Attractions in Beacon Hill (Boston)

Boston Common

Boston Common is America's oldest park in the heart of Boston, offering recreation opportunities and a glimpse into history through numerous monuments to the past. Designated as public space in 1640, British soldiers later camped here during the Revolutionary War. Part of the Freedom Trail, the park adjoins the Massachusetts State House and Beacon Hill. A favorite spot is the Frog Pond, which doubles as an ice skating rink. The park is the beginning of the "Emerald Necklace," a seven-mile (12-kilometer) string of local parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Boston Bike Tours

Get physical with a bike tour through key city attractions. The ticket price includes a sturdy bike, a helmet, water and a map, as well as a knowledgeable guide for a two-hour trip through the Boston Common and Back Bay to Harvard University. There are several set routes, but your guide can also accommodate special stop requests. Child seats are available. Call or check website for tour and rental fees.

The Swan Boats of Boston

A trip to Boston is not complete without a visit to this attraction. From mid-April until mid-September, you can take a quick tour on a paddleboat decorated as a swan. These tours have been run by the same family for over a hundred years in the Boston Public Garden, which was the setting for the famous children's story, "Make Way for Ducklings". You will understand why as you glide among the hundreds of ducks that call the Garden pond home. You may see a couple of real swans, too.

Boston Jewish Walking Tours

Run by a real estate agency, this tour company offers tailored walking or biking tours according to your interests. Walk through the churches of the North End, amble Irish South Boston with views of Pleasure Bay and Castle Island, or take the Armenian/Greek tour to Strawberry Hill. Whatever your interest may be, this office can customize a tour for your family or group. Reservations necessary several weeks in advance.

Beacon Hill

Steeped in history, this is one of Boston's most beautiful neighborhoods. Always the home of statesmen, artists and intellectuals, "The Hill" is also the site of the State House, which is the beginning of the Freedom Trail. Cafes and majestic brownstone buildings line the narrow cobblestone streets next to the Boston Common, America's oldest urban park. At the bottom of the hill, along Charles Street, are several antique shops and boutiques full of unusual merchandise. This charming neighborhood has managed to preserve its history without becoming artificially quaint. Another important and most visited feature of Boston is Acorn Street. The street is surrounded by beautiful colonial style houses, giving it an earthy feel, which will import you to the era gone by.

Community Boating, Inc.

During the summer months, the Charles River is filled with small sailboats. Most of them belong this organization, which is the oldest and largest public sailing program in the country. A two-day membership is available to those with prior sailing experience. A fleet of more than 140 boats includes 14.5-foot Cape Cod Mercuries, Lasers, sailboards and Rhodes 19s. The organization's primary mission is the Junior Program—children sail all summer.

Black Heritage Trail

The Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston has several sites significant to the history of African Americans, commemorated by this 1.6-mile trail. From June through August, the National Park Service conducts free two-hour tours that begin at the corner of Beacon and Park Streets. Landmarks include a memorial to the first black regiment to fight in the Civil War and the African Meeting House, the first black-led church in the United States. Many of the historic homes on the trail are still privately owned and may only be viewed from the outside. Call to arrange private tours in the off season.

Park Street Church

Park Street Church is a stop on the Freedom Trail, down the hill from the State House. Built in 1809, the basement served as a gunpowder storage depot during the War of 1812. Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison gave his first anti-slavery speech here and the Granary Burying Ground, where many famous early Bostonians are buried, is just steps away. The Federalist brick-and-wood building features a 217-foot steeple and granite steps. The church houses an active Congregationalist parish.

Beacon Hill Walking Tour

The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities offers walking tours of Beacon Hill and they are a superb opportunity to learn the history of the area, which dates back to 1810. The tours of this historic neighborhood will give you a feel for how Bostonians lived centuries ago, both the wealthy residents who inhabited the area and working class people of the North Slope. The tour also includes a visit to the magnificent federal-style Harrison Gray Otis House.

Tremont Temple Baptist Church

The Tremont Temple church is one of the city's largest baptist churches and is an architectural masterpiece. The converse hall at the church is extremely large and can seat around 1800 people but even with its humongous size, the sound and the acoustics are magnificent. A popular venue for various religious events and concerts, the hall is popular amongst the locals of the city. Famous groups such as Anointed have performed here and it is a great place to visit during a trip to Boston. So come by to offer your prayers at this holy sanctity or attend their popular events.

Boston African-American National Historical Park

This park in Beacon Hill neighbourhood houses a museum and a 1.6 mile site of 15 historical sites. The museum provides you with interesting information on the African-American community before the Civil War broke out. Other landmarks are - the African Meeting House and the oldest African-American church in America. Let the rangers and guides lead your trail through history.

Holmes Alleyway

Holmes Alleyway is just one of the many alleys, which is a part of the famous Beacon Hill neighborhood. The alley is believed to be a refuge and escape route for many slaves, who escaped from the bounty hunters. The alley culminates at the African Meeting House (The) which is a sought after and renowned location. Tourists and locals alike are charmed and intrigued by the history of Holmes which is rich and speaks volumes about this route of escape.