With its historic architecture, water views, and plentiful parks, Boston is a gorgeous city. But it’s easy to become blasé to sights we see on a regular basis. If you slow down a little and really absorb your surroundings, you might be surprised by all the natural and manmade beauty you pass each day. Next time you want to reignite your love for Boston, head to these 18 stunning spots throughout the city:
- Acorn Street
Flickr/hannah_garcia Despite being only a block long, Acorn Street oozes charm. Cobblestones, windows framed with shutters, and greenery tumbling out of window boxes - this is what people expect from Beacon Hill.
- Arnold Arboretum
Yelp/Dan Te M. Just like everything designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Arnold Arboretum is breathtaking. This green space is part of the Emerald Necklace and contains 15,000 plants!
- Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
Flickr/Eric Kilby The water views along with the lovely trellis make this little park one that everyone should visit. During the holidays, the trellis is wrapped in lights, adding another dimension to its beauty.
- Boston Opera House
Flickr/Bill Damon In 1928, The Boston Globe stated that this opera house was “so magnificent that it kind of takes your breath away for awhile.” That assessment is still true today. Inspired by French and Italian architecture, the theatre’s ornate interior makes just as strong an impression as any performance viewed here.
- Belle Isle Marsh Reservation
Flickr/Bill Ilott Belle Isle is the last salt marsh remaining in Boston. Enjoy the natural beauty of wildflowers, birds, and butterflies at this hidden gem.
- Boston Public Library
Flickr/Maciek Lulko The world’s first free municipal library is visually astounding. It contains an Italian-style courtyard, a marble vestibule, murals, and the photogenic Bates Hall.
- The Public Garden
Yelp/Tuff G. The sight of weeping willow fronds dipping into the waters of the lagoon make you feel like you’ve stepped inside the illustrations of your favorite children’s book.
- Copley Square…
Flickr/Carlos Rubalcava This one square is lined with so many architectural wonders that you can spend hours admiring the buildings.
The Trinity Church, built in 1877, is even more impressive inside than it is outside, which is saying something. Its reflection in the soaring John Hancock Tower adds to the beauty of both buildings.
…in every direction.
Flickr/hewy Turn in a slow circle to view BPL’s façade and the intricately designed Old South Church.
- Boston Harbor
Flickr/Trenten Kelley Boston’s skyline is unparalleled. Take a ferry out into the harbor for a panoramic view you’ll never forget.
- The Harvard campus
Flickr/garden beth Boston is home to many colleges with grand buildings, but the contrast of green trees against the red brick splendor of Harvard always makes an impact. In winter, when snow dusts the grounds, the university is enchanting.
- Zakim Bridge
Flickr/John Hoey The Zakim Bridge proves that functional structures can also be magnificent. The harp-style support system makes this Boston icon appear most dramatic at night.
- Newbury Street
Flickr/Jeffrey Zeldman The Back Bay at its best, Newbury Street’s brownstones provide a picturesque venue to shop or take a stroll.
- The Charles River
Flickr/Leslee_atFlickr Between Boston’s oceans and rivers, we’re spoiled with water views. However, the 80-mile long Charles River is perennially pretty.
- Christian Science Plaza
Flickr/Sarah Nichols Between the reflecting pool and the Mapparium, the First Church of Christian Science is a stunning complex of buildings.
- Commonwealth Avenue Mall
Flickr/Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau You don’t expect to find a French-inspired boulevard in Boston, but this mall is a delightful part of Back Bay. The 32-acre area is a popular outdoor space regardless of the season.
- Church of the Covenant
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin This Gothic Revival church features stained glass and a 14-foot high lantern, all crafted by Tiffany.
- Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
Flickr/Bill Ilott Even when we’re stuck in traffic, glimpses of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway remind us of the pockets of natural beauty tucked away throughout Boston.
- The top of the Prudential Center Tower
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Flickr/wherewerewe91 Whether seen from the Skywalk Observatory or Top of the Hub, this aerial perspective of Boston is mesmerizing.
What places in Boston do you find the most beautiful? Let us know in the comments or on the Only In Boston Facebook page.
Flickr/hannah_garcia
Despite being only a block long, Acorn Street oozes charm. Cobblestones, windows framed with shutters, and greenery tumbling out of window boxes - this is what people expect from Beacon Hill.
Yelp/Dan Te M.
Just like everything designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Arnold Arboretum is breathtaking. This green space is part of the Emerald Necklace and contains 15,000 plants!
Flickr/Eric Kilby
The water views along with the lovely trellis make this little park one that everyone should visit. During the holidays, the trellis is wrapped in lights, adding another dimension to its beauty.
Flickr/Bill Damon
In 1928, The Boston Globe stated that this opera house was “so magnificent that it kind of takes your breath away for awhile.” That assessment is still true today. Inspired by French and Italian architecture, the theatre’s ornate interior makes just as strong an impression as any performance viewed here.
Flickr/Bill Ilott
Belle Isle is the last salt marsh remaining in Boston. Enjoy the natural beauty of wildflowers, birds, and butterflies at this hidden gem.
Flickr/Maciek Lulko
The world’s first free municipal library is visually astounding. It contains an Italian-style courtyard, a marble vestibule, murals, and the photogenic Bates Hall.
Yelp/Tuff G.
The sight of weeping willow fronds dipping into the waters of the lagoon make you feel like you’ve stepped inside the illustrations of your favorite children’s book.
Flickr/Carlos Rubalcava
This one square is lined with so many architectural wonders that you can spend hours admiring the buildings.
The Trinity Church, built in 1877, is even more impressive inside than it is outside, which is saying something. Its reflection in the soaring John Hancock Tower adds to the beauty of both buildings.
Flickr/hewy
Turn in a slow circle to view BPL’s façade and the intricately designed Old South Church.
Flickr/Trenten Kelley
Boston’s skyline is unparalleled. Take a ferry out into the harbor for a panoramic view you’ll never forget.
Flickr/garden beth
Boston is home to many colleges with grand buildings, but the contrast of green trees against the red brick splendor of Harvard always makes an impact. In winter, when snow dusts the grounds, the university is enchanting.
Flickr/John Hoey
The Zakim Bridge proves that functional structures can also be magnificent. The harp-style support system makes this Boston icon appear most dramatic at night.
Flickr/Jeffrey Zeldman
The Back Bay at its best, Newbury Street’s brownstones provide a picturesque venue to shop or take a stroll.
Flickr/Leslee_atFlickr
Between Boston’s oceans and rivers, we’re spoiled with water views. However, the 80-mile long Charles River is perennially pretty.
Flickr/Sarah Nichols
Between the reflecting pool and the Mapparium, the First Church of Christian Science is a stunning complex of buildings.
Flickr/Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau
You don’t expect to find a French-inspired boulevard in Boston, but this mall is a delightful part of Back Bay. The 32-acre area is a popular outdoor space regardless of the season.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin
This Gothic Revival church features stained glass and a 14-foot high lantern, all crafted by Tiffany.
Even when we’re stuck in traffic, glimpses of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway remind us of the pockets of natural beauty tucked away throughout Boston.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Flickr/wherewerewe91
Whether seen from the Skywalk Observatory or Top of the Hub, this aerial perspective of Boston is mesmerizing.
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