Love Local: Explore Boston's neighborhoods

Downtown is the best place in Boston for people-watching. Find a bench and a takeout lunch for a break between visits to historic landmarks, and watch the street performers and passers-by. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are among the city’s most-visited landmarks, replete with shops flogging kitschy gifts, and eateries catering to tourists. And then there’s Chinatown, a bustling enclave home to some of Boston’s best Chinese food. Once you’ve had your fill of Downtown, keep the good times going by checking out the best Boston attractions, best free things to do in Boston, and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Boston’s most exclusive niche, Beacon Hill is synonymous with wealth, lineage, and old Boston Brahmin. The area is almost unbearably picturesque, with its red-brick row houses and mansions, gas lanterns, and steep, narrow streets—some still cobbled. A short stroll unveils centuries-old architectural treasures that are nearly worth their weight in gold. You can, however, tour a couple of historic houses—and the sumptuous private library of the Boston Athenæum—to get a sense of how the other half lived during the 18th and 19th centuries. Once you’ve exhausted this tony neighborhood, find more to do around town by checking out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

The Back Bay's unique mix of affluent residential streets and commercial attractions undoubtedly makes it one of Boston’s most visitor-friendly neighborhoods. This centrally-located district not only also contains some of the city’s most important architectural sights, it's also the Hub's main shopping destination; you’ll find everything from global mega-chains and small indie shops to cutting-edge designer boutiques. But it wasn’t always so —less than 200 years ago, the entire area, from the Public Garden to the Fens, was submerged in swampland; a massive landfill project to meet the needs of a population surge made the area what it is now. Once you’ve had your fill of the Back Bay, find more to do by checking out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Whereas the Seaport District was once a sleepy, somewhat nondescript neighborhood that mainly benefitted from its primo waterfront locale, today the area is one of country's fastest-growing and most dynamic commercial areas. A cross-section of locals, from suburban couples and boisterous students to neighborhood residents, and out-of-towners descent on the Seaport nightly to dine and drink the night away. Others come to the Seaport for big concerts and conventions. Once you’ve had your fill of the Seaport, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Whereas the Fenway was once a sleepy, nondescript neighborhood that only came to life when the Red Sox were in town, today the 'hood is one of Boston's busiest and most dynamic. Just about everyone—even non-sporty types—finds their way over to the Fenway now and then; a mix of sudents, young professionals, and out-of-towners gather regularly to eat and drink the night away, even if the local nine is out of town. Once you’ve had your fill of the cozy community, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston. Curious to learn more about the neighborhood’s history? TheFenway.com is a great resource.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Jamaica Plain has been evolving for decades. Today, trendy restaurants and bars sit alongside Irish pubs and Hispanic bakeries. Creative types and young families flock to the vibrant main drag, Centre Street, where murals decorate the sides of buildings. When the weather agrees, take a break from the shops and cafes to explore Jamaica Pond or some of JP’s green spaces; the neighborhood is home to a significant portion of Boston’s Emerald Necklace. Once you’ve had your fill of this artsy, eclectic ’hood, keep the fun going by checking out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

The South End’s two parallel arteries, Tremont and Washington Streets, are at the center of the area’s thriving food and drink scenes. It also has a rich cache of culture, taking in the likes of the Boston Center for the Arts and the domed structure of the Boston Ballet headquarters. In recent years the area south of Washington Street, known as SoWa, has exploded with showrooms and studios—notably, the converted warehouse at 450 Harrison Avenue, which houses myriad artists’ studios and exhibition spaces. Small shops, selling everything from kids’ gear and pet accoutrements to fashion and chic home accessories, are dotted throughout the neighborhood. Once you’ve had your fill of the South End, find more to do by checking out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

With its population split between students, millennial post-grads and international transplants, Allston doesn’t exactly scream must-visit destination. But trust us—beneath that veneer of spilled cheap beer and outdated concert posters lies a wealth of hidden gems, including some of Boston’s best cheap eats and wallet-friendly vintage stores. One thing’s for sure—this well-worn, enduring neighborhood will always be home to an eclectic assortment of only-in-Allston characters. Once you’ve had your fill of funky, youthful Allston, keep the fun going by checking out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

An ideal neighborhood for a stroll, the North End sports a distinct character that combines Italian heritage and a traditional New England setting rich in history and atmosphere. The old-school, red brick buildings yield gastronomic treasures around seemingly every corner; small cafes, bakeries, and pastry shops border fine dining destinations. But the neighborhood holds several non-edible treasures as well. Once you’ve had your fill of New England’s most famous Italian neighborhood, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

It may be cool, but Cambridge is all about squares. The best known of these, and certainly one of the most popular, is Harvard Square. It’s a people-watcher’s paradise, as the bustle of bookish Harvard students, mohawked punks, camera-toting tourists, buskers, and harried businesspeople creates a diverse and colorful street scene. It is of course intimately tied to the university of the same name, which boasts a panoply of sights, monuments and eye-popping architecture within its modestly sized campus. Check out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston, and you’ll spot several Harvard Square haunts. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Although Central Square has been becoming slightly more elevated year by year, the Cambridge neighborhood has managed to maintain its distinctly gritty identity and artsy essence. Over the past decade or so, the former diamond in the rough has started to sparkle, becoming a desirable location for young professionals—with high-priced condos and elevated establishments quickly following suit. With the area’s recent rise in appeal, it’s kept its bohemian soul, with its colorful hodgepodge of characters, lively underground music scene, swaths of street art and second-hand stores—and now, even some hip, newer restaurants and bars to boot. Once you’ve had your fill of Central Square, find more action with our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Some incredibly bright folks attend that other top Cambridge college, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Kendall Square. The architecture of its various buildings is wildly diverse, ranging from the neoclassical walls of Building Ten to some striking modern structures by the likes of I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry. In the past decade, the area has boomed with rapid growth and development. Drinking and dining options are stronger than ever; it comes as a shock to some locals that Kendall Square is now one of the hottest neighborhoods in the Boston area. Once you’ve had your fill of Kendall Square, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

While it's a pretty accessible city, choosing where to stay in Boston can be a big decision. Depending on what kind of action you're looking for, there's likely a neighborhood for you. We've covered the best hotels, best restaurants and best bars in Boston for you, but here's our list of the best places to stay, eat, and drink in each of the best neighborhoods. From bustling Back Bay and cobblestoned Beacon Hill to student-heavy Harvard Square, each area has unique options. Whatever your angle, this guide will have you rolling like a local in no time.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in Boston