Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Quincy, MA

Located just south of Boston, Quincy is a city enriched with 27 miles of coastline, playing a significant role in the early narrative of the United States.

It is recognized as the birthplace of John Adams (1735-1826) and his son John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), the second and sixth presidents of the United States.

Quincy also claims John Hancock, the inaugural signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a native. The city’s historical legacy is closely connected to the influential Quincy family, known for their long-standing prominence in Massachusetts political life.

Quincy is historically significant as the site of the first commercial railroad in the United States and the original Dunkin’ Donuts. Furthermore, the Fore River Shipyard constructed numerous U.S. Navy vessels during the 20th century.

A variety of attractions and monuments provide insights into Quincy’s history, including the Adams National Historical Park, the Josiah Quincy House, and a museum ship located at the docks.

1. Adams National Historical Park

Located in central Quincy, visitors can explore the birthplace of two U.S. presidents.

Begin your experience at the visitor center, which features exhibits providing comprehensive information about the Adams family. This is followed by a trolley journey to the meticulously maintained buildings where John Adams (1735) and John Quincy Adams (1767) were born.

Subsequently, one visits Peacefield (1731), the grand home of four generations of the Adams family, which served as a summer White House for both presidents. An highlight of the site is the Stone Library, which houses 14,000 volumes owned by John Quincy Adams.

2. United First Parish Church

Constructed from local granite, the United First Parish Church is regarded as one of the premier Greek Revival religious edifices in New England, completed in 1828, and remains a central landmark in Quincy.

A church has existed on this site since 1639. The current structure was financed by the Adams family, with much of the granite sourced from their quarry.

Both John Adams and John Quincy Adams worshiped here and are interred in the family crypt, alongside First Ladies Abigail Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams. Consequently, it is one of only two churches in the United States housing a presidential burial site. Guided tours offer insight into the church and crypt, featuring the Adams’ preserved pew, marked with a plaque and ribbon.

3. Quincy Quarries Reservation

The Quincy Quarries Reservation, a 22-acre park, was formerly the site of active granite quarries until 1963. These quarries supplied stone to construct Boston’s Bunker Hill Monument, which was erected from 1825 to 1843.

The transportation of stones was facilitated by engineer Gridley Bryant (1789-1867), who developed the first commercial railway in the United States, utilizing horses to convey granite three miles to the Neponset River in Milton.

如今，已关闭的采石场成为了攀岩的热门地点，也为涂鸦艺术家提供了创作场所，伴随着令人振奋的风景，特别是在日落时分，景观尤为壮观。

Visitors can find the preserved incline section of the Granite Railway on the north side of the park, located at Granite Rail Ct.

4. Quincy Historical Society & Museum

In light of Quincy’s impactful history in the early United States, a visit to the local historical society is essential. The building, formerly the Adams Academy, was established as a school in 1872.

This institution was funded by a trust created by John Adams decades earlier. Furthermore, this land was the birthplace of John Hancock in 1737.

The Adams Academy, with its Gothic Revival architecture, is constructed from local Quincy granite. The museum delves into over 400 years of history, highlighting figures such as John and Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams, and John Hancock.

Exhibits encompass Quincy’s Native American heritage, its renowned shipbuilding and granite quarrying industries, alongside its rich entrepreneurial tradition as the birthplace of Dunkin’ Donuts and Howard Johnson’s.

5. Wollaston Beach

Lying on the Boston Harbor, the longest beach in Quincy stretches gently for 2.3 miles.

Wollaston Beach is part of the Quincy Shore Reservation, designated in 1899, and became a public destination in 1908 following the completion of Metropolitan Boulevard, which connects Fenno St in the east to Atlantic St in the west.

A promenade runs parallel to the entire stretch of the beach, offering views of the Boston skyline and the islands within the harbor. During summer, it attracts joggers, dog walkers, families, and couples out for casual walks, complemented by seasonal seafood vendors.

6. Josiah Quincy House

Another significant historical home in Quincy is the residence of Josiah Quincy I (1710-1784), a merchant, planter, and revolutionary leader.

As the progenitor of a notable lineage of six Josiah Quincys, he played an influential role in Massachusetts social and political matters over generations.

This property, once encompassing 200 acres, has been in the Quincy family since 1635; the current Georgian-style house was constructed in 1770.

The impressive classical portico and the rare hipped monitor roof adorned with a Chinese fretwork balustrade are noteworthy architectural features.

Visiting the Josiah Quincy House offers insights into the extensive preservation efforts led by Eliza Susan Quincy (1798-1884), aimed at turning the house into a repository of family history.

Josiah Quincy I notably assisted George Washington by monitoring the British fleet in Boston Harbor, a pivotal report etched by Quincy onto a glass pane on October 10, 1775, remains on display.

7. Dorothy Quincy Homestead

Continuing your exploration of Quincy’s history, you can visit the oldest extant home of the Quincy family.

The Dorothy Quincy Homestead, constructed in 1686 by Edmund Quincy, displays a captivating combination of Colonial, Georgian, and Victorian architectural styles due to various alterations and expansions over the years.

Designated as a National Historic Landmark, this house was the residence for five generations of Quincys and is located on the original Quincy farm.

Guided tours provide insights into the Quincys, John Hancock’s life, aspects of the Massachusetts Colony’s settlement, the American Revolution, portrait art, and women’s historical issues.

Among the 18th-century furnishings and wall decor, Hancock’s Chariot, crafted in England in 1777 and presented to John Hancock after being captured by American forces, is a remarkable highlight.

8. Blue Hills Reservation

The Quincy Quarries Reservation sits at the edge of the expansive 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation, which spans multiple communities, including Quincy.

Great Blue Hill, the tallest of the 22 hills at 635 feet, along with several others, can be accessed via the 3-mile Skyline Trail, which wends along the ridge, offering inspiring views of Boston’s skyline.

Moreover, the reservation features 125 miles of trails traversing various habitats, from upland forest to marshlands, leading to landmarks such as the Chickatawbut Observation Tower, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

During winter, the Blue Hills serve as a venue for both cross-country and downhill skiing, featuring a 60-acre ski area. In summer, families flock to the picturesque Houghton’s Pond Recreation area, which boasts a welcoming beach and swimming facilities.

For an educational experience, visit the Blue Hills Trailside Museum, popular among families for its numerous rescued live animals.

9. USS Salem & the U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum

To gain insight into Quincy’s naval and shipbuilding heritage, visitors can board this 700-foot Des Moines-class heavy cruiser, which was constructed in 1945 at the Fore River Shipyard.

Self-guided tours feature a blend of preserved ship areas and museum exhibits. Original sections include the admiral’s and captain’s bridge, a gun turret, crew quarters, and main deck.

Onboard exhibits detail the history of the Fore River Shipyard (1883-1989), a comprehensive model ship collection, military artifacts and weaponry from the Revolutionary War to modern times, as well as information related to U.S. Navy cruisers, among other displays.

10. Tony’s Clam Shop

Located among favorite seafood establishments near Wollaston Beach, Tony’s Clam Shop has been a fixture since 1964. Remarkably, the founder, Tony, remains actively involved in day-to-day operations.

Starting as a modest takeout stand, it has evolved into a restaurant featuring a greenhouse, a spacious patio, and seating for over 100 patrons.

While visiting the South Shore, one must try the lobster roll, consisting of a generous half-pound of fresh lobster served on a toasted bun, either with light mayonnaise or warm melted butter.

The clams, known for their size and juiciness, merit attention whether in the form of strips, fritters, or steamed dishes.

11. Hancock Cemetery

Established in 1640, Hancock Cemetery is significant as the remnant of the area’s earliest settlement.

This burial ground, named after Reverend John Hancock (1702-1744), the father of John Hancock, served as Quincy’s main burial site until the mid-19th century, housing many of the city’s prominent civic leaders and residents.

Among those interred here were John Adams, Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Louisa Adams, before their remains were relocated to the United First Parish Church crypt.

A stroll through the cemetery highlights Quincy’s status as a center for granite carving, illustrating the evolution of funerary art from colonial motifs to classical Federal-era designs.

A notable interment is Colonel John Quincy (1689-1767), the grandfather of Abigail Adams, after whom both the city and John Quincy Adams, the sixth U.S. president, were named.

12. Squantum Point Park

Quincy’s revitalized Squantum Peninsula features the former shipbuilding yards and the once-active Naval Air Station Squantum, operational from World War I until 1953.

Near the Neponset River’s mouth, the state-owned park retains almost 3,000 feet of the former runway, alongside docks once administered by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation.

Squantum Point Park provides a setting for accessing the waterfront, enjoying sunsets, gazing across the harbor, and possibly fishing. The park’s trails connect to the Marina Bay promenade on the east and the two-mile Quincy RiverWalk that follows the Neponset River.

13. Boston Harbor Islands National State Park & Recreational Area

Overlooking Quincy Bay presents a view of many islands and peninsulas within the harbor.

Visitors are enticed by secluded beaches, campgrounds, coastal trails, remnants of historic defense systems, nature-rich tide pools, picturesque picnic areas, lighthouses, and an intact Civil War fort.

Access to these sites is best achieved via water, with MBTA ferry services operating extensively during summer. From Quincy, a convenient trip involves taking a ferry from nearby Hingham to the scenic and historically rich Peddocks Island.

The island is home to the now-defunct Fort Andrews (1898-1947) and is recognized as a filming location for Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” (2008).

Additionally, the Marina Bay Ferry operates between Squantum Point, Boston, and the town of Winthrop located at the northern end of the harbor.

14. Thomas Crane Public Library

For those seeking a tranquil environment, a notable stop in downtown Quincy is the city’s library, which boasts the second-largest municipal collection in the state, following Boston Public Library.

Funded by the family of the notable stone contractor Thomas Crane, the library’s original wing dates back to 1882.

This architectural gem merits a visit, having been designed by the renowned Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886), a pivotal figure in the Romanesque Revival style.

Within, patrons can appreciate the expansive shelves and exquisite stained glass features. The library grounds were designed by the esteemed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903).

15. Marina Bay

On the Squantum Peninsula, Marina Bay features a Nantucket-style harbor development that began taking shape in the 1980s and 1990s.

Prior to this, the area housed a U.S. naval shipbuilding yard and the Squantum Naval Air Station, which closed in 1954. The modern development integrates offices, townhouses, and apartments with shopping opportunities.

Visitors can enjoy a scenic boardwalk dotted with a variety of dining options, while the trail extends into neighboring Squantum Point, providing further beautiful views over Boston Harbor.