Quincy Center - Quincy, MA Area Guide

Originally called Braintree, by 1792 the town had grown so large and spread out that individual towns started cropping up. The original town center became the Quincy Center. Named after President John Quincy Adams, Quincy's United First Parish Church holds his tomb.

The historic Hancock Cemetery dates back to the 1630s with beautiful iron fencing from 1844 and gravestone art such as colonial winged skulls, cherubim, and Federalist classic motifs, reminiscent of its granite quarrying and carving days.

Learn more about the history of this neighborhood at the Quincy Historical Society, with exhibits of Native Americans, colonial life, and the revolutionary period. Also, delve into the legacy of John Adams and Abigail Adams, who called Quincy home.

Head to the Sidewalk Sale on Hancock Street in July, and enjoy shopping, events, and fun rides. The Thanksgiving and Christmas parades in the winter feature marching bands and floats.

"Fresh, creative, and international" are the words that best describe the food scene in Quincy Center. Dotted with cozy bars and pubs, you will always find something fun to do in this neighborhood.

The Fat Cat on Chestnut Street dishes up some scrumptious lobster mac and cheese and crispy fried pickles with Cajun remoulade. Ask about their seasonal drinks like the Shipyard Pumpkin Ale and dig into fresh seafood pastas, buffalo wings, and burgers. With large portions and a kid-friendly menu, this place draws a crowd. For authentic Indian food, stop by Punjab Cafe and savor the chicken tikka masala, goat bahar curry with generous portions of rice, or garlic naan. Bite into crispy vegetable samosas and pakoras, and wash it down with cold mango lassi. The menu incudes several vegetarian dishes, including favorites like channa or chickpeas masala and nauratan korma, which is mixed vegetables in a creamy curry.

Great prices and flavorful food make Falafel King on Hancock street a great choice for a quick bite. Try the locals favorites (falafels and kabobs) as well as the freshly made hummus and tahini.

Looking for dinner and entertainment? With over 15 beers on tap, two bars, and fun events almost every night of the week, Cagney's Restaurant serves up more than just good food. A half-price menu on Mondays, Trivia Thursdays, Paint Nite, and 10 big-screen TVs make this cozy and casual joint a nice place to unwind after work or catch the game with some buddies. Try the Reuben egg rolls and buffalo chicken dip while enjoying a drink from one of the bars.

A large percentage of residents ride the train to work every day. The MBTA station in Quincy has a large parking garage and provides access to buses and the subway. Commuters walk or bike to train stations, although the pedestrian and biking lanes are not the best when compared to other cities in the state.

An even larger percentage of Quincy Center residents chose to drive rather than take public transportation. Interstate 93 cuts through Quincy and is easily accessible from Quincy Center. Parking options in the neighborhood include the Quincy Adams Garage, North Quincy Adams Street and North Quincy Newport Street. Check before heading to Quincy Center Garage because sometimes its closed. Uber and Shore taxi serve the Milton and Quincy Center area. Here, you can hail a taxi even at late hours.

With some unique parks offering great views, history and fishing, Quincy serves the needs of a diverse group of people. A haven for climbers, Quincy Quarries features granite, graffiti-decorated rock and gorgeous views of Boston. A few trails make it a good place for walkers as well.

For great views of Boston, Harbor Bay and Marina Bay, make a trip to Squantum Point Park. Marked by salt marshes, this park attracts bird watchers. This unofficial dog park also has an empty parking lot, where kids can ride bikes and a pier for fishing.

Adams National Historical Park takes visitors on trolley rides and tours of three Adams family homes for a small fee of $5.00. Visit the library, or walk around the garden of the 23-room mansion at Peacefield.

Rent a canoe at Merrymount Park, or bring the kids over for a game of baseball or soccer. With good trails, wetlands, tennis and basketball courts, this park caters to the needs of athletes, families and runners. Be advised that some of the fields are not open to the public and need to be reserved.

In December, the city hall displays ice sculptures, and in May, the recreation department hosts the Senior Olympics.

The cost of living in Quincy is lower than the cost of living in Boston; however, living costs are higher in Quincy than the Massachusetts state average and significantly higher than the national average. A one bedroom apartment costs about $1,750 a month while a mug of beer costs $3.50. Filling up the tank can be expensive.Quincy gas prices eight percent higher than the national average.

There are plenty of large department stores in and around Quincy Center as well as smaller speciality stores where you can find rare ingredients or unique pieces.

The closest mall, South Shore Plaza, located in Braintree, has 180 specialty stores, a food court, a play area for kids and seven fine restaurants. Try to avoid the weekend crowds that fill up the parking lots.

Stop by the Gypsy Kitchen on Hancock street for a wide selection of wine, cheese, sauces, and chocolates. The shop hosts wine tasting on Fridays and Saturdays. Their specialty is Gypsy Juice hot sauce. Pick up a bottle to spice up your menu.

Big name grocery stores such as Hannaford and Stop and Shop serve this neighborhood, along with smaller grocery stores and specialty stores. Although it has a number of Asian markets, the Kam Man marketplace in Quincy stands out for its wide selection of produce, cuts of meat and fresh seafood. Stop by the herbalist for a custom blend of herbs, or indulge in some bubble tea on your way out. Another specialty grocery store and meat shop, Roxies Market of Quincy, offers great prices on red meat and chicken, potato and macaroni salad and a decent selection of veggies.

With several farmers markets to choose from, you always have access to fresh produce in Quincy Center. The Quincy Farmers Market at the John Hancock Parking Lot opens in July and closes in November. Locally made wine, fresh coffee, reasonably priced produce and free one-hour parking at the courthouse make this a great place to shop.