To most Bostonians, the peninsula known as East Boston is synonymous with Logan Airport. Alongside the planes, however, is a residential community that has changed its ethnic makeup over the years. The spaghetti restaurants and pizza joints of an old Italian neighborhood are still bustling, but they’ve been joined by taquerias and pupuserias of a vibrant new Central and South American population.

More recently, developers have taken interest in the brick warehouse buildings on the harbor, transforming them into high-priced luxury condos that promise (or threaten) to remake the neighborhood. If you take some time to explore here, you’ll note that the streets are all named after battles in the Revolutionary War.

The vantage point from the waterfront in front of Maverick Square is also one of the best views you could have of the city skyline without being on the water—especially during fireworks on New Year’s Eve.