What are the best accommodations for tourists in Boston? The answer depends on what you plan to do when you are in Bean Town.
Want to immerse yourself in Revolutionary War history, browse record stores with students, shop on Newbury Street, pose with the famous bronze duck sculptures in the Public Garden or watch boats on the Charles River?
This city is a university town, a startup capital, a maritime center, a hotbed of innovation and a piece of living history. It’s no wonder so many people from all over the world want to visit Boston.
You’ll feel Boston’s history in your bones, whether you’re marveling at the 52-story Prudential Tower or visiting Revolutionary War sites.
Boston is not a city with a single personality. Rather, it is made up of several neighborhoods, each with its own history and atmosphere. Take a closer look at what to expect in the different areas of Boston to find the best accommodation in Boston.
Where to stay in Boston? Best areas
1. Downtown, where to stay in Boston for sightseeing
Downtown Boston has the feel of a vibrant metropolis with a history-loving heart. One of the best things to do when exploring this part of the city is to walk the Freedom Trail. This historic and iconic trail takes you to many of the important attractions that make up Boston.
It takes about three hours to cover the entire route. However, you can cover as much or as little of the trail as you like.
In addition to historical sights, you will also pass the headquarters of many global companies and financial institutions. The town hall is also along the way.
Downtown is a great place to stay in Boston if you’re looking for a business hotel. One of the great advantages of staying in Boston is that you can easily get around on foot using the subway.
Some of the major attractions include Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
Downtown Crossing is a pedestrian-only area at the intersection of Washington Street, Winter Street and Summer Street. This is the city’s top address for fashion chains, discount stores and souvenir stores.
Keep in mind that Downtown Boston partially overlaps with neighborhoods like the Financial District and Beacon Hill.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THE CENTER OF BOSTON
2. The theater district and Chinatown, ideal for culture and food lovers
Boston can compete with cities like New York when it comes to culture and art. This becomes particularly clear when you visit the Theater District and Chinatown.
Places like the Boston Opera House, the Shubert Theatre, the Charles Playhouse, the Colonial Theatre and the Wang Theatre always have very interesting schedules.
Boston’s Theater District is one of the best places to shop in the city. Here you will find unique bookstores, jewelers and clothing stores.
The glowing gate that invites you into Chinatown is a good place to stop and take a photo. You can have fun browsing the herb stores and Asian markets as you explore the neighborhood.
Particularly popular in Chinatown are the many restaurants, which are open late into the night. That’s good news if you’re a night owl.
The restaurants in Chinatown are often full of people who want to grab a bite to eat after a show in the Theatre District. The restaurants in Chinatown are known for offering very reasonable prices.
This is a wonderful neighborhood to stay in Boston if you’re looking for an eclectic and a little funky atmosphere. The hotels in this part of the city tend to be quite affordable.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THE THEATER DISTRICT AND CHINATOWN
3. The financial district where you can do business in Boston
Boston’s Financial District is the backbone of downtown. Take a moment to admire the elegant high-rise condos, gleaming financial offices, world-class cafés and manicured parks.
Post Office Square offers a beautiful green lawn, fountains and gardens if you want to enjoy some fresh air in the city.
World-renowned financial institutions such as Fidelity Investments, Putnam Investments and DWS Scudder Investments all have their headquarters in the Financial District.
If you want to mingle with the city’s working population, this is a great place to have a drink in an Irish pub during happy hour.
The streets here are dotted with business hotels that cater to an elite clientele. This means that you will have to pay a high price for a room in the Financial District.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BOSTON’S FINANCIAL DISTRICT
4. Beacon Hill, upscale and expensive accommodation in Boston
When you enter Beacon Hill, you are welcomed into a picture-perfect Boston. This neighborhood is characterized by its steep, antique lantern-lit streets, epic Victorian mansions and Federal-style row houses.
The most iconic building on Beacon Hill is the golden-domed Massachusetts State House. Beacon Hill borders the Boston Common.
Things get really classy when you reach Charles Street. Here you will find first-class restaurants, antique stores and boutiques. You will also find the formal Public Garden and the Charles River Esplanade.
The waterfront area of Beacon Hill is a great place to catch some outdoor concerts in the summer. In winter, there is a skating pond on Boston Common.
This is an extremely upscale and desirable neighborhood. It is also one of the most expensive places to live in Boston. Visitors can choose from a variety of luxury and boutique hotels.
BEST ACCOMMODATIONS IN BEACON HILL
5. Back Bay, affluent and beautiful neighborhood
The Back Bay neighborhood in Boston is affluent and beautiful. This neighborhood is more residential than a place like the Financial District. It’s not uncommon to see families walking strollers or walking their dogs after work.
Back Bay is famous for its long rows of Victorian brownstones. It is also home to the Boston Public Library, Copley Square, the Prudential Tower and Trinity Church. The famous Newbury Street is also located in Back Bay.
This district is mainly home to boutique and high-end hotels, which are aimed at people who want to live close to the river. Back Bay has several stations on the Green Line and Orange Line.
THE BEST ACCOMMODATIONS IN BOSTON IN THE BACK BAY
6. Fenway-Kenmore, the best address for nightlife in Boston
Boston’s Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood is located in the shadow of the famous Fenway Park. This energetic, fun-filled neighborhood is a great place to stay if you like to be close to the action. You can have fun here even if you know nothing about baseball or the Boston Red Sox.
Kenmore Square is home to most of the restaurants, sports bars and nightclubs in this part of the city.
The bars in Kenmore Square always seem to have a high concentration of students at night and at weekends. This is because parts of Boston University, Northeastern University, Berklee College of Music and the Boston Conservatory of Music are located in this neighborhood.
The Museum of Fine Arts is located in Fenway-Kenmore. There is also an urban wilderness and a park called Back Bay Fens.
The student atmosphere of this district contributes to its independent character. Here you will find numerous small, independent stores and restaurants.
This is a great neighborhood if you are looking for a young atmosphere and want to find hotels that are a little more affordable than those you get in other areas.
Students living in Fenway-Kent often rent out their apartments or rooms to guests during the summer months. This neighborhood is served by the MBTA Orange Line and several stops on the MBTA Green Line.
BEST ACCOMMODATION IN FENWAY-KENMORE
7. South End, the coolest neighborhood in Boston
If you’re looking for authentic, old-school Boston, you’re probably thinking of South End. This culturally rich, charming neighborhood is home to numerous design galleries, jazz clubs, trendy restaurants, art shops, cozy pubs and artisanal grocery stores.
Tremont Street is home to most of the neighborhood’s best restaurants. The neighborhood’s gastronomic scene also includes popular food trucks and lovely farmers’ markets.
Most people know the South End for its beautiful Victorian rows of houses and lush parks. The entire neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The South End is particularly popular with young families, professionals and immigrants. This all adds up to a very entertaining and diverse district.
South End is one of the better neighborhoods in Boston for backpackers or travelers looking for budget accommodations. There are Red Line rapid transit stations in the area at Broadway and Andrew.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BOSTON IN THE SOUTH END
- AC Hotel by Marriott Boston Downtown 👈
- Staypineapple, A Delightful Hotel, South End 👈
- The Revolution Hotel 👈
8. North End, accommodation in Boston for history lovers
Boston’s historic North End is best known as Boston’s Little Italy. It’s a delightful, charming neighborhood that offers peace and quiet. It is also home to some of the best bakeries and restaurants in all of New England.
On summer days or when visiting the neighborhood’s restaurants, you can still hear Italian being spoken through open windows. The North End consists of a labyrinth of narrow streets with very old buildings.
When staying in this neighborhood, you can follow the self-guided Freedom Trail and visit sights such as the Old North Church and the Paul Revere House from 1680.
One of the best things to do when staying in the North End is of course to eat on Hanover Street! The Italian restaurants here are second to none. Iconic bakeries like Mike’s Pastry offer cakes, cannoli and cappuccino. The old-school delis will give you a taste of Boston’s true Italian side.
The narrow, dense streets of North End make this neighborhood ideal for pedestrians. You can reach the North End by public transportation using the MBTA’s Orange Line and Green Line at Haymarket and North Station or the Blue Line at Aquarium Station.
There are not many hotels in the North End. However, if you book a room in the North End during your stay in Boston, you can easily reach the Financial District on foot.
BEST ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE NORTH END
9. South Boston, neighborhood with reasonable prices
The working class Irish-American atmosphere of Boston, immortalized in the movie “Good Will Hunting”, can still be felt as soon as you enter South Boston. Of course, this densely populated seafaring neighborhood is now a popular place for working professionals.
This neighborhood is home to the South Boston Waterfront. There are 78 restaurants and eight hotels in this lively harbor district.
The neighborhood’s main attractions include the South Boston Maritime Park, the Boston Children’s Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park and Castle Island Park.
If you decide to stay in this up-and-coming district, you will notice that new buildings are springing up all around you. It is still possible to find affordable hotel prices here. However, more and more upscale hotels are moving in.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SOUTH BOSTON
- Seaport Hotel Boston 👈
- Cambria Hotel Boston, Downtown-South Boston 👈
- Hampton Inn Boston Seaport District 👈
10. Charlestown, residential area and yuppie atmosphere
Historic Charlestown is a waterfront neighborhood with deep roots. Old clapboard-clad houses, brick townhouses and pubs where everyone knows everyone give this neighborhood the feel of an authentic Boston.
Many families and young professionals live in this neighborhood. It is a residential area with a yuppie character. However, attractions such as the Bunker Hill Monument attract tourists from all over the world.
The scenes in Charleston are idyllic. As you stroll along the waterfront, you can see sailboats moored on the beautiful Charles River. Charlestown is served by the MBTA Orange Line.
The hotels in beautiful Charlestown are very expensive. The city is known for its upscale boutique hotels.
Best place to stay in Charlestown
- Kimpton Marlowe, an IHG Hotel 👈
- Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Harbor on Tudor Wharf 👈
- Moroccan Boutique Guest House 👈
Websites that I use to book my trips
- 👉 Agoda is my favourite site for booking hotels and unique stays.
- 👉 GetYourGuide is my top pick for booking tours and activities worldwide.
Frequently asked questions :
What are the best areas in Boston for tourists?
Which areas in Boston are best for tourists depends on what you plan to do when you arrive in Bean Town. Some popular areas are Downtown and Waterfront for its Revolutionary War history, Beacon Hill for its charm, and the Seaport District for its trendy restaurants and continuous development.
What are the best neighborhoods in Boston?
The best neighborhoods in Boston include Back Bay with its central location and beautiful parks, North End with its easy access to kid-friendly attractions like Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the New England Aquarium, and South End for a romantic getaway with the city’s best restaurants and nightlife.
What are the best areas in Boston for families?
The North End is a great area for families, as it offers easy access to kid-friendly attractions like Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the New England Aquarium, as well as plenty of Italian restaurants.
What are the best areas in Boston for couples?
The South End is a popular neighborhood for couples, with the best restaurants and nightlife in the city as well as chic stores and beautiful architecture.
What are the best areas in Boston to experience history and sights?
Downtown and the waterfront are the best areas to stay in Boston when it comes to history and sightseeing, with colonial architecture, revolutionary landmarks and landmarks of the new American nation.
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