What's Revere Beach like?
 

We're going to have half a day to kill in Boston this weekend, will be near a T stop, thinking about checking out Revere Beach.

I've always had the impression it's sort of a downscale place. Safe enough to wander around? Anything happening after dark? Anthing happening before dark?

We've done a bunch of the usual tourist things in Boston and Cambridge before, so we were thinking of this as a change of pace - plus we want to check out the fried clams at Kelly's Roast Beef.

I never thought I would see the day that someone asked about Revere Beach on this forum. Revere Beach is not usually high on any tourist's list of places to see in the Boston area. Locals love the place and oldtimers think of it fondly as there was an amusement park there that is long gone. You can see pictures of it at Kellys. Personally the charm of the place escapes me.

Its an ok beach with a high wall that borders the road. There's a sidewalk that runs along the road side of the wall. People love to park their cars and sit on the wall. Lots of walkers too. On the other side of the road are high rise condos and seniors housing. Plus ice cream places and pizza joints and Kelly's. There are some very undesirable bars.

I wouldn't venture there at night - not because just because its somewhat unsafe but because its boring.

Wonderland is the last stop on the Blue Line and then you have about a mile walk to Kelly's. If you went in the afternoon it wouldn't be a bad walk along the water. Also you should know that Revere Beach is a relatively calm beach that is sheltered by Nahant.

Thanks for the information - your description is pretty much in line with what I had pictured.

A two-mile round-trip stroll sounds just right for us. We'll probably check it out tomorrow.

Uggggg! Go to a foreign film in Boston and skip "vere beach".

cdt - another option if you want a nice seaside stroll is to take public transportation to Castle Island in South Boston. You'll get a nice view of Boston Harbor, there's a Civil War fort out there, and there's a nice walk along a promenade to the "sugar bowl". Far more attractive area than Revere. And there's a place that you can get fried clams too.

I was so amazed to see anyone asking about Revere Beach, so here's my take, I grew up in Winthrop a stone's throw away, and remember fondly the amusement park long gone.

The beach is actually quite nice and very long, a few pizza type places and not much else anymore. But if you are looking for a nice beach to go to, it would be worth the trip. I think there is also a changing area still there.

Kelly's one of my FAVORITES, whenever I go home it's the first place to head. The clams are great as are the roast beef sandwhiches, onion rings and lobster sandwiches. If you walk across the street to sit and enjoy the view and have your lunch, be careful of the gulls, they love Kelly's food too!!

Have a fun day.

Also, it's the only place with alot of real locals to mingle with.
The last time i was there a few years ago there was a chicken, if you put a coin in the chicken comes out to dance for its food. However that day, the poor bird had no food, no water. so I went in a made a scene but I had a clapping audience.

Revere! Wow, now I have seen it all on Fodors! If you like taking in urban landscapes, both good and bad, then you won't mind the place. Just don't expect New England scenary.

Wantsomesun - I spent several years of my childhood in Winthrop also! (1970-76). We lived on River Road. I remember walking out to the breakers at low tide. I was always afraid we'd get stuck out there when the tide came back in. Watching the planes land at Logan was another fun part of living there.
I haven't been back there in years.

LOL, I gotta agree with the other old-timers, now we've seen it all! Rever Beach might be an interesting side trip -- IF you could be a time-traveler. Most of it is mediocre condos now. I agree that Castle Island would be a good substitute.

So cdt - did you make it to Revere Beach? Loved to hear what you thought of the place.

Revere Beach is a plain ol' beach. Sand, water, pooping seagulls fighting you for your food, etc. Nothing fancy. However, as already mentioned, go to Kelly's. Fried clams are great, but the coating is a little to floury for my taste. I'd go with the roast beef sandwich

Sorry to say (well, maybe) that we ended up not getting to Revere Beach. It was a colder day than we expected, some of the comments here had us turned off, and it turned out that the son we were picking up from college had never been to the Aquarium (although his parents had), so we went there this time.

Also, by the time I saw the post about Castle Island, I didn't have time to figure out how to get there on public transportation.

At any rate, the kid will be in Cambridge for three more years, so we may try for Kelly's at a later date.

I really appreciated all the comments - it was an interesting discussion.

Cdt - too bad you didn't make it there. You gave a few of us bostonian fodorites quite a laugh. To figure out how to get to Castle Island, you can use the mbta.com trip planning function. And fyi Kelly's has expanded so they now have outlets in Saugus, Natick and Danvers also.

Yes we saw the Natick Kelly's the last time we were in Boston visiting family and just about gave Paul a heart attack (lol) telling him to STOP and take that exit and LOOOOOOOKKKKKK, there's KELLY'S!!!.

jnn1964- yes some nice memories of Winthrop and boy has the place CHANGED since we were both kids. The town is just about out of money, and had to SHUT DOWN the public library, ELIMINATE all the arts (music, drama, art classes) and as of this year ELIMINATED SPORTS!! So sad, as some of my fond memories are being in the High School Band and playing at football games. The Transcript is on line so you can keep up with what's going on in town.

This is just another of those small world fodors happenings.

ttt

As a native of the North Shore, I can appreciate the various insights posted here! Kelly's is by far the only real reason, IMO, to go there. But it's a very good reason. #1: the Lobster Rolls, but everything else I've ever had there is yummy, even the Roast Beef. I stopped at the Kelly's on rt. 114, (even I don't know what's Peabody from Danvers on that stretch!) Somehow, it just didn't taste as good as the original, where, on a summer night you stand in line, smell the ocean and the food, and know you're in a good place. Next time you're up there, pick up lunch there, and keep driving North (1A). You'll find someplace nice to eat it. (i.e. Marblehead -maybe the lighthouse.) Now that's the best of both worlds!