A Photo Tour of Boston’s Beacon Hill Neighborhood

Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most historic and beautiful neighborhoods. Featuring brownstones adorned with colorful shutters, cobblestone pathways, gaslit street lanterns, a distinct neighborhood feel, and proximity to the city’s most famous green spaces…what’s not to love?

If you find yourself in Boston, don’t miss the opportunity to take a walk around this picturesque neighborhood, filled with equal parts history and charm.

Things to do in and Around Beacon Hill

Ditch the map! Enjoy an aimless stroll through the many quiet and hilly side streets, giving yourself the chance to fully appreciate the area’s celebrated architecture.

Get your camera ready and head to Acorn Street. This narrow, pedestrian-only thoroughfare offers a great photo opportunity and is a classic Beacon Hill vantage point.

Visit Boston Common, America’s oldest public park. During warmer months, the Common plays host to a variety of sports games, picnics, sunbathers, dog walkers and more. During the wintertime, you can go ice skating on Frog Pond or attend the city’s Christmas tree lighting.

Stop and smell the roses at the Boston Public Garden, located just across Charles St. from Boston Common. The Victorian-era space is home to Boston’s famous swan boats and beloved Make Way for Ducklings statues.

Take in views of the iconic gold dome at the Massachusetts State House. If you’d like to see more of the building, they offer free walking tours from 10 am – 3:30 pm that last forty-five minutes.

Walk on the city’s Freedom Trail. This self-guided walking tour will lead you to Boston’s most historic churches, museums, parks and more. A section of it winds its way through Beacon Hill. (Boston Common and the State House are among the trail’s many stops in this area.) Some of the neighborhood’s stops are also a part of the Black Heritage Trail, including the African Meeting House and the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial.

Cross the Arthur Field Footbridge over Storrow Drive to reach the Charles River esplanade and take a walk along the water.

Enjoy the lively neighborhood atmosphere on Charles St., lined with shops, bars and restaurants.

A few Charles St. favorites:

Enjoy a coffee break at Tatte Bakery and Café.

For any fellow paper and stationery lovers, stop by Black Ink at 101 Charles St. to browse small batch, handmade cards and quirky home goods.

Visit Savenor’s Market, a butcher and market that’s been an institution in the Boston area since 1939 and is known for being a favorite of Julia Child’s. The Beacon Hill location at 160 Charles St. opened a year after its original Harvard Square store tragically burned down in 1992.

Enjoy a meal at the Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro. (Fun fact: I interned here while studying Hospitality Management at Boston University!) The long and narrow dining room lined with banquettes on each side and filled with natural light offers a classic brunch atmosphere.

You Might Also Like: The Ultimate New England Summer Weekend: 48 Hours on Martha’s Vineyard

My Photo Feature series focuses less on words and more on images. See more here.

Have you visited Boston and/or Beacon Hill before? What were your favorite parts? Let me know in the Comments section below!

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