Ciao! If you’ve been to Boston, chances are that you’ve been to the North End. After all, it’s the Little Italy of Massachusetts, home to numerous Italian restaurants and bakeries as well as historical sites, shops, and other businesses. Whether you’re a foodie or a history buff, Boston’s North End is a must-visit location in the city.

A trip to the North End of Boston is like transporting back in time in some ways and being in a European village in others. This historical section of the city was first settled by Europeans in the 1630s. Beginning in the 1860s, mostly Italian immigrants settled in the area.
Ajay Suresh/Wikimedia Commons
In the early 1900s, the population of Italian residents grew exponentially as did Italian-owned restaurants and businesses throughout the cobblestone streets here. Today visitors can find over 80 restaurants, many of which are Italian, in the Little Italy of Boston, Massachusetts.
Wherever you are in the North End, you can stumble into one of many Italian restaurants for a delectable meal. Cantina Italiana happens to be a historic landmark Italian eatery that's been around since 1931.
Cantina Italiana/Facebook
Stop in for some handmade pasta or gnocchi and pair it with a glass of Italian wine for a delicious meal. Buon apetito!
Of course, you must visit one of the many Italian pastry shops or bakeries while in the neighborhood. Among the most popular is Mike's Pastry an iconic pastry shop on Hanover Street that's famous for its cannoli.
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While festivals and food are reasons many people visit the North End, there is also a plethora of historical sites found in the neighborhood. Copp's Hill Burying Ground is one such historical site that was established in 1659 as only the second cemetery in the city at the time.
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One of the most prominent fixtures in this part of Boston is the Old North Church. First established in 1723 as Christ Church, it is the oldest church building in the city and it played a pivotal role in the American Revolutionary War.
Old North Church & Historic Site/Facebook
In front of the church is a statue if Paul Revere on horseback. You'll find both along the Freedom Trail which goes through the heart of the North End.
Also along the Freedom Trail in the North End, you can stop by the Paul Revere House which was built in 1680. Revere owned the home from 1770 until 1800 and it became a museum in 1908. As the oldest structure in the city, it's worth taking a tour.
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The North End is also known nationwide for its Italian feasts and celebrations. The most popular feast held here is the Feast of St. Anthony celebrated each year since 1919 on the weekend of the last Sunday in August. If you can make it to the North End during one of the feasts, it will be a celebration to remember!
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What’s your favorite place to go in Boston’s North End? Tell us in the comments! For more information on this vibrant Italian neighborhood, visit NorthEndBoston.com.

 

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