Exploring the Beautiful Neighborhood of Boston's Beacon Hill

Acorn Street is one of Beacon Hill's most photographed streets.

Beacon Hill is a beautiful neighborhood next to Boston Common and the State House of Massachusetts, known for its Federalist-era and Victorian townhomes with gaslit street lamps lining narrow cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks. This half-square mile neighborhood was originally called Sentry hill, where the colonists erected a tall wooden beacon on top of the hill to warn the country of any danger or attack.

The southern slope of the hill which overlooks Boston Common was developed with lavish homes for Boston’s elite, and the north and western slops of the hill served as the home for working and middle class families, including many free African Americans. This area was where a lot of Underground Railroad activity happened. Today you can visit the Black Heritage Trail, The Museum of African American History, and the Boston African American Historical Site to learn more about this overlooked history of Beacon Hill which played role in Boston's unique social, cultural, and political history.

This charming neighborhood is worth a visit if you love picturesque cobblestone streets and historic architecture, plus there are plenty of chic boutique shops and restaurants to while away some time in.

Walking through Boston Public Gardens on our way back from Beacon Hill. The Public Gardens are another neat place to visit in Boston if you have time.