Faneuil Hall Marketplace... Boston Welcomes You!

Boston Baked Beans, Indian Pudding, clam chowder, lobster rolls, oysters on the half shell…all New England delicacies that join a cornucopia of foods from around the world to create a unique dining experience at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. For over 40 years, the Marketplace has been a food destination featuring top restaurants and the world-famous Food Colonnade.

For many, Faneuil Hall Marketplace is synonymous with world-class street performers showing off unimaginable acts of juggling, acrobatics and more for throngs of tourists and locals who gather to watch. The street performances that visitors have come to identify with Faneuil Hall were born with the Marketplace’s historic revitalization, and have been going strong since 1976.

When Faneuil Hall Marketplace (FHM) was reopened in 1976, there was a conscious effort to provide an eclectic mix of shopping options but with an emphasis on locally sourced items and on quality. The Marketplace had artisans selling their handmade wares from antique-style pushcarts while the South Market and North Market buildings hosted signature retail shops. The Marketplace has always had a mixture of large, brand name retail stores with smaller, locally owned boutiques and shops.

America’s first retail specialty carts program began at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in 1976. Local artisans and craftspeople were sought to sell their wares from wooden carts to provide a historic flavor to the Marketplace when it first opened. Today, our 40 local businesses sell unique, hand crafted items to throngs of visitors who seek out a unique shopping experience in one of the most historic retail locations in the world.

Visitors interested in the history of Faneuil Hall Marketplace from the 40th Anniversary and beyond have numerous free opportunities! Whether it be a walking tour throughout the property or a glimpse at original artifacts in Historic Faneuil Hall, history fanatics are sure to be pleased.