With its long history, every corner of Boston contains tales of the past. However, there are several places in the city that remain so firmly rooted in a time gone by that it’s easy to slip into another period, be it the 1950s or a much earlier decade. Travel back through the years at these 9 retro spots in Boston:
- South Street Diner (Downtown)
Flickr/John Stephen Dwyer Most Boston area diners are pockets of the past, frozen in time. Built in 1943, this diner dishes up classic breakfasts with a hearty side of nostalgia. Popular for its late hours, South Street Diner has been a staple for students in Boston for generations. Watch the cooks at work, creating delicious French toast and steak and eggs. South Street Diner is located at 178 Kneeland Street in Boston.
- Fenway Park
Flickr/mgstanton The oldest ballpark in the MLB offers a nostalgic viewing experience of America’s favorite sport. Despite renovations, going to Fenway today isn’t all that different from frequenting the ballpark when it first opened in 1912. Even the snacks are retro - fans are still offered old-school snacks like Cracker Jack.
- The Verb Hotel
Tripadvisor/Andrei C
Facebook/THE VERB HOTEL Looking for a vintage-inspired hotel in Boston? This mid-century building initially opened as the Fenway Motor Hotel in 1959 and has since been restored and renamed. For a one-of-a-kind stay in a rock ‘n’ roll themed pad, check out The Verb Hotel at 1271 Boylston Street in Boston.
- Union Oyster House
Facebook/Union Oyster House Inc The Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the nation. This National Historic Landmark became a restaurant in 1826, so a meal here is the ultimate in retro. Really, really retro!
- Coolidge Corner Theatre
Flickr/Blue Delliquanti This indie theatre has been around since 1933 and is known for screening cult movies and doing singalongs. For a blast from the past, head to 290 Harvard Street in Brookline.
- Cabot’s Candy
Facebook/Cabot’s Candy Revisit the tastes of childhood with classics like saltwater taffy, fudge, and nut brittle. This candy company has been going strong since 1927, when the first location opened in P-town. Cabot’s Candy is located at 1300 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge.
- Boston Bowl
Facebook/Boston Bowl - Dorchester For good family-friendly fun, you can’t beat Boston Bowl. It’s been around for 50 years and offers classic activities like bowling – candlepin or tenpin – an arcade, billiards, and batting cages. You can even sample in-house brewed beer paired with dishes from a food menu that’ll put any childhood memories of bowling alley fare to shame. Boston Bowl is located at 820 William T Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester.
- Polcari’s Coffee
Flickr/Carlo Silvio Polcari’s Coffee is stuck in a time warp in the best possible way. The sight of coffee scales and shelves lined with glass jars will make you nostalgic for the 1930s, even if you didn’t experience them firsthand. Warm up with an award-winning coffee or cool down with a lemon slush at this this North End institution, located at 105 Salem Street.
- Bromfield Pen Shop
Facebook/Bromfield Pen Shop Nowadays, many of us spend far more time typing than we do writing by hand. However, you’ll forget about the digital age as soon as you step inside Boston’s oldest pen store, which opened in 1948. Whether you want to browse, purchase a pen, or have one repaired, this store will fill you with nostalgia. You’ll find it at 5 Bromfield Street in Boston.
What are your favorite retro or historic places in Boston? Let us know in the comments!
Flickr/John Stephen Dwyer
Most Boston area diners are pockets of the past, frozen in time. Built in 1943, this diner dishes up classic breakfasts with a hearty side of nostalgia. Popular for its late hours, South Street Diner has been a staple for students in Boston for generations. Watch the cooks at work, creating delicious French toast and steak and eggs. South Street Diner is located at 178 Kneeland Street in Boston.
Flickr/mgstanton
The oldest ballpark in the MLB offers a nostalgic viewing experience of America’s favorite sport. Despite renovations, going to Fenway today isn’t all that different from frequenting the ballpark when it first opened in 1912. Even the snacks are retro - fans are still offered old-school snacks like Cracker Jack.
Tripadvisor/Andrei C
Facebook/THE VERB HOTEL
Looking for a vintage-inspired hotel in Boston? This mid-century building initially opened as the Fenway Motor Hotel in 1959 and has since been restored and renamed. For a one-of-a-kind stay in a rock ‘n’ roll themed pad, check out The Verb Hotel at 1271 Boylston Street in Boston.
Facebook/Union Oyster House Inc
The Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the nation. This National Historic Landmark became a restaurant in 1826, so a meal here is the ultimate in retro. Really, really retro!
Flickr/Blue Delliquanti
This indie theatre has been around since 1933 and is known for screening cult movies and doing singalongs. For a blast from the past, head to 290 Harvard Street in Brookline.
Facebook/Cabot’s Candy
Revisit the tastes of childhood with classics like saltwater taffy, fudge, and nut brittle. This candy company has been going strong since 1927, when the first location opened in P-town. Cabot’s Candy is located at 1300 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge.
Facebook/Boston Bowl - Dorchester
For good family-friendly fun, you can’t beat Boston Bowl. It’s been around for 50 years and offers classic activities like bowling – candlepin or tenpin – an arcade, billiards, and batting cages. You can even sample in-house brewed beer paired with dishes from a food menu that’ll put any childhood memories of bowling alley fare to shame. Boston Bowl is located at 820 William T Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester.
Flickr/Carlo Silvio
Polcari’s Coffee is stuck in a time warp in the best possible way. The sight of coffee scales and shelves lined with glass jars will make you nostalgic for the 1930s, even if you didn’t experience them firsthand. Warm up with an award-winning coffee or cool down with a lemon slush at this this North End institution, located at 105 Salem Street.
Facebook/Bromfield Pen Shop
Nowadays, many of us spend far more time typing than we do writing by hand. However, you’ll forget about the digital age as soon as you step inside Boston’s oldest pen store, which opened in 1948. Whether you want to browse, purchase a pen, or have one repaired, this store will fill you with nostalgia. You’ll find it at 5 Bromfield Street in Boston.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
