Things to do in Boston, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Neighborhoods

March 12, 2022 Malia Yoakum

Walk the Freedom Trail the first time you visit Boston and you'll quickly get a sense of this coastal city's revolutionary spirit and history. But make sure you also explore some of Boston's fine museums (try the Isabella Stewart Gardner, featuring masterpieces displayed in their collector's mansion) and old neighborhoods (like the North End, Boston's Little Italy). You can't claim to have experienced real Boston culture, though, until you've watched a Red Sox game from the bleachers.
Restaurants in Boston

1. Boston Seaport

Seaport Blvd & Boston Wharf Rd, Boston, MA 02210 +1 617-232-8900 [email protected] http://www.bostonseaport.xyz/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Boston Seaport

2. Welcome To The Freedom Trail

212 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108-4637 +1 518-221-7256 [email protected] http://abnb.me/8wCcfIOB0eb
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Welcome To The Freedom Trail

3. North End

Boston, MA 02109 https://www.boston.gov/neighborhood/north-end
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,134 reviews

North End

This Italian neighborhood, Boston's oldest, is known for its wonderful restaurants and historic sights. Walk the cobblestone streets to take in the architecture and aromas of delicious food, and visit Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church while you're in the neighborhood.

Reviewed By loneriter - Boston, United States

This is a must-do while visiting Boston. Cobblestone streets, authentic Italian restaurants, gelaterias, quaint cafes serving divine espressos, and pastry shops selling that most mouth-watering of Italian desserts -- cannolis. Word of caution: if planning to dine in the North End, make sure you call ahead for a reservation.

4. Beacon Hill

Between Beacon St and Cambridge St Beacon Hill, Boston, MA 02108 +1 617-227-4392 http://www.beaconhillonline.com/index.htm
Excellent
60%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,375 reviews

Beacon Hill

The famous Boston Brahmin neighborhood of red brick sidewalks, cobblestoned streets, elegant townhouses and gas street lamps.

Reviewed By paddyr919 - Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Fantastic location and stepped in history I took the tour to see all the sights within including the scared cod!!! Brilliant tour fun friendly and helpful staff based right on Boston common so great central location If get the chance go to acorn street nearby for a picturesque cobbled street

5. Back Bay

Boston, MA http://www.cityofboston.gov/Parks/emerald/Back_Bay_Fens.asp
Excellent
64%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 624 reviews

Back Bay

This tony neighborhood--one of the two most expensive residential areas in Boston--started as a bay. The bay was filled in during the 19th century to create the area now known by the name Back Bay. The area is known for its Victorian brownstones, the Boston Public Library, shopping, office high rises and upscale hotels.

Reviewed By tarjana - Salt Lake City, United States

There are quite a few popular neighborhoods in Boston, so it's hard to decide where to stay... If you stay in Back Bay, you can find almost everything you need in walking distance (if you're a walker). You can even walk to the North End, or a quick Uber ride can get you there quickly. There is sooooo much to see in Back Bay, and you if you're in town for a short trip, you don't need a rental car.

6. South End

Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118 http://www.cityofboston.gov/neighborhoods/southend.asp
Excellent
44%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 43 reviews

South End

Reviewed By TV2451

This is one of the older neighborhoods in town and much of the old architecture has been preserved. So find a walking tour and wander around. It's not too big and is safe, in spite of a sketchy past. Full of Yuppies now.

7. Jamaica Plain

Green Street, Boston, MA 02130
Excellent
41%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

Jamaica Plain

Reviewed By AdventureQn - Los Angeles, United States

I went in October of 2018. Public transportation is a great way to see Boston. I was staying in Jamaica Plain which is a beautiful suburb and easy to see by bus and metro train.

8. Waterfront

Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110
Excellent
60%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,825 reviews

Waterfront

Reviewed By Southiebob - Boston, United States

Lived here all my life and seen the waterfront change with the years. My kids had a great time on the waterfront along with friends and family. Start at South Station food court (TEENS HEAVEN) and walk the Rose Kennedy Greenway ( food trucks) the teens will love it... all kinds of weird things on the way. Fog fountains, water fountains squirting everyone, merry go round, National Park Island boat rides, aquarium with I Max theatre,more food for you know who, oldest part of Boston at Haymarket Square area, Continue on the Greenway skirting the North End and pizza heaven at every turn. You can go into the North End and visit historic Paul Revere house, Old North Church ( “ one if by land.. two if by sea”), Cobbs Hill burying ground, ARE U BORED YET?? I’m beat... try going to Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution (oldest active warship in the Navy) and if all else fails and the teens are bored I guess you will just have to come back!!! Have fun go see a Bruins game or take a train to Salem the Witch City. Oh yea I almost forgot... my kids are still in Reginas Pizza and maybe a stop in Dolce Vita restaurant on Hanover Street.

9. South Boston

Boston, MA http://www.southbostononline.com/
Excellent
23%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 26 reviews

South Boston

Southie is a gritty working-class neighborhood on the brink of gentrification.

10. SoWa Art + Design District

450 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118-2400 +1 857-496-5357 [email protected] http://www.sowaartistsguild.com/
Excellent
38%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 34 reviews

SoWa Art + Design District

If Boston was a person, SoWa would be its creative side. Its independent streak. Its curiosity. Because here imagination has created a corner of the city filled with the eclectic and the unexpected. Where one-of-a-kind restaurants, galleries, and small business are run by one-of-a-kind people. Where food is sold by farmers, beer sold from barns, and art is sold where art is made. People don’t just visit SoWa. They live it. They taste it. They experience it. Explore your creative side. Explore SoWa. Originally derived from a shortening of "South of Washington," SoWa spans the area from East Brookline Street to East Berkeley Street and from Shawmut Ave to Albany Street.

Reviewed By 151timr

We fell in love with the area - the repurposed brick buildings that now house countless artist's studios, galleries and design shops make for hours of browsing. Unfortunately we were not there during one of the evening events when many of the artist galleries are open to browse and perhaps buy

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