North End aka Little Italy is my favorite Boston neighborhood…read more It's lively and welcoming with bakeries, pizza shops, and Italian restaurants lining the cobblestone streets Paul Revere's house is in North End as are several other historical landmarks. You can't help but feel like you're in a small village in Italy when in the North End.

After spending a year nearby a few years ago, I feel like I've explored and experienced the North…read moreEnd pretty well. I've dined at a few dozen Italian restaurants, wandered through historic landmarks, and even spent quiet moments in the old cemeteries tucked between brick facades and wrought iron. Returning recently for a day of exploring with Mrs. K., I was eager to share some of that charm -- those narrow streets that smell like espresso and marinara, the echo of Paul Revere's midnight ride, and the layered stories etched into every corner. But what stood out this time, more than the cannoli or the cobblestones, was how difficult the neighborhood can be for folks with mobility challenges. The North End is a feast for the senses, but not always a friend to the feet. Sidewalks are uneven, often narrow, and sometimes disappear altogether. Curb cuts are inconsistent, and many storefronts (especially the older, family-run trattorias) have steps without railings or ramps. We found ourselves rerouting a few times, dodging delivery trucks and squeezing past sidewalk café setups that left little room for a walker or wheelchair. Even the Freedom Trail, which winds through the area, occasionally dips into terrain that feels more 18th-century than 21st-century accessible. That said, the spirit of the place remains magnetic. We managed fabulous espressos at a quiet spot on Salem Street. A few blocks away, we paused at Copp's Hill Burying Ground, where the view over the harbor still stirs something deep and reflective. But I couldn't help noticing how much of the North End's magic is locked behind physical barriers. How many stories, meals, and moments are harder to reach if you're not nimble on your feet. It's a neighborhood that deserves to be experienced by everyone, and I hope the city continues to find ways to make that possible. Because the North End isn't just Boston's Little Italy. It is a living museum, a community, and a reminder that history should be accessible, not just preserved. [Review 1117 of 2025 - 1262 in Massachusetts - 24670 overall]

Love this historic neighborhood. I could have walked here way longer and I would return to explore…read moreit even more. It is majestic, one of the oldest in the city, dated around 1795. Great restored historic house, nice cobblestone streets, everything is well maintained and elegant. Isabella Stewart Gardner used to live here, you can see her older house, it has a plaque on it. It borders Boston Common and the beautiful Esplanade! If you have time while visiting Boston, definitely stroll on the streets of Beacon Hill. You'll get a better sense of the city. There are museums around, you can take a tour or created yours like I did!

An iconic Boston neighborhood, everyone needs to visit. The homes are absolutely beautiful to look…read moreat and the homeowners are actually really sweet and know they have a gem and want to share it with others (think decorating for the holidays and allowing photos on their stoop). Adding it to my vision board to own one of these homes one day (or maybe just get a tour of the inside lol).

Not sure what you're in the mood for? This place will definitely make you decide! A small but…read morequaint food hall. They have numerous options from coffee, beer, bagels, donuts, etc. I can see it being super busy during prime time but definitely a experience. I am visiting from NC so prices were a bit high but nothing too bad. Their bagels were delicious and so was their coffee. Definitely a place to visit if you are in the area.

Smaller and sleepier than anticipated, with dim lighting by the bathrooms…read more Vendors were friendly, and the space was relatively clean (but could use better signage about bathrooms/exits/etc.) Worth a visit if you're in the area, but I wouldn't make a stop for it

On Boylston st. Just south where the Boston Public garden & Boston Common meet you can find the…read moreEdgar Allan Poe statue. Another cool statue that you can stumble upon just walking through Boston. During the Boston marathon weekend this one of the statues the city put a participant bib on. The only one statue I saw with a bib was the Democratic Donkey by old city hall. Makes me wonder how many statues in the city does Boston put bibs on during marathon weekend.

I've been a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe's writings since middle school. Re-reading his stories is…read moresomething I never get bored doing. For that reason, this statue holds a special place in my heart (as I'm sure it is for thousands more like me who love his literature). It's a beautifully designed bronze sculpture created by Stefanie Rocknak in 2014. It is located at the Edgar Allan Poe Square. As he was originally from Boston, it seems a fitting tribute to his memory.

I love me a good walk when visiting a new city! Newbury Street is such a great place to walk around…read moreand soak in the atmosphere. There are tons of shops, restaurants, and dessert places here!

I loved strolling Newbury street for its atmosphere, historic brownstones, elegance, old charm. I…read moreliked it so much, I went to check it out twice during my visit. We walked here easily from Kenmore Sq. but there's Hynes Convention Center T-stop at the beginning of the famous street. Cute buildings and shops, lots to explore, cafe-s, restaurants. Unfortunately more chains took over from the time my husband lived near by. I wasn't impressed with the selection of restaurants either, couldn't find a place to dine here at. Lots of boba drinks shops. Very pleasant to stroll, you can walk as much as you like. The shopping area goes for about 8 blocks. A must see area in the Back Bay of Boston! Their main outdoor, historic, shopping area!

The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is home to Quincy Market, the largest and oldest food hall in the…read morecountry! This historic 19th-century, Greek Revival-style marketplace, renowned for its massive food hall (the Colonnade) with over 25+ local vendors, central location on the Freedom Trail, and lively street performances. As we walked along the central aisle, we could see great food choices on either side. Asian, Mexican, Seafood, desserts, Greek, Italian, etc... Next time you are in the area, stop by and enjoy some really good food at reasonable prices.

Quincy Market is always a must when visiting Boston. This time around was no different. While we…read moreabsolutely love coming here and testing the food and perusing the vendors, it is always so crowded. I think that's the biggest negative. This place is a foodie's heaven though and somewhere to check out if you want a true Boston feel.

This is a pretty good bridge for a walk being that it is well over two thousand feet long…read more It's also good for a run and if you are into bicycling there is a bicycle lane on the bridge so you can ride safely over it. If you're driving over the bridge during rush hour traffic it can get a little backed up but for the most part traffic moves pretty smoothly going from one end to the other. This is the bridge that connects Boston to Cambridge so if you are doing a walk along the bridge you can get some gorgeous views of the Boston skyline and MIT. I have walked over this bridge many times and I always make it a point to stop for a break every now and then during the walk so I can take in the views. Anytime you can walk over this bridge during a sunset is definitely a bonus!

While the Harvard Bridge offers a nice leisurely stroll, the real beauty comes from the views that…read moreit provides. From the beautiful sunrises and sunsets to the spectacular views of the Boston skyline; you'll be sure to witness some magical sights while on this bridge. As I was riding the bus from Boston to Cambridge, I couldn't help but notice how stunning the views of the city were while it crossed over this bridge. I noticed several pedestrians walking and running across, so I immediately stopped at the next bus stop and headed there to get a closer view. It was the perfect time too because the sun was starting to set. Walked across the bridge and then stopped to admire the colors in the sky. Stunningly beautiful views! Not only did I have the perfect sunset, but the city views were amazing too. The skyline glows at night! If you're someone who enjoys scenic vistas, then you will definitely appreciate what the Harvard Bridge has to offer. The walk across the bridge is pretty delightful as well. There will be other people and of course cars crossing, but it still has this element of peace to it. Maybe I was just too entranced by the sunset to pay attention to anything or anyone else. I did notice that other people stopped and watched the sunset too and took several pictures. I'm guessing that this is a popular spot for it. It felt extremely safe to maneuver even during the night. When in Boston, you're probably gonna have to cross this bridge at some point to reach Cambridge. You might as well make it a point to take a nice little stroll over the Harvard Bridge while you're here. I'd say that it's worth it and so would my pictures too.

This used to be bigger but since there is construction going on at the old Filene's space, you only…read moreget one row instead of two. I like being able to shop from local folks who make handmade things whether jewelry or other crafts. I love the variety of things that you may not even think of getting someone until you see it. They need to expand this since i hear they will have different vendors rotating because of the high demand of selling here. Just go experience it.

One of many sculptures/statues in Boston, this one was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King and his…read morewife is located in Boston Commons. I had this on my sightseeing list for my visit to Boston, it was nice getting to check off two spots at once since I was coming to Boston Commons to start my self guided tour of the freedom trail. Embrace is the first of many sculptures you'll ended up coming across while you're on the path of the freedom trail.

"Embrace me My sweet embraceable you…read moreEmbrace me You irreplaceable you" (Ella Fitzgerald) While walking around Boston Common, we saw a large and very odd-looking rounded structure so of course we had to check it out. That's how we discovered the statue known as "The Embrace" and learned that it was a monument reflecting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King's love and time together in the city where they met. The statue is very creative, I mean how unusual is it to see a memorial dedicated to two very famous people that doesn't include their faces? Instead, the Embrace represents a hug and the greater meaning of love. The bronze monument is 20-feet tall and 25-feet wide. There are walls near the monument inscribed with quotes from the Kings, including this from Coretta Scott King: "Love is such a powerful force. It's there for everyone to embrace--that kind of unconditional love for all humankind. That is the kind of love that impels people to go into the community and try to change conditions for others, to take risks for what they believe in".