Everett Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Everett

Everett is an urban city situated in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, directly north of Boston along the northern bank of the Mystic River. Encompassing less than four square miles of land and water, it borders neighboring communities including Malden, Revere, Chelsea, Medford, Somerville, and Boston's Charlestown neighborhood. Positioned as a functional component of the Port of Boston, the city features distinct residential neighborhoods such as Glendale, Woodlawn, the Village, and the Line.

Originally part of Charlestown and later Malden, the area established itself as an independent town in 1870 before attaining city status in 1892. It was named in honor of Edward Everett, a prominent politician and Harvard University president. Over time, shoreline expansion through landfill altered the local landscape, connecting former islands in the Mystic River to the mainland. Throughout the twentieth century, Everett developed a strong industrial footprint, hosting significant energy and distribution facilities along its riverfront.

In recent years, Everett's waterfront has undergone notable transformations, highlighted by the opening of the Encore Boston Harbor resort on the Mystic River. The resort area features a hotel, dining options, retail spaces, and a spa, alongside a year-round public harborwalk. Visitors using the harborwalk can enjoy a picnic park, floral displays, walking and biking paths, scenic viewing decks, boat docks, and an open-air performance lawn. Additional points of interest include a portion of the historic Revere Beach Parkway, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as Glendale Park, the city's largest park.

Commercial activity centers primarily along Broadway, part of Route 99, which features a variety of local restaurants and businesses, while major retail shopping is available at the Gateway Center off Route 16. The city is easily reached via regional roadways and public transit. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority provides local bus services, including a dedicated transit lane on Broadway and a main hub at Everett Square, with subway and commuter rail connections available in nearby adjacent communities.