Charlestown Neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts

If you're looking for a waterfront vacation, consider a trip to Charlestown in Boston, MA, a neighborhood with Irish roots. You can follow the Freedom Trail as it winds its way through streets lined with brick and clapboard triple-decker homes. The Freedom Trail also takes you to Bunker Hill Monument, the site of a key battle during the Revolutionary War. You can also tour the U.S.S. Constitution museum, located at the Charlestown Navy Yard. And don't forget to eat at a traditional pub or a more fashionable restaurant on Main Street.

Originally, Charlestown was known as Mishawum by Native Americans. It was first settled by European settlers in 1629. The town was named after the English-born minister John Harvard, who gave his books and estate to Harvard University during his final days. Though it's now just a neighborhood of Boston, Charlestown once included the cities of Somerville, Malden, and Stoneham. Some of these towns, such as Woburn and Everett, were later absorbed into Boston.

There are several places to shop in Charlestown that offer local crafts. The Boston Flower Company is one place where you can purchase flowers or unique gifts, like jewelry or a piece of Boston-themed clothing. You can even take a tour of the historic area while you're there. There's something for everyone. And if you have children, you can also shop for fun items at the Boston Flower Company.

A short walk from Charlestown is the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Built-in 1797, this frigate defended the Eastern Seaboard from pirate attacks and engaged in pirate battles off the Barbary Coast of the Mediterranean. During the War of 1812, she earned the nickname of Old Ironsides, as it was the only frigate to fight the British. You can view the USS Constitution from the Charlestown National Historic Park. In 1786, the first bridge between Boston and Charlestown was completed. In 1805, the Charlestown State Prison opened, proving that Boston was still a popular destination for American sailors.

The Bunker Hill Monument is a 221-foot granite obelisk. The granite was brought from Quincy for its construction. It offers sweeping views of Boston. From a distance of 700 yards, the monument had a peripheral role in the battle. Despite its renovation in 2007, the Bunker Hill Monument is still worth visiting. It has changed significantly from its original state and is a popular destination for tourists. In case you don’t know, the Brighton neighborhood also within Boston is a great tourist area to visit too.