Boston Travel Guide

As the largest city in New England, Boston neighborhoods have names and identities still strongly tied to their colonial beginnings. Most neighborhoods began as cities of their own before they were incorporated as one. Therefore, many streets may have a duplicate in other parts of town.

Downtown

Accessible via South Station, Courthouse, Government Center, Aquarium, State Street and Downtown Crossing subway stations.

Downtown Boston is the most tourist-heavy area, with most of the city's highlights, including the start of the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail and the Boston Tea Party Site (which is now closed until summer 2010). Families should start their city tour here for the Children's Museum and the New England Aquarium alone. Downtown is also the commercial heart of the city, so modern offices share blocks with historic buildings and colonial sites. Decent restaurants and luxury hotels run along downtown's Atlantic Avenue on the Boston Harbor Waterfront.

North End

Accessible via the North and Haymarket subway stations.

Boston's Little Italy can be found in the North End neighborhood (which, as the name suggests, is just north of downtown). The Freedom Trail winds through the North End past historic sites like the Old North Church and the Paul Revere House. However, be sure to step off and explore the neighborhoods outside of the colonial buildings for the area's Old World feel.

South End

Accessible via the Back Bay and Prudential subway stations.

The South End is Boston's most recent up-and-coming area and the heart of the city's gay community. Recently renovated with an artsy and cultural twist, this diverse and stylish neighborhood is home to beautiful homes from the 19th century. If you love your Visa, show it a good time among South End's wide variety of furniture and handmade craft stores. There are also plenty of restaurants here to satisfy your hunger after a long day of walking.

Beacon Hill

Accessible via the Chinatown and Park Street subway stations.

For a taste of Boston life in the old days, writers say you should not miss the chance to visit the charming Beacon Hill area, located west of downtown. Largely residential, the area's cobblestone streets and homes date back to the early 19th century. Writers call it the most scenic part of Boston and suggest simply walking through.

Beacon Hill's portion of the Freedom Trail includes the oldest public park in the country, Boston Common. Simply referred to as "the Common," it was originally created in the 1600s. Southeast of the Common, the small but lively Chinatown is packed with restaurants and grocery stores.

Back Bay

Accessible via the Back Bay and Copley subway stations.

Sitting just off the Charles River Basin southwest of downtown, the Back Bay features some of the most expensive properties in Boston. At one point in its history, it was a sign of wealth and social standing to live here. Today, you will find both residents and tourists admiring Back Bay's architecture. Shopaholics flock to this neighborhood, home to well-known Newbury Street, lined with boutiques, galleries and national brands.

Kenmore Square

Accessible via the Museum of Fine Arts, Kenmore, Fenway, Ruggles and Massachusetts Avenue subway stations.

West of downtown is Kenmore Square. The scenic area consists of trees and colorful flowers as well as a good deal of stores and bars geared toward the Boston University students that often fill the area. The area's main feature is Fenway Park, the adored home of the Boston Red Sox. Writers and recent visitors suggest trying to catch a game while you're in town. Other major attractions here include the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Cambridge

Accessible via the Harvard Square subway station.

Although not in Boston proper, Cambridge is only a short ride northwest on the subway "T" train. The heart of this separate city is Harvard Square, which sits next to prestigious Harvard University and northwest of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). Academia-themed cafes and shops fill out the area. There are also a good number of museums here including the highly-recommended Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum and the Peabody Museum.

Safety

You probably won't run into any major crime in the touristy parts of Boston, but you should use common sense. Like in any other large city, keep track of your belongings and stick to well-lit and crowded streets, especially at night. Experts say you should particularly avoid areas like Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan, which are all south of Boston proper, in the evenings.