Haymarket Boston: Boston's Weekend Outdoor Market

photo credit: BostonCentral

Haymarket is Boston's famous outdoor market, where you can buy everything from fruits and vegetable to sugar cane to fish just off the boat. It is everything your average supermarket isn't: cheap and loud and in your face.  In a word, it's great.

Expect quick deals, busy stalls, and plenty of back-and-forth with Haymarket vendors.
photo credit: BostonCentral

Squashed between a modern hotel and what is left of the Central Artery, Haymarket seems precariously perched on the edge of extinction.

How Haymarket Actually Works

• Bulk deals everywhere

• Vendors shouting prices

• You may need to sort produce

• Prices change stall to stall

• Deals get better later in the day

Haymarket Location

At the edge of Haymarket sits the The Bostonian Boston Hotel, and within a few steps you’ll find some of the city’s most historic pubs and restaurants.  Just up the block is the Boston Public Market, while just to the east is the Rose Kennedy Greenway, home to greenspace, fountains, seating and seasonal markets & events. The North End - Boston’s oldest neighborhood—is also right nearby.

Boston may be compact, but this area packs in everything at once: modern skyscrapers, busy streets, and historic landmarks side by side. If you’re looking to experience a slice of old Boston while scoring some of the best produce deals in the city, Haymarket delivers.

Entertaining Oyster Shuckers at Haymarket Boston
photo credit: BostonCentral

Freshly shucked oysters and clams!  At prices you just can't beat, this Haymarket stall always has a line to get a plate of delicious oysters or clams.  You'll love them just as much as the lively banter between the shuckers.

Did we mention that Haymarket is loud? The vendors shout their wares. They yell at each other - sometimes to get more produce to the stand, quick, sometimes just to recount the latest joke. Maybe they have to be loud, to make themselves heard over each other and the traffic nearby.

Friendly Produce Vendors at Haymarket Boston

You just don't see prices like this in the supermarket. And just as you're congratulating yourself on getting eight ears of corn for a dollar, you walk a few feet and see, if only you'd waited, you could have gotten ten. 

More Produce than you can Imagine!
photo credit: BostonCentral

Getting There

By subway/MBTA, get off at the Haymarket stop on the Green and Orange lines or the Government Center stop on the Blue and Green lines.  The market is on Blackstone Street, just north of Quincy Market.

Haymarket Hours

Haymarket is open to the public Fridays & Saturdays, 4:00am - 7:00pm.

Haymarket Tips

 1.  Bring cash / small bills - singles and fives are most appreciated
2. For the best produce, go early.  For the best deals, go late on Saturday.
3. Haggling is only allowed after 3pm on Saturday
4. Don't forget to bring your reusable bags!

Nearby Attractions

• Boston Public Market - Adjacent to Haymarket, don't miss this year-round indoor marketplace featuring over 30 New England artisans, vendors and food producers under one roof offering fresh foods, prepared meals, crafts, and specialty items.

• Rose Kennedy Greenway - Steps away, this urban park is perfect for a leisurely stroll after shopping.

• North End - Known as Boston’s “Little Italy,” the North End is a charming, historic neighborhood filled with old-world character, cobblestone streets, and delicious Italian eateries. It’s home to iconic sites like Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church, making it a perfect mix of history and culture.
  
  Families can enjoy a stroll along the waterfront, grab a cannoli from one of the famous bakeries, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of one of Boston’s most beloved neighborhoods.

Other Boston Farmer's Markets

If farmer's markets are your thing, visit our Guide to Boston Farmers Markets for photos, insider tips and more information about other Boston area markets to experience. 

Find More Fun Things to Explore

We also have a number of popular guides ranging from Boston Outdoor Activities, and Things to do in Boston with Kids, to specific venue reviews like Worlds End, the Boston Public Market, Boston Customs House Observation Deck, and The American Heritage Museum to name a few.

In the event of rain, our Boston Rainy Day guide is a helpful guide on what to do in the area when the weather doesn't accommodate outdoor activities.  And any time of year is a good time to discover Free things to do in Boston. 

Sign up for our Free Weekly Boston Events Newsletter!

In addition, you can find lots more family-friendly events near Boston each week on the BostonCentral event calendar, and in our our popular things to do this week newsletter.

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Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for over 25 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.  It's the place to go when you are looking for things to do in Boston.