Overview
Quincy is in Massachusetts. Quincy was the birthplace of presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. United States Declaration of Independence signer and first Massachusetts governor John Hancock was also born here. Quincy produced the first commercial railroad in the country in order to transport the granite from its quarries to Boston for use in many buildings there. Quincy's shipbuilding history started with sailing ships in the 1800s and continued with battleships at the Fore River Shipyard. Howard Johnson's and Dunkin Donuts restaurants were also started here.
8 sights · 5 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Quincy
Adams National Historical Park
Tours include the Old House and the Birthplaces. To see the historic homes, you must join a tour. The last tour leaves at 3:15PM. Site orientation is also available here, along with exhibits, a bookstore and the site's o…
Dorothy Quincy Homestead
Quincy Historical Society
Excellent overview of Quincy history in lovely stone building built on the site of Hancock's birth.
Hancock Cemetery
Graves of the Adams and Quincy families and John Hancock's father. Interesting graveyard art. Free.
United First Parish Church
Thomas Crane Public Library
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Oct.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BOS Boston Logan International Airport, Boston — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BED Laurence G Hanscom Field, Bedford — 21 mi away. Directions
Given that Quincy is relatively close to Boston, please refer to the Get In and Get Around sections of that article for most of the details.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $79–$116 a night (typical $116), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$190, comfortable ~$280.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Adams National Historical Park, Dorothy Quincy Homestead, Quincy Historical Society
- Lunch Falafel King
- Afternoon United First Parish Church, Hancock Cemetery
- Dinner Dunkin' Dounuts
- Evening The Fours
Day 2
- Morning Josiah Quincy House, Wollaston Beach, Quincy Shores Reservation
- Lunch Gennaro's
- Afternoon Black's Creek, Nickerson Beach
- Dinner Inn at Bay Pointe
Day 3
- Morning Quincy Quarries
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Given that Quincy is relatively close to Boston, please refer to the Get In and Get Around sections of that article for most of the details.
By plane
- Logan International Airport (BOS), in Boston.
By train
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA or "T"), Phone: +1 617-222-3200. Quincy has both subway and commuter rail connections to Boston and some other South Shore towns.
By bus
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA or "T"), Phone: +1 617-222-3200. Quincy has a number of bus routes as well. Many bus routes are numbered in the 200s and operate from Quincy Center station, with a few additional connect at other Quincy Red Line stops.
By car
Interstate 93 runs south from Boston through Quincy. You can also use Route 3A from Neponset Circle to get deeper into Quincy.
Get around
Quincy is primarily residential, although the area around Quincy center is solidly urban. You can reach much of the city by bus, but most things worth seeing are within walking distance of an MBTA (Red Line) station. Bus routes here are a little less frequent, being further out of Boston. Quincy Center is the major hub for much of the bus routes, make connections here.
See
See Adams National Historical Park
Tours include the Old House and the Birthplaces. To see the historic homes, you must join a tour. The last tour leaves at 3:15PM. Site orientation is also available here, along with exhibits, a bookstore and the site's only public restrooms. The 14 acre (56,600 m²) park is comprised of the Birthplaces of John and John Quincy Adams, the Old House and the United First Parish Church. Reservations are required for groups of 8 or more, however, there is no group rate. You can also see the "Adam's Mansion," home of US President John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, within a short walking distance of the Quincy Center MBTA (redline) station.
See Hancock Cemetery
Graves of the Adams and Quincy families and John Hancock's father. Interesting graveyard art. Free.
See USS Salem & the U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum
The USS Salem is a 716 foot long US Navy Heavy Cruiser Gunship and is the world's only example of that class of ship. The Salem was among the most advanced war ships of her day and served until 1959. She is now permanently moored at the place of her birth, the former Fore River Shipyard in historic Quincy, MA. The ship is also home to the US Naval Shipbuilding museum and has on display thousands of items relating to Naval history and shipbuilding. Summer daily 10AM-5PM; Winter Sa,Su 10AM-4PM. General Admission $5, children under 4 free, Active Duty Military free. Group guided tours are available with a reservation.
Do
- Boston Harbor Islands State Park, Phone: +1 617-727-5290, . Take a ferry (703 Washington St., Phone: +1 617-223-8666, ) out to George's Island and water shuttles to visit any of five other islands in Boston Harbor. Ranger-led activities, events, narrations, or just swim, picnic, camp or fish.
Do Quincy Quarries
The Quincy Quarries have supplied granite to Boston and buildings around the world with the tell-tale 'fingers' and bluish color. Now, they are empty and great places to hike or take a walk during the day. Some areas are filled with color by generations of teenagers' graffiti, others are used for rockclimbing, and you can walk down the United States' oldest railroad, an ox-drawn train to transport granite to the harbor for transportation to Boston or further.
Beach
Do Black's Creek
Blacks Creek, along Wollaston Beach, is a very scenic marshland and creek. There are some paths through it, though few are maintained. However there are paths along it opposite the paths along the beach making for a fantastic walk up the beach and back along the marsh. Nestled into Blacks Creek is "Kincade Island", a peninsula into the creek with a children's playground and benches, and is entered by crossing a short wooden bridge.
Eat
Eat Gennaro's
Delicious Italian food in North End style but with a large menu and terrific price per portion (though upfront price seems $$). Portions are humongous, a large easily feeding two people, and side salads are very inexpensive. $
Eat Inn at Bay Pointe
Dine waterfront on the Town River. $$
Eat Falafel King
Middle Eastern food. $$
Eat Dunkin' Dounuts
The first Dunks in America. The original building is long gone, this replacement Dunkin' has been around since 2010 or so. Everything else you know and love is in place: low prices, weak coffee, and indifferent customer service. A plaque hangs outside the building showing its significance.
Drink
Quincy, especially along and around Hancock Street in Quincy Center, has a large number of bars. They are generally filled with locals from Quincy and surrounding areas. Popular bars include The Stadium and The Commonwealth. Unlike Boston, though, Quincy bars close at 1 AM.
Drink The Fours
Was named #1 Sports Bar in America by Sports Illustrated.
Sleep
Go next
The many attractions of Boston and Plymouth are only a short train ride away. Cape Cod or the North Shore are good day trips, too.
Nearby
Braintree
City / town · 15 listings · 2 mi away
Milton
City / town · 13 listings · 3 mi away
Weymouth
City / town · 9 listings · 4 mi away
Boston Harbor Islands
Park · 4 listings · 5 mi away
Hingham
City / town · 25 listings · 6 mi away
Hull
City / town · 12 listings · 6 mi away
Boston
City / town · 75 listings · 8 mi away
Brookline
City / town · 61 listings · 8 mi away
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