Neighborhood guide
Where to Stay in Boston
The 3 areas worth basing yourself in Boston, United States — ranked by our editors, with walking distances from the center. First-timers: start with Back Bay.
City centerNeighborhoodsClick the map to enable scroll zoom
Decide by trip type
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We’ll match Boston’s neighborhoods to how you travel — and show you why.
Top pick
Back Bay
Tree-lined brownstones, Newbury Street shopping, the Esplanade riverfront.
31 min walk from center
#2
North End
Italian quarter — bakeries, restaurants, Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church.
10 min walk from center
#3
Cambridge
Harvard Square across the river — bookstores, coffee shops, the Charles riverbank.
19 min walk from center
Getting around
The T (subway) covers most of the city; Charlie Cards from any station.
Walk the Freedom Trail — it’s a real walking route, not a bus tour, and the brick line guides you.