Beacon Hill

Prestigious historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets

Welcome to Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most prestigious and historic neighborhoods. The neighborhood is named for Boston’s version of D.C.’s Capitol Hill, with the gold-domed 18th-century Massachusetts State House sitting atop the highest natural point in central Boston. Beacon Hill is characterized by quaint cobblestone streets illuminated by gaslit streetlamps and lined with elegant Federal rowhouses. Louisburg Square is one of Boston’s most desirable addresses, with beautiful 1840s Greek Revival townhouses surrounding a public square with statues of Aristides and Columbus. Acorn Street’s attractive brownstones have made it one of the most photographed streets in the United States. Beacon Hill offers boutique and antique shopping along Charles Street, a winter ice skating pond at Boston Common, and summer concerts at the Charles River Esplanade’s Hatch Shell. Discover Beacon Hill real estate with Beth Dickerson!

What to Love About Beacon Hill Real Estate 

  • Prestigious historic neighborhood

  • Quaint cobblestone streets

  • Elegant architecture

  • Boutique shopping

  • A variety of stunning Beacon Hill houses for sale to choose from

People & Lifestyle - Living in Beacon Hill, MA

Beacon Hill has been home to many of Boston’s most elite residents from the 18th century onward. Little Women novelist Louis May Alcott lived on Louisburg Square in the 19th century, and today its residents include former Secretary of State John Kerry. Beacon Hills is one of Boston’s most attractive neighborhoods and is also within walking distance of important areas such as the Financial District.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Charles Street is one of the best areas in Boston for boutique shopping. Fashion boutiques such as December Thieves, Holiday, and Ouimillie offer curated collections of stylish apparel. Dress Boston is one of the best places to pick up womenswear at the forefront of contemporary style. Charles Street’s specialty stores include unique gift emporium Black Ink and skincare specialists Follain. The Red Wagon is stocked with cute children’s clothing, books, and toys. 

Beacon Hill’s restaurant scene is just as diverse as the shopping. Highlights include sophisticated modern steakhouse Mooo, celebrity chef Todd English’s inventive pizzeria Figs, and traditional Tuscan eatery Toscano. No. 9 Park offers elegant and innovative fine dining with dishes fusing the flavors of Italy and France. 

Beacon Hill is also home to what is arguably the world’s most famous bar: Cheers Beacon Hill. This landmark bar and restaurant served as the main exterior filming location for the television comedy Cheers. 

Beacon Hill is teeming with other fun and trendy nightlife options. Local favorites include bustling pub The Sevens Ale House and 1920s speakeasy-style Carrie Nation Cocktail Club. Just across from the State House, 21st Amendment is a favorite after-work hangout for legislators and journalists. 

Grocery stores include a Whole Foods Market on Cambridge Street plus independent stores DeLuca’s Market, Savenor’s Market, and Top Shelf.

Things to Do in Beacon Hill

The Massachusetts State House was built in 1798, and its distinctive gold dome has been a symbol of Boston ever since. The State House overlooks Boston Common, a sprawling 50-acre public greenspace that opened in 1634 as common grazing ground for Boston’s early Puritan settlers. Boston Common features large open lawns and a frog pond that serves as an ice skating rink in winter. Boston Public Garden on the west side of Boston Common is a gorgeous landscaped area with botanical gardens and statues. The Freedom Trail runs for 2.5 miles, starting at Boston Common and ending in Charlestown. 

Just north of the State House, the Museum of African American History has artifacts and artworks exploring Black history and heritage in the United States. The museum is part of Boston’s Black Heritage Trail, which takes in many significant sites relating to the life of the city’s free African American community before the Civil War. The Nichols House Museum features preserved rooms exhibiting the life of America’s upper classes between the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Also close to the State House, the Boston Athenaeum is one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States. The Athenaeum’s impressive collective includes much of George Washington’s personal library, busts owned by Thomas Jefferson of Washington and Benjamin Franklin, and original portraits for celebrated American artists such as John Singer Sargent.

Schools in Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill belongs to the Boston Public School District. Highlights include:

  • Suffolk University, Private, Higher Education

  • Suffolk University Law School, Private, Law School