Charles Street
Charles Street
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Beacon Hill
Visit this historic and ritzy Boston neighborhood to soak up its classic New England charm as you stroll down cobblestoned, gas-lamp lined streets. Bring your walking shoes, camera, and select a nice day to wander through the hilly neighborhood and check out its exclusive addresses. Louisburg Square, Mt. Vernon street, Chestnut street and the extremely narrow and widely photographed Acorn street make a nice walking path. Make sure to meander down Charles street to poke into boutiques and antique shops, cafes, and restaurants on this quaint shopping street. Don’t forget to catch a glimpse up close of the State House with its beautiful and iconic dome.
How to get there
- Charles/MGH • 3 min walk
- Park St • 10 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,828 within 5 kms
Attractions
983 within 10 kms
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4.5
123 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
63
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
0
EcoBean
Kennington, UK259 contributions
Apr 2022
I walked through Charles street over a couple of different days. It's self contained mix of designer boutiques, delicatessens, eateries, bars and restaurants. Very historically preserved, and very little traffic. I particularly enjoyed Cobblestones cafe - great salads freshly mixed. Definitely visit, and take some of the side streets to the west where there are more hidden gems of boutiques.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TouristTrap9597
New Castle, PA291 contributions
June 2015
We took Uber from our bed and breakfast to Charles Street after reading the reviews. After going there, we wished we had just gone back to Newbury Street. Not much here, folks!!! Truly, not much.
Written 22 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Concordia98
Boston, MA66 contributions
July 2012
Any time, any season--I love to walk up and down Charles Street. It's an absolutely beautiful neighborhood (Beacon Hill) and there are plenty of little side streets and squares to get lost in. The architecture is fascinating and the overall vibe is welcoming and vibrant. Lots of unique shops on Charles Street, several cafes, and Toscano's--one of our all-time favorite restaurants. For people who here or nearby and those who are tourists--this is one area of Boston that always delights.
Written 12 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
curlieque
orange county, ca143 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
I was looking forward to browsing on Boston's "antique row" for cool or unusual or thrifty items. Instead, its primarily boutique shops, with a hardware store here, ice cream shop there, and maybe 2-3 small antique shops with elegant place settings and furniture. A nice walk in a nice neighborhood, but for the thrill of the hunt, go to the Cambridge Antique Market one block from the red line Lechmere station (closed on Mondays).
Written 29 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,711 contributions
Jan 2020
Lots of great architecture along this historic street in one of the older parts of town. Very much worth a long walk, or maybe arrange a guided walking tour.
Written 22 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MTWT
Hong Kong, China1,875 contributions
July 2018 • Solo
Brunch at the Liberty Hotel, formerly a prison with jail cells, followed by a very nice walk on the Charles Street leading me to the Charles Park and the Government House Boston. Most of the shops on Charles Street do not open until after 10/10.30am on Sundays, but I was able to enjoy the street just walking up and down the street which also led me to the Charles Park and Boston Government House.
Written 19 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
o2bcre8ive
Paradise Valley, AZ305 contributions
Oct 2017
Always have to take time to wander Charles Street. A fun and delightful mixture of shops await, including Black Ink and Tatte Bakery. There is a charming hardware store, gift shops, a chocolate shop, several restaurants...I was very excited to visit the little shop that sells prints and etchings, as it has not been open on previous visits. The whole area is charming. You can easily walk from the Public Garden or Common over to the Esplanade; or wander the streets of Beacon Hill to discover the historic buildings off of Charles Street, too. At the very end of teh street is a busy little ice cream shop that is as busy in warm weather as when it is cold. I'd give yourself a couple of hours to check it out.
Written 3 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maggied00dle
Boston, MA219 contributions
May 2017 • Family
This street reminds one of "olde" Boston, yet the stores are quite differentiated to appeal to anyone's taste! Good old Starbucks is on Charles Street as is J.P. Licks. The pasta at Artu's is unbeatable! There is a cleaners, a stationary store, a True Value store, a lovely store to buy infant and toddler clothes, several antique stores, etc. The architecture is just lovely as you stroll down the street to do your shopping.
Written 22 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arame S
Montreal, Canada31 contributions
Aug 2014
We really enjoyed walking around charles street. It has an old charm and lovely boutiques. It has a London feel all over it. If you have s free day i would highly recommend to go visit that area of Boston.
Written 6 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EricMid
Vails Gate, NY51 contributions
A great place for stroll and some shopping. Very historic location. Good atmosphere. If you are in the area, head over to Charles street
Written 6 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a little restaurant called Riley's on Charles Street?
Written 7 July 2015
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