Beacon Hill / Charles Street, Boston
Most of the commercial activity in Beacon Hill nowadays centers around its primary street, Charles Street. In the not-so-distant past, this area was renowned for its antique shops, but in recent decades, upscale, independently owned boutiques specializing in gifts, jewelry, and women's clothing have established a presence and occupied the valuable commercial real estate in this affluent neighborhood.
Even if you don't visit any of the shops, you'll be captivated by the design and character of the homes and buildings, as well as the evident dedication of their owners to not only preserve but also showcase them in the best possible light. While many of the street's buildings date back to the 19th century, some received new facades during the 1920s due to widening efforts. The Charles Street Meeting House, designed in 1807, was constructed for a Baptist congregation known for practicing immersion in the nearby river.
For the most celebrated architecture in Beacon Hill, head to Upper Mount Vernon and Chestnut streets, where you'll find Federal-style mansions designed by Charles Bulfinch in the early 1800s. (The charming one-story structures between 50 and 60 Mount Vernon originally served as stables for the elegant residences on the adjacent block at 13, 15, and 17 Chestnut Street.)
Don't forget to take your time exploring Louisburg Square, a picturesque cobblestone street surrounding a central private garden that epitomizes Beacon Hill for many. The neighborhood's delightful Christmas Eve tradition of carolers, bell ringers, and candlelit windows originated here in the 1860s. Additionally, don't forget to wander down Cedar Lane Way and the block-long Acorn Street, the latter of which features cobblestone streets and charming small houses. These dwellings were originally constructed for the coachmen whose employers resided in the mansions on either side.
Even if you don't visit any of the shops, you'll be captivated by the design and character of the homes and buildings, as well as the evident dedication of their owners to not only preserve but also showcase them in the best possible light. While many of the street's buildings date back to the 19th century, some received new facades during the 1920s due to widening efforts. The Charles Street Meeting House, designed in 1807, was constructed for a Baptist congregation known for practicing immersion in the nearby river.
For the most celebrated architecture in Beacon Hill, head to Upper Mount Vernon and Chestnut streets, where you'll find Federal-style mansions designed by Charles Bulfinch in the early 1800s. (The charming one-story structures between 50 and 60 Mount Vernon originally served as stables for the elegant residences on the adjacent block at 13, 15, and 17 Chestnut Street.)
Don't forget to take your time exploring Louisburg Square, a picturesque cobblestone street surrounding a central private garden that epitomizes Beacon Hill for many. The neighborhood's delightful Christmas Eve tradition of carolers, bell ringers, and candlelit windows originated here in the 1860s. Additionally, don't forget to wander down Cedar Lane Way and the block-long Acorn Street, the latter of which features cobblestone streets and charming small houses. These dwellings were originally constructed for the coachmen whose employers resided in the mansions on either side.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Boston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Beacon Hill / Charles Street on Map
Sight Name: Beacon Hill / Charles Street
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Boston, Massachusetts
Create Your Own Walk in Boston
Creating your own self-guided walk in Boston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
North End Walking Tour
The North End was the city's first neighborhood, and one that has been key to its fortunes, having become a hub of commercial, social and intellectual activity by the 1750s. Later known as Boston's Little Italy, it has been home to Italian immigrants through much of the 20th century, and still retains a certain Mediterranean flavor in its many restaurants, cafés, and specialty shops. In... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Boston Shopping Areas
One of the top shopping destinations in the US northeast, Boston has a strong network of interesting stores, galleries and boutiques to visit along with its many high-class shops, some of which are nestled inside historical buildings. Shopping here in more than one way mirrors the city itself: an amalgamation of classic and vanguard, the handmade and the high-end, and both local and international... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Historical Cambridge MA Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Boston Introduction Walking Tour
The capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and it had played a key role in the country's struggle for independence. Founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England, it witnessed many events of the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Beacon Hill Historic Houses Tour
Boston’s historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill is quite a charm! One can spend hours here, admiring the elegant uniformity and restraint of the architecture; at times, perhaps, imagining people from the past in their horse-drawn carriages. Federal-style and Victorian row houses, narrow streets lit by antique gas lanterns, brick sidewalks and lavender-hued windows adorn the area, which is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Harvard University Walking Tour
The United States’ oldest institution of higher education (and, of course, among the most prestigious), Harvard was established in 1636. Reverend John Harvard, who bequeathed his entire library and half of his estate, is the University’s namesake. Presidents, billionaires and Rhodes Scholars are only some of the illustrious graduates; in fact, Harvard has more Nobel Prize-winning alumni,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Boston's Marblehead Eateries
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