Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Revere, MA

This North Shore community, located a short distance from downtown Boston, is notably recognized for its extensive sandy beach.

A public transportation link to Revere Beach has existed since 1875, and in the 1890s, the Massachusetts legislature designated these three miles of coastline as the first public beach in the United States.

The population of Revere experienced significant growth in the early to mid-20th century, with a considerable number of newcomers arriving from Italy.

The city’s Italian heritage is readily apparent along its main thoroughfare, Broadway, characterized by Italian markets, restaurants, pizzerias, and bakeries.

1. Revere Beach

It can be confidently asserted that the three miles of sandy beach in Revere are more inviting than ever. Visitors have been flocking to Revere Beach for decades, prior to its establishment as the first public beach in the United States in 1896.

The accompanying boulevard was developed a year later, and at the turn of the 20th century, an amusement park featuring the record-breaking Cyclone roller coaster was established.

A decline in the beach’s popularity during the 1960s and 70s prompted state and city efforts to revitalize the waterfront, including re-sanding the beach, restoring pavilions, enhancing water quality, and redesigning landscaping and sidewalks.

Revere Beach stands out as the city’s premier attraction, offering a magnificent view from the boulevard, a variety of long-standing eateries, numerous summer events, and convenient access via the MBTA Blue Line.

2. Northern Strand Community Trail (Bike to the Sea Trail)

The northernmost area of Revere features a multi-use rail trail that stretches from Everett to Lynn. A significant portion of the Northern Strand Community Trail follows the former Saugus Branch Railroad (1853) of the Boston & Maine Railroad.

This line ceased passenger operations in 1958, and the trail that now occupies its path has been incrementally opened in phases since 2012.

The Revere segment opened in 2015, running adjacent to the Rumney Marsh Reservation, which remains closed to foot traffic.

A small section of the trail loops around Rowes Pond and reconnects with the main path. At the time of writing, the trail was in the process of being extended to Nahant, while the southern trailhead is a mere ten minutes away in Everett.

3. Italian Food on Broadway

Approximately a mile inland from Revere Beach, Broadway extends southwest through the city and is home to City Hall, the Revere Fire Department, and a series of family-owned food markets, delis, restaurants, pizzerias, and bakeries.

Many of these establishments have been preparing subs, brick-oven pizzas, calzones, gnocchi, chicken parmesan, cannoli, ricotta pies, and other dishes for decades.

While we will discuss the well-established New Deal Fruit next, there are numerous other culinary delights worth exploring. Authentic Italian cuisine can be found at establishments such as Sabella’s Ravioli, Luberto’s Pastry Shop, DeMaino’s Restaurant, Manne’s Bakery, Volare (Sicilian-Italian fusion), D’Parma Restaurant, Papa Jack’s Italian Kitchen, and Broadway Pizza.

4. New Deal Fruit

A staple on Broadway, New Deal Fruit is a family-owned Italian food market that has been in operation for over fifty years, originally starting as a horse-drawn wagon selling fresh produce in the streets of Boston.

The market has since progressed into its fourth generation and offers a remarkable selection of exceptionally fresh fruits and vegetables, deli meats, cheeses, and even a variety of specialty imported Italian ingredients.

The Italian subs offered here are regarded as some of the finest in the Boston area.

5. New England Kite School

During your time at Revere Beach from spring through fall, it is impossible to miss the sight of kites soaring above the surf as numerous kiteboarders take advantage of the steady ocean breezes.

This location serves as the base for a kiteboarding school, introducing participants to this rapidly growing sport and offering a range of experiences designed to build foundational skills.

Options include a two-hour introductory session to kiteboarding, a four-hour kite camp, a four-hour board camp, or private lessons tailored for those with existing kiteboarding proficiency who aim to refine specific skills.

The school also provides three-hour jet ski instructions, along with wakeboarding sessions for days when wind conditions are unfavorable.

6. Boston Renegades

Located adjacent to Paul Revere Park, Harry Della Russo Stadium serves as the home ground for the Boston Renegades, a successful women’s tackle football team.

The Renegades were established in 2015 in the wake of the disbandment of their predecessor, the Boston Militia, and they compete in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA).

Seasons of undefeated records are frequent, and at the time of this writing, the Renegades had made history by becoming the first WFA team to achieve a “fourpeat,” winning the championship for four consecutive years. Regular season home games are scheduled between mid-April and mid-June.

7. Kelly’s Roast Beef

A local gem on Revere Beach, Kelly’s Roast Beef has been a beloved establishment since 1951.

It is credited with being the birthplace of a mini-chain and has boldly claimed to have created the roast beef sandwich.

The founders, who also ventured into catering, have a story suggesting that a wedding cancellation left them with an abundance of roast beef, which they offered on hamburger rolls, leading to its immediate popularity.

Additionally, Kelly’s Roast Beef is renowned for its lobster roll, frequently considered the best on the North Shore.

8. Revere Farmers’ Market

Each Friday afternoon from early June until late October, a charming farmers’ market is hosted on the lawn of the American Legion in Revere.

A variety of local small businesses participate, providing seasonal produce, plants, baked goods, raw local honey, preserves, maple syrup, sauces, and handmade candies.

A food truck often fixtures along the sidewalk (with Mexican elotes mentioned at the time of writing), alongside numerous crafters offering jewelry, prints, fashion accessories, and Halloween decorations as the season progresses.

The market serves as a community gathering point, featuring activities ranging from Zumba classes to live music.

9. Belle Isle Marsh Reservation

The largest remaining expanse of salt marsh in the Boston area is located just south of Revere and connects with a section of the Boston Harborwalk.

This reservation is easily navigable, comprising trails, boardwalks, a wooden observation tower, and several docks for birdwatching.

Visitors can observe egrets, ibises, sandpipers, plovers, and nesting willets in close proximity to the skyline of Boston, which is visible to the southwest.

Belle Isle Marsh is also a venue for observing various aircraft from the adjacent Boston Logan International Airport, with planes taking off and landing nearby.

10. Mill Creek Riverwalk

The ecologically significant Chelsea Creek forms a portion of Revere’s southern boundary. Together with Mill Creek, which feeds it, these waterways constitute a vital estuarine habitat for shorebirds and various fish species.

The creeks serve as spawning grounds for mackerel, herring, pollock, cod, butterfish, eels, smelt, as well as several types of flounder.

This abundance of fish attracts herons, egrets, cormorants, and swans, which also breed in this area. A section of Mill Creek, extending just under a mile, can be explored on foot or by bike along a level paved trail that begins at the Cronin Skating Rink parking lot.

11. Town Line Luxury Lanes

For those seeking evening entertainment, Town Line Luxury Lanes, located just off U.S. 1 in Malden, features a spacious bowling alley with nearly 50 recently modernized lanes, perfect for casual games or competitive league bowling.

The atmosphere intensifies on Friday and Saturday nights with Atomic Bowling, which incorporates upbeat music, blacklight effects, and neon ambiance.

The facility also includes a game room with over 50 machines, a billiards hall featuring 15 Pro Imperial pool tables, and even a nightclub. Additionally, Temptations Grill and a sports bar offer an array of dining options, including burgers, pizzas, salads, and shareable appetizers.

12. Northgate Shopping Center

Revere is home to several shopping centers, with Northgate Shopping Center being the largest, adjacent to Sea Plane Basin.

This shopping center features a variety of chain restaurants, including Dunkin’, Uno Pizzeria & Grill, McDonald’s, and Taco Bell, along with retailers such as Petco, Planet Fitness, a Sheraton hotel, Market Basket, GNC, and Burlington.

Another appealing aspect of the shopping center is a public walking trail that departs from the hotel’s parking lot, allowing visitors to explore the extensive marshland surrounding Revere.

13. Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival

For three days in late July, this complimentary event attracts approximately one million visitors to Revere’s beachfront. The inaugural festival was held in 2004, a year after the beach was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Each year features a new theme, showcasing leading sand sculptors from around the globe who create temporary masterpieces that are judged by both experts and the public, who have the opportunity to vote for their favorite creations.

In addition to the sand sculptures, the festival includes live performances, international food vendors, amusement rides, and activities for children, culminating in an impressive fireworks display on Saturday night.

14. Theater Thursday

Throughout the summer season, almost every Thursday evening, a section of Revere Beach transforms into an outdoor cinema.

Beginning around 6 PM, Theater Thursday features live music, cotton candy, and popcorn, with the featured film screening set for dusk.

The location alternates between Kelly’s Roast Beef and the William G. Reinstein Bandstand, ensuring that the film selections are always family-friendly.

Some of the movie titles included during the season were Frozen 2, The Karate Kid, Monsters University, Toy Story 4, and Jaws, offering something for a variety of audiences.

15. The Track @ Suffolk Downs

The historic Suffolk Downs thoroughbred racetrack, located in southern Revere, operated from the mid-1930s until 2019, with a temporary closure starting in the late 1980s.

Today, the site where renowned horses such as Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, John Henry, Cigar, and Funny Cide once captivated audiences is undergoing redevelopment into a 161-acre community featuring housing, retail spaces, entertainment venues, and ample public green space.

As of the latest updates, the former racetrack area has been reopened for public use, allowing visitors to walk, exercise, picnic, and partake in outdoor events such as live music and free fitness classes.