StayAreas

Downtown

Boston

The historic heart of Boston, from Faneuil Hall and the Freedom Trail to the harbour waterfront, with the Italian North End next door.

Best for First visit · Business · Families

Transport
5/5
Sights
5/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
5/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$310/night · 5 min to Boston Common

See hotels in Downtown

Downtown on the map

Why stay here

  • Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall on the doorstep
  • Walk to the North End and the harbour
  • Quickest airport connection

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • History lovers
  • Food lovers

Not ideal if…

  • You want quiet evenings
  • You want a residential feel
  • You're on a tight budget

What it's like

Downtown packs in much of the Freedom Trail: the Old State House, Old South Meeting House and Faneuil Hall with Quincy Market's food hall. The Rose Kennedy Greenway runs to the harbour, where the New England Aquarium and harbour cruises leave from the wharves, and the North End's Italian bakeries and restaurants are a few minutes' walk away.

It's the best base for history, food and walking everywhere. The Financial District goes quiet at night, and Faneuil Hall is very crowded in summer.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Faneuil Hall Marketplace

    Historic market halls and street performers.

  • Rose Kennedy Greenway

    Parks and fountains over the old highway.

  • Hanover Street (North End)

    Italian restaurants and pastry shops.

Getting around

Nearest stations
State, Aquarium, Government Center and Downtown Crossing stations on every T line, and South Station for trains.
To Boston Common
About 5 minutes
From Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
About 15 minutes: Blue Line from Airport station to Aquarium or State, or the water taxi.

Nearby attractions

  • Freedom Trail

    2.5-mile red-brick trail past 16 historic sites.

  • Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

    Historic meeting hall and food hall.

  • New England Aquarium

    Giant ocean tank and penguins on the harbour.

  • North End

    Paul Revere House and Old North Church.

Where to eat and drink

  • North End

    Italian restaurants, cannoli and espresso.

  • Quincy Market

    Food hall with chowder and lobster rolls.

  • Harbourside bars

    Waterfront terraces on the wharves.

Where to stay in Downtown

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Boston Harbor Hotel

Why we like it: Waterfront hotel at Rowes Wharf with an indoor pool.

Typical luxury rate in Downtown: ~$700/night

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Luxury pick

The Langham, Boston

Why we like it: Luxury hotel in the former Federal Reserve building.

Typical luxury rate in Downtown: ~$700/night

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Best value

Omni Parker House

Why we like it: Historic 1855 hotel on the Freedom Trail, home of Boston cream pie.

Typical mid-range rate in Downtown: ~$310/night

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Hotels in DowntownMid-range from ~$310/night

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