Yes indeedy, lots going on in this little area. I won't spend too much time here on Faneuil (pronounced FAN-YULE:) Hall or Quincy Market. They are the center of the Boston tourist universe. I am sure you will see and hear all about them. Same with Holocaust Memorial and the Old State House. Yes, take 'em all in, they're historic and great and each one is a must see. But, let's try to give you a couple of not-so-hidden gems. First, the Custom House. Ok, sure, now it's the Marriot Vacation Club Custom House. That beautiful clocktower building you see. Did you know there's also an observation deck up top there? Yup, and you can go FOR FREE! Not always the easiest feat to pull off but if you can....SO worth it. Here's how it works. You have to call to make a reservation 617.310.6300 They only let up around 10 people everyday around 2PM (except Fridays and holidays) You're welcome. Next up, my 2nd favorite tavern, the Green Dragon. It would be number 1 if it was the original but alas, that is long gone. The original was known as the Headquarters of the Revolution and all the boys you've heard about (Warren, Crafts, Revere, Hancock, Adams X2) knocked a few back at the Green Dragon while figuring out what to do about them darn Lobsterbacks! Though not the original, this one does a pretty good imitation and gives ya all the feel of being in the meeting place of the Sons of Liberty. Lastly, and I do mention this on my tour as often as I can, but if you're standing in front of Faneuil Hall with your back to Quincy Market, walk across Congress St., and go up the steps. Here you will find a statue of the great Bill Russell. Also, there's a very cool Boston picture wall. Lastly, RELAX and have a beverage at the open beer garden, Distraction & Democracy. Also, very much worth mentioning here is, Revolutionary Spaces. It's a combo ticket ($15) for the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House. 100% must-do for the history nerd! The Old State House was (more or less) the scene of the Boston Massacre while the Old South Meeting House is where Sam Adams riled the masses before the Boston Tea Party.

Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market

Know more. Do more.

These pages are designed in hopes to give you a general lay of the land. I try to stay away from talking about the bigger attractions and focus more on the "lesser known" things and the "FREE STUFF". I hope you find it useful. -Crafty

Crafty's Eats: Call me a jaded Bostonian (I've been called worse!) BUT...DO NOT eat at Quincy Market. There, I said it. Look, have I tried every offering from inside those hallowed halls? No. So, maybe a few of the vendors are in fact, crushing it. And, It does have a purpose, I suppose. If everyone in your group wants different fare, then QM could be for you. But on a whole, it's loud, chaotic and generally, quantity over quality. Not to mention on super-busy days, hard to find a place to just to sit and relax with your meal. The sit down restaurants attached to the market are all pretty decent. Ned Devines, the Salty Dog, etc. Personally, I think the Boston Public Market , 1 block down on Hanover, is a much better choice. Now, if you want to go more traditional sit-down, table service, hard to beat the Union Oyster House. It's one of the oldest restaurants in the country, was a favorite of the Kennedy's and by all accounts, still serves a mean chowdah!