Boston/Dorchester

So, you've decided to visit Dorchester. Congratulations! Boston's largest neighborhood had long been written off, dismissed as “too dangerous” by those who had never set foot here. But longtime residents — or “Dot Rats” — have always known what the rest of Boston is beginning to rediscover. An area close to downtown and the ocean, replete with beautiful parks, charming old architecture, and good public transit. An area with a diverse and inclusive population, and additionally one of the more affordable spots in Boston. When you consider these assets as a whole, it should come as no surprise that many are giving the neighborhood a second look.

Understand
Due to Dorchester's large size it can be helpful for the traveller to think of it in two halves, north and south. The northern half is more traditionally urban. Houses are packed tightly together, people walk everywhere, all accompanied by the traffic and street noise one might expect. Due to its proximity to downtown, the majority of new development is taking place here as well. A huge cineplex, mall expansion, and many new condos are under construction as of 2016. The southern half, by contrast, continues to retain a more suburban feel. City lots are a bit roomier, large condo buildings become less common while trees become more prevalent. Driving is slightly less stressful and even necessary in some areas. Stitching these two halves together is Dorchester Ave. Running from South Boston to Milton, Dot Ave is by far the neighborhood's most powerful connector of people and places. Yes, the big draw here is JFK Presidential Library, but to really experience Dorchester you should allow some time to investigate the people and places along this main street.

Neighborhoods
Again, Dorchester is huge. If it were an independent city, it would be the 4th largest in the state. Consider this a severely abridged list of just a few of the areas you may be interested in visiting. Also take these names with a pinch of salt. In a place this old, it can feel like every intersection has a special name or used to be called something else.


 * Ashmont: The general area around Ashmont station has been transformed, showcasing a rebuilt train station in 2011 and several new shops and restaurants. The residential hills to the east and west of the station have deep Irish-American roots, and boast some of the finest houses anywhere in the city. The Fitzgerald family home was in this area--Mayor John Fitzgerald and his daughter, Rose, mother of President Kennedy. Ashmont is also one of the few areas in the south Dorchester where some mid-rise buildings have been going up. It remains to be seen what type of impact they will have on the neighborhood. You might also hear this area called Ashmont Hill or Peabody Square. Another neighborhood, Adams Village, is very close by and has a similar Irish color.
 * Fields Corner: A variety of cultures meet and shop in this bustling commercial district. Conveniently clustered shops selling a vast array of goods draw shoppers from nearby African-American, Vietnamese, and Irish enclaves. During the warmer months the community park is in almost constant use with kids playing baseball, neighborhood festivals, or families barbecuing. This area could also be considered the center of the Vietnamese community in Boston. You can find many Vietnamese restaurants, places of worship, and community centers in the vicinity.
 * Lower Mills: On the shores of the Neponset River and functioning as Boston's southern gateway, Lower Mills is decidedly upmarket. Once the heart of chocolate manufacturing in the region, the picturesque factory buildings of the Baker's Chocolate works have been painstakingly restored and converted into hundreds of luxury condos. Following the arrival of new residents, new and old retailers alike have wasted no time updating their offerings in order to cater to this expanding community. Lower Mills is also a great area to get outdoors. Bike or walk along miles of trails and paved paths to check out some of the best green space Boston has to offer.
 * South Bay: Not an official neighborhood per se, but worth noting with all the construction going on in the area. This part of Dorchester is by far its largest commercial district. Anchored by big box stores like Target, Home Depot, and Best Buy among many others. Its proximity to South Boston and the South End make it a neighborhood crossroads of sorts, and developers are pouring money in. It's surprisingly easy to drive here, due to the large parking lot and interstate highway nearby.

By public transit
The T's Red Line runs frequent service to much of Dorchester. Trains run about every 8 minutes, more during rush hour and less often at night. JFK/UMass, Savin Hill, Fields Corner, Shawmut, and Ashmont stations all provide the neighborhood with convenient links to downtown Boston. Be aware that the Red Line splits into two separate branches at JFK/UMass, so make sure you board an Ashmont train for Savin Hill, Fields Corner, Shawmut, or Ashmont! JFK/UMass also provides Dorchester with its only connection to several South Shore commuter rail lines. Trains on the Greenbush, Kingston, and Middleborough/Lakeville lines stop here. On the western border with Roxbury, the Fairmount commuter rail has stations at Newmarket, Uphams Corner, Four Corners/Geneva, and Talbot Avenue. This line runs on an infrequent schedule, around once an hour, but the city planned to increase service by 2018.

Ashmont station is the terminus of the Red Line and the start of the Ashmont-Mattapan "High Speed" Line. This quaint line features 1940s era PCC (President's Conference Commission) trolley cars that locals continue to use every day as they go about their business. The trolley stops at Cedar Grove and Butler before continuing on to Milton and Mattapan. Ashmont is also the largest bus depot in Dorchester. From here the #21, #22 and #23 busses run to different points along the Orange Line. Lines #215, #217, #240, #245 are less frequent and run to Quincy and Milton, while the #27 runs to Mattapan. There are a few other bus connections from Fields Corner and JFK/UMass that also run to the Orange Line. There is even a bus (#18) that runs up and down Dorchester Ave, but good luck with that. There are no bus connections from Savin Hill or Shawmut stations.

By car
Dorchester is generally more car friendly than other neighborhoods in Boston. Many commercial areas have free parking lots close by, and parking on street is usually not a hassle. One particular challenge here can be driving on Dorchester Avenue. This thoroughfare can be crowded at all times, and for no apparent reason. If you are aren't stopping locally consider either Morrissey Boulevard, or Route 93 as alternatives. Remember the further north you go the more congestion you face, so keep that in mind when making updates to your itinerary. In the south a car can be beneficial, as some sights are further apart and away from train stations.

Museums
All museums in Dorchester are found out at the tip of Columbia Point, a location shared with UMass Boston. The star here is by far and away The JFK Museum, an outstanding presidential library most folks can do in under two hours. These sites are easily accessible, take any Red Line to JFK/UMass station, and change to the free shuttle.



Eat
The diversity of Dorchester is clearly reflected in its restaurants. Some of the best Vietnamese in the city can be found near Fields Corner. While Dorchester's western border serves dishes from Cape Verde, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, among other island nations. Scattered throughout the neighborhood, traditional Irish pubs rest comfortably alongside bistros. This area is often less expensive than the rest of Boston, and food prices reflect that.

Connect
There are few chain coffee shops in Dorchester to offer free wi-fi facilities, there are however, many BPL branches here to fill that gap.

Go next

 * Did you get on a Braintree train, instead of Ashmont? Enjoy your trip to the Adams National Historical Park in Quincy.
 * Drive or cycle south into Milton for some great hiking options in the enormous Blue Hills Reservation.
 * Ride the quaint "High Speed Line", a pre-war trolley connecting Dorchester with Mattapan and Milton.
 * Check out Franklin Park, and several colonial sites right next door in Roxbury.
 * Head for South Boston and check out all that construction going on in the Seaport.