Directions
Charles And Cambridge Street Area
There really isn’t too much on Cambridge St. to see, but if you are looking for the Liberty Hotel, Mass General, or Whole Foods, you are on the right track!
As you come out of the train station the Liberty Hotel is to your right, Charles Street is to your left.
To the right of Charles Street is the Charles River and the Longfellow Bridge.
If you decide to follow Cambridge St. it will lead you up to Government Center in about five minutes. All the side streets off of Cambridge to your right are Beacon Hill.
This street will take about ten minutes to stroll down, plus whatever time you spend at the shops.
As you walk down Charles, all the streets on you left will lead you up into Beacon Hill.
I remember one of my first times exploring the Hill on my own, I ended up walking in circles! But don’t worry if you get lost, Beacon Hill is just that, so head downhill and you will either end up on Charles, Cambridge, or Beacon Street!
And that brings us to explaining how to get to Charles St. from the other end.
Your best bet would be Park St. Station, either the Red or Green Line.
Walk up the slope of the Common until you get to the stairs that lead you to the Massachusetts State House, don’t go up the stairs, instead, turn left and walk the path down to the gates.
Across the street to your right is Charles.....
Back to Charles Street
Walking Tour Of Historic North End
Ok, so you arrived at the North End, maybe via the
direction given below.
As you cross through the Rose Kennedy Greenway, go towards the right.
Enter the North End by going down North Street.
The first place we get to is Police Station #1
I tried to do a little research to find the history on the Station, but I couldn't find any.
Stop, take a few pictures and continue up North Street.
On your left is the Pierce/ Hitchborn House and right beside it the home to Paul Revere.
Stop, take some more photos, maybe tour the buildings and then head up the street a little more and you are in North Square!
Leave North Square by heading left and then right onto Hanover Street, a little bit down on your left will be Paul Revere Mall!
More picture taking time! Look at that statue, I like this one better than the one of George Washington in the Public Garden!
Here in the mall you will find some vendors and lots of places to rest in the shade.
When you are ready, finish walking through the mall and you are in the backyard of the Old North Church. It is tricky to get good shots here because it is so crowded, but you should try!
Right up the hill in front of the Old North Church is Copp's Hill Burying Ground.
Well, this is where I stopped my safari. If you get a map from the North End Chamber, they will lead you on further to such cool stuff as the site of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 down on Commercial Street and then off to the U.S.S. Constitution.
I was in dire need for an Iced Coffee so I stopped my adventure at Copp's Hill.
So after you finish taking shots of the tombstones, wander back down the hill, take a right onto Salem Street and a little bit up on the left you will find the best Iced Coffee in the land at a great little coffee cafe called “Boston Beanstock Coffee Co.” at 97 Salem St. Tell them Boston-Photos sent you!
Sit down, relax and look through your new pictures!
And that is the Historic North End Tour, Boston-Photos Style!
Back to Historic North End
As you cross through the Rose Kennedy Greenway, go towards the right.
Enter the North End by going down North Street.
The first place we get to is Police Station #1
I tried to do a little research to find the history on the Station, but I couldn't find any.
Stop, take a few pictures and continue up North Street.
On your left is the Pierce/ Hitchborn House and right beside it the home to Paul Revere.
Stop, take some more photos, maybe tour the buildings and then head up the street a little more and you are in North Square!
Leave North Square by heading left and then right onto Hanover Street, a little bit down on your left will be Paul Revere Mall!
More picture taking time! Look at that statue, I like this one better than the one of George Washington in the Public Garden!
Here in the mall you will find some vendors and lots of places to rest in the shade.
When you are ready, finish walking through the mall and you are in the backyard of the Old North Church. It is tricky to get good shots here because it is so crowded, but you should try!
Right up the hill in front of the Old North Church is Copp's Hill Burying Ground.
Well, this is where I stopped my safari. If you get a map from the North End Chamber, they will lead you on further to such cool stuff as the site of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 down on Commercial Street and then off to the U.S.S. Constitution.
I was in dire need for an Iced Coffee so I stopped my adventure at Copp's Hill.
So after you finish taking shots of the tombstones, wander back down the hill, take a right onto Salem Street and a little bit up on the left you will find the best Iced Coffee in the land at a great little coffee cafe called “Boston Beanstock Coffee Co.” at 97 Salem St. Tell them Boston-Photos sent you!
Sit down, relax and look through your new pictures!
And that is the Historic North End Tour, Boston-Photos Style!
Back to Historic North End
A Note On Directions
Boston is a walking City.
There aren't any driving directions to be found here.
Trust me, leave the car at home or at a far away train stop. You will be a lot happier!
While guided tours have their place, I fully encourage touring the City of Boston on your own!
Guided Tours are kinda like going on a field trip from school. Informative but not much room for exploration.
Boston is a City to be explored!
Grab a street map and if you need directions.....ask!
You will find that the Boston residents are proud of their City and will be glad to point you in the right direction!
The Secret Garden Tours and the Private Home Tours are recommended, but as far as exploring the streets and landmarks, I personally think you will have much more FUN exploring on your own!
And isn't that why you would want to visit Boston? For some FUN?
And hopefully I have encouraged you to do just that!
Home
There aren't any driving directions to be found here.
Trust me, leave the car at home or at a far away train stop. You will be a lot happier!
While guided tours have their place, I fully encourage touring the City of Boston on your own!
Guided Tours are kinda like going on a field trip from school. Informative but not much room for exploration.
Boston is a City to be explored!
Grab a street map and if you need directions.....ask!
You will find that the Boston residents are proud of their City and will be glad to point you in the right direction!
The Secret Garden Tours and the Private Home Tours are recommended, but as far as exploring the streets and landmarks, I personally think you will have much more FUN exploring on your own!
And isn't that why you would want to visit Boston? For some FUN?
And hopefully I have encouraged you to do just that!
Home
Getting To Boston Common
There will be no public hangings and please
leave your cattle at home!
Although in the early days of the Common there were public hangings and you could bring your cattle...
Boston Common is easy to get to via the T.
Taking the subway, the stop you want is Park Street Station.
You can get there with either the Red or Green Line.
When you exit the T you are there!
The Common is a gentle uphill slope that leads you up to Beacon Street.
There are lots of walking paths and big chunks of lawn and many park benches.
The Boston Common is built to be a welcoming and comfortable space, kinda like one huge backyard.
In one section there is a playground near the Frog Pond.
With water fountains and a shallow pond to cool off in in the summertime.
In the winter it turns into an ice skating rink.
There is a section devoted to the dog lovers of the city and in another section during the summer you will find a professional outdoor stage set up for one of many Shakespeare plays.
Scattered about the Common there are many monuments and many people. Most are harmless.
There are some homeless here and some that pretend they are, just to let you know. Some of them could use a little help, some not.
Use your judgement when giving alms to the Beggars and the homeless for some may be making more money than you!
If you look at the Common from Tremont Street, the section close to the street and over to your left, according to local lore, is where the drug dealers and prostitutes hang out, so be warned.
We want to make your visit to Boston a fun and knowledgeable one.....
The Boston Common is a nice place to spend a few hours on a picnic, reading a book or just passing through to get to all the nearby areas like the State House, Beacon Hill, The Public Garden, Downtown Crossing, or the old burial grounds, all of which are a stone's throw away from the Common.
Back to Boston Common
Although in the early days of the Common there were public hangings and you could bring your cattle...
Boston Common is easy to get to via the T.
Taking the subway, the stop you want is Park Street Station.
You can get there with either the Red or Green Line.
When you exit the T you are there!
The Common is a gentle uphill slope that leads you up to Beacon Street.
There are lots of walking paths and big chunks of lawn and many park benches.
The Boston Common is built to be a welcoming and comfortable space, kinda like one huge backyard.
In one section there is a playground near the Frog Pond.
With water fountains and a shallow pond to cool off in in the summertime.
In the winter it turns into an ice skating rink.
There is a section devoted to the dog lovers of the city and in another section during the summer you will find a professional outdoor stage set up for one of many Shakespeare plays.
Scattered about the Common there are many monuments and many people. Most are harmless.
There are some homeless here and some that pretend they are, just to let you know. Some of them could use a little help, some not.
Use your judgement when giving alms to the Beggars and the homeless for some may be making more money than you!
If you look at the Common from Tremont Street, the section close to the street and over to your left, according to local lore, is where the drug dealers and prostitutes hang out, so be warned.
We want to make your visit to Boston a fun and knowledgeable one.....
The Boston Common is a nice place to spend a few hours on a picnic, reading a book or just passing through to get to all the nearby areas like the State House, Beacon Hill, The Public Garden, Downtown Crossing, or the old burial grounds, all of which are a stone's throw away from the Common.
Back to Boston Common
Getting To The State House
The Massachusetts State House is located on
Beacon Street.
The easiest way to get there is to take the T's Red Line to Park Street Station.
As you exit the T, you will be deposited in the Boston Common. In front of you is the Historic Park Street Church.
But if you turn to your left and look up the slope of the Common, at the top of the hill you will see the golden dome of the State House!
Well, there ya go!
Walk on up, take a tour, check out the cool statues, but before you go be sure you circle around the State House to the right!
There you will find a nice garden and memorials for Fire Fighters and Police Officers.
If you keep circling around to the back and far side of the State House, not only will you be entering the famous Beacon Hill area, but you will also get some dramatic views of the State House additions designed by the same Architect that gave us the Burrage House!
On your way up to the State House at the top of Park street is the Beacon Hill Fox25 News Studio, the place where VB always hangs out.
You may also run into "Spare Change Guy". Quite harmless and doesn't really need your money, just walk on by and try to ignore the gravelly horror movie voice!
Local lore has it that VB once had him on the newscast and since then he continues to haunt the area.....
Back to State House
The easiest way to get there is to take the T's Red Line to Park Street Station.
As you exit the T, you will be deposited in the Boston Common. In front of you is the Historic Park Street Church.
But if you turn to your left and look up the slope of the Common, at the top of the hill you will see the golden dome of the State House!
Well, there ya go!
Walk on up, take a tour, check out the cool statues, but before you go be sure you circle around the State House to the right!
There you will find a nice garden and memorials for Fire Fighters and Police Officers.
If you keep circling around to the back and far side of the State House, not only will you be entering the famous Beacon Hill area, but you will also get some dramatic views of the State House additions designed by the same Architect that gave us the Burrage House!
On your way up to the State House at the top of Park street is the Beacon Hill Fox25 News Studio, the place where VB always hangs out.
You may also run into "Spare Change Guy". Quite harmless and doesn't really need your money, just walk on by and try to ignore the gravelly horror movie voice!
Local lore has it that VB once had him on the newscast and since then he continues to haunt the area.....
Back to State House
How To Find The Burrage House
The Burrage House is located in the Back Bay at
the corner of Hereford and Commonwealth Ave.
I find the most enjoyable way to get there is by following the Commonwealth Ave Mall.
Along the mall you lose all the hustle and bustle of Boylston and Newbury Streets.
Surrounded by trees, grass, majestic statues and a few dog walkers.
As I mentioned in the "Getting Around The Copley Area" section, the streets in this part of town are laid out alphabetically, so all you have to do is follow the mall until you get to Hereford Street.
If you began walking up the mall from the Public Garden, The Burrage House will be on your left.
It stands out so much from the surrounding houses that you will be hard pressed to miss it!
The Gargoyles, Angels, and Cherubs will be calling out and beckoning you closer and closer!
No amount of photographs can do this building justice.
This is one you have to see in person!
Back to Burrage House
I find the most enjoyable way to get there is by following the Commonwealth Ave Mall.
Along the mall you lose all the hustle and bustle of Boylston and Newbury Streets.
Surrounded by trees, grass, majestic statues and a few dog walkers.
As I mentioned in the "Getting Around The Copley Area" section, the streets in this part of town are laid out alphabetically, so all you have to do is follow the mall until you get to Hereford Street.
If you began walking up the mall from the Public Garden, The Burrage House will be on your left.
It stands out so much from the surrounding houses that you will be hard pressed to miss it!
The Gargoyles, Angels, and Cherubs will be calling out and beckoning you closer and closer!
No amount of photographs can do this building justice.
This is one you have to see in person!
Back to Burrage House
Getting Around The Copley Area
The Copley Area is one of the easiest to get
around!
The three big streets, are Commonwealth, Newbury and Boylston
Commonwealth Ave is actually two one way streets with the Comm Ave Mall running in between them.
All the cross streets here, set up like a grid, are in alphabetical order which makes it much easier to orient yourself while roaming around.
The side streets are:
Arlington
Berkeley
Claredon
Dartmouth
Exeter
Fairfield
Gloucester
Hereford
Massachusetts Ave
What happened to I-L is anyone's guess.
Anyway, Copley is within minutes of the Boston common and even closer to the Public Garden, and makes for a nice walk if you are in either one of the areas.
To get there via the T, the Green line is the way to go and they have a bunch of stops in this section of the city. Arlington, Copley and Hynes.
Along Boylston is where you will find the big landmarks like the Hancock Tower, The Pru, Trinity Church, The Public Library and the Apple Store.
There is also lots of shopping along Boylston along with fast food joints and the like.
Over on Newbury is where you will find many Art Galleries and Fancy Boutique Shops.
Bolyston has a more wide open feel while Newbury has the Classic Boston Brownstone feel.
Meanwhile, on Commonwealth Ave, there is no shopping, but it does have some great houses to check out and the long skinny park they call the Comm Ave Mall.
You will also find more Beggars on Boylston than you will on Newbury and over on Commonwealth there are usually none at all.
Before you decide to give them your hard earned money, keep this fact in mind, the average Beggar in Massachusetts makes over $80 a day cash and tax free......
Back to Copley
The three big streets, are Commonwealth, Newbury and Boylston
Commonwealth Ave is actually two one way streets with the Comm Ave Mall running in between them.
All the cross streets here, set up like a grid, are in alphabetical order which makes it much easier to orient yourself while roaming around.
The side streets are:
Berkeley
Claredon
Dartmouth
Exeter
Fairfield
Gloucester
Hereford
Massachusetts Ave
What happened to I-L is anyone's guess.
Anyway, Copley is within minutes of the Boston common and even closer to the Public Garden, and makes for a nice walk if you are in either one of the areas.
To get there via the T, the Green line is the way to go and they have a bunch of stops in this section of the city. Arlington, Copley and Hynes.
Along Boylston is where you will find the big landmarks like the Hancock Tower, The Pru, Trinity Church, The Public Library and the Apple Store.
There is also lots of shopping along Boylston along with fast food joints and the like.
Over on Newbury is where you will find many Art Galleries and Fancy Boutique Shops.
Bolyston has a more wide open feel while Newbury has the Classic Boston Brownstone feel.
Meanwhile, on Commonwealth Ave, there is no shopping, but it does have some great houses to check out and the long skinny park they call the Comm Ave Mall.
You will also find more Beggars on Boylston than you will on Newbury and over on Commonwealth there are usually none at all.
Before you decide to give them your hard earned money, keep this fact in mind, the average Beggar in Massachusetts makes over $80 a day cash and tax free......
Back to Copley
Directions To North End
If you are already in Boston, the easiest way to get to
the North End, is to cut through Faneuil Hall, as you
exit out the back you will see the North End across the
wide streets.
If you are taking the T, use either the Orange or the Green Line to get to Haymarket.
As you come out of the station, head towards downtown, towards the clock tower of the Custom House.
If you plan your trip for a Friday or Saturday "The Haymarket" will be open and you can get some great deals on fruit and veggies, fish and cheese!
To your left is the North End.
If you use the Blue Line, you can get off at Government Center head down the Plaza stairs after you exit the station and cut through Faneuil Hall, or cut around the mall by going left at the bottom of the stairs and heading down Union Street, a nice example of Old Boston.
Cross over the streets, Surface Road and Cross Street and dive right in!
The little park you cross through is the North End Park also known as The Rose Kennedy Greenway.
You will find that Hanover Street is the busiest in the area but the other streets are worth exploring also.
The North End is a warm wonderful place with many many many Italian Restaurants!
The locals tell me that Modern Pastry IS the Best in town!
I haven't done any testing yet, so I can't say for sure!
Any pastry I have had in the North End has been top notch!
The North End of Boston is the place to eat when you are in the area.
To follow the trail we took on the Historic North End page Click Here!
Back to the North End
If you are taking the T, use either the Orange or the Green Line to get to Haymarket.
As you come out of the station, head towards downtown, towards the clock tower of the Custom House.
If you plan your trip for a Friday or Saturday "The Haymarket" will be open and you can get some great deals on fruit and veggies, fish and cheese!
To your left is the North End.
If you use the Blue Line, you can get off at Government Center head down the Plaza stairs after you exit the station and cut through Faneuil Hall, or cut around the mall by going left at the bottom of the stairs and heading down Union Street, a nice example of Old Boston.
Cross over the streets, Surface Road and Cross Street and dive right in!
The little park you cross through is the North End Park also known as The Rose Kennedy Greenway.
You will find that Hanover Street is the busiest in the area but the other streets are worth exploring also.
The North End is a warm wonderful place with many many many Italian Restaurants!
The locals tell me that Modern Pastry IS the Best in town!
I haven't done any testing yet, so I can't say for sure!
Any pastry I have had in the North End has been top notch!
The North End of Boston is the place to eat when you are in the area.
To follow the trail we took on the Historic North End page Click Here!
Back to the North End
Touring With The Dead
King's Chapel and The Granary are two of the oldest
burial grounds in Boston dating back to the 1600's.
The Granary is behind the Park Street church and got it's name from the Gain building that used to be on that spot.
You will find many famous folk in these two graveyards.
To get there take the T to Park Street Station, either Red or Green Line.
When you exit the Station you will see the big brick and wood church that is Park Street Church, cross Park Street and just after the church on your left will be the Granary.
When you leave the Granary go left and keep walking down Tremont to the next set of lights, that is Beacon Street.
Cross Beacon and then cross over Tremont and King's Chapel is right there!
You can also get there via the Blue Line by exiting at the Government Center stop.
As you leave the subway, circle around the underground entrance and head left following Center Plaza, which is that big curved building across the street.
Follow Tremont and before you get to the Beacon Street Traffic lights, King's Chapel will be on your left.
If you look out the back of the burial grounds, you will see the Old City Hall and a statue of Ben Franklin.
When you leave King's Chapel, head left, cross at the lights and up ahead on your left is the Granary, right behind Park Street Church.
Back to Graveyards
The Granary is behind the Park Street church and got it's name from the Gain building that used to be on that spot.
You will find many famous folk in these two graveyards.
To get there take the T to Park Street Station, either Red or Green Line.
When you exit the Station you will see the big brick and wood church that is Park Street Church, cross Park Street and just after the church on your left will be the Granary.
When you leave the Granary go left and keep walking down Tremont to the next set of lights, that is Beacon Street.
Cross Beacon and then cross over Tremont and King's Chapel is right there!
You can also get there via the Blue Line by exiting at the Government Center stop.
As you leave the subway, circle around the underground entrance and head left following Center Plaza, which is that big curved building across the street.
Follow Tremont and before you get to the Beacon Street Traffic lights, King's Chapel will be on your left.
If you look out the back of the burial grounds, you will see the Old City Hall and a statue of Ben Franklin.
When you leave King's Chapel, head left, cross at the lights and up ahead on your left is the Granary, right behind Park Street Church.
Back to Graveyards
Directions To Public Garden
I find that the most enjoyable way to get to the Garden
is as follows:
Take the Red Line to Park Street Station.
It will drop you off at the Boston Common.
Walk up the slope until you get to the stairs that lead you to Beacon Street and The State House and take a left.
You will now be on a wide pedestrian walkway, follow that downhill until you get to the end.
As you are walking, Beacon Street will be on your right.
Once you get to the gates you will be at the corner of Beacon and Charles
If you look over to the right, there will be a Starbucks in case you need a coffee drink, and in case you need a snack De Luca's market is just around the corner on Charles and has everything you need for a picnic in Boston's Public Garden.
After you grab your snack, head back across the street and enter the Public Garden.
With lots of places to sit, on the ground or on one of many park benches, it is a great place to bring a picnic, to feed the ducks, to see some of Boston's landmarks or to cruise the lagoon on the famous Swan Boats.
Oh, did I mention that there are many flower beds?
There is no cost to tour the Public Garden and there is a water fountain located near the Brass Ducks.
Back to Public Garden Page
Take the Red Line to Park Street Station.
It will drop you off at the Boston Common.
Walk up the slope until you get to the stairs that lead you to Beacon Street and The State House and take a left.
You will now be on a wide pedestrian walkway, follow that downhill until you get to the end.
As you are walking, Beacon Street will be on your right.
Once you get to the gates you will be at the corner of Beacon and Charles
If you look over to the right, there will be a Starbucks in case you need a coffee drink, and in case you need a snack De Luca's market is just around the corner on Charles and has everything you need for a picnic in Boston's Public Garden.
After you grab your snack, head back across the street and enter the Public Garden.
With lots of places to sit, on the ground or on one of many park benches, it is a great place to bring a picnic, to feed the ducks, to see some of Boston's landmarks or to cruise the lagoon on the famous Swan Boats.
Oh, did I mention that there are many flower beds?
There is no cost to tour the Public Garden and there is a water fountain located near the Brass Ducks.
Back to Public Garden Page
