Faneuil Hall Marketplace
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Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, MA was built as a gift to the city by Peter Faneuil, who had made a fortune trading across the Atlantic Ocean. Peter's father immigrated to the United States from France in 1685.
After amassing a fortune, including a sizeable inheritance from his uncle, a New York trader, Peter offered to give money to build a large warehouse to the city. Peter hired local artist John Symbert to draw up plans for the building. Workers took two years to construct the building, consisting of an open ground floor so merchants could sell meat and produce. The second floor was enclosed and designed for meetings. Peter died only two years after workers completed the building. After his death, city leaders named the building in his honor.
The interior of the building burned in 1761, but workers quickly reconstructed it. In the days leading up to and during the American Revolution, lively debates occurred in Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Samuel Adams and others debated taxation without representation, the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts in the building. Many victims of the Boston Massacre lay in state in the hall before their funerals. In fact, events happening in the building were so instrumental that it was nicknamed the Cradle of Liberty. During the 1830s, Boston's abolitionists used the facility to organize their efforts against slavery.
Today, it is still a lively marketplace and the building is managed by the National Park Service.
How to Get There
Take a flight to Logan International Airport if you are outside of the area. Then, use bus lines 426, 501, 504, 92 or SL5 to get to the marketplace. You can also take the Fairmont, Kingston or Framingham/Worchester train to the south station and take a short walk to the marketplace. While the walk is a little longer, you can also take the Newburyport/Rock Port train to the North Station. Furthermore, the Blue, Green and C Green stop near the hall.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace
You will not want to miss several notable areas of Faneuil Hall Marketplace. As the name implies, this is a marketplace, and you will find over 100 retailers plus several pushcarts selling various things. Before going inside, watch the street performers. While you can find street performers outside the venue, the best ones often perform in front of Quincy Market, which is a terrific place to get a bite to eat from many different vendors. Stop at the Visitors Center operated by the National Park Service. You will love visiting with the park rangers and seeing the exhibits in the museum. Head to the second floor to see the space where people led many important meetings. Note that it is often closed for weddings and special events. Take a stroll along the Walkway to the Sea. This steel and glass structure at the end of Faneuil Hall Marketplace takes strollers to gorgeous views of Boston Harbor.
Ticket Information
While there is no cost to explore much of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, you will need a $34 ticket to visit the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Museum on the fourth floor.
Family-Friendly Options
Your children will love exploring Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Start your visit by letting them watch the street performers, often including knife throwers, magicians, circus-type acts and singers. Think about giving your children a set amount of money to spend with the vendors operating pushcarts or retail merchants. They will have fun deciding what to buy with so many different options. Once everyone gets hungry, stroll through the food court and let everyone choose from the 40 food vendors. Then, head to the museum to go on a tour of the great hall. Finally, trek along the Walkway to the Sea to see beautiful waterfront views.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Start your visit by watching the street performers. They start performing at 9 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. with different acts throughout the day. Then, shop until you drop for apparel, gifts and home décor. While you will find some big chains, many vendors sell unique merchandise they create. Once your feet demand a break, stop for lunch in the food court. Then, tour with a park ranger to see the meeting hall and other nearby attractions. There are horses and carriages nearby, so take a carriage ride to see attractions that are further away. End your visit by walking along the Walkway to the Sea to enjoy waterfront views.
Of course, no trip to Faneuil Hall Marketplace would be complete without some photos. If you have a Celtics fan in your group, take a group photo with the bronze statue of Red Auerbach, who coached the team from 1950 through 1966. Children will love having their pictures taken next to the bronze-cast Converse sneakers worn by Larry Bird.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
This massive state park is located south of Boston just outside of Quincy, Massachusetts. It’s about 20 miles from downtown Boston and a 30-45 minute drive. The park itself is fairly secluded, but it’s just a 5 minute drive to the closest suburban town of Hingham for groceries and dining. Hingham is also right on the water, for those who want to check out Hingham Bay or Fort Andrews. The park is also close to Massachusetts Bay.
Winter Island Park is a great location to camp, especially if you are interested in visiting some of the historical sites in the area. You can view the Salem Harbor and the Fort Pickering Lighthouse. Whether you take a boat out into the water or enjoy the views from the beach, this is an area with some stunning vistas.
Hanscom AFB FamCamp is an ideal option for families or couples who have a military background. The facility is located in Bedford, which means that you can easily reach Boston and other nearby attractions. Reservations are not needed at this campground, which means that sites are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Activities Near Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Things to Do
Fishing
The Charles River is a terrific place to go fishing, and about three miles of this river runs through Boston. In particular, the Esplanade area often yields great bass and carp, especially under the footbridges.
Nature watching
Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is a terrific place to go nature-watching. While the park has 34 islands, it is easy to take the ferry to explore six of them. You will see various wildlife as you explore the different ecosystems, including rocky shores, sandy shores, salt marshes, sea grass beds and tidal mudflats.
Stargazing
Judson B. Coit Observatory is a terrific place to go stargazing. This observatory, operated by Boston University, often hosts public stargazing parties.
Flora and fauna
Arnold Arboretum is a fantastic place to see a variety of plants. Harvard University curates the plants at this 281-acre facility.
Hiking
There are over 125 miles of hiking trails to explore at the Blue Hills Reservation. In particular, consider climbing to the top of Great Blue Hill to see amazing panoramic views of Boston.
Boating
Use the public boat ramps to launch your vessel onto the Mystic River and see Boston Harbor from the water. Consider launching in Medford and working your way through the locks three miles downstream to explore the Harbor.
Swimming
Water Wizz Water Park is a terrific place to go swimming. It features a variety of slides and other attractions for people of all swimming levels.
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
The warmest month in Boston is usually July, so be sure to pack your lightest clothes and a sunhat. The average temperature in July is generally 82 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, January is usually the coldest month, with an average temperature of 37 degrees. In addition, the city usually receives about 12.9 inches of snow each year, so pack your winter gear.
Safety & Accessibility
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a terrific shopping destination, but as with any cosmopolitan area, you should be aware of your surroundings. Different merchants offer unique services to accommodate those with special needs. There is an elevator, making the entire building accessible to those with mobility issues.
Conclusion
You will love dining, shopping and exploring Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This building has a rich history leading back to the American Revolution. Take time to see it all.
FAQ
There are numerous camping options in Boston.
It can be challenging to find RV parking near Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Therefore, consider using public transportation to reach this destination.
Many of the merchants at Faneuil Hall Marketplace offer locally made goods, making it a terrific place to buy souvenirs.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is very family-friendly. In particular, your children will love watching the street performers and dining.
While some merchants may have a different policy, Faneuil Hall Marketplace is generally not pet-friendly. If you bring your dog along, consider visiting the outdoor attractions.