Back Bay and South End
Back Bay, built in 1880 on a landfill, is now one of Boston's most sought-after neighborhoods. The tree-lined streets have rows of townhouses, high fashion outlets, art galleries, and restaurants. Trinity Church, one of the most important churches in the United States is located in Back Bay, as is the John Hancock Tower, the tallest building in New England. South End is located just south of Back Bay and is a multicultural neighborhood - home to more than 40 nationalities. In the South End you will find row after row of brownstones and also a few red brick streets.

Beacon Hill and West End
Beacon Hill is a very picturesque and one of Boston's wealthier residential neighborhoods. There are still some gas-lit cobblestone streets to be found in the older areas of Beacon Hill along with several of Boston's more notable historic sites. Boston Common is located in Beacon Hill as well as the Massachusetts State House.

Boston
Boston's nickname, the ""Cradle of Liberty"" is evidence of the city's historical role in the American Revolution. Bostonian's love their city and are happy to show off their history to visitors from all over the world. It is also a city of architectural treasures with many fine examples of Federalist, Georgian, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival and Victorian designs. With more than 60 colleges and universities in the area, including some of the world's most prestigious institutions, Boston loves education, which accounts for the high number of Bostonians in the nation's political, literary, and economic arenas. Boston also has a passion for the visual arts, good food and sports.

Chinatown and the Theater District
Boston has the third largest Chinatown in the United States. Restaurants, food markets, and curio shops are numerous in this area. The theater district once boasted some of the most lavish theaters in the country. Today many are closed but you can still get a glimpse of days past with the ornate entry of the Shubert Theater and the vast Grand Lobby of the Wang Center for the Performing Arts. Boston's main upscale shopping district is located around Downtown Crossing, which has Filene's and Macy's as the anchor department stores, as well as other fine boutiques and cafes in the surrounding, mostly pedestrian, side streets.

Downtown and the Financial District
Downtown and Financial District lies east of the Boston Common. There is also a lot of history in this part of town. Some of the buildings in the older section predate the American Revolution and a section of The Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile historic walking route, runs through this colonial section of Downtown. The towering skyscrapers of the Financial District, located just northwest of Downtown denote the banking, insurance and legal center of the city.

Neighborhoods
Overview Each neighborhood in Boston is unique with characteristics of its own, from the art galleries and stylish boutiques along Newbury Street in Back Bay to the authentic Italian flavor of the North End and the marinas, restaurants and hotels along the Waterfront.

North End and the Waterfront
The Freedom Trail continues through the North End, Boston's oldest neighborhood, where you can see the Old North Church, built in 1723. It was made famous with Paul Revere's midnight ride. There are many other interesting historic sites in this section of Boston. The North End is home to many people of Italian descent, which can be seen in the many wonderful Italian restaurants and delis throughout the area.

The Waterfront
is Boston's greatest natural asset and has always been a busy and prospering seaport. Many of the old warehouses were renovated in the 1960's into luxury condominiums, offices, hotels and restaurants.