About Boston

One of the most historic cities in America, Boston is full of cultural attractions, featuring world class museums, beautiful public parks, historic landmarks and more than 100 colleges and universities. The city's location allows for easy access to a huge range of activities; you can easily find yourself hiking, skiing or snowboarding on nearby mountains, kayaking down the Charles River, relaxing on the beaches of Cape Cod or enjoying the shopping and nightlife of the downtown area. There are always plenty of events at the city’s many museums and campuses and there is an extensive vibrant local music scene. In the summer, Boston explodes with outdoor festivals, movies and music.

Boston skyline(1)

Boston's Neighborhoods

Public Garden

"The strength of Boston lies in the diverse and vibrant neighborhoods of our city."
-Mayor Thomas M. Menino

When you choose to join City Year Boston, you not only begin a year of service but also a year of living in a dynamic city full of character. Learn more about the 21 distinct neighborhoods of Boston:

Allston/Brighton, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown/Leather District, Dorchester, Financial District, East Boston, Fenway/Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, and West Roxbury.

Life in Boston

Boston is home to the Boston Museum of Fine Art, Institute of Contemporary Art, Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Boston Children’s Museum and the Harvard Art Museums and Museum of Natural History among many more. Of course Boston provides entertainment to sports fans year round with the NBA Champion Celtics and the world famous Boston Marathon, as well as the Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins.
Dining options in Boston are endless! Head to Chinatown for for Asian fare or the North End for authentic Italian. Check out the countless new eateries in the South End and Downtown or enjoy the ethnic cuisines of Cambridge and the South End, including Ethiopian, Mediterranean, Senegalese, Thai, Spanish and Indian. In Brookline, it’s easy to find kosher dining, as well as Japanese, Russian and Middle Eastern.
Boston is known for its varied and plentiful shopping; favorite shopping areas are Downtown Crossing, Newbury and Boylston Street in the Back Bay, Faneuil Hall and Cambridgeside Galleria.
Nighttime hotspots include Downtown, Faneuil Hall, the South End, Fenway and the Waterfront. “Going out” in Boston can range from an upscale bar or a dance club to a sports bar or pub.