Boston's Charlestown was the traditional home of employees at the now-decommissioned Navy Yard. Recently it has experienced a shift in its population and industry and an increasing number of young professionals are joining the families who have lived in the area for years.

Get in

By subway

Orange Line: The Community College and Sullivan Square stops both serve Charlestown.

By bus

Routes 92 and 93 go to Charlestown.

By water

The F4 water taxi runs between Long Wharf and the Charlestown Navy Yard. The Navy Yard dock is very close to the U.S.S. Constitution.

By car

You can drive in from Exit 23 (Government center/North End) and Exit 28 (Charlestown/Sullivan Square) on Route I-93, the Charlestown/Somerville Exit on Route 1 after the Tobin Bridge, Storrow Drive in Boston or Memorial Drive in Cambridge.

By foot

Many residents walk to work in Downtown or simply down to the nearby waterfront, both of which are only five minutes away. The North End of Boston is also accessible.

See

USS Constitution

Historical Sites

Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown

• Bunker Hill Monument. Monument Square. For the history buffs in the family there is the Bunker Hill Monument. Even for those who are unfamiliar with history that dates back to 1775 will enjoy the history lesson given on the site of this revolutionary war landmark. Admission is free. 

• Charlestown Navy Yard. Constitution Road. Another Historical landmark is the Charlestown Navy Yard which was established over 200 years ago. The navy yard is located in the Boston National Historical Park. Contact the Visitors Center for more information +1 617-242-5601. 

• U.S.S. Constitution, between Lincoln Ave. and 3rd Street in the Boston National Historical Park, [1]. In this historic park is the warship U.S.S. Constitution which is vital to Boston's history. The U.S.S. Constitution now serves as a training ship and is still commissioned for battle, making it the oldest warship in the world. It's over 205 feet (62 m) tall and weighs 2200 tons.

• Bunker Hill Burying Ground is Charlestown's second oldest cemetery est. in 1810.

• The Freedom Trail is walking trail connecting Boston's historic sites.

• Phipps Street Burying Ground is Charlestown's first cemetery est. in 1630.

• U.S.S. Cassin Young is a WWII Fletcher Class Destroyer built in 1943.

Significant Landmarks

• Austin Block located on 92 Main St.

The Austin Block is one of Charlestown's first masonry buildings built 1827.

• Bunker Hill School on Baldwin and Bunker Hill Streets.

The Bunker Hill School is the Second Empire-style building built 1866.

• Charlestown Savings Bank on 1 Thompson Sq.

This bank was built in 1876.

• Deacon Larkin House located on 55 Main St.

• Edward Everett House is on 16 Harvard St.

The Everett House is a Federal style house with architecture that dates back to 1814.

• Harvard School located on 45 Harvard St.

Harvard is a Greek Revival style c. 1840s.

• Rougan Hall located in the City Square

Rougan Hall is a Renaissance Revival and Romanesque Revival styles c. 1890s.

• St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, 303 Bunker Hill St. On 

This church has Gothic & Celtic architecture that was built in 1862.

• St. John Episcopal Church, 27 Devens St. On 

This church is also a Gothic Revival style built 1870.

• St. Mary's Church located on 55 Warren St.

St. Mary's Church was built 1892.

Parks

• The Training Field is the common grazing area and militia parade ground during colonial times.
• City Square. City Square is one of the city's newer parks, although the history of parks on this site dates back to 1629 when Market Square was laid out and Charlestown was still a separate city. In 1901, an elevated railroad was built through the square and then the busy Tobin Bridge was constructed. The rail line was eventually torn down and the Tobin ramps were put into a tunnel in the 1990s, allowing the park to be reconstructed above the highway. (updated Aug 2015)
• John Harvard Mall. Built in 1943, this shady oasis was built by Harvard University as a memorial to its namesake founder. The park is a little worse for wear, but there is a restoration fundraising campaign in the works. (updated Aug 2015)

Buy

• Artist Group of Charlestown, 523 Medford St, ☏ +1 617 241-0130. The AGC was started in 2002 and has become a staple of the Charlestown art scene ever since. There are many different types of art offered in this gallery. In addition to the group selling its own art, artists from the community who aren't members can display their art. Anything from watercolor paintings to sculptures to photography is on sale at the exhibits. In the spring and summer there is an outdoor festival held at City Square. 

• Harvard Art and Frame, 250 Main St, ☏ +1 617 242-7700. If you decide to buy a photograph at the ACG, this is the place to go to get it framed and matted. Besides framing art, it sells antique prints and paintings. 

• Bunker Hill Florist, 1 Thompson Sq, +1 617-242-2124. In its 20th year of operation, this long-time flower haven is usually the first place called in the event of a funeral or wedding or for a funeral home.

• The Joy of Old, ☏ +1 617 242-6066. 85A Warren St. Anyone who enjoys rustic antiques would have a blast spending all day gazing at everything from oak bookcases to wicker furniture. The jewelry offered is unique as well; a handmade crocheted and beaded bracelet is an extremely popular item. More best-sellers are necklaces made from handmade glass and gemstones. Someone in the college crowd would be interested in a classic sign like "Dorm Sweet Dorm". For a clean-burning scent that is long-lasting you can pick up one of the soy candles while you are in there. 

Eat

For large families there are the traditional, cost-effective spots to eat such as The 99 Restaurant, Papa Gino's or Coldstone Creamery.

There is definitely an international theme when you go out and experience some of the fine dining in Charlestown. The family restaurants aren't bad places to eat but the reason someone would travel to Charlestown are the exotic dishes at Mediterranean, Greek, and French restaurants offer in addition to an interesting night life (see belly dancing at Tangierino's).

• Tangierino Restaurant & Lounge, 83 Main St, ☏ +1 617 242-6009. The restaurant offers serves Moroccan cuisine, including such lip-smacking favorites as blazing beef tenderloin or striped bass. Valet parking 7 days a week, complimentary limousine service back and forth from nearby hotels. Tuesday through Saturday, from 7 to 10, the restaurant brings in the wild crowd by featuring belly dancers. Main courses: $20-35. 
• Legal Oysteria, 10 City Square, ☏ +1 617 712-1988. 11:30AM-1AM M-Sa 10AM-1AM Su. Legal Seafood's take on a Northern Italian oyster bar. Legal Oysteria is currently a one-off and serves a very different menu from the chain's other restaurants. (updated Aug 2015)
• Brewer's Fork, 7 Moulton St, ☏ +1 617 337-5703. Here you will find an extensive selection of beer and cider and a menu focused on their wood-fired oven, mostly pizza. (updated Aug 2015)
• Chow Thai Cafe, 187 Main St, ☏ +1 617 242-5232. Simple Thai cuisine in a small neighborhood restaurant. (updated Aug 2015)
• Figs, 67 Main St., ☏ +1 617 242-2229. The original location of Todd English's gourmet pizza spot. (updated Aug 2015)
• Navy Yard Bistro, 1 6th St, ☏ +1 617 242-0036. Fancy French restaurant in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard. (updated Aug 2015)
• Grasshopper Cafe, 229 Bunker Hill St, ☏ +1 617 242-0000. Simple family owned restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. (updated Aug 2015)

Drink

• Sullivan’s Pub, 85 Main St, ☏ +1 617 242-9515. They have weekly events like Trivia Nights on Wednesdays and Karaoke night on Thursdays. They have a wide variety of drinks and reasonably priced. To top it off they have good food. 

• Tavern on the Water, ☏ +1 617 242-8040. 8th St. They have a long wine and beer list. The wine is sold by the glass ($6-18) or by the bottle ($24-75). Normal draft beers and bottle beers are available as well. There is also a brunch, lunch, dinner and bistro menu. 
• Tavern at the End of the World, 108 Cambridge St, ☏ +1 617 241-4999. Cozy tavern with a small, but well chosen beer list. 
• Warren Tavern, 2 Pleasant St, ☏ +1 617 241-8142. This oldest tavern in Massachusetts has had many famous visitors, including George Washington himself. This bar/restaurant has an extensive wine list. You can buy the wine by the glass ($5-8) or by the bottle ($21-29). They offer a variety of domestic and imported draft beers. They have a menu for brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert. Monthly events. 

• Sorelle Bakery and Café, ☏ +1 617 242-2125. One Monument Ave. A local café with great coffee and baked goods. They offer their special Sorelle brewed coffee along with specialty coffees like lattes, cappuccinos and chai teas. The prices range from $1.59 to $4.29, depending on the size you choose. They have a long lunch menu, if you are interested. And if you are they serve beer and wine with your lunch. They have many awards and good reviews. 

• The Coffee Shop, One Thompson Sq, +1 617-242-3551.

• Zume's, café, 223 Main St, +1 617-242-0038. Another local hangout (pronounced "zoo-meez") with good espresso, pastry, and sandwiches, and big easy chairs to hang out in.

Sleep

• 1 Residence Inn Boston Harbor on Tudor Wharf, 44 Charles River Ave, ☏ +1 617 242-9000. Has a beautiful view of the Boston Harbor and complimentary services like: a buffet breakfast, the morning newspaper, and a coffee and tea room. Their guest services include: an ATM, grocery shopping service, and room service. On site they offer the Harborwalk Café on Tudor Wharf, which is American cuisine of lunch and dinner. This hotel also includes and indoor pool and a fitness center. The price range of this hotel is $229 to $259 per night. 

• Constitution Inn, 150 2nd Ave, ☏ +1 617 241-8400. They are conveniently located by local attractions so you don’t have to go far to get the good feel of this town. They have a YMCA fitness center and meeting and banquet halls available. The price range starts at $49 to $125. If you are in the military you can get a special rate with your military id present. 

• Bunker Hill Bed and Breakfast, 80 Elm St, ☏ +1 617 886-9367. Is more quaint and a “home away from home” you might want to try. At this Victorian styled home breakfast is made to order. They offer a Jacuzzi, library and laundry facilities. There is a VCR, TV and phone in each room. Pricing starts at $135 to $145 per night. 

Connect

All of Charlestown uses 10-digit dialing. This means you need to include the area code whenever you are making a call. The standard area code is 617, but some phone numbers use the new 857 overlay.

Go next

Charlestown isn't connected by land to any other part of Boston so it can sometimes feel cutoff from the rest of the city, although Downtown is a short ride away on the Orange Line.

East Cambridge is an easy walk from the southern part of Charlestown.

Assembly Square, a brand new neighborhood, built on the site of an old Ford factory, is a short hop north on the Orange Line where you will find trendy new restaurants and plenty of shopping.

Routes through Charlestown

END ← Malden ←

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→ North End → Downtown Boston