Boston Hotels, Hotels in Boston, Accommodations in Boston, Massachusetts Hotels.

Overview
Boston , first incorporated as a town in 1630, and as a city in 1822, is one of America ’s oldest cities with a rich economic and social history. What began as a homesteading community eventually evolved into a center for social and political change. Boston has since become the economic and cultural hub of New England .

As the region’s hub, Boston is home to nearly 590,000 residents, many institutions of higher education, some of the world’s finest inpatient hospitals, and numerous cultural and professional sports organizations. Boston-based jobs, primarily within the finance, health care, educational, and service areas, numbered nearly 660,000 in 2002. Millions of people visit Boston to take in its historic neighborhoods, attend cultural or sporting events, and conduct business.

The city provides a wide range of programs and services to meet the diverse needs of its many residents and visitors. Under the direction of Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the city is also aggressively pursuing new economic opportunities to ensure Boston will emerge as a global leader in the 21st century economy.

Boston 's first resident, Reverend William Blaxton, lived alone on Beacon Hill for 5 years before settlers arrived in 1622. Now this neighborhood is home to over 10,000 people .

Over the last 350 years Boston has been growing - literally! Its central landmass has more than tripled over the course of the centuries, a feat that cannot be attributed solely to the annexation of nearby towns. Boston 's growth was the result of an ingenious landfill project that created Back Bay , a portion of the Financial District and the new face of Boston 's waterfront.

Getting to Boston
Boston is a great place to visit. Getting here is quite simple and convenient with numerous airlines, bus companies, trains, and interstate highways, which connect it to the rest of the world.

By Car
There are 3 main routes into Boston:

• I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) from the west
• I-95 from the north and south
• I-93 from the north and south

• Route 128 is about 12 miles from downtown and is a good place to get off if you are visiting the western or southern suburbs.
• Back Bay Station is in the Back Bay , convenient to the hotels in the Back Bay and the South End and the Orange Line subway.
• The final stop is South Station, near the financial district and the Red Line subway. It is convenient for the hotels along the waterfront and the theater district.

By Airplane
Numerous airlines fly into and out of Logan International Airport. Once you land you can pick up a rental car or take a cab to your hotel. You even have the option of taking a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, or MBTA, train into downtown and the neighboring areas. Just catch a ride on the free Massport shuttle bus to the Blue Line's Airport subway stop.

Things To Do In Boston

Here are just a few suggestions of things to do while you're in Boston:

• Walk the Freedom Trail

Due to its size, Boston is a very accessible city, but it may be that its reputation as a walking city relies on the creation of one of America 's first historic walking tours, The Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail Foundation continues to work to preserve this perfect introduction to Colonial Revolutionary Boston. The Trail takes the visitor to 16 historical sites in the course of 2 or 3 hours and covers 2 and a half centuries of America's most significant past. A red brick or painted line connects the sites on the Trail and serves as a guide. Since the past and the present live alongside it, the Trail’s visitors have the opportunity to see the City as it truly is. Many visitors prefer to linger and study the many exhibits, thus a full day or more can be devoted to browsing along the Trail.

One can take a self-guided tour or one of the many tours available through the National Park Service, which begin every half hour from the park visitor center at 15 State Street opposite the Old State House. Or if you prefer to ride, you can pay for one of the trolley tours, which are unofficial guided tours, but do take the rider to many of the sites along the Trail and allow one to disembark at selected stops.

• Visit Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
• Experience a recreation of the Boston Tea Party
• Visit the Boston Common and the Public Garden

The Boston Common, the starting point of the Freedom Trail, is known to be one of the oldest public parks in the country. Almost 50 acres in size, today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that wind through many of Boston's neighborhoods. The "Common" has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed there and until 1817 public hangings took place there. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April 1775.

Location: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles, and Boylston Streets.
( Content provided by The Freedom Trail Foundation)

• Visit the Boston Harbor Islands

These islands are one of Boston's most hidden treasures and offer not only a picturesque view from afar, but many activities, events, and recreation for all ages. The City of Boston and the Boston Harbor Patrol hope this site will encourage both residents and visitors to discover the uniqueness of Boston, both on and off shore.

The Boston Harbor Patrol, led by Harbor Master Eric Hahn, is responsible for performing a public safety patrol of the waters of Boston Harbor , and enforcing maritime codes and environmental regulations as they apply to these waters. Officers assigned to the Harbor Patrol are responsible for assisting various state and federal law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities in the performance of their duties with the Harbor. They are also relied upon to provide emergency mutual aid to neighboring towns and are responsible for performing maritime search and rescue missions. They are capable of specialized underwater search, rescue, and recovery operations.

The Boston Harbor Islands NRA includes 30 islands, ranging from less than 100 to over 200 acres. There is a frequent ferry and water taxi service to some of the islands. Private boaters can anchor around any of the islands.

• Go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park
  
  For other suggestions, check out the online Calendar of Events

Boston Neighborhoods

Beacon Hill
The beacon on this hill that used to warn settlers about foreign invasions is long gone, and today Beacon Hill is a close-knit community in a downtown location. The neighborhood's cobblestone streets and brick row houses directly border the Boston Common and the Public Garden, American's first botanical garden. The gold leaf of the State House Rotunda adorns the hill and shines across the Common. A great place for families, this historic neighborhood is a blend of classic Boston architecture and expansive green space.

Brighton
Brighton , like neighboring Allston, was home to agricultural plots and stockyards in post-colonial days. The extension of streetcar lines in the 1800’s, however, encouraged residential growth, and soon houses and apartments were built across the neighborhood. Unlike Allston today, Brighton is fairly quiet, especially at night. The neighborhood, which is primarily populated by graduate students, young professionals and families, consists of an intricate network of streets lined with houses and small apartment buildings. Local family businesses mix with national chains of pharmacies and banks along Brighton 's main drag, Washington Street, which runs straight through Brighton Center to Oak Square .

Charlestown
The traditional home of employees at the now-decommissioned Navy Yard, Charlestown has experienced a shift in its population and industry. The Navy Yard, a national historic landmark, has been converted to residential and office space, and an increasing number of young professionals are joining the families who have lived in the area for years. These newcomers are discovering Charlestown 's renovated row houses and its accessibility to downtown Boston and the North End. Many residents walk to work in downtown or simply down to the nearby waterfront, both of which are only 5 minutes away.

Chinatown
Chinatown may have been built on a landfill, but you'd never know it while walking around this neighborhood. What identifies this area of the city is the truly mixed uses of land. Residential properties co-exist with family owned and operated businesses, local institutions and, of course, some of the best Chinese restaurants in the country. With 4 community murals and old ads still adorning the sides of brick buildings, a walk through Chinatown is a cultural and historical journey through the past. Chinatown is also unique in how accessible it is to residents and visitors alike with several nearby MBTA stations and major roadways.

Downtown
Downtown is really the heart of the city. Many companies and agencies have their headquarters in the area, while City Hall and the State House are also located there. The area comes alive each weekday around noon as thousands of corporate business folks and other downtown employees break for lunch and do some quick shopping or run errands.

East Boston
A lot of neighborhoods claim to be diverse, but East Boston is the real deal. East Boston has always been a neighborhood of immigrants and in recent years it has become home to people from all over South and Central America , as well as South East Asia, Haiti and Eastern Europe . Though it is well known as home to the airport, East Boston is full of wonderful stores and restaurants representing its different ethnic groups. Long-time Italian restaurants stand next to Brazilian cafes. Its housing is a mix of historic and new, with many 3-deckers lining the streets. In recent years, homeowners have been restoring the historic homes of the area to their former glory.

Fenway Kenmore
The Fenway, perhaps best known as the home for the “boys of summer”, is more than just a ballpark. It is actually a dense urban neighborhood with a considerable amount of green space (the “ Fens ”). Although the Fenway consists of a large number of college students, it also contains a significant population of professionals, both young and old. The famous (or infamous) Lansdowne Street, bordering the Mass Pike on the North and Fenway Park on the South, is where you’ll find many of Boston’s most popular clubs and watering holes. If you travel the street, however, keep your eyes open for the occasional home run ball that clears the green monster.

Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a true merger of city life and suburban life. Hyde Park prides itself on its tremendous amount of useful, open space, including the George Wright Golf Course. But it also retains the city’s character in its people and community institutions. Hyde Park is also the place Boston Mayor Thomas Menino calls home.

Jamaica Plain
Yes, Jamaica Plain is a part of the City of Boston . No, it is not its own town. Diversity is the strength of “JP,” to which it is lovingly referred by residents. Every ethnicity, socioeconomic stratum, and sexual orientation is well represented in this neighborhood, sandwiched primarily between Roxbury and Brookline . ( Brookline is its own town.) The rich diversity in JP has created a strong character of social awareness and tolerance among neighbors and residents.

Mid Dorchester
Dorchester is Boston’s largest neighborhood and also its oldest, founded a few months before the city itself. The neighborhood’s historical diversity is exhibited in its architecture, from the old Victorian homes of wealthy Bostonians to the multi-family dwellings of later groups of immigrants. Today, Dorchester retains its diversity. Its main thoroughfare, Dorchester Avenue, connects many close-knit neighborhoods and thriving commercial districts of all kinds. Dorchester is also home to the University of Massachusetts at Boston and the John F. Kennedy Library.

Mission Hill
Once filled with farms and most of the breweries in Boston , Mission Hill today is an architectural landmark district with a combination of freestanding homes built by wealthy, early landowners, blocks of traditional brick row houses, and 3-deckers. Many families and some students and staff from the nearby Longwood Medical Area come to Mission Hill for the affordable rents. A diverse community in proximity to downtown, Mission Hill offers its residents an excellent view of the city from an historic neighborhood.

North End
How many other big cities can boast having a neighborhood where residents walk the streets, visiting local fruit stores, butcher shops and corner markets for their groceries? The North End is most famous for its plethora of Italian restaurants and strong ties to its Italian roots. With a different Italian Festival every weekend throughout the summer, there rarely is a dull moment in the North End. Need another selling point? The North End is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston .

Roslindale
Roslindale, sometimes referred to as "Rosinopoulos" by residents for its large Greek population, began as a classic streetcar suburb. Today, one of the most unique characteristics of the area is the sheer number of people from all races, backgrounds and countries who call it home. Roslindale Square , the heart of the neighborhood, is the subject of a National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street award. It is considered an example of the value of historic and aesthetic preservation in economic revitalization.

Roxbury
A drive through Roxbury is both a history lesson and a tour of a modern urban neighborhood. One of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston , Roxbury has long thrived on its proximity to downtown while retaining its neighborhood qualities. Home to a great number of parks, schools and churches, a visitor can see Boston ’s history in the architecture and landmarks of the neighborhood. At the same time, Roxbury is a thriving community with a multitude of housing options and a variety of ethnic shops.

South Boston
If the dictionary had a listing for neighborhood pride, there would be a picture of South Boston next to it. Its residents are famous in town for their love of and loyalty to their neighborhood. And it’s no wonder. Southie boasts miles of beaches and waterfront parks that culminate in Castle Island . There, visitors can enjoy the Revolutionary War era fort, get a bite to eat at Sullivan’s, enjoy the playground, fish off the pier, or simply take a stroll. South Boston is densely populated – known for 3-deckers and row houses, but there are single-family homes in the neighborhood too. It is also home to a great variety of bars and pubs and, more recently, has been the location for some new restaurants. Year round a visitor can find residents strolling up and down Broadway doing their shopping and greeting their neighbors.

South End
The South End, with its blocks of Victorian brick row houses, upscale restaurants, and art galleries, is swiftly becoming one of the most popular places to live in Boston . Many of the row houses underwent renovations, which began in the 1960’s. Today the neighborhood is filled with a diverse mix of families, young professionals, a gay and lesbian community, and a thriving artistic center. Trendy restaurants rub shoulders with coffee shops and mom and pop grocery stores along Tremont Street and its side streets all the way down to Washington Street , which is experiencing an artistic revival. A significant number of artists are moving in, while galleries are popping up to show off their work.

West End
The West End, considerably impacted by the Urban Renewal of the 1970’s, is a small but significant community tucked behind Beacon Hill . Historically, an ethnically diverse and vibrant neighborhood, the West End today is economically anchored by Massachusetts General Hospital .

West Roxbury
Originally part of the town of Roxbury , West Roxbury formed its own government in 1851 and was annexed by Boston in 1874. Bordered by Roslindale and Hyde Park , West Roxbury ’s main thoroughfare is Centre Street , lined with local restaurants and commercial establishments. Today, the neighborhood’s tree-lined streets and mostly single-family homes give it a suburban feel in an urban setting. Life in the neighborhood centers around political and civic activism, as well as local churches and youth athletic leagues.

Boston Hotels, Hotels in Boston, Accommodations in Boston, Massachusetts Hotels.