Boston is home to top-notch universities, the nation’s oldest restaurant and ballpark, and some of the trendiest rooftop bars. In search of culture? Visit the museums in Boston for a day. Hungry? Visit the top eateries in Boston on a food crawl. See how many of Boston’s top attractions you can complete before the season ends! Get to know the “real” Boston while you’re there by taking a stroll around Downtown Boston’s historic districts, dining in Chinatown, and taking in the Red Sox and Museum of Fine Arts in Fenway. Admire the Federal style of architecture in Beacon Hill and Bay Village, and stroll through Back Bay and the South End’s streets lined with stunning Victorian mansions. There are also apartments for rent in Beacon Hill, MA, for a comfortable stay. Here we gathered places you can visit in one of the Boston neighborhoods, Beacon Hill. 

The Heart of Beacon Hill, Charles Street

Start your tour of Beacon Hill by strolling down Charles Street, the area’s busy highway and the place where locals and guests go shopping and eat. It spans the site’s width from Beacon Street to Cambridge Street and is only about five or six blocks long, depending on how you calculate. It is packed with boutiques, antique shops, and fantastic restaurants. Explore the small side streets where a few inviting stores and eateries are tucked between the lovely Federal-era residences.

Massachusetts State House: Symbol of Freedom

One of the best things to do and see in Boston is the majestic State House, which combines a Neo-Classical and Federal design. It captures the triumphant spirit of a recently independent republic. The public is welcome to visit the Massachusetts State House. Between 10:00 am and 3:30 pm on weekdays, you can take a guided or self-guided tour. Important Civil War events are shown in paintings in the Nurses Hall. Regimental colors were returned following Civil War battles in Memorial Hall, also known as the Hall of Flags. The House of Representatives is located on the third floor. There is a newly renovated library on the third floor as well. Look up to the fourth story as soon as you enter the building.

Black Heritage Trail

Just across from the State Capitol on the edge of Boston Common is the magnificent bronze sculpture by Augustus St. Gaudens depicting the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. This was the Union Army’s first regiment of free blacks and was led by his 25-year-old white Colonel Robert Gould from Boston. Shaw as they marched into the civil war.

The Shaw Memorial marks the birth of the Black Heritage Trail through Beacon Hill, the home of a prominent leader of the 19th century and his 19th century Boston free black community, a retreat along the Underground Railroad, the Abiel Smith School, and the African Meeting; Both are now part of the Museum of African American History. You can take a free hike on the Black Heritage Trail or follow the trail itself. 

Boston Common, Boston’s Oldest Green Space

The oldest city park in the United States is Boston Common. It was created in 1634. Today, a playground is located on the Common’s traditional green lawn. Shakespeare plays, concerts, and holiday festivals are held on The Common. The Common has been a rallying point for New Englanders by speakers like Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama. In addition, the Common is the starting point of the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile-long signposted walking path through history. Boston Public Garden is close to Boston Common.

Nichols House Museum and Otis House Museum 

Another Bulfinch-designed gem and popular Beacon Hill attraction are the Nichols House Museum. It was one of the first private residences on Beacon Hill, built in 1804. The house was purchased by Arthur Nichols, a medical doctor, in 1885. The museum pays homage to their accomplished and progressive daughter, Rose Standish Nichols. Rose, born in 1872, defied convention by never marrying and ruling the roost. She hosted Sunday tea parties and encouraged Salon-style conversation. 

Another Bulfinch mansion and outstanding example of Federal style are the First Harrison Gray Otis House, designed in 1796 and now designated as a National Historic Landmark. Otis House has undergone extensive restoration based on meticulous historical and scientific research so that you can see the bright colors, fancy furnishings, and mirrored doors that Boston’s upper class enjoyed in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Located in the basement is a fascinating architectural museum.