Admirals Hill - Chelsea, MA Area Guide

A neighborhood steeped in American naval history, Admirals Hill prides itself on its cultural and historical relevancy. The neighborhood grew to be a naval center in the early 1800s and contains the Naval Hospital Boston Historic District, which the U.S. Government added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

The neighborhood houses many former naval institution buildings, such as the Boston Naval Hospital, the Marine Hospital, the Commanding Officer's Quarters and two ordinance buildings. These institutions treated naval personnel through four different wars before closing.

When it closed in 1974, the Boston Naval Hospital held the title of oldest naval hospital in the United States. The City of Chelsea converted the historic hospital into condominiums in the 1980s. With the closing of the naval hospital, Admirals Hill completed its conversion from a center of naval officer treatment to a residential community with an emphasis on history.

With easy access to both Boston and Chelsea, residents of Admirals Hill can take advantage of an eclectic mixture of dining and nightlife options that range from Asian fusion to classic American sports bars.

When the mood strikes for some pizza and a Red Sox game, the Brown Jug in Chelsea has you covered. Try a basket of their Award Winning Jumbo Chicken Wings, and relax with one of the over 25 draft beers the Brown Jug serves. A Chelsea staple for more than 50 years, the friendly bartenders seem happy to tell you a story about Chelsea, Boston, or any of the sports decorations in the bar.

Chelsea's Mystic Brewery makes an assortment of craft beers for fans of local brews. Past visitors to this Chelsea favorite recommend taking a brewery tour, which only costs $6 and provides an educational experience with plenty of tasty beer.

When you want a night out in the city, take a trip over the Mystic River, and explore the many bars and clubs in Boston. From wild cabarets to upscale lounges, Boston provides a night out for any occasion. The appropriately named Drink serves high-end cocktails, which knowledgeable bartenders mix on the spot for your specific cravings.

Admirals Hill residents benefit from a thriving metropolis with a range of public and private transportation options. As far as getting around Admirals Hill goes, visitors find the neighborhood very walkable. With a centralized, concentric circle structure, Admirals Hill facilitates easy navigation throughout its historic streets. In general, a trek from an Admirals Hill residential complex to Johnny's Produce, located at the center of the neighborhood, takes about 10 minutes.

The neighborhood's proximity to U.S. Route 1 and the Tobin Bridge provides an easy way for residents to commute to Charlestown, Insterstate 93 and downtown Boston. Commuters can also take the Andrew McArdle Bridge over to East Boston, then drive through the Sumner Tunnel to downtown Boston. Without traffic, a trip to Boston takes no more than 15 minutes regardless of the route. Boating fans can also cruise to downtown Boston or Boston Harbor Islands from the Admirals Hill Marina.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority services a number of convenient stops in Chelsea and Admirals Hill for those commuting to Boston. Walk up Boatswains Way and Chestnut Street to catch the 111 bus at Third and Chestnut, and take the bus to Haymarket Square in Boston. Take bus 112 from Boatswains Way to north Chelsea, and ride the Newburypor/Rockport rail line to downtown Boston.

Parks in Admirals Hill combine relaxing green pastures, eye-pleasing waterfronts, and stunning views of Boston's skyline and Boston Harbor. The Mystic River and Island End River border Chelsea's largest park, Mary O'Malley Park, located in Admirals Hill. Visitors to Mary O'Malley Park soak in a landscape that includes Boston Harbor and the aquatic birds, such as egrets, ducks and cormorants, that inhabit it.

Take a jog through Mary O'Malley Park's winding running path, enjoy a summer meal with the family in one of the picnic pavilions, or explore the waterfront of the park to find William Wainwright's "Fish" sculpture. This dog- and kid-friendly park hosts the Annual Kite Festival, a free event focused on family fun.

Admirals Hill families have access to the over 30 parks spread throughout Chelsea, including "Tot Lots" for those with young children. The O'Neil "Tot Lot," located in Admirals Hill, provides a playground with equipment perfect for children between the ages of 2 and 12.

The average price of living in Admirals Hill rests above the national average. A one- or two-bedroom apartment in Admirals Hill runs about $1,601.83 a month, compared to the national average of $1,440 a month. Gas costs in Admiral Hill trend nine percent higher than the national average.

Restaurants and bars charge affordable prices in the Admiral Hill area. A dinner entrée at Fusion Foods, for instance, costs between $11 and $15, and a locally brewed beer at Mystic Brewery can cost as little as $4.

A bus ticket costs $2.10, and a rail ride from North Chelsea to Boston charges about $5.75. Seniors and people with disabilities receive discount prices on both bus and rail rides, and children under 11 years old ride for free.

Admirals Hill provides access to numerous trusted brands, shopping centers and local stores. Residents can make a short drive to Mystic Mall to shop at well-known national chains, such as T.J. Maxx, T-Mobile and the Children's Place.

The Mystic Mall also houses a Market Basket grocery store – a New England Favorite. Those interested in local produce can visit the Chelsea Farmers' Market on Broadway, which opens every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Connoisseurs of local products can check out unique boutique items at Broadway Boutique in Chelsea. Val's Flowers at Revere Beach Parkway supplies gorgeous floral arrangements for special occasions, and Kirshon Paint and Window Treatments in Chelsea serves an alternative to chains like Home Depot.