SoWa Art + Design District
SoWa Art + Design District
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
If Boston was a person, SoWa would be its creative side. Its independent streak. Its curiosity. Because here imagination has created a corner of the city filled with the eclectic and the unexpected. Where one-of-a-kind restaurants, galleries, and small business are run by one-of-a-kind people. Where food is sold by farmers, beer sold from barns, and art is sold where art is made. People don’t just visit SoWa. They live it. They taste it. They experience it. Explore your creative side. Explore SoWa. Originally derived from a shortening of "South of Washington," SoWa spans the area from East Brookline Street to East Berkeley Street and from Shawmut Ave to Albany Street.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: South End
Stroll down the beautiful brownstone lined streets while capturing views of Boston’s tallest buildings from a distance. Some of Boston’s best restaurants are scattered around this neighborhood. There are many gems to be found, from jazz clubs to classy bars and restaurants. It is also home to art galleries, interesting boutiques, artsy stores and SOWA open market during the summer months. The South End is a true find in the city, with a more residential feeling than Back Bay.
How to get there
- Union Park St • 6 min walk
- Herald St • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,563 within 5 kms
Attractions
929 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
36 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
18
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Adventure Diva
Manchester, CT2,716 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
This major artist community was a great find while exploring Boston. Home to artist studios and galleries, give it a try. Check out their website for up to the minute events. If you are in town for their First Friday's activity, the next one is scheduled for August 5th, 2022. Doors open to the public for this activity from 5-9 pm.
Written July 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventure Diva
Manchester, CT2,716 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Housed in reclaimed industrial warehouse buildings, I like to visit this artsy area whenever I am in the city. Home to boutiques, art galleries and more, there is a wide selection of hand made, high-quality goodies that await you. An extra plus during this time of the year - the bright little white lights are now on the trees for the holiday season.
Written December 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim R
Fort Worth958 contributions
Feb 2020
We fell in love with the area - the repurposed brick buildings that now house countless artist's studios, galleries and design shops make for hours of browsing. Unfortunately we were not there during one of the evening events when many of the artist galleries are open to browse and perhaps buy
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TikkiTalk
London, UK190 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Like many others, I struggle to find meaningful activities for our tween/teen kids while visiting cities as they’re not into museums or tours. We all enjoy art and a good hunt for fun items so we looked up SoWa.
We truly enjoyed the well organized and diverse Open Market, art studios and vintage market - leaving the food market for next time. Budget-wise there’s everything from silly cheap to astronomical, second hand and the finest original art. I personally enjoyed the fine art end of things and chats with the artists the most while the kids were tickled by their fun finds from the craft booths (pottery, handmade paper goods and clothing). The atmosphere is relaxed, no pushy sales tactics nor loud bands or such to dampen the spirit.
Warmly recommended when in town!
We truly enjoyed the well organized and diverse Open Market, art studios and vintage market - leaving the food market for next time. Budget-wise there’s everything from silly cheap to astronomical, second hand and the finest original art. I personally enjoyed the fine art end of things and chats with the artists the most while the kids were tickled by their fun finds from the craft booths (pottery, handmade paper goods and clothing). The atmosphere is relaxed, no pushy sales tactics nor loud bands or such to dampen the spirit.
Warmly recommended when in town!
Written July 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Footprintz1996
Bremen, Germany24 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
During the week the streets are mostly deserted. The open market is open on the weekends. Prices looked steep for galleries that were open. Not really touristic during the week. No restaurants were open during the day in that area.
Written August 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcdonald121
Weymouth, MA30 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
there is so much to see and do and taste at this free outdoor market place. its broken up into 4 areas - food truck lot with tables set up (no shade), farmers market with a variety of things, artist market with jewelry, clothing, really cool hand crafted items and an indoor flea market filled with antiques. there are also open art studios where you can meet the artists and see their work. the people watching is great and dogs are welcome. there is a first come first served parking lot with 10$ fee
Written July 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smb1600
Palm Beach Gardens, FL1,065 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Great shopping in farmers market and outdoors rented area lots of crafts etc, very original. Surrounding buildings have lots of galerues and shops to walk thru.
Fun shopping in a sunday
Fun shopping in a sunday
Written August 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
love2travelKelly
Boston50 contributions
Sept 2018
Especially love the food trucks and open studios on weekends. Parking can be hard so consider walking or an Uber/Lyft/taxi ride.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helia d
Holliston, MA82 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
100+artists with 60 galleries and much more. They have a lot of events on the first Friday of each month. We went on a Sat. Enjoyed seeing Debby Krim Arts. She does
Art, Jewelry and Photography, very diverse but so many are. Cool place and cool people to be around and just enjoy life through the eyes of these artists. Also explore their art in various ways they haven't seen it themselves.
Art, Jewelry and Photography, very diverse but so many are. Cool place and cool people to be around and just enjoy life through the eyes of these artists. Also explore their art in various ways they haven't seen it themselves.
Written August 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FranL
Brookline, MA59 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
A large market conveniently divided into sections: farmers market, arts and crafts, vintage etc. Vendors prices vary tremendously so there is something for everyone at many different price points. Products are generally interesting a nice quality. The summer market has a lot of outdoor areas making it fun to walk around on a nice day. Parking is tight although there is a parking area. Best to get there early for easy parking and the best selections.
There are some permanent stores in the surrounding area that are open during the week.
This market is mostly ADA COMPLIANT so wheelchair accessibility is good.
Everything from fresh food to art to jewelery, clothing, textiles, gifts and more.... A real fun day for all.
There are some permanent stores in the surrounding area that are open during the week.
This market is mostly ADA COMPLIANT so wheelchair accessibility is good.
Everything from fresh food to art to jewelery, clothing, textiles, gifts and more.... A real fun day for all.
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hours of operation and cost of admission
Written October 17, 2016
Hi - It's free!
On the First Friday of every month from 5:00PM - 9:00PM, the artists, galleries, shops & restaurants of SoWa Boston open their doors to the public for an evening of art, culture and inspiration. Meet the artists in their element and view their latest works, shop the galleries & boutiques, then afterwards dine at one of our world class restaurants.
Come and enjoy the fun. The event is free and plenty of parking is available.
(Above excerpts from their web page.)
Best regards!
Written October 17, 2016
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