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Boston is the capital city of Massachusetts and the cultural and financial center of New England. This vibrant city is a leader in education, is renowned for its classical music scene, and was at the heart of the American Revolution in the 1700s. As a result, there’s a huge variety of interesting attractions, fascinating historic sites, and exciting things to do here.
Boston is home to hundreds of charming hotels, guesthouses, hostels, and vacation rentals where keen sightseers can rest at the end of an exciting day of exploration. No matter whether you’re planning a trip for business or pleasure, you’ll love getting to know Boston’s top neighborhoods.
In today’s post, we’ll outline the benefits of each area and highlight some of Boston’s best hotels to help you find the perfect place to stay.
Downtown Boston for Sightseeing
Highlights: Boston Harbor, The Freedom Trail, New England Aquarium, Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Rowes Wharf
Downtown Boston is the city’s central business and financial district and is also a hub for tourists because it’s packed with attractions. A major draw is the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path incorporating 16 historic locations that played a significant role in the founding of the United States. Tourists also flock to the Boston Waterfront area to admire the historic harbor.
There’s a fantastic mix of old and new in Downtown, so you can expect cobblestone streets lying beside glass-fronted modern skyscrapers. Much of the area is highly walkable and there are excellent public transport links to help you venture further afield. You could also make use of the Bluebikes bike-sharing system to get around on two wheels.
It should come as no surprise that Downtown has plenty of hotels on offer, but keep in mind that they’re on the pricier side due to the convenient central location. If you want to be within easy walking distance of the main sights, it’s definitely worth staying in Downtown.
Where to Stay in Downtown Boston
These hotels are considered some of the best in Downtown Boston:
- Hyatt Regency Boston is a convenient five-minute walk from Boston Common and offers modern, comfortable rooms with coffeemakers, cable TV, Bluetooth speakers, and free WiFi.
- Marriott Long Wharf is a stylish hotel situated right on the waterfront for fabulous views of Boston Harbour, and it boasts an indoor pool, a fitness center, and spa bathrooms in every guest room.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston Downtown provides cozy rooms and suites equipped with coffee makers and TVs, and it has an in-house restaurant, bar, and Starbucks coffee shop.
- Omni Parker House is an elegant hotel that dates back to 1855 and offers an upscale experience with its cocktail lounge, high-end restaurant, and old-world cherry wood furnishings.
- Hilton Boston Park Plaza, which dates back to the 1920s, offers a mix of rooms and suites and has a spacious lobby restaurant, a steakhouse, a trendy bar, and a fitness center with a golf simulator.
Back Bay for the Best of Both Worlds
Highlights: Copley Square, Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, shopping malls
Back Bay is considered the geographical center of Boston but it’s a little quieter than the bustling Downtown area. It’s home to some popular sights that you won’t want to miss, including Boston Public Library and Trinity Church. Back Bay is also a busy shopping hub and has a variety of chain stores and independent boutiques. Check out Newbury Street, Boylston Street, Copley Place, and the Prudential Center if you’re looking to get a retail therapy fix.
Copley Square is the centerpiece of Back Bay thanks to its impressive historic architecture. It makes a great place to sit and read a book or enjoy a picnic, or you can take a walk along the Charles River Esplanade for leafy waterfront views.
You can reach Downtown in 20 to 30 minutes on foot, or 15 minutes by public transport. So, if you want a central location with slightly quieter and more beautiful surroundings, Back Bay is a great base. Plus, rates are a little more affordable.
Where to Stay in Back Bay
Here are some popular luxury hotels in the Back Bay area:
- The Lenox is a distinguished boutique hotel with an award-winning restaurant, and the elegantly decorated guest rooms provide panoramic city views.
- Four Seasons is a luxury five-star hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows in its guest rooms, and it boasts a spa, a gym, an indoor pool, and two high-end restaurants.
North End and Waterfront for Family Vacations
Highlights: Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, Rose Kennedy Greenway, traditional Italian food
The North End is an attractive residential neighborhood that’s home to many historic sights including the Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, and the Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. The Rose Kennedy Greenway — a modern urban park that connects the North End to Downtown and regularly hosts festivals and events — is also located here.
Boston’s Little Italy can be found on North End’s Endicott Street, although it isn’t known by native Bostonians as such. Instead, it’s simply considered the place to go for traditional Italian eats. If you’re a fan of this popular European cuisine, be sure to explore the restaurants, cafes, gelato shops, and bakeries in this area.
There are fewer hotels in the North End than in Downtown, and those that are here are on the more luxurious end of the scale. Since this is a residential area you might have luck finding a private vacation rental instead.
West End for Museums
Highlights: TD Garden, Lederman Park, Museum of Science, Museum of African American History, West End Museum, Otis House Museum
The West End’s biggest attraction is TD Garden, a major sports arena that’s home to the Boston Celtics basketball team and the Boston Bruins ice hockey team. The area gets very busy when big games take place or when musical acts host their concerts here, so be sure to book accommodation far in advance if your stay clashes with a major event.
The Museum of Science, the Otis House Museum, the Museum of African American History, and the West End Museum are all situated here too, which makes the area ideal for a weekend of museum hopping.
There’s a great mix of high-end and midrange hotels in the West End. Stay here for easy access to multiple central neighborhoods, including the North End, Downtown, and Beacon Hill.
Beacon Hill for Photo Opps
Highlights: Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, Black Heritage Trail, Massachusetts State House, Hatch Memorial Shell
Beacon Hill is a scenic neighborhood with a relaxing atmosphere and is a great option if you want to be close to Downtown with a little less hustle and bustle.
This is one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of Boston, and its Federalist-era brick houses and cobblestone streets make the perfect backdrop for cool photos. Boston Common and Boston Public Garden are two of the city’s most beloved green spaces and they comprise almost half of the Beacon Hill Neighborhood, so you’ll love spending sunny days here.
There are some key sights to discover in Beacon Hill, such as the Massachusetts State House, the Black Heritage Trail, and the Hatch Memorial Shell Amphitheater which lies on the banks of the Charles River. Don’t miss Charles Street for some excellent eateries and stores.
South End for Great Food and Art
Highlights: Boston Center for the Arts, More Than Words, SoWa Art + Design District
South End is a popular residential neighborhood known for its attractive Victorian brownstone buildings, quirky boutiques, and trendy eateries and bars. It’s a hub for Boston’s LGBTQ+ community, has a fantastic food scene, and is home to a variety of cool art galleries.
SoWa (south of Washington Street) is where most of the art action goes down. You’ll find the Boston Center for the Arts here and a non-profit bookstore called More Than Words that supports Boston’s youth. Look out for First Fridays when artists open their studios to show off their work.
The South End is a large district and it only has one public transport stop, so be prepared to do plenty of walking or cycling if you stay here. As for accommodation, you’ll be able to find some of Boston’s trendiest hotels in this area.
Where to Stay in South End
The Revolution Hotel is the perfect place to stay in South End. It’s a quirky boutique hotel with industrial-chic decor inspired by Boston’s history and energy, and it has a mix of rooms, suites, and lofts.
Cambridge for Culture
Highlights: Harvard Museum of Natural History, Harvard Square, Harvard Art Museums, Sanders Theatre, Longfellow House, MIT List Visual Arts Center, Great Dome
Cambridge, which sits on the north bank of the Charles River, is technically a separate city from Boston. However, it’s close enough that many consider it an extension of the capital. Cambridge is best known for its higher education institutions — particularly Harvard University and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). It makes sense to stay in Cambridge if you’ll be visiting either of these universities.
Harvard Square is considered the center of the university’s campus and is a great area to wander around to take in the historic architecture. There’s an inviting mix of restaurants, bars, and shops located around here, and there are always street performers providing entertainment to the many tourists, students, and professionals who mill around.
You have plenty of accommodation to choose from in Cambridge. Look out for cheap hotels, inns, and guesthouses near Harvard campus if you want to visit Boston on a budget.
Fenway-Kenmore for Sports and Green Space
Highlights: Fenway Park, Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall, Back Bay Fens
Fenway-Kenmore is best-known for Fenway Park which is home to the Boston Red Sox. It’s the oldest major league ballpark to still be used by a professional baseball team — catch a game there to appreciate the atmosphere or take a public tour to learn about its history.
The Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood is also home to some important cultural sights, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Let’s not forget the Back Bay Fens, the beautiful stretch of green space that is packed with pretty gardens and play areas for kids.
Where to Stay in Fenway-Kenmore
Looking for a place to stay in Fenway-Kenmore? The Liberty Hotel is set within the former Charles Street Jail which housed notable figures such as Malcolm X and Sacco and Vanzetti, but its luxurious decor and upscale bars, restaurants, and ballroom give it a lavish atmosphere that is at odds with the building’s past.
The Seaport District for Luxury
Highlights: Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Convention Center
The Seaport District, also known as South Boston Waterfront, is a former office district that has been redeveloped into one of the most sophisticated parts of the city. It’s home to some major attractions such as the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston Children’s Museum, and the Boston Convention Center. Plus, there are plenty of high-end restaurants, cocktail bars, and breweries to choose from.
Staying in the Seaport District gives you easy access to Downtown with the benefit of ultra-modern accommodation. Plus, you’ll be close to Logan Airport which is ideal if you have an early flight. Just don’t expect cheap room rates here, particularly at the hotels on the waterfront.
Where to Stay in the Seaport District
Seaport Hotel is an award-winning waterfront property that offers free WiFi in its airy rooms and has an indoor pool, a business center, a classy bistro and bar, and a relaxing cafe.
The Theater District and Chinatown for Nightlife
Highlights: Boston Opera House, Charles Playhouse, Wang Theatre, Shubert Theatre, Asian restaurants
The Theater District is where you’ll see some of Boston’s best live entertainment, from Broadway shows and plays to ballet performances and opera. Popular venues include the Boston Opera House (a.k.a Citizens Bank Opera House), Charles Playhouse, and the Wang Theatre.
Chinatown lies right beside the Theater District and is where people flock for tasty food after watching a show. Many of the restaurants here stay open late into the night and have very reasonable prices.
If you plan to spend lots of time at Boston’s theatrical venues, this is the place to stay. The area lies close to Beacon Hill and Downtown and is fairly affordable.
Book Your Stay in Bustling Boston
Boston is home to a diverse array of neighborhoods — many of which are fantastic for tourists who are looking to explore the city. Now you’re clued up on the benefits of the city’s best areas, you can get started finding the perfect accommodation for your Boston getaway.
