Adventure Collective
Explore Boston’s North End & Public Market on a Foodie Tour - Boston

Explore Boston’s North End & Public Market on a Foodie Tour

Bostoneasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2–3 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; requires walking at a leisurely pace over city streets.

Overview

Explore Boston’s historic North End and the vibrant Boston Public Market on a flavorful guided tour. Taste authentic Italian treats and fresh local delights while soaking in centuries of history.

Chelsea, Massachusetts

North End & Boston Public Market - Public Tour

3 1/2 Hours • All Ages Welcome • Taste Boston's Iconic and Award-winning Favorites

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About This Adventure

Taste the best of Boston's Public Market and Little Italy!

Duration

3 1/2 Hours

About Boston Foodie Tours

Locally owned by a Boston native and culinary school alum since 2011, Boston Foodie Tours (“BFT”) is a food adventures service that focuses on award-winning best eats, culinary education, and the city’s rich history. We partner with Best of Boston winners, James Beard Award winners, food institutions, and the like. “BFT” is a multiple TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner.

The Boston Public Market and North End Tour

Our tour will begin in historic North End/Little Italy with award-winning pizza and at a recognized top 100 pizza joint. We'll follow it up with house-made Limoncello for the adults, and soft drinks for the underage/non-drinkers. Next, we’ll visit two Best of Boston winners: an Old World bread bakery (3x Best of Boston winner), and a pastry bakery that’s a North End institution. You didn't think that we'd forget the iconic cannoli, did you? And we’ll enjoy some just-made mozzarella in a well-hidden salumeria that has been featured on the Food Network’s “Best Thing That I Ever Ate”.

Switching gears to the Market district, on Fridays and Saturdays our tour route will bring us through the nearly-200-year-old historic Haymarket Market, the oldest open-air market in the country, where we’ll meet with vendors, and enjoy exotic tastings when available.

Next stop is the indoor Boston Public Market. Opened in 2015, the Market is comprised of up to thirty local and regional vendors, some of whose stories we’ll hear firsthand. While stops might change, representative ones include a traditional New England doughnut, flavored roasted nuts, and multiple Best of Boston-winning ice cream. In fact, People magazine ranked it one of the top ten ice creams in the country!

For our finale, well visit the longest, continuously-running restaurant in the country, which Forbes ranks as one of the top ten classic restaurants in the world! There, we’ll enjoy a cup its iconic clam chowder, along with freshly-made cornbread.

Additional Tour Considerations

  • Tours require a minimum of four guests in order to run as scheduled. Should we not meet our sales requirement, you will be offered the opportunity to transfer your tickets to another tour, or to receive a full refund.
  • We defer to parents' judgment as to whether our tours are appropriate for their children. Children two years of age and under are free of charge. Over two years of age are charged full price.
  • While we can't assure guests that we'll be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions, we are more able to do so with advance notice. Please complete the questionnaire at checkout fully so that we can ensure an optimal tour experience. This tour does not accommodate vegan dietary restrictions.
  • This tour requires the physical ability to walk up to one and a half miles with frequent stops.

What to Bring

  • Cash to purchase drinks and to tip your guide (option to pre-pay gratuity at check out)!
  • Bottled water.
  • Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

Adventure Tips

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Expect moderate walking on cobblestone streets and around the market, so comfortable footwear is a must.

Bring a Reusable Bag

You’ll want to take home some market finds, so packing a reusable bag helps carry your purchases sustainably.

Stay Hydrated

Spring through fall tours may be warm, so bring water to stay hydrated during the walking portions.

Check for Dietary Needs

Inform your guide in advance if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions for a tailored tasting experience.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Pigeons commonly seen along the historic streets
  • Squirrels in nearby parks such as Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

History

Boston’s North End is one of the oldest residential communities in the U.S., dating back to the 1630s and rich with Revolutionary War heritage.

Conservation

The Boston Public Market supports sustainability by promoting locally sourced, seasonal foods and minimizing packaging waste.

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Adventure Hotspots in Boston

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Essential

Essential for navigating cobblestone streets and market aisles comfortably.

Reusable Shopping Bag

Useful for carrying any food items or souvenirs picked up at the market.

Light Jacket or Layered Clothing

Essential

Spring weather can be variable; layering keeps you comfortable throughout the tour.

spring specific

Water Bottle

Essential

Stay hydrated during warm summer walking between stops.

summer specific