A Breakdown of Beantown

Getting to know the unique areas that make up the city of Boston

To any outsider, Boston is Boston. But it takes only a day or two to discover that Boston, like any big city, is made up of several neighborhoods, each with its own flavor, and though the borders blend, the distinction is plain.
Downtown Boston is home to the Massachusetts State House, facing Boston Common park. It’s the financial district, where high-rise office buildings boast numerous choices for shopping and eating, including, but not limited to, the ubiquitous Dunkin Donuts. It’s one of the “citiest” areas in Boston, home to office workers wearing ties and schedules, harried lunch breaks, and the comforting sound of construction.

Butting up to Downtown is Southie, home of what you know of as the Boston Accent. It’s a working-man’s area and a great place to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Think Good Will Hunting, a multi-generation neighborhood where Irish grandfathers settled to work their asses off with grit and a rough brand of humor. Fitting that on a map, Downtown rests upon the sturdy shoulders of Southie.
West of Boston Common is the Theater District, where the classy go to see ballets, plays, and symphonies. Fewer restaurants than in other areas, to leave room for the Opera House or Orpheum Theater.
Before seeing the play, many Theater District denizens dine in the North End, where dozens of Italian restaurants crouch between cobblestone streets laid out like sprawled fingers. The North End certainly has character, and apartments go for surprisingly high prices.
Around the corner is Faneuil Hall, where the tourists go, particularly Quincy Market. It’s filled with young professionals done working Downtown. The layout is comfortable, with rows of long buildings and cobblestone sidewalks in between, an escape from sirens and horns and coughing traffic noise. Great place to hang in the day, and it turns into a fairly raucous party scene at night.
Across the river is Cambridge, quietly studying during the day, happily celebrating at night. Home to Harvard and MIT, Cambridge is set up as a series of squares, leaving room for open academic minds seeking a breath of fresh air--check out Harvard Square, likely the place with the highest number of backpacks anywhere in New England. Though not much for college sports, Boston is one of the sportiest cities in the country. The people here are rabid fans, and on any game night, traffic to and from Kenmore Square becomes treacherous for anyone with a deadline. It’s where Fenway Park hulks, surrounded by packed sports bars during away games—and home games too, handling the massive overflow of jersey-wearing Bostonians. You can always tell the result of the game—even the T trains look dejected when we lose. There’s also a great music venue, the House of Blues, whose fans can be just as rowdy.
Sports rule even in Back Bay, where the real money dwells, in luxury condos and outrageous parking prices. The high-fashion stores and elegant restaurants along Newbury street attract celebrities and sports heroes, so keep your eyes peeled.
Whatever you want to do, you can find it in Boston. So spin the wheel and choose your own adventure.