Beacon Hill

With cobbled pavements and old-fashioned street lamps, the small suburb of Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most historic and atmospheric neighbourhoods. Most houses in this area have been built in the 18th and 19th Centuries and are beautifully preserved.

Beacon Hill dates back to 1625 and is filled with historic architecture, with federal-style row houses sitting alongside grand family homes that cannot fail to impress. The Nichols House Museum is a four-storey town house that was built at the start of the 19th Century. Home to a fascinating collection of crafts, furniture and everyday possessions of the people who lived in Beacon Hill in the early 1900s, the museum makes for an interesting visit for those curious about the area’s history.

You can easily explore Beacon Hill alone as the neighbourhood is compact and friendly, with plenty of picturesque streets and corners. Alternatively you can use the services of a guide or group walking tour, which offers a more detailed look into the neighbourhood’s history. It is worth stopping by the pretty Acorn Street to take a photo or two. Also of interest are Mount Vernon Street and Louisburg Square, where you can see examples of wealthy and exclusive Boston homes.

There are many things to see and do in Beacon Hill. The Cheers Beacon Hill is the traditional pub that inspired the hit TV show Cheers, while shopaholics should head to the wide Charles Street, which is lined with a number of good antique and craft shops. The beautiful Boston Athenaeum is an impressive private library near the Granary Burying Grounds that is appreciated for both its elegant decoration and extensive library collection.

If you can, try and pay a visit to Beacon Hill during the winter holiday season, when the neighbourhood gets even lovelier as snow covers the historic streets and buildings.

Beacon Hill is easily reached by car, bus or subway. It is located just north of Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden.