neighborhoods

Beacon Hill

Historic, quaint and unique. Stroll down Charles Street, walk up Pinckney Street to Louisburg Square, cross the square and see cute Acorn street (supposedly the most photographed street in America?!) and back down to Charles Street (or continue up Mount Vernon and see the fantastic old brownstones) where you can check out all the fun little shops, and have a nice lunch or a coffee. Some photos from 'Hilloween' 2009 here!

You can then walk through the public garden and see the ducklings and the Swan Boats. Favorite local events include the Beacon Hill Art Walk (June) and Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill (May). If you want a more in-depth tour of Beacon Hill, consider taking a walking tour.

The North End - The Italian part of Boston

A wonderful part of Boston, like a little slice of Italy. You will find cafes, restaurants, great stores, coffee, gelato! A great way to experience North End is to go on the North End Market tour. Check out some photos!

The North End has an ABUNDANCE of restaurants, and many little shops as well. There are plenty of cool little food shops as well.

Charlestown

More of a residential neighborhood but it is right by the water so you find marinas and plenty of boat life here. There are some nice restaurants and pubs and cafes. This is where the Constitution is, as well as Bunker Hill Monument. If you walk the Freedom Trail, you will walk here on your way to the Constitution 'Old Ironsides'.

Chinatown

Chinatown is located in downtown Boston. Many restaurants and the best Dim Sum around. Exciting little shops, and fun to walk around. There's a tour of Chinatown that is supposedly quite good.

East End and West End

... and yes, there’s an East & West end too,
and Logan airport is in East Boston

Back Bay

Grand, chic and our shopping mecca. Newbury Street is 'the' shopping street in Boston - you will find every store here from your regular chains like GAP and H&M as well as the upscale stores of Polo Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and more.... Many restaurants as well.

Commonwealth Avenue is a grand avenue to walk down and look at all the impressive buildings. The promenade in the middle of Comm Ave (as Bostonians call it) has many benches and statues and is a nice walk.

Boylston streets have many restaurants and shops as well. Not quite as trendy as Newbury Street (yet) but has a lot to offer.

The South End

Trendy, chic, hip. You can walk to the south end from Back Bay. In the last years, the South End has developed into a great area with the trendiest restaurants and bars and great cafes. You will find fun shops here including many interior decorating stores. You will find many beautiful brownstones renovated in the last 10 years or so.

Cambridge and Somerville

Harvard Square - Grand university, busy, great people watching. A visit to Harvard Square is 'a must'. It is a lively area with thousands of students. Visit Harvard University and take one of the tours led by the students. Plenty of pubs and restaurants in the area. Good place to pick up all those Harvard t-shirts and sweat shirts as gifts.

Central Square - Music and bars and shopping. There are not so many touristy things on offer around here but there are plenty of places that offer live music, and pubs and restaurants. A younger crowd.

Davis Square - Students and music. Being close to Tufts university you will find many students here. There are restaurants and pubs and a movie theatre with cheap tickets!

Porter Square - Shopping, restaurants. Another area with few touristy things to do but there is shopping and restaurants.