clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

The definitive Departed filming guide for Boston

View as Map

It's been nearly a decade since The Departed racked up Best Picture and Best Director Oscars, but the film remains the finest one set in Boston in the 21st century (sorry, Ted).

Martin Scorsese's suspenseful portrait of two moles, one for the mob (played by Matt Damon), one for the staties (Leonardo DiCaprio), drank in the city's skyline, waterfront and architecture like few before or since (sorry, Ted).

Yes, a lot of the movie, which also starred the Red Line, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin, was shot in New York City; but a ton was shot right here.

Herewith, then, 12 spots around the city to return to for The Departed.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

120 Tremont Street

Copy Link
Matt Damon's fabulous apartment in the film is actually the top floor of the library at Suffolk University Law School. (In a bit of an ironic twist, his character was a student there.) It's also where Marky Mark clips him at the end.

12 Farnsworth Street

Copy Link
The rooftop here was used for two different scenes: When Leonardo DiCaprio meets with Martin Sheen; and when DiCaprio confronts Matt Damon.

Charles Street Cleaners

Copy Link
It was here, in a Charles Street Cleaners made over to look like a bistro, that Jack Nicholson and Ray Winstone thoroughly freaked out Leonardo DiCaprio.

Long Wharf

Copy Link
Here's where Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg confronted Jack Nicholson and vice versa. It's a mob flick: There have to be dockside scenes.

Flagship Wharf

Copy Link
This is where Jack Nicholson takes the wedding ring off a severed hand and Leonardo DiCaprio is none too reassured.

Chinatown

Copy Link
Leonardo DiCaprio chases Matt Damon through Chinatown, mostly down Tyler Street.

Charles F. Hurley Building

Copy Link
The exterior of this state government building was used for the exterior of Mass. State Police HQ.

John Joseph Moakley Courthouse

Copy Link
Leonardo DiCaprio makes a phone call from outside the federal courthouse.

Boston Common

Copy Link
The opening rugby scene was filmed at the Common.

South Station

Copy Link
Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Sheen get on the Red Line here and the train is oddly efficient.

90 Merrimac Street

Copy Link
Vera Farmiga (the shrink) awaits Leonardo DiCaprio outside this address.

Mary Ellen McCormack Housing

Copy Link
This affordable-housing site was used as the backdrop for the drive-by with Jack Nicholson and Ray Winstone as Matt Damon investigates a recent murder.

Loading comments...

120 Tremont Street

Matt Damon's fabulous apartment in the film is actually the top floor of the library at Suffolk University Law School. (In a bit of an ironic twist, his character was a student there.) It's also where Marky Mark clips him at the end.

12 Farnsworth Street

The rooftop here was used for two different scenes: When Leonardo DiCaprio meets with Martin Sheen; and when DiCaprio confronts Matt Damon.

Charles Street Cleaners

It was here, in a Charles Street Cleaners made over to look like a bistro, that Jack Nicholson and Ray Winstone thoroughly freaked out Leonardo DiCaprio.

Long Wharf

Here's where Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg confronted Jack Nicholson and vice versa. It's a mob flick: There have to be dockside scenes.

Flagship Wharf

This is where Jack Nicholson takes the wedding ring off a severed hand and Leonardo DiCaprio is none too reassured.

Chinatown

Leonardo DiCaprio chases Matt Damon through Chinatown, mostly down Tyler Street.

Charles F. Hurley Building

The exterior of this state government building was used for the exterior of Mass. State Police HQ.

John Joseph Moakley Courthouse

Leonardo DiCaprio makes a phone call from outside the federal courthouse.

Boston Common

The opening rugby scene was filmed at the Common.

South Station

Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Sheen get on the Red Line here and the train is oddly efficient.

90 Merrimac Street

Vera Farmiga (the shrink) awaits Leonardo DiCaprio outside this address.

Mary Ellen McCormack Housing

This affordable-housing site was used as the backdrop for the drive-by with Jack Nicholson and Ray Winstone as Matt Damon investigates a recent murder.