chinatown boston

Things to do in Chinatown, Boston

Don’t miss out on the best of Boston’s Chinatown!
By Dom Bewley

Dive into the cuisine and sights of Chinatown – here’s why we think it’s not one to be missed!

Picture the scene. You're planning your vacation to Boston. You've mapped out all the places you want to see, all the things you want to do, and then it hits you. What about Chinatown? Understandably, you pause, wondering how you could possibly miss one of Boston's best districts. It's okay; we all make mistakes. There's still time to fix things. And fix them we shall. Just sit there, yes, there, and chill out. Scroll down and discover the district's delights. Here begins our guide of the best things to do in Chinatown, Boston!

Including:

  • Where to eat
  • Where to drink
  • What to see
  • What to do
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Chinatown's best eating

Chinese cuisine is one of the world's favorites, so it's no wonder residents and visitors travel to Chinatown for chow. But with so many options, which are the best? These are our picks.

If choice paralysis isn't a thing for you, then Taiwan Cafe is a great choice. They have over 200 items on the menu, so you're literally spoiled for choice. However, don't sleep on the pork chop. It's good. Real good.

Fancy a dumpling? Don't worry; they've got a cafe dedicated to them, the aptly-named Dumpling Cafe. Alongside a mouth-watering number of soup dumpling dishes, they also do sides like teriyaki sticks, which every customer should try once.

Like your dishes with a little spice? China Gourmet Restaurant offers Fukienese options with a hefty dose of fiery spices. Check out their spicy chicken wings to see what you're made of!

Or, if you fancy another Eastern cuisine, why not try Penang's Malaysian menu? Chicken and rice are the way to go here, and you've got plenty of options as far as both are concerned! Or, try the Malaysian national dish, nasi lemak, if you've never had it before.

Image of Bread, Bun, Food, Dining Table, Food Presentation,

Chinatown's best pastries

Of course, you might be looking for something lighter, or want to eat on the go. Thankfully, Chinatown's got a few amazing pastry joints that'll fit you like a crispy glove.

Ho Yuen Bakery makes all their pastries on site, with plenty on offer in their humble Chinatown abode. You'll find sweet and savory buns, as well as bao and other traditional gems on offer. Check out their curry bun; you'll never know buns could be so much fun.

Another one is the savory-focused Hing Shing Pastry, which sits just a stone's throw from Chinatown's impressive gate. Does a hot dog bun sound appealing? Well, it should, because it's awesome. Partner it with a delicious almond cookie, and you're good to go.

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Chinatown's best drinking

While most of Chinatown's drinking spots are eating spots too, we've split the list to better focus on each separately. You're very welcome. Here are our picks for Chinatown's best watering holes.

Enter the Ritz Carlton, and you'll find the swanky, suave Avery Bar. Along with a decent food menu (compared to most hotels at least), you'll find a world of delicious craft cocktails, an exhaustive wine list, and pro-shakers who will mix you up whatever you desire.

Want something loud? Looking for more of a vibe? Shojo is one of Chinatown's best, with big music, big drinks, and big bar snacks to boot. Whiskey lovers will be enamored with their surprisingly verbose menu. So, if you need to drown it down with brown, Shojo's probably your jam.

Yearn the leather, bike chains, and bandanas of a dive bar? Swayze over to Corner Pub and experience your own Roadhouse, minus all the violence. Literal buckets of beer are on offer, along with a riffing jukebox and some decent pub food if you get the beer munchies.

Looking for some Asian food while you down your shots? Crave Chinatown has a wide selection of bites, from sushi to Korean fried chicken, along with some Asian-inspired cocktails. Anything with sake is the one here. Nice.

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Chinatown's best sights

Of course, Chinatown isn't just about food and drink. It's about the culture too. So keep an eye out for these landmarks when you visit!

China Trade Gate is the first thing that greets you when you enter Chinatown. Donated to Boston by the Taiwanese government in the '80s, its jade-green roof and white frame are quite the sight!

Have a look around Chinatown, and you'll find a myriad of colorful murals. They're created by different groups, but all tell the generational story of Chinatown's residents throughout Chinatown's existence.

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Chinatown's best activities

And finally, let's end with the best things to do in Chinatown.

Go check out some artwork at Pao Arts Center, where you'll find a rotation of exhibitions on show from some of Chinatown's own artists. They also hold classes there too, if you need to brush up on your skills. That was a pun, and it was absolutely intended, just like all puns are.

Want a keepsake to bring home, or looking for a gift to give that special someone? Essex Corner has all manner of wonderful Asian crafts inside. They sell all manner of authentic products, like handmade fans, lanterns, and candles, among many others.

Ever tried acupuncture? If not, go check out Lea Tam Acupuncture Center and get pricked in all the right places. We're talking about pressure points here, so get your mind out of the gutter. If you've got any lingering or chronic issues, this family-run joint could be just the thing. One ticket to relief town, please! That sounded way better in our heads.

Or, if you want to find out more about the women who helped make Chinatown the district it is today, take a Boston Women's Heritage Trail tour of the area. It'll take you all around the area and teach you a lot about what women have done to Chinatown!

And that about rounds out our list of the best things to do in Chinatown when you visit Boston! Eager for more Boston-related fun? Check out our guide to the city's best museums. Not sure where to stay during your visit? We've collated all the best spots just for you!

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New Year's Eve in Boston - Things to do

Rich history and a fine party scene means there’s plenty to keep you occupied in Boston on New Year’s Eve. From heritage trails to winter wonderlands, magnificent museums to the city’s beloved sport team stadiums, Boston has it all. New Year is a great time to visit, with plenty going on to keep kids and grown-ups entertained all day long, not to mention the buzzy bar scene and epic firework displays that define this great city’s end-of-year celebrations. Read on for our guide to New Year’s Eve in Boston and the best things to do while you’re in town! Morning: Boston Highlights Crisp winter mornings are made for sightseeing and, as you happen to be in Boston for New Year, well, why the heck not? There’s a glut of activities here – from the historical to the futuristic – that will take up just one or two hours of your New Year’s Eve in Boston. And boy, are some of Beantown’s attractions worth checking out. Take a whistle stop guided tour of the Freedom Trail led by actors in period costume for a deep dive into Boston’s most historic sites, including the golden-domed Massachusetts State House, the site of the Boston Massacre, 17th-century King’s Chapel cemetery and Boston Common, the oldest public park in the United States. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is where it's at for culture vultures. Here’s where you can explore 100 galleries of eye-popping art from across the centuries, including ancient Egyptian sculptures, early musical instruments and paintings by the likes of Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and Kahlo. Don’t miss John Singleton Copley’s portrait of local hero Paul Revere, and the elaborate mural by John Singer Sargent that adorns the rotunda ceiling. Alternatively, get your sports fix on a guided tour of the Sports Museum at the TD Garden arena, legendary home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins; say hey to the seals, snakes, sea turtles and funky rockhopper penguins at the New England Aquarium; or nip just out of town to unleash your inner Jo, Meg, Amy or Beth at the 17th-century former home of Louisa May Alcott, where her novel Little Women was set. Sticking around beyond New Year? Consider an attraction pass from Go City to save $$$ on things to do in Boston, including top attractions, tours, activities and more. Afternoon: Seasonal Events in Boston If you’re looking for things to do in Boston on New Year’s Eve, rejoice! Many of Beantown’s Christmas fairs and festivals continue through New Year and there are even a few brand-new dedicated NYE events to check out. Better yet, many of the afternoon and early evening activities are family friendly, meaning kids can join in the fun too. Zoolights at the Stone Zoo is a magical festive extravaganza, where tree-lined walkways are festooned with thousands of twinkling lights and Yukon Creek – home to black bears, bald eagles, arctic foxes, Canada lynx, reindeer and more – has been given a fairytale festive makeover. Sponsored (perhaps unsurprisingly) by the National Grid, this electrifying experience is sure to give kids (and adults) of all ages a real buzz. Mosey on down to Boston’s Waterfront winter wonderland, where dozens of frozen masterpieces line the Ice Sculpture Stroll, spanning North End, Downtown Waterfront, Charlestown End, and South Boston Waterfront. Follow the trail to the Seaport neighborhood to find a veritable fiesta of fun at Snowport. There are soaring, twinking Christmas trees, an iceless curling rink, après ski lodges, fire pits, a beer tent, street-food stalls, local crafts and more. Eyes peeled for the Snowport mascot, a huge fluffy pink yeti that’s your kids with love. Or be absolutely terrified by, depending on their disposition. As the light begins to fade, make for Copley Square, where the annual First Night Boston Celebrations includes eminently danceable holiday-themed tunes and illuminated ice sculptures. Once you’ve shimmied yourself warm, join the procession to Boston Common for the spectacular early evening firework displays, which kick off around 7PM. Evening: The Best of Boston’s Party Scene The fireworks at Boston Common are repeated periodically throughout the evening, right up to the main event at midnight, but there are plenty more ways to spend  the final hours of New Year’s Eve in Boston. Party your little heart out at suave Rochambeau in the Hynes Convention Center. This one is strictly for over-21s only. And rightly so. After all, sophisticated hors d'oeuvres, speciality seasonal cocktails and dessert bars that groan with sweet treats galore are wasted on the young. There’s a live DJ spinning floorfillers throughout the evening, and a glass of fizz to toast the New Year at midnight. You’ll want to book tickets in advance for this popular annual party. Wrap up extra warm for Boston’s legendary Bow Market Ball Drop. This one is held partly indoors and – shiver – partly al fresco, although patio heaters should help to stave off the worst of the winter chill. A bit of fancy footwork to the live tunes being played by the DJ should also help stop hypothermia setting in. Again, book well in advance if you want to join the party. The price of admission includes a couple of free drinks, some nibbles and other surprises throughout the evening, ahead of the hotly (or should that be coldly) anticipated ball drop at midnight. If it’s heart-swelling romantic firework views that top your New Year’s Eve wish list, the Boston Harbor show is unlikely to disappoint. Get yourself over to Christopher Columbus Park for this awesome midnight extravaganza of colorful pyrotechnics and booming, spirit-lifting music. Entry to the park is free. It commands some of the best views in town, so we’d recommend getting there early to ensure your Boston New Year’s Eve goes off with a bang! Save on activities and attractions in Boston Save on admission to Boston attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
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Public park in Boston with a walking trail
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Best walks in Boston

On your marks, get set... walk! That’s the way to do Boston, anyway. Unassuming, academic and full of history, this city is the ideal place to stretch your legs as it’s also very accessible, very flat, and very pretty. There’s a good mix of city lights and green spaces, and the Charles River winds serenely on its way to Massachusetts Bay offering lovely walks along the esplanade. Beware the weather – the icy wind off the Atlantic can make things pretty wet and chilly in winter – but don’t let it put you off! Fuel up on some Boston baked beans, grab your raincoat and try out one of these awesome Boston walks: The Freedom Trail Financial District to the Theater District The Movie Mile Harvard to MIT The Battle Green Tour The Emerald Necklace Trail The Freedom Trail Many key events of the American Revolutionary War took place in Boston, and a lot of these historical sites are now accessible to visitors. To make it easy, 16 of them are connected by the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail which runs from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. It’s marked by a red path on the ground so you can’t really get lost – but if you’re finding all the history a little disorientating then use your pass to take a Freedom Trail Foundation guided tour. It covers 11 of the 16 sites on the trail, including Massachusetts State House, the USS Constitution and the site of the Boston Massacre. Your guide – complete in 18th century costume – will share all the stories of revenge and revolution so you won’t get your dates and declarations in a tangle. The Financial District to the Theater District This easy walk gives you a great overview of the modern and historic side of Boston in just a couple of hours. Start at the World Trade Center bus stop and enjoy the view of the wharf and Congress Bridge before exploring the financial district. Here, as well as being able to witness Boston’s buzzing economy in motion, you’ll find the Boston Children’s Museum, the Boston Tea Party Museum, King’s Chapel and Burial Ground and the Irish Famine Memorial. Soak up the history, then go for some retail therapy at Downtown Crossing before heading towards the Theater District via Washington Street and Tremont Street. This route will take you past Chinatown, which makes a colorful diversion if you’re feeling peckish, and you’ll come out by the Shubert and Wang Theaters. From here, it’s an easy saunter to Boston Common, where you can either have a look around Emerson College Campus or just flop down on the grass and give your legs a rest. The Movie Mile Many of Boston’s iconic landmarks are familiar to us because we’ve seen them so often on film and television – so why not get to know them in person? Take the Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour with Go City and discover over 30 locations you may have seen in films like Ted, Good Will Hunting and The Departed, or TV shows like Ally McBeal and Cheers. You’ll take in quiet, unassuming neighborhoods, historic homes, the original Cheers pub and the bench where Robin Williams and Matt Damon shot one of their most famous scenes. Make sure your big and small screen trivia knowledge is up to date, as your guide may just quiz you along the way! Harvard to MIT This is a great walk that combines two of the city’s most famous institutions with a generous taste of student life in the city. North of the river in Cambridge, these two academic heavyweights are only a mile or so apart, but a slightly detoured route will also take you past Harvard Stadium (home of the New England Patriots until the 70s) and Harvard Business School. Explore Harvard Square on your own or join a guided tour, then head west over the Anderson Memorial Bridge towards the stadium. If you’re lucky, there might be a game going on, if not, it’s still worth a wander around. From there, turn down Harvard Way past the Baker Library to the Business School, and then circle back to the river and use the Western Avenue Bridge to cross back over. Turn left and walk along the river to Magazine Beach, then head east towards MIT. If you need more intellectual inspiration, you can take another guided tour, or check out the List Visual Arts Center. The “Let it Begin Here” Battle Green Tour Take a deep dive into American Revolutionary History with a guided tour of Lexington Battle Green, included with your Go City Boston Pass. This small area is of huge historical significance, being the place where the first shots of the war were fired. See the Old Belfry that sounded the alarm, the Buckman Tavern where nervous militiamen gathered the night before the battle, the Revolutionary War Monument, the Old Burying Ground and the Henry H. Kitson Minuteman Statue. Hear stories of how the battle unfolded, George Washington’s thoughts on the whole affair, and the meaning behind the famous “Stand your ground” inscription. You’ll also see some houses and other buildings dating from the same era, so you can really feel that you’ve traveled back in time. The Emerald Necklace walk A favorite among locals and visitors alike, this walk gets its name from the way it links a chain of sparkling parks and green spaces through the city. It’s a great one if you want to get away from the concrete jungle and give your legs a proper stretch – it’s around nine miles and does include some elevation, so allow up to four hours – more if you want to stop for a picnic somewhere! Start in Franklin Park – Boston’s largest, where you’ll also find the Franklin Zoo. From here, the walk takes you through the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University, Jamaica Pond, Olmsted Park and along the Riverway to Muddy River. This route also takes you past the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Continue along the long, green space that is the Commonwealth Avenue Mall all the way to the Public Garden, then either cross the suspension bridge or take the left path past the Robin Williams Memorial Bench. Finish by exploring Boston Common and be sure to take a selfie in front of Brewer Fountain! Step it up with Go City You can walk pretty much anywhere in Boston! Make sure you don’t miss anything with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass and save on dozens of attractions around the city.
Karleen Stevens

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