Beacon Hill
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good Place to Drink,
Good Place to Eat,
Popular with Locals,
Romantic,
Bar,
Cafe,
Neighborhood,
Restaurant
True, Beacon Hill may be home to the Massachusetts State House, the crown jewel of the neighborhood and focal point of politics in the Commonwealth, but the real appeal of this prestigious neighborhood lies in it beauty. Gas lanterns illuminate the cobblestone streets, while distinguished brick town houses come decked with purple windowpanes and blooming flowerboxes.
Beacon Hill’s residential streets are reminiscent of London, and streets such as stately Louisburg Square indeed capture the grandeur that was intended. Charles Street, Beacon Hill’s charming commercial thoroughfare, is Boston’s most enchanting spot for browsing boutiques, haggling over antiques, or sipping a steaming cappuccino at one of the European-styled cafes. Stay for a fine dinner, made all the more romantic when it is enjoyed in such a delightful setting.
Boston Common, the country’s oldest park, lies on its south end. Wander freely across this stately town green, crisscrossed with walking paths and dotted with monuments; tour the State House with its gold dome towers; wander amid the exhibits at the Museum of Afro-American History; or see the impressive tomes at the Boston Athenaeum. Or just spend an afternoon marveling at the elegant row houses or strolling along the Charles River Esplanade.
Latest Reviews
Review by john m, May 2013
Doing what: The Total Boston Experience
Our group of 5 middle-aged adults enjoyed Ben’s tour very much and found it quite enjoyable and informative.
Ben is a pleasant, energetic, enthusiastic teacher of Boston’s history. He is a fountain of information, which gushes, forth for the entire tour. His tour is like a school without walls set right in the heart of old Boston. He personalized the tour for us. It was the highlight of our trip to Boston.
The fact that Ben is a distant relative of Paul Revere by marriage and has a long ancestral past with Boston. This adds a little something to the tour. He has studied his subject and knows it well. He has written a children’s book on Boston, which is quite nice.
The tour itself is outstanding. Ben’s selection of minor points of interest to compliment the major historical sites presents a nice balance and tempo. For example, the ladies really enjoyed sitting at the table and having their pictures takes at the table in the Parker House Hotel where John Kennedy proposed to Jackie.
It was nice to have a guide who really knows his subject and just doesn't make things up. Ben answered all questions and would say so if he didn’t know the answer to a question.
Ben’s ability to make an understandable oral presentation on various subjects and tie them all together is superb. His use of visual aids added much to the tour. Ben had visual aids in the form of pictures, maps and newspaper articles that were viewed and discussed during stops at various points of interest. Additionally, Ben gave us various materials after the tour to take home including videos and access to web sites, which discuss things seen on the tour.
Going the extra mile, Ben provided us with a written list of recommended restaurants, which was very helpful. The list was written from the point of view of a native Bostonian and thus was very insightful.
Review by john m, May 2013
Doing what: The Total Boston Experience
Our group of 5 middle-aged adults enjoyed Ben’s tour very much and found it quite enjoyable and informative.
Ben is a pleasant, energetic, enthusiastic teacher of Boston’s history. He is a fountain of information, which gushes, forth for the entire tour. His tour is like a school without walls set right in the heart of old Boston. He personalized the tour for us. It was the highlight of our trip to Boston.
The fact that Ben is a distant relative of Paul Revere by marriage and has a long ancestral past with Boston. This adds a little something to the tour. He has studied his subject and knows it well. He has written a children’s book on Boston, which is quite nice.
The tour itself is outstanding. Ben’s selection of minor points of interest to compliment the major historical sites presents a nice balance and tempo. For example, the ladies really enjoyed sitting at the table and having their pictures takes at the table in the Parker House Hotel where John Kennedy proposed to Jackie.
It was nice to have a guide who really knows his subject and just doesn't make things up. Ben answered all questions and would say so if he didn’t know the answer to a question.
Ben’s ability to make an understandable oral presentation on various subjects and tie them all together is superb. His use of visual aids added much to the tour. Ben had visual aids in the form of pictures, maps and newspaper articles that were viewed and discussed during stops at various points of interest. Additionally, Ben gave us various materials after the tour to take home including videos and access to web sites, which discuss things seen on the tour.
Going the extra mile, Ben provided us with a written list of recommended restaurants, which was very helpful. The list was written from the point of view of a native Bostonian and thus was very insightful.
Review by Martina H, April 2013
Doing what: The Total Boston Experience
brilliant, got to know even the sites of the beginning of the revolutionary war Lexington and Concord, very much information, good timing for stops and breaks, great overview over Boston sights, driver was guide at the same time
Practical Info
Beacon Hill extends north to Cambridge Street and west to the Charles River. The granite blocks of Suffolk University dominate the rest of the eastern end. The West End neighborhood lies north and Downtown and the Waterfront lies east. The MBTA subway, or the T, services the area with a number of stations, enabling you to visit a variety of sites.
