it is now one of Boston’s 29 urban wilds, or natural landscapes.
The meadow grasses and salt marshes are not the only things that make this place special – there is also a boardwalk, walking paths, and a viewing platform overlooking Chelsea Creek.
In the winter and spring, you might even be lucky enough to see harbor porpoises swimming along the creek.
ICA Watershed: 256 Marginal St.
The ICA Boston opened a seasonal exhibition space several years ago in a former copper pipe and sheet metal facility in the Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina.
This space boasts 15,000 square feet of exhibition space and is a great place to view contemporary art. The ICA Watershed has become a go-to summer destination for residents and tourists alike, who flock to its annual exhibition.
This year’s show, Revival: Material & Monumental Forms, features large-scale installations by six prominent international artists.
Each artist uses reclaimed and repurposed industrial and everyday materials in their work, creating unique and powerful pieces. The Harbor Room at the ICA is the perfect place to take in stunning views of Boston Harbor and the skyline.
Admission to the Watershed is free for all, so be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity! You can get free ferry rides to and from the Seaport by either buying an ICA admission ticket or becoming an ICA member.
The capacity for the ferry is limited and tickets can be reserved online a month in advance. The tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for both ICA members and visitors.
It is recommended that you make reservations in advance. The Watershed will be open from Tuesday to Sunday until September 5th.
Visit the Statue of Paul Revere
Public and private spaces have long been graced by statues of all sizes, from massive sculptures to small figurines. Visit the Statue of Paul Revere and check off a famous piece of artwork from your to-do list.
You can find the statue of Paul Revere in the riverside neighborhood of North End, and it’s free to visit!
Some nearby attractions to consider adding to your itinerary are Boston Common, Fenway Park, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
See also [related]: 15 Fun and Best Things to do in Doswell VA
Santarpio’s Pizza
First established as a bakery in 1903, Santarpio’s, considered by many to be the best pizza in Boston, is now a landmark eatery for both tourists and locals alike.
Offering both pizza pies and barbecue skewers to hungry lunch-goers, Santarpio’s is the perfect place to stop for a bite.
Don’t miss out on the chance to visit one of East Boston’s most beloved restaurants while you’re in the area. But please keep in mind, that Santarpio’s is cash only!
Wonder and stroll along Belle Isle Marsh Reservation
Looking to relax in the beautiful scenery and experience wildlife? A stroll along Belle Isle Marsh Reservation is perfect for you!
With plenty of green space to explore with your furry friend, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Don’t worry, there’s a superb cafeteria on site serving up a selection of good food.
Constitution Beach: Orient Heights
Spend a day at the beach without even having to leave the city by taking the MBTA Blue Line to Orient Heights and spending the day at Constitution Beach.
The park has everything you need for a fun day in the sun, including a bathhouse, tennis and handball courts, a baseball field, a picnic area, a concession stand, and a playground.
If you get tired of sunbathing, there are plenty of other recreational activities to enjoy at the beach, like playing tennis, handball, or basketball.
No wonder it’s one of the city’s most popular beaches! Lifeguards are on duty from June through Labor Day, and when you’re done with the beach, you can explore the neighborhood’s many dining options by taking the nearby pedestrian overpass across the MBTA tracks.
Visit Long Wharf
Boston’s commercial history started at the dock, where the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the developing United States were influenced.
Take a stroll down Long Wharf and imagine what it was once like as North America’s busiest commercial center.
Today, the wharf is better known for the cruises that depart from the dock bound for the Boston Harbor Islands or whale-watching tours of the North Atlantic. But, it’s still a great place to take in the sights and smells of the harbor.
The wharf, built in 1710, made Boston the largest commercial port in the Americas. Furs, silks, spices, and tea passed to and fro, making it a bustling hub of activity.
It got its name from its extreme length. The landfill has shortened the dock, but you can still head to the water’s edge to breathe in some sea air.
Enjoy learning at the Museum of Science
The Museum of Science is the perfect place for an exciting and educational day. Get up close and personal with a Triceratops fossil, witness a Tesla electricity and lightning show, walk among butterflies, and take a journey inside the human body.
This museum is overflowing with 700 interactive exhibits, activities, displays, and experiments – the list goes on and on!
See also [related]: Fun and Best 50 Things to do on 4th of July : activities in 2022
East Boston Hotel Deals
Looking for a hotel deal in East Boston? Check out our special rates on waterfront hotels in MA. Our selection of hotels offers something for everyone, from luxury accommodations to budget-friendly options. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, we have a hotel deal for you. Here are the best East Boston Hotels:
1- Copley Square Hotel
The Copley Square Hotel is situated in the heart of Boston’s fashionable Back Bay district, close to shops, restaurants, and the airport.
The area’s natural beauty is on display at Boston Public Garden and Boston Common, while Boston Symphony Hall and Berklee College of Music offer a taste of the city’s cultural life.
Looking for something fun to do while you’re in town? Check out what’s happening at Matthews Arena or Fenway Park.
Guests of the hotel love its convenient location near public transportation and popular sightseeing destinations. Copley Station is just 3 minutes away on foot, and Prudential Station is 5 minutes away. Other nearby outdoor activities include golfing and hiking/biking trails.
2- Embassy Suites Boston Logan Airport
Near the East Boston metro station, you’ll find the Embassy Suites Boston Logan Airport. This neighborhood is known for its good airport proximity, as well as landmarks like Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market.
You can also enjoy activities like Long Wharf and Boston Harbor.
TD Garden is the perfect place to catch a game or event. And while you’re in the area, be sure to check out the New England Aquarium.
With so much to see and do, you might even want to spend a day exploring all the nearby attractions, like golfing.
Guests love the hotel’s convenient location near public transportation. Airport Station is only 9 minutes away by foot, and Maverick Station is just 13 minutes.
3- Hilton Boston Logan Airport
Hilton Boston Logan Airport is located in the East Boston neighborhood and is connected to the airport.
Cultural highlights in the area include the Orpheum Theater and Boston Children’s Museum, as well as notable landmarks such as Faneuil Hall Marketplace and The Freedom Trail.
Make sure to check out an event or game at TD Garden, and don’t forget to visit the New England Aquarium while you’re in town! There’s plenty to do in the area, so take some time to explore everything it has to offer, including golfing.
See also: The 10 Best Things to do in Capitola city beach town in 2022
What is East Boston known for?
East Boston (alias “Eastie”) is the neighborhood that is most famous for being the site of Boston Logan Airport. In fact, the area contains some of the best eclectic dining venues in town. Tourists in this area witness breathtaking views of Massachusetts Harbor and the City Skyline.
Is East Boston a good neighborhood?
Crime rates in East Boston steadily dropped throughout time, and are considered safer than 69% of the surrounding areas. A short distance from Logan Airport and affordable apartments make this neighborhood very attractive.
What is considered East Boston?
East Boston is divided into different sections, including Eagle Hill, Jeffrey Point, Maverick Square, and Orient Heights.
See also: 17 Best Things to Do in Round Rock, TX for a Great Experience
Conclusion:
East Boston is a great place to visit for its food, culture, history, and views. Be sure to check out all the best things to do in East Boston while you’re in town!