The ultimate Boston walking tour
Boston is an extremely walkable city—so get out, and enjoy the summer weather while it’s still here.
Summer is a short-lived and well-loved phenomenon in Boston. Luckily, the city is also one of the most walkable in the country, meaning there’s no excuse for not getting outside and enjoying that sun. Follow this handy guide for the best walking route around Boston.
[bdc-gallery id=”116204″]
1. Begin where many a great Boston adventures does, at Fenway Park. Explore the home of the Red Sox before heading to Kenmore Square.
2. Take a stroll through “the gateway to BU’’: Kenmore Square. It’s easily identifiable by one of the city’s most well-known landmarks, the CITGO sign.
3. Follow Commonwealth Avenue through the square and down into its tree-lined stretch for one of the best examples of Back Bay architecture and beauty in the city. Considering it was just a muddy patch in the bay until about 200 years ago, the area looks a lot nicer now.
4. Take a left off of Commonwealth Avenue at any point, and cross Storrow Drive toward the water. Walk the rest of the stretch along the Esplanade for a scenic stroll along the Charles River.
5. Follow the Esplanade until you can take the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge toward the Boston Public Garden.
6. Cross over Charles Street from the Garden t0 another jewel on the city’s Emerald Necklace, Boston Common.
7. If you head toward the northernmost point of the Common, the Massachusetts State House, with its giant golden dome on Beacon Street, is hard to miss. The dome was originally made out of wood when it was constructed in 1798, before getting its copper-and-gold makeover.
8. Take a right at the State House, and follow Beacon Street until you hit the intersection with Tremont Street. Make your way up Tremont Street toward Government Center.
9. At the top of Tremont Street, you’ll hit City Hall Plaza. City Hall is easily recognizable and one of the bleakest examples of Brutalist architecture, but the plaza itself hosts loads of events. The square is also getting a glassy new T stop.
10. Head through the plaza towards Congress Street, and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market will be waiting.
11. Follow Quincy Market to the end, and cross Atlantic Avenue by the Greenway Carousel. Enjoy the view of Boston Harbor from Christopher Columbus Park.
12. Running next to the park is Commercial Street. Follow this road north along the wharves until you hit Hanover Street on the left. Turn onto Hanover Street, and enjoy the narrow artery of the North End, with the smells of Italian food wafting about. If you’ve got time to wait in line for a sweet treat, you can stop by Mike’s Pastry.
13. Once through the North End, stay on Hanover Street, and keep walking through North End Park. One of the biggest attractions of this park is the view of Marriott’s Custom House. You can normally visit the observation deck on Saturdays, but it’s closed until November while they fix a crack in the building’s facade, according to the hotel.
14. Still on Hanover Street, head past Union Oyster House and cross City Hall plaza again, this time taking a right onto Cambridge Street when you reach the other side. Follow Cambridge Street around until you hit Joy Street on your left. It’s one of the most notable streets running through Beacon Hill, as the Museum of African American History calls it home.
15. Take a right on Mount Vernon Street, and head deeper into Beacon Hill. Take a left onto Willow Street, and Acorn Street will be almost immediately on your right. It’s easy to see why Acorn Street is the most photographed street in America.
16. Jump back onto Mount Vernon Street, and continue down Beacon Hill until you run onto Charles Street. Head South on Charles Street toward the Public Garden once more. Head the opposite way through the Garden this time, heading for Newbury Street. Make sure to check out the George Washington statue on your way through.
17. When on Newbury Street, stroll down the length of the tourist shopping mecca. While it still has its fair share of visiting shoppers, a selection of stores are transforming Newbury Street into a place locals can also pick up some great gear.
18. When you reach the end of Newbury, take a left on Massachusetts Avenue, and continue down until you hit the Christian Science Plaza on your left. Follow along the huge reflecting pool, and the Prudential Building is waiting at the end just across Belvidere Street.
19. Once you’re in the Pru, head to the top and hit Top of the Hub for a drink. You’ve earned it.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com