Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Chelsea, MA

Diverse and densely populated, this nearby north suburb of Boston is home to just over 40,000 residents and has a rich history characterized by a robust Jewish community and a naval hospital.

Chelsea is located just minutes from downtown Boston, while the expansive Revere Beach and the state-of-the-art Encore Boston Harbor Casino resort are even closer in proximity.

The city’s narrative has been significantly shaped by two catastrophic fires in 1908 and 1973. The most devastating of these incidents consumed 350 acres of downtown, resulting in the loss of 19 lives and displacing 15,000 individuals.

In the aftermath, Chelsea was reconstructed with advanced architecture and urban planning principles, evident in the Bellingham Square Historic District.

1. Bellingham Square Historic District

Chelsea’s commercial core reflects the community’s diversity, particularly through the extensive selection of bakeries and restaurants located along Broadway and adjacent streets.

Culinary options include Mexican cuisine, tapas, Dominican, Salvadoran, Honduran, Chinese, pan-Asian dishes, pizza, and boba tea. Notably, Katz Bagel Bakery (139 Park St), has been a family-owned establishment since 1938.

As you explore these streets, it is intriguing to realize that nearly every structure you encounter has been constructed or rebuilt following the Great Chelsea Fire of 1908.

Several prominent architects of the era designed buildings such as Chelsea City Hall (Peabody and Stearns) and the Post Office (Guy Lowell). The Beaux-Arts Chelsea Public Library, inaugurated in 1910, is a Carnegie library that was rebuilt on the site of its predecessor which succumbed to the fire.

Among the few remnants of Chelsea’s once-thriving Jewish community is the former Chelsea Hebrew School (48 Washington Ave), constructed in 1925, which was sold to developers in 1979.

2. Mary O’Malley State Park

Located near the southern end of Broadway, just west of the Tobin, is a charming waterfront park on the Mystic River.

Favored by local geese, Mary O’Malley State Park features a spacious grassy area with gentle slopes, providing stunning vistas of the Mystic River and the Boston skyline.

The park extends into the water, offering views toward Somerville, especially captivating during the evening sunsets. It includes paved pathways, a scenic viewing area, a modern playground, restrooms, a picnic zone, and tennis courts.

3. Apollinaire Theatre Company

Located at 189 Winnisimmet St downtown, this producing theatre resides in a turn-of-the-century former Odd Fellows building.

Apollinaire Theatre Company presents contemporary performances at the Upstairs Theatre but is also known to host shows in various rooms and balconies around the building.

During July, the company transitions its performances to Chelsea’s waterfront PORT Park, offering free classic productions of works by Shakespeare, Ionesco, Lorca, and more.

Additionally, there is a gallery showcasing the work of local and regional visual artists with exhibitions aligned with performances.

Moreover, the company participates in an array of programs, from youth classes to the Latinx artist-led Teatro Chelsea, producing Spanish and bilingual shows.

4. Chelsea Greenway

This shared-use path allows for traversing a significant portion of Chelsea on foot or by bicycle.

The Chelsea Greenway stretches approximately three-quarters of a mile, paralleling the Silver Line busway along the former right of way of the Grand Junction Railroad.

Beginning at Eastern Avenue Station, the path heads northwest to Bellingham Square Station, leading to key amenities such as the Chelsea Public Library and an array of shops and eateries along Broadway.

In the long term, the Chelsea Greenway is set to integrate into a larger trail network, linking it to the East Boston Greenway and Northern Strand Trail.

5. Bellingham-Cary House

Located within a residential area merely a couple of blocks from Broadway is the last remaining 18th-century residence in Chelsea. The oldest section of the Bellingham-Cary House has been dated to 1724 through dendrochronology.

The house stands on land originally occupied by Richard Bellingham (1592-1672) who constructed his hunting lodge there. The Cary family resided here starting in 1741 until 1914, when a non-profit group assumed responsibility for its preservation.

The building’s current Federal style is a result of an extensive enlargement performed in the early 1790s. Currently, the Bellingham-Cary House welcomes over 1,000 visitors annually, including numerous schoolchildren from Chelsea, by appointment.

6. Mill Creek Riverwalk

On Chelsea’s northern border, the estuarine Mill Creek flows eastward for approximately a mile before emptying into Chelsea Creek, which ultimately converges with the Mystic River to the south.

These creeks are crucial for local wildlife, serving as spawning grounds and nurseries for various saltwater fish species including the Atlantic butterfish, smelt, American eel, Atlantic cod, mackerel, red hake, sea herring, pollock, and different types of flounder.

The hatchlings consequently attract numerous waterbirds and waders such as cormorants and egrets. Along the Mill Creek Riverwalk, starting just behind the Parkway Plaza Shopping Center and concluding at Creekside Commons Park, visitors can experience this vital habitat closely.

7. Revere Beach

The northern section of Chelsea is situated less than five minutes from the first public beach in the United States.

Stretching over three miles, Revere Beach was acquired by the Metropolitan Park Commission in 1896, although it had already become a popular destination for decades, particularly after the construction of a rail link in 1875.

A promenade enhances the beach, featuring historic shelters and a bandstand, along with picturesque views of the water toward Nahant.

Across Revere Beach Blvd, visitors will find a variety of dining options, particularly near the southern end, including Kelly’s Roast Beef, which claims to have invented the roast beef sandwich in the 1950s.

To fully appreciate Revere Beach, aim to visit during the International Sand Sculpting Festival held in late July, showcasing remarkable creations by master sand sculptors from around the globe, along with food vendors, live entertainment, and fireworks.

8. Encore Boston Harbor

What was once an inactive industrial waterfront has been transformed into a sustainable $2.6 billion casino resort operated by the Wynn Resorts brand, located adjacent in Everett.

Encore Boston Harbor is distinguished by its 28-story, 671-key hotel tower, and has revitalized over 30 acres of previously contaminated land, featuring gardens, public art installations, and a harborwalk trail along the waterfront.

The facility encompasses 200,000 square feet of gaming space equipped with more than 2,700 slot machines and 185 table games, complemented by 16 lounges and dining options, ranging from upscale restaurants to popular choices like Dunkin’ and Shake Shack.

9. Orient Heights Beach (Constitution Beach)

Offering a sandy beach in an unexpected location, Orient Heights Beach is located about five minutes from Chelsea, presenting views across the water to Boston Logan International.

A notable aspect of Orient Heights Beach is its cleanliness and proper maintenance. During the peak summer season, lifeguards are present, alongside concession stands, with free parking available in the vicinity.

Constitution Beach is bordered by a large grassy area that features various sports facilities, including the Porrazzo Skating Rink, and is connected to the East Boston Greenway, which will eventually link to the Chelsea Greenway.

The beach’s closeness to the airport provides a unique opportunity to observe planes landing and taking off, creating a fascinating experience.

10. Belle Isle Marsh Reservation

Just a short distance away in East Boston lies the largest remaining expanse of salt marsh in the Boston Area, providing insight into the historical ecological landscape of the Boston shoreline.

The ideal time to visit is late spring to early summer, coinciding with the breeding season for wading birds such as snowy egrets, great egrets, and glossy ibises, which can be observed foraging within the salt pans.

The park features a trail leading to an observation tower, which is useful for observing the habitat and offers stunning views south over Logan and southwest towards the Boston skyline.

11. PORT Park

Located along Chelsea Creek at the southern edge of the city, PORT Park is an award-winning example of urban design, successfully balancing public recreation needs and a functional waterfront.

The park features the metal-frame structures of three former oil tanks, which have been creatively repurposed into gardens, wildlife habitats, and outdoor performance venues utilized by the Apollinaire Theatre Company.

The area is characterized by abundant greenery, picturesque waterfront views, a playscape, a water feature, and a basketball court.

12. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool

Adjacent to Chelsea High School, the outdoor public pool operates during the summer months.

Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool is a straightforward yet well-maintained facility, staffed with four lifeguards at all times, and offers programs such as swimming lessons throughout the season.

In addition to a large main pool, divided into zones for different age groups and separated by a peninsula, there is a dedicated wading pool for toddlers, shielded from the main area by a shade structure.

13. Boston Playground

This innovative indoor play space, situated near the Parkway Plaza Shopping Center, is designed for children aged 3 to 12.

Safe and well-maintained, the Boston Playground is filled with numerous games and activities that provide a joyful physical challenge while enhancing learning and creativity.

The facility features various zones, including a giant bounce house, a climbing wall, a construction area, Twister mat, and a giant pool table. Open play sessions are generally available on weekday afternoons, and the entire facility can be rented for up to 90 minutes for private events and birthday celebrations.

14. Archery Games

Located within the same complex as the Boston Playground, individuals and groups can participate in combat archery.

This activity, featuring foam-tipped arrows, is designed to be safe while resembling a game of dodgeball within an arena accommodating up to 20 players.

Utilizing precision and teamwork, participants must eliminate opponents within a fast-paced 50-minute session. Training is included, providing 25 minutes of instruction, along with all necessary equipment such as bows, facemasks, and arm guards.

15. Naval Hospital Boston Historic District

Situated at the southern end of Broadway in Chelsea lies a 90-acre U.S. Historic district on the former site of the Boston Naval Hospital. Established in 1836, it was the oldest operating facility of its kind until its closure in 1974.

The hospital treated patients following the Great Chelsea Fire of 1908, in addition to serving military personnel during conflicts ranging from the Civil War to World War II. The historic district includes five structures, among them the original 1836 Naval Hospital building, which has since been converted into condominiums.

Additional features include smaller ordnance buildings, the Commanding Officer’s quarters from 1856, and the 1857 Marine Hospital, both of which have also been repurposed as condominiums.