Home Destinations USA Massachusetts Boston Places to Explore Beacon Hill and Boston Common

Beacon Hill and Boston Common

Boston Categories:

Places to Explore

1. Boston Athenaeum
See why Boston is the "Athens of America."
2. Boston Common
One of the best city parks anywhere.
3. Granary Burying Ground
The final resting place for many founding fathers.
4. Louisburg Square
One of the city's most charming corners.
5. Museum of Afro American History
Black history comes alive.

Map of Beacon Hill and Boston Common

Named for the light that topped it in the 17th century, Beacon Hill originally stood a bit taller until earth was scraped off its peak and put to use as landfill not far away. What remains is redolent of old Boston, with its gas lamps, shade trees, brick sidewalks, and stately brick town houses built between 1800 and 1850 in Federal style; many are now broken up into condominium apartments. Two of the loveliest thoroughfares are Chestnut and Mt. Vernon streets; the latter opens out onto Louisburg Square, where William Dean Howells and the Alcotts once lived.