The Flavor of Boston's North End
Culinary Walking Tours Through America's Oldest Italian Neighborhood
Mar 31, 2007
Stepping out of Boston's North Station "T" subway stop, it's easy to find America's oldest Italian neighborhood. Head east and follow the aroma of garlic to Boston's North End.
The North End neighborhood dates back to the 1630s where the English first settled. Following the American Revolution, the area was ideal for immigrants. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Irish, Portuguese and Eastern Europeans settled in Boston's North End and eventually moved to other areas.
The Italians settled in the North End during the 1920s which is why the area is known as Boston's Little Italy. Today, second and third generation Italians still call Boston's North End home and many operate the Italian shops and restaurants their parents and grandparents built.
Visiting Boston's North End is almost like visiting Italy. Dozens of markets specializing in specific Italian foods and spirits are sprinkled alongside more than 80 Italian eateries. A handful of these shops are the best places within the United States to purchase their respective Italian specialty.
Although tourism is vibrant, Boston's North End is a neighborhood bustling with residents shopping daily for fresh produce, meats, cheeses and other staples. Shopping is not a chore but a social dance as residents chitchat through the neighborhood getting caught up with neighbors, friends and family while picking up grocery needs. Listen closely to hear Italian spoken by multiple generations.
Guided Walking Tours of Boston's North End
Visiting Boston's North End may be overwhelming, especially with the aroma of garlic and fresh baked pastries wafting in the air. A few guided walking tours are offered through the Italian neighborhood to guide visitors:
- Boston's North End Secret Tours: During the two-hour tour, participants learn the little known facts of the historic neighborhood and are treated to a fresh cannoli.
- Freedom Trail's Historic Pub Crawl Tour: The 90-minute tour visits four pubs significant in Boston's history along the 2.5 mile trail, including two on the edge of Boston's North End. The pub crawl includes samplings of Samuel Adams beer and Boston fare at each stop.
- Michele Topor's North End Market Tours: This three-hour tour specializes in the art of Italian cooking, eating and living. Visits are made to six Italian markets and participants sample various foods ranging from authentic balsamic vinegar to Galloni prosciutto and fresh baked pastries to the Italian lemon liquor called limoncello.
Advantages of a Guided Walking Culinary Tour of Boston's North End
- Group sizes are limited to manageable sizes. Participants can easily join in conversation and no one feels left out.
- Narration on the varied Italian flavors is provided while participants taste what is being explained.
- The guide is a local and knows the inside scoop on the best places in Boston's North End to dine and where to purchase Italian ingredients.
- While it is nice to visit the tourist hot spots, the tour usually steers the tour towards authentic Italian experiences and flavors.
- After sampling creamy cheeses, savory meats and sugary treats, walking is the ideal exercise.
Delve into the Italian flavor of Boston's North End with a guided culinary tour. It's almost as good as being in Italy.
Resources
Book a guided walking tour of Boston's North End in advance. Visit the following Web sites for details:
Boston's North End Secret Tours www.northendboston.com/secrettours
Freedom Trail's Historic Pub Crawl Tour www.thefreedomtrail.org
Michele Topor's North End Market Tours www.micheletopor.com
More in Suite101:
Enjoy a Italian Culinary Journey to the North End of Boston
Walking Boston's Freedom Trail
