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Chelsea is a small, densely populated city of about 40,000 people just across the Mystic River and Chelsea Creek from Boston, linked to the city by the Tobin Bridge and the Silver Line. Settled in the 1620s and incorporated as a town in 1739, it grew into a busy industrial and port city, and it was largely rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1908.
Today Chelsea is one of the most diverse cities in Massachusetts, with a large Latin American community whose bakeries, restaurants and shops line Broadway and Bellingham Square. Its history shows in the Governor Bellingham-Cary House, one of the oldest homes in the region, and in Chelsea City Hall, modeled on Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
The waterfront offers some of the best views of the Boston skyline. Mary O'Malley Park on Admiral's Hill looks across the Mystic River to the Tobin Bridge, PORT Park sits along Chelsea Creek, and Powder Horn Hill rises above the city. With Logan Airport and downtown Boston minutes away, Chelsea makes a convenient, affordable base for exploring the area.
One of the oldest houses in the Boston area, with parts dating to the 1600s, linked to colonial governor Richard Bellingham and later the Cary family. It is run by a local preservation association and keeps period rooms and artifacts. Open hours are limited to special days, so check ahead before visiting.
A brick civic building completed after the great Chelsea fire of 1908, designed to resemble Independence Hall in Philadelphia, with a tall white clock tower over Broadway. It is the most recognizable building in the city. Admire it from outside and then walk down Broadway for food and shops.
A modern vertical-lift bridge over Chelsea Creek linking Chelsea and East Boston, whose tall towers lift the road deck so tankers and ships can pass. It is an interesting engineering sight, especially when a ship goes through. View it from PORT Park or the waterfront path rather than from the busy roadway.
A waterfront park on Admiral's Hill on the site of the former Chelsea Naval Hospital, with lawns, a promenade, benches and wide views of the Mystic River, the Tobin Bridge and the Boston skyline. It is a lovely place for sunset and a picnic. Parking is available near the park entrance.
A waterfront park along Chelsea Creek built beside a salt storage yard, with a walkway, seating and views of ships, the Chelsea Street Bridge and East Boston. It shows the city's working harbor up close and is popular for evening strolls. It is small, so treat it as a short stop rather than a long visit.
A hilltop neighborhood above the Mystic River where the Chelsea Naval Hospital stood for more than a century, now mixing restored historic buildings with newer homes. Walking its streets gives river and skyline views and a sense of the city's naval past. Combine it with Mary O'Malley Park at the water's edge.
The highest hill in Chelsea, topped by a water tower and surrounded by residential streets, with glimpses across the city, the harbor and the Boston skyline. It has been a lookout point since colonial times. Walk up quiet streets for the view, and be respectful of the homes around the summit.
The busy heart of downtown Chelsea where Broadway meets Hawthorne Street, surrounded by bakeries, taquerias, Salvadoran pupuserias and small shops serving the city's diverse community. It is the best place to sample local food at fair prices. Visit at lunchtime and bring cash for some small places.
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Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Jameslwoodward, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
