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Charlestown

Situated just north of downtown Boston, Charlestown is a site of cultural and historical interest.

History

Perhaps best known for being the setting of Chuck Hogan’s crime novel “Prince of Thieves,” then made more famous by the 2010 film “The Town” as a neighborhood disproportionately flanked by bank robberies and organized crime, Charlestown was once a town all its own. Settled in 1629 as the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Charlestown didn’t become a city until more than two centuries later in 1847.

Bordering downtown Boston and the North End and on the Mystic and Charles rivers, this neighborhood has a long navel history. Charlestown has predominantly Irish roots, with demographics that have changed somewhat over the years. Today, it still reflects a strong Irish influence.

Famous people born in Charlestown include Samuel Morse, inventor of Morse code and Howie Long, NFL star, and television personality.

Charlestown Sights

As an area with long roots in the formation of modern Boston, Charlestown hosts many points of historical and cultural interest. Travelers to this part of Boston are in for a walk through memory lane dating back to the American Revolution.

The Freedom Trail, which takes visitors on a walking tour to better understand the Revolutionary War, ends at Bunker Hill Monument where a 221 feet tall statue marks the first major site of that war. For those looking to learn more on the ground, stop into the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau for additional information about tours on the Freedom Trail.

Another site of interest in Charlestown is the Charlestown Navy Yard. The nearly two centuries old sight contains a rich naval history, as it was once the site for ship repairs. Vessels were also built there and today, visitors can see the remnants of a shipyard once very much alive and bustling with activity, closed down decades ago. Entry to the shipyard is free. Additional questions can be answered by staff onsite at the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitors Center.

The USS Constitution and the USS Constitution Museum, which offers an education on the great vessel known as old Ironsides, are also sites that can be explored in Charlestown. Admission to the museum is a nominal suggested fee.

Dining

The dining adventure in Charlestown is a mix of laid-back cafes and restaurants serving up a vibrant mix of cuisines, featuring traditional American, Italian, Irish, Asian, and Latin American fare.

Head to the Navy Yard Bistro and Wine for appetizers or entrees centered on fresh ingredients and Boston’s rich seafood supply or pick a cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack. For a taste of history along with your food, check out the Warren Tavern and Bar, the oldest tavern established in all of Massachusetts. Dubbing itself the “oldest watering hole in America,” the Warren Tavern serves over a dozen beers on tap and a full menu that includes lunch, dinner and brunch in a 225-year-old establishment.

Other dining options include Chinese, pizza or Brazilian cuisine. Many restaurants are on the water and offer visitors a chance to sit outside while enjoying their meals.

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