Explore Boston
Neighborhoods

23 official neighborhoods. 23 different ways to experience Boston.

Pick a neighborhood, open its guide, and start planning your perfect Boston day.

NEW ENGLAND
New England Map
Boston aerial view

Welcome to Boston's
Interactive Map

To start your exploration, select a Boston neighborhood/region from the map or use the arrow icons below.

Showing 23 Neighborhoods

Allston

Foodie

Student-heavy, music venues, cheap eats, and late-night energy.

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Back Bay

Historic

Upscale brownstones, boutique shopping, and riverside walks.

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Bay Village

Historic

Tiny, tucked-away rowhouse district between downtown and Back Bay.

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Beacon Hill

Historic

Gas lamps, cobblestones, and classic Boston postcard views.

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Brighton

Local feel

Residential, student-friendly, and more low-key than neighboring Allston.

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Charlestown

Historic

Waterfront views, the Bunker Hill Monument, and village-like charm.

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Boston's City of Neighborhoods

Boston is famously a "city of neighborhoods," but that phrase only hints at how different each corner of the city really feels. Within a short subway ride, or even a half hour on foot, you can move from cobblestone alleys and gas lamps to harborfront parks, from student-packed music blocks to quiet, leafy streets that feel like a small New England town. The official map lists twenty-three neighborhoods. On the ground, they read as twenty-three distinct ways to experience the same city.

How to Choose Your Boston Home Base

Not sure where to book your hotel or short-term rental? Think about the kind of trip you want first, then pick a neighborhood that matches your style.

Allston

Student-heavy, music venues, cheap eats, and late-night energy.

Back Bay

Upscale brownstones, boutique shopping, and riverside walks.

Bay Village

Tiny, tucked-away rowhouse district between downtown and Back Bay.

Beacon Hill

Gas lamps, cobblestones, and classic Boston postcard views.

Brighton

Residential, student-friendly, and more low-key than neighboring Allston.

Charlestown

Waterfront views, the Bunker Hill Monument, and village-like charm.

Chinatown – Leather District

Dense, lively streets with dim sum, noodles, and late-night dining.

Dorchester

Boston’s largest neighborhood, diverse, and full of local restaurants.

Downtown

Skyscrapers, history, and major sights all packed together.

East Boston

Logan Airport views, waterfront parks, and a growing restaurant scene.

Fenway – Kenmore

Fenway Park, museums, and student-heavy streets near the colleges.

Hyde Park

Leafy, suburban-feeling streets at the southern edge of the city.

Jamaica Plain

Green space, ponds, and an artsy, community-focused vibe.

Mattapan

Residential, diverse, and community-focused with strong local roots.

Mission Hill

Hilly streets, student and hospital workers, and city views.

North End

Boston’s “Little Italy” with narrow streets, bakeries, and waterfront access.

Roslindale

Village square, local shops, and quiet, leafy residential streets.

Roxbury

Historic heart of Black Boston with cultural institutions and rowhouses.

South Boston

Beaches, bars, and a mix of longtime residents and young professionals.

South End

Brownstones, art galleries, and some of the city’s best dining.

West End

High-rises by TD Garden with quick access to downtown and the river.

West Roxbury

Suburban-feeling streets, single-family homes, and local squares.

Wharf District

Waterfront promenade between downtown and the harbor islands ferries.