Union Oyster House

The Union Oyster House, which opened its doors in 1826, is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the United States. The building, put up in part between 1716 and 1717, has been listed as a National Historic Landmark since 2003.  Before becoming a temple of Boston dining, the building housed Isaiah Thomas, who published his patriot newspaper the Massachusetts Spy there, and served as headquarters for the paymaster of the Continental Army during the War of Independence. In 1796, the future king of the French, Louis-Philippe d'Orléans, even gave French lessons there from the second floor. Among the famous regulars are several American presidents — including JFK, who came almost every Sunday for lobster. Booth 18 upstairs was reserved for him and is still dedicated to him. The horseshoe-shaped oyster bar, where senator Daniel Webster was also a steady customer, has stayed in its original position since 1826. On the menu, New England seafood and specialties rule: oysters, clam chowder, lobster roll. On the Freedom Trail, near Faneuil Hall, it's as much a history lesson as a meal.