One of Boston’s most charming features is all the markets around the city in the spring and summer. With options across multiple Boston neighborhoods, visiting Boston’s markets is a great way to explore the city. Today we’re highlighting 10 of the best markets in Boston so you can peruse them this spring.
This map will provide you with some more insight. Marked in purple are the markets we will cover today. Marked in green are any additional sights, shops, and restaurants that we recommend in the area of each market.
1. Greenway Artisan Market
The Greenway Artisan Market is located downtown along the Rose Kennedy Greenway, one of Boston’s lovely greenspaces. With vendors offering boutique candles, recycled glassware, plants, and more, this market always has some great finds. Plus, after shopping around, you might stroll the Greenway and make your way to the North End for some cannolis, gelato, or dinner at one of the North End’s many excellent Italian restaurants.
The Greenway Artisan Market is open every Saturday from May 4 to June 2, 2024. After this, they are open on Sundays from June 2 through October. Regardless of the day, the market is open between 11 am and 5 pm, giving you plenty of time to explore.
2. Boston Public Market
Only a couple blocks away from the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Boston Public Market (BPM) is one of the only indoor markets we’ll cover today. Because BPM has its own building, the market is open year-round. This market focuses on supporting local entrepreneurs who face barriers in establishing their businesses. With an emphasis on diversity and equity within our food systems, the BPM brings together artisans offering a variety of fresh and prepared foods. You can also find some specialty items at the BPM, such as house plants, jewelry, art, and more. Open daily with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, the BPM is a great place to grab a bite and shop locally.
3. Haymarket
Right next to the BPM is Haymarket, one of Boston’s oldest open-air markets, dating back to the 1800s. Haymarket is a bustling market that offers some of the best deals around for produce. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, Haymarket does not have official hours. Usually, vendors will set up around 6 am and stay until dusk, but if the weather is bad or the crowd is waning, they may pack up early. Located on Blackstone Street, Haymarket is a short walk from the North End, Theatre District, and Chinatown.
4. Boston Open Market
New England Open Markets has been curating markets for over 20 years. With multiple locations, they support local artisans and vendors across New England. In Boston, New England Open Markets hosts two weekly markets: the Boston Open Market and the Harvard Square Open Market.
The Boston Open Market is located in the heart of downtown on Boylston Street. The market is right next to the Public Gardens entrance, another one of Boston’s beautiful green spaces. After looking around at the vintage and hand-crafted goods, you might take a stroll in the Gardens or have a picnic. This market is open every Saturday from May to August, 11 am to 5 pm.
5. Harvard Square Open Market
The Harvard Square Open Market is also a must-visit. As the name suggests, this market is in Harvard Square, which is full of shops, restaurants, and historic architecture. Located on Church Street, the Harvard Square Open Market is a great place to find vintage clothes, crystals, art, and more. Check out the market any Sunday from June to October during the hours of 11 am to 5 pm.
6. SoWa Open Market
One of my personal favorites, the SoWa Open Market is located in the South End. SoWa stands for South of Washington, and sure enough, you can find this market south of Washington Street on the pedestrian-only Thayer Street. Open every Sunday between 11 am and 4 pm from May 5 to October 27, the SoWa open market offers local vendors and amazing food. Plus, there are artists’ studios and a vintage market in the buildings surrounding the open market.
After looking around the open market, my friends and I often explore the SoWa artists’ studios if they are open, chatting with the artists and appreciating their displayed work. In the basement of the studio building is the SoWa Vintage Market, which is open on Sundays year-round from 11 am to 4 pm. Here you’ll find curated vintage goods from clothing to glassware and everything in between. If you’re on the hunt for vintage jewelry, this is the place to go!
With three fun activities packed into one space, the SoWa markets and studios are a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
7. Swapfest – The Flea at MIT
If second-hand and vintage electronics are your thing, then Swapfest is the place to be. Sponsored by multiple MIT and Harvard clubs and societies, Swapfest is a monthly market in Cambridge where you can find amateur radio, computer, and other electronic equipment. Starting April 21, 2024, Swapfest runs the third Sunday of every month until October. Stop by the MIT traditional garage off of Albany St. between 9 am and 2 pm to browse the parts and equipment.
After Swapfest, you might explore the Central Square area. Nearby you can find fun activities and shops like Roxy’s Arcade, Cheapo Records, and the Seven Stars bookstore.
8. Bow Market
Open year-round, Bow Market brings together food, shopping, and entertainment. Located in quaint Somerville, Bow Market is a must-visit. Each storefront in Bow Market has its own hours, so if you’re hoping to visit a specific shop or restaurant, be sure to check the hours. My personal favorites include Pop’s Pinball Parlor, Buenas (which has awesome empanadas), and Saus, where you can get vegetarian Belgian dishes. Bow Market is especially fun in the warmer months because they have a beautiful patio with tons of outdoor seating and fire pits for when the evenings get chilly. Bow Market also hosts all sorts of events throughout the spring and summer, like their Curated Vintage Market and breathwork classes, and bi-weekly screen printing nights.
Nearby in the Somerville area are all sorts of other fun local shops. Some highlights include Make & Mend, a secondhand arts and crafts store that helps reduce the waste of materials. I also love Ricky’s Flower Market, where you can find indoor and outdoor plants, plus all the gardening supplies you could want. The area also offers some of the best coffee and pastries around with cafes like Broadsheet Coffee, 1369 Coffee House, and Forge Baking Co.
9. Somerville Flea
Starting on August 4, 2024, the Somerville Flea will be open for its twelfth year. Hosted in Davis Square, one of many fun squares in Somerville, the Somerville Flea has a great variety of local sellers. After perusing the market, you might look around Davis Square itself, which has several welcoming shops, restaurants, and cafes.
10. Farmers Markets
Of course, we can’t talk about Boston markets without highlighting all the farmers markets around the city. Most neighborhoods have their own farmers market, so you don’t have to go far to get fresh, local produce. To see which farmers markets are near you, check out the interactive map of farmers markets around Boston.
In addition to offering fresh, affordable produce many vendors also accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Many markets also participate in the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which puts money back into your SNAP benefits account when you buy healthy, local foods from participating vendors. Usually, farmers markets have an information stand where you can ask about which vendors will accept SNAP benefits.
We hope today’s blog has gotten you excited for spring in Boston. If you explore one of the markets we highlighted, be sure to leave a comment below or tag us on Instagram! For more information about things to do around Boston, check out our Boston Tips and Activities section of the blog.
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