Getting high on Boston history, from the Navy Yard to Bunker Hill (plus what to do and where to eat while you’re stoned)
Bostonians are infamously loath to leave their own neighborhoods, whether native or adopted. That may be an old stereotype … and these days, the reasons why, and the attitudes, and even some train routes that relate to that situation may have changed … but in a sense, the end-result remains the same: people will live here for literally years and never once step into places like Jamaica Plain or, at the other extreme of the Orange Line, Charlestown.
On some level, at least when it comes to the latter, it’s hard to blame them. Sure, it’s right in the literal center of the city, just a quick walk over the bridge from the North End—but it’s also isolated by highways and water, with mediocre MBTA access to some parts and very few trafficky routes that get you out.
All of which provides some challenges for even expert stoners, much less someone new to the neighborhood. Like for instance: Where can I get weed in Charlestown, and Where’s the best spot for munchies and drinks? Or, Where can you smoke without being surrounded by strollers? A Stoner’s Guide to Charlestown promises solutions …
Where to get (legal) weed in Charlestown
Is there a dispensary in Charlestown? Just one, and it’s a special spot: The Heritage Club on Cambridge Street, a couple blocks from the Sullivan Square T stop where it conveniently serves Somerville residents too. Opened in 2019, the welcoming and cozy shop maintains a well-stocked menu across categories, with various brands represented spanning craft cannabis sips like Pine + Star to flower faves like Nature’s Heritage and Breathe Free. They also have solid recreational prices, including halfie bundles on their own in-house selections.
Where to smoke in Charlestown
Charlestown is a residential neighborhood—and supposedly the second-most expensive place to live in the whole city after the Seaport. Most of the place looks like an actual movie set (and has literally served as the backdrop for many films). Which is another way to say there are a lot of families here that don’t appreciate the sight of people lighting up in public. None of that means you can’t smoke here, but it does mean you may want to be strategic about it, at least if you are sensitive to disapproving looks.
The good news is that even within the limited square mile of Charlestown, there are plenty of public grounds that you can scope out for clandestine consumption. There are spots off of the Harborwalk and Freedom Trail, plus big open areas near and around the Bunker Hill Monument that are best for night puffing after the crowds split.
Most notable and a must for any wandering stoner in Boston is the Navy Yard. Forget about the section with the tourists on the right for a moment and instead turn left upon entering. Now you have it, a vast largely residential urban oasis with benches, docks, and side streets galore. Go ahead, make your smoke session into a history lesson.
If none of those ring your bell, and you’re still having trouble finding the right spot, just pick a scenic point—you’ll find plenty in Charlestown, especially along the water—and start walking towards it. Just remember that it’s all hills, so you might want to save your blunts for the walk back down.
Where to eat in Charlestown
Charlestown is, even more than most parts of the city, absolutely dominated by pubs and pizza spots. But here, a few carry historical value.
By that we’re mostly referring to the Warren Tavern, founded in 1780, which is famous for having served an immensely notable list of clientele up to and including George Washington himself. Nowadays it’s one of the only tourist destinations in the whole gentrified city where the grub is good enough to keep the locals coming back as well.
If you’re a particularly cultured stoner looking for more artisanal offerings, Charlestown has some other solid options as well, including Tangierino’s Cave Lounge where you can complement your high with a nice hookah. We also dig the dough at Brewer’s Fork, which lives up to the hype around it and is just a stoner’s throw from the Navy Yard.
And if you’re on the waterfront and looking for a beverage to go with your weed buzz, we recommend The Anchor wine and beer garden. You didn’t hear this from us, but it seems like the kind of place where you can safely vape right at your table.
What to do in Charlestown while you’re stoned
Like we keep saying, Charlestown is a truly residential neighborhood. Sure there are shops, taverns, and pizza, but if you’re looking for more modern attractions, you will probably do better to stay in continental Boston.
However, if you’re looking for historic attractions, this is an exquisite somewhat remote spot to visit, stoned or otherwise. The humble stoner looking for something to gawk at mid-smoke will find countless stunners during even the shortest walk past the noted local landmarks, ranging from the famous like the USS Constitution to the lesser known Potato Shed Memorial.
Charlestown was the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a beacon of American freedom, and that’s something to celebrate. And yes, hemp was used to make the rope and rigging for the USS Constitution—more than 50 tons of it.
