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Dorchester is a neighborhood comprising more than 6 square miles (16 km 2) in the City of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Originally, Dorchester was a separate town, founded by Puritans who emigrated in 1630 from Dorchester, Dorset, England, to the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
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- Dorchester, Dorset
Sep 1, 2023 · WBUR Newsroom. Dorchester (Mapbox) Dorchester is by far Boston's largest and most populous community. But Dot, as it's known to locals, is hard to define as a singular neighborhood. Rather,...
- WBUR Newsroom
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A Brief History of Boston's Largest Neighborhood. First settled by Europeans in 1630 and named for the historic market town in Dorset, England, Dorchester has been witness to many of the great events of Massachusetts and American history. Settled by passengers from the Mary and John about June 1, 1630, Dorchester originally was one of the ...
From Upham's Corner to Ashmont, Fields Corner to Four Corners, Dorchester offers bustling commercial districts alongside public parks, beautiful murals, and ethnic cuisine, including some of the best Vietnamese and Caribbean food in Boston.
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Due to Dorchester's large size it can be helpful for the traveller to think of it in two halves, north and south. The northern half is more traditionally urban. Houses are packed tightly together, people walk everywhere, all accompanied by the traffic and street noise one might expect. Due to its proximity to downtown, the majority of new developme...
By public transit
The T's Red Line runs frequent service to much of Dorchester. Trains run about every 8 minutes, more during rush hour and less often at night. JFK/UMass, Savin Hill, Fields Corner, Shawmut, and Ashmont stations all provide the neighborhood with convenient links to downtown Boston. Be aware that the Red Line splits into two separate branches at JFK/UMass, so make sure you board an Ashmont train for Savin Hill, Fields Corner, Shawmut, or Ashmont! JFK/UMass also provides Dorchester with its only...
By car
Dorchester is generally more car friendly than other neighborhoods in Boston. Many commercial areas have free parking lots close by, and parking on street is usually not a hassle. One particular challenge here can be driving on Dorchester Avenue. This thoroughfare can be crowded at all times, and for no apparent reason. If you are aren't stopping locally consider either Morrissey Boulevard, or Route 93as alternatives. Remember the further north you go the more congestion you face, so keep tha...
Colonial
1. 42.319642-71.0602921 James Blake House, 735 Columbia Rd (T: JFK/UMass), ☏ +1 617 293-3052. 3rd Sun of Each Month: 11AM–4PM. Most locals drive right on by the James Blake House, the oldest house in Boston. Built circa 1661 and owned by the Dorchester Historical Society, the house is one of the only remaining examples of post-Medieval timber-frame construction in the United States. The home remained in the Blake family until being sold in 1825. The next family held on to the property for 70...
Museums
All museums in Dorchester are found out at the tip of Columbia Point, a location shared with UMass Boston. The star here is by far and away The JFK Museum, an outstanding presidential library most folks can do in under two hours. These sites are easily accessible, take any Red Line to JFK/UMass station, and change to the free shuttle. 1. 42.3142-71.03474 Commonwealth Museum (Massachusetts Archives), 220 Morrissey Blvd (Across the street from the JFK Museum), ☏ +1 617 727-9268. M-F 9AM-5PM; 9A...
Parks
1. 42.2799-71.04527 Pope John Paul II Park Reservation (Neponset River Reservation), ☏ +1 617 727-6034. 24 hours daily. A large park on the shores of the Neponset River, it has walking trails, soccer fields, and playgrounds for kids. Several miles of scenic bike trails run along the river (and away from traffic) all the way to Mattapan square. In the summer you can see people walking their dogs, flying kites, or kayaking in the river. It's a good place to relax or take a picnic under the shel...
42.293875-71.0462411 Boston Bowl, 820 William T Morrissey Blvd (Neponset), ☏ +1 617 825-3800. 24 hours daily. 24-hour bowling extravaganza. Deadwood Brewery and Café located on premises. They offer...42.31807-71.055982 HallSpace, 950 Dorchester Ave (Savin Hill, T: JFK/UMass), ☏ +1 617 288-2255. F–Sa noon–5PM. A contemporary art gallery exhibiting work by both emerging artists and established bu...42.315992-71.0659663 The Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Rd (T: Uphams Corner), ☏ +1 617 635-1403. A constant stream of community programming, film, art, and dance come through this stately 100 year o...42.3259-71.06234 AMC South Bay Center 12, 25 District Ave (T: Andrew), ☏ +1 617 606-3219. Built in 2018, this cineplex offers all mod cons. $10-20.(updated Aug 2018)42.29494-71.0484091 Lambert's Rainbow Fruit, 777 William T Morrissey Blvd (Puritan Mall / Neponset), ☏ +1 617 436-2997. 7AM–9PM daily. High quality selection of fruits, veggies, meats and sundries....42.321932-71.056562 Stitch House Dorchester, 846 Dorchester Ave (Polish Triangle, T: JFK/UMass), ☏ +1 617 265-8013, info@stitchhousedorchester.com. M 10AM–6PM, Tu–F 10AM–8PM, Sa 10AM–6PM, Su noon–6...42.328-71.0623 South Bay Center, 8 Allstate Rd (T: Andrew). 7AM-midnight daily. A variety of big box stores line the perimeter of this giant open air mall, updated in 2018. Longtime retailers like...The diversity of Dorchester is clearly reflected in its restaurants. Some of the best Vietnamese in the city can be found near Fields Corner. While Dorchester's western border serves dishes from Cape Verde, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, among other island nations. Scattered throughout the neighborhood, traditional Irish pubs rest comfortably alongside b...
42.318972-71.056471 The Banshee Pub, 934 Dorchester Ave (Savin Hill (T: JFK/UMass)), ☏ +1 617 436-9747. M–F 11AM–1AM, Sa Su 9AM–1AM. An Irish sports pub where the primary focus is on soccer and rug...42.292238-71.0410672 Boston Harbor Distillery Tour & Tasting, 12R Ericsson St (Port Norfolk / Neponset), ☏ +1 617 533-7001, hello@bostonharbordistillery.com. Sa 1PM–7PM. Tours and tastings every Sa...42.291762-71.040123 Boston Winery Tour & Tasting, 26 Ericsson St (Port Norfolk / Neponset), ☏ +1 617 265-9463, information@bostonwinery.net. Tu–F 10AM–5PM, Sa 1PM–6PM. Boston's only custom-crush-wi...42.322152-71.0623174 Dorchester Brewing Company (DBCo), 1250 Massachusetts Ave (Edward Everett Sq / South Bay (T: JFK/UMass)), ☏ +1 617 514-0900. Tu–Sa 11:30AM–11PM, Su 11:30AM–9PM. DBco has house...Budget
1. 42.292696-71.047141 Comfort Inn - Boston, 900 William T Morrissey Blvd (Neponset), ☏ +1 617 287-9200. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A somewhat more affordable option than hotels downtown, this is a convenient location for its proximity to UMass Boston and the JFK Presidential Library & Museum. Expect to drive into downtown. From $150.(updated Oct 2016) 2. 42.294461-71.0472722 Ramada - Boston, 800 William T Morrissey Blvd (Neponset), ☏ +1 617 287-9100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. From...
Mid-range
1. 42.327262-71.05953 Holiday Inn Express - Boston, 69 Boston St (South Bay), ☏ +1 617 288-3030, wagnerq@jitenhm.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. From $205.(updated Oct 2016) 2. 42.320272-71.047914 DoubleTree Club by Hilton Hotel Boston Bayside, 240 Mt Vernon St (Columbia Point), ☏ +1 617-822-3600. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. This hotel also offers daily complimentary shuttle service to downtown Boston, South Station and the airport. From $220.(updated Nov 2016)
Splurge
1. 42.326611-71.0603925 Courtyard Marriot Boston - South Boston, 63R Boston St (South Bay), ☏ +1 617 436-8200. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. From $330.(updated Oct 2016)
There are few chain coffee shops in Dorchester to offer free wi-fi facilities, there are however, many BPL branches here to fill that gap. 1. 42.314827-71.0676261 Uphams Corner Branch (Boston Public Library), 500 Columbia Rd (T: Uphams Corner), ☏ +1 617 265-0139. M Th noon-8PM, Tu W 10AM-6PM, F Sa 9AM-5PM.(updated Feb 2017) 2. 42.298923-71.0601782 ...
Did you get on a Braintree train, instead of Ashmont? Enjoy your trip to the Adams National Historical Park in Quincy.Drive or cycle south into Milton for some great hiking options in the enormous Blue Hills Reservation.Ride the quaint "High Speed Line", a pre-war trolley connecting Dorchester with Mattapanand Milton.Check out Franklin Park, and several colonial sites right next door in Roxbury.Jun 23, 2023 · Encompassing just over six square miles, Dorchester is Boston’s largest neighborhood. It is also arguably the city’s most diverse, home to nearly a fifth of the city’s population, including Irish, Polish, Vietnamese, and African American residents, as well as a large Caribbean and Cape Verdean community.
Apr 2, 2024 · A. Good for Families. B. Diversity. A+. View Full Report Card. Dorchester is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts with a population of 124,445. Dorchester is in Suffolk County. Living in Dorchester offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes.
