WHERE TO STAY IN BOSTON

If you are interested in where to stay in Boston, you may also be interested in where to stay in Cape Cod, where to stay in Chicago, where to stay in Montreal and where to stay in Nashville.

Downtown and Back Bay; the best areas to stay in Boston

Back Bay Area

For those who want to be at the heart of the action when staying in Boston, the Back Bay area is an excellent choice. Here, you will find a wide range of sights, attractions and activities that will leave you with as full an itinerary as you want when you come to this city. Once nothing more than an actual bay, this has gone on to become one of the city’s most exclusive and expensive neighbourhoods.

You will find it easy to get around when you stay in this area, as there are excellent public transport links enabling you to explore with ease and convenience. The area is particularly well known for its architecture, which includes its Victorian brownstone houses, which are seen as amongst the best preserved architectural examples of their kind throughout the whole country.

This area is also home to a number of well known Boston institutions and public buildings, which includes the Boston Public Library. There is also a strong cultural scene in this area, with a number of exciting annual festivities that reflect the diverse culture of the area. If you enjoy shopping, you will be delighted with the Back Bay area, as there are plenty of excellent and highly fashionable shopping facilities to enjoy. This includes Newbury Street, Boylston Street, the Prudential Centre and the Copley Place mall.

There are many major hotels located in Back Bay, so you can easily find accommodation that suits both your needs and your budget, with everything from low cost accommodation to luxury hotels. Some of the tallest buildings in the city can also be found in this area, which includes the Hynes Convention Centre, which is named after the former mayor of Boston, John Hynes. You will find a range of other fascinating buildings to explore in this area, and this includes the Old South Church, John Hancock Tower, and 111 Huntington Avenue.

Staying in this particular part of the city will enable you to enjoy staying in one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the city and the country, with its trendy vibe, great facilities and attractive buildings.

Downtown Area

The city’s financial and business hub is located in the downtown area of Boston, and this is another place where you will find numerous hotels catering for a wide range of needs, budgets and preferences. The downtown area of the city is quite dynamic, catering for businesspeople and tourists alike. You will find an eclectic mix of business facilities and buildings, institutions, shopping facilities, entertainment, and attractions, making for a diverse and exciting experience for any visitor.

With good transport links, you won’t find it difficult to get around and explore this part of the city so even if you don’t have your own transport you will be able to make the most of your time here. With a wide range of shopping facilities, the downtown area is perfect for those looking for some retail therapy, as you will find everything from huge departments stores through to unique and exclusive boutiques. There are many places to choose from if you want to dine out, with restaurants and eateries that cater for all sorts of tastes and offer a choice of local and international cuisine.

When it comes to attractions and places of interest, you won’t be short of things to keep you busy when you stay in the downtown area. There is something for everyone here, including a variety of architectural, historical and cultural places of interest. Some of the attractions that you can look forward to in the downtown area include King’s Chapel, the Norman B. Leventhal Park at Post Office Square, Old City Hall, Old State House, and St. Anthony Shrine. You can also explore some of the city’s most historical and fascinating landmarks via the hugely popular Boston Freedom Trail, which attracts millions of visitors each year and stretches for two and a half miles.

If you enjoy a vibrant nightlife, the downtown area will be ideally suited to you, as there is plenty to offer here. You will find everything from relaxing bars and lounges through to buzzing nightclubs that provide music and entertainment into the early hours. There is also a cinema in the downtown area for those who want to enjoy a movie as well as theatres for culture vultures looking to take in some great stage performances.  You can look forward to easy access to places such as the Boston Opera House, the Modern Theatre and the Orpheum Theatre.

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Other areas to stay in Boston

North End

A relatively safe area of Boston is the historically Italian neighborhood of the North End. In this this splendid area you can visit landmarks such as the Paul Revere House. Hanover Street is the main street filled with eateries such as Bricco, Mike’s Pastry and Caffe Vittoria. The small streets of the North End amplify noises, which does not make for a quiet stay. The Battery Wharf Hotel is within walking distance of the North End but eliminates the noisy sounds of the area. Haymarket and Government Center are train stations close to the North End. These stations can connect you to shopping centers such as Cambridge Side Galleria or the airport.

South End

Beautifully structed Victorian-style houses line the streets of the South End. The quietness of Peters Park and the Blackstone Park make this a great place to stay. The South End is home to many clinics, which care to the homeless and rehab patients. Staying south of Washington Avenue is always a good idea for a tourist. Shawmut Avenue and the SoWA Open Market are great places to shop for gifts, fresh food and more. You can easily walk to the Back Bay or Chinatown from the South End. The Silver and Orange Lines of the train station give you easy access to other parts of Boston.

South Boston

South Boston is the original neighborhood of many Irish immigrants. Nowadays, there is a diverse group of races that mingle together. The best place to stay in Southie is Boston’s Seaport Hotel because it is stunning location by the water and close proximity to restaurants and shops. Sullivan’s Castle Island is a remarkable landmark restaurant that is family-owned since 1951 that offers delicious lobster rolls and clam chowder. The closest subway lines that stop near South Boston is the Red Line but I would recommend an Uber when traveling at night. To avoid busy or inebriated crowds, it best to get up to the Seaport District for a quiet for fun night out.

Allston/Brighton

This student village is home to the famous Boston College and Harvard Business School. Other must-see stops in this area are Union Square, Oak Square and McMullen Museum of Art. Public transportation is easy with the Green Line (B-service) which takes you to places such as Washington St., Packard’s Corner and Chestnut Hill Ave. If you are in the mood for magic supplies or unconventional gifts then you should check out Ritual Arts at 153 Harvard Avenue. Similar to other parts of the Boston area, the evening hours make this area a little less safe than other parts of Boston.

Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is beaming with historical landmarks such as Boston Common and Massachusetts Statehouse. Given close proximity to the statehouse, this area is safe to visit. Places like the Sevens Ale House and Beacon Hill Pub, are perfect spots to start happy hour. Once happy hour is over, head over to Guilt, 6B Lounge or the Icon Nightclub to dance the night away. Comfortable and affordable hotels to stay at in Beacon Hill are the Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro and Found Hotel Boston Common. The closest “T” stations to Beacon Hill are Tremont Street, Beacon Street and Park Street, which give you access to the airport, shopping centers and the cinema.

Jamaica Plain

The Emerald Necklace of parks is one of the famous landmarks in Jamaica Plain which includes Jamaicaway and Jamaica Pond. Forest Hills Station is the center train station that welcomes you to other areas in Boston such as Jackson Square and Hyde Park. The Tres Gatos is an original restaurant that doubles as a tapas bar and bookstore. Jamaica Plain is not always regarded as the safest area in Boston. It is best to travel with someone or get an Uber to drive you place at night.

Charlestown

Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in Boston. The Interstate 93, Route 99 and US 1 are all roads that give visitors access via car or bus to Charlestown. The MBTA’s Orange Line serves many parts of the area for easy public transportation to the airport, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Although there was once the Charlestown State Prison it has been converted to the Bunker Hill Community College. This area is moderately safe for visitors to enjoy a trip to the Bunker Hill Monument or Charlestown Navy Yard. The Constitution Inn is a affordable and safe place to stay, that offers services from Boston’s YMCA such a yoga, sauna and a basketball court.

Fenway/Kenmore

Fenway Park may be the oldest ballpark in the USA, but it is not the only thing to see in the Fenway/Kenmore area. Boylston Street is home to the first restaurant opened in a former gas station, Tasty Burger. Shopping at the Van Ness Building gives you the pleasure to boutique-style shopping and urban shopping at Target. Other remarkable landmarks to visit in this area are the New England Conservatory and Fenway Studios. There are plenty of transport facilities that led to Fenway/Kenmore. The Green Line train stations allow connections to Government Center, the John F. Kennedy Museum and more. As the evening progresses the crowds in this area may get rowdy with drunk college students or petty thieves lurking around, especially during a Red Sox game. Besides this issue, the area is proportionately safe.