Location: North End
Top Things to do in North End
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What to do and see in North End, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Sights & Landmarks
Walk the Freedom Trail the first time you visit Boston and you'll quickly get a sense of this coastal city's revolutionary spirit and history. But make sure you also explore some of Boston's fine museums (try the Isabella Stewart Gardner, featuring masterpieces displayed in their collector's mansion) and old neighborhoods (like the North End, Boston's Little Italy). You can't claim to have experienced real Boston culture, though, until you've watched a Red Sox game from the bleachers.
Restaurants in Boston
1. North End
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,134 reviews
This Italian neighborhood, Boston's oldest, is known for its wonderful restaurants and historic sights. Walk the cobblestone streets to take in the architecture and aromas of delicious food, and visit Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church while you're in the neighborhood.
Reviewed By loneriter - Boston, United States
This is a must-do while visiting Boston. Cobblestone streets, authentic Italian restaurants, gelaterias, quaint cafes serving divine espressos, and pastry shops selling that most mouth-watering of Italian desserts -- cannolis. Word of caution: if planning to dine in the North End, make sure you call ahead for a reservation.
2. Old North Church & Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,050 reviews
Old North has modified the visitor experience in order to adhere to COVID-19 health & safety guidelines. At this time your admission to Old North includes a specialized group experience that invites you into our iconic church to learn more about both the role we played launching the American Revolution and our deeper legacy as one of our nation’s most revered historic sites. During your visit you will be seated in our unique and original box pews, maintaining a safe distance from other visitors, and hear from our dedicated education staff about the founding of the church in 1723, the remarkable events of April 18, 1775, the Longfellow poem that cemented our place in history, and more about the people and stories that have made Old North the icon it is today. Your admission also includes digital access to interpretive signage and an exclusive online photo gallery to commemorate your visit.
Reviewed By LHShore - Cleveland, United States
The Bell Tower Tour is a great addition to a visit to the Old North Church, the church from which the "two if by sea" lanterns made famous by Henry Longfellow Wadsworth's poem "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." In addition to admission to the church which includes an informative presentation by a docent, you also get to climb the stairs to the bell tower. Be warned - the steps are steep and there's curve, but it's manageable unless you really are not able to climb stairs normally. Unfortunately, the stairs are not original to the church, and the minister who hung the lanterns from the bell tower that fateful night climbed a series of internal ladders that no longer exist, but the area you visit on the tour is the area from which the bells are still rung. Additionally, the tour takes you underground, into the original crypt and the docent provides intriguing details about its inhabitants.
3. Saint Leonard of Port Maurice
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By rogersober - Clermont, United States
We walked in the North District last evening to find many restaurants and Italian pastry shops only to find a Parrish shrine of sorts. The Church and grounds are full of beautiful icons of saints and higher. What a great find I did not miss in my haste to find cannoli.
4. Skinny House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By CMelam - Bend, United States
It’s a bit strange to review a private home that you can’t actually tour, but it was still a fun experience. The house is only about 6 feet deep (I don’t say wide purposefully since the house is situated sideways on it’s lot). It sits directly across from The Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, so the trip is not wasted if you’re not fascinated by the house. The current owners appear to have a sense of humor as there’s a sign in the front referring to it as the “spite house” established in 1862. If you’re in the area, it’s worth taking a look and a photo.
5. The Paul Revere House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,386 reviews
The Paul Revere House is the home of legendary patriot Paul Revere, where he began the famous “Midnight Ride.” A rare example of 17th-century urban architecture, and a National Historic Landmark, it is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston, and the only home on the Freedom Trail. Historic rooms contain artifacts from Revere’s era, including Revere family furniture and documents. One room is furnished with artifacts from the time of the first owner. Exhibits in the Visitor Center include beautiful silver made in Revere's shop. Visit to discover the true story of the “Midnight Ride” and the man behind the myth.
Reviewed By Midnight2673 - Bridlington, United Kingdom
This is worth seeing as part of Boston’s history as this man was central to many things happening, he has a statue in the north end and his house is one of the last wooden houses standing opposite the Rachel revere square named after his wife. Seen as part of the freedom trail, there is a museum you can go in but they day I visited it was closed due to thanksgiving.
6. Sacred Heart Church
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
7. St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 41 reviews
Paul Revere may have worshipped at this church, which has gone from Congregational to Unitarian to Roman Catholic in its almost 300 years of history.
Reviewed By L3775HDadamf
Was a very nice change of pace from other Catholic Churches in that the building is very simple, sort of a staple of Bullfinch design, of which this is the oldest remaining example in Boston. Excellent history to this church and a very welcoming community made Mass feel very meaningful, plus right out front is the Revere statue and Old North Church. Down the street is more Freedom Trail plus many restaurants. Recommend a visit just to see or to celebrate Mass.
8. Paul Revere Statue
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 269 reviews
Cyrus Dallin designed this bronze statue of Revere riding his horse.
Reviewed By on_the_go_98765
Nothing wrong with coloring outside the lines and bringing a little embellishment to the facts. History is alive with fluffy-stuff and exaggerations that we love as much as frosting on a cake. As an American, I realize that Longfellow took a great deal of "poetic license" in creating a fable we would perpetuate in perpetuity. This is a romanticized look at the beginning event of the revolution. This equestrian monument depicts a handsome, fit horseman who we have come to know as the face of Paul Revere, craftsman and master iron-maker. It sits in the center of a small mall (Paul Revere Mall) of red bricks, canopies of leafy trees, a fountain, and all the beauty of an urban mini-park. behind our hero is the Old North Church (aka Christ church in Boston). Cyrus Edwin Dallin was the 22-year old sculptor awarded the contract for this monument (1885). The actual installation did not happen until 1940 when he was 79 years old. He is also the sculptor for the Angel Moroni on top of the Salt Lake City Temple (and every other one since). Just interesting, we've seen Dallin's work all over the US and now we know it better than this fine statue of Revere. Back to the myth: Revere actually arranged for the hanging of the lanterns and had rowed across the river to make sure his son's of liberty brethren saw the signal. Then, he borrowed a horse (assume this here to be the might Bucephalus look-alike snorting under Revere's saddle). Dawes, Prescott, and Revere were 3 riders tasked with alerting John Hancock and Samuel Adams (in Lexington and prime targets for capture) that the assault on the Concord ammunition site would come across the Charles River. Our 3 heroes rode on to Concord (not in their original orders) and were captured. All got away except for our hero. He was released later, horseless, He made his way back to Lexington Green, in time to see the Battle of Lexington (such that it was). At the end of the day (and the beginning of the new day), these 35-50 patriots (farmers and family men) did their best to stand down the well-trained British troops. Most lived to fight another day and many more days there would be. Thank you, Longfellow, for your inspiring poem and to you, Cyrus Edwin Dallin, for giving us some flesh to hang on the bones of our history. Boston's Revere Mall and statue reminded me of the cost of freedom. In this area, wander a bit and find the modest memorial (dog tags) to the fallen in the Iraq-Afghanistan war. It is moving.
9. Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 186 reviews
In preparation for the Battle of Bunker Hill, British soldiers used Copp's Hill gravestones for target practice.
Reviewed By TravelingMerm - Monrovia, United States
This is Boston’s we one burying ground and holds the tombs of the Mather family! Not to mention some very prominent African American tombs as well, such as Phyllis Wheatley, the first published woman of African descent that was also a poet. You can see the tomb of Cotton Mather, the Puritan minister that was a central figure of the Salem witch trials...very cool burying ground! The headstones are remarkably beautiful - very Victorian gothic style! There are many other ancient historical internments here as well, but I did have some difficulties finding some of the graves as they’re very old and worn so it’s almost impossible to read a lot of them. Still, it’s very eerily beautiful and well kept. It’s easy to find but parking can be a challenge...I think there’s some street parking but it was all full. I ended up parking in a garage a block away - was only there for an hour and it was an exorbitant $15!!! So be aware! Probably better to just walk it.
10. Paul Revere Mall
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 104 reviews
Plaza located behind Old North Church.
Reviewed By stevetV9366XH - Preston, United Kingdom
This is on the Freedom Trail route heading from the Paul Revere House to the Old North Church. It was quite a surprising walkway as it had a lot of memorials of sorts - with lots not just to see but to read. Don't be rushed - take your time to have a look and read all that there is. It's far better to spend more time here and make sure you've seen everything than to pay to go into the Old North Church or other similar establishments. This is just as interesting and it's free. And if you have teenagers borderline interesting.
