jonny29

Stuart Street is, like so many streets in Boston, a different character in every block. My parents often talk about back when Stuart was part of the city's notorious "Combat Zone", Beantown's onetime bed of sin. It's been cleaned up significantly; New England Law, ironically enough, is based only a few blocks away from the old Red Light district. A few city landmarks, old and new, are to be found here: Jacob Wirth's, the W Hotel/Bar, and of course, the Theater District. Yet for the clusters of culture, there are also some nastier and rougher patches. Plus, it isn't the easiest street to access, even via public transit. Bottom line: unless there's a specific attraction you're planning on visiting here, there are plenty of other interesting spots to explore nearby.

First things first: if you're driving this street, you probably don't have the best opinion of it. You're also cheating yourself out of some great sights. It may not look like much down in the South Station area. But take a few hundred paces north, and you'll start appreciating the beauty that Atlantic Ave. is hiding away. Your neck will hurt from trying to drink in all there is to see! You have three of the best views of Boston Harbor in Rowes Wharf, Long Wharf, and Columbus Park. And on the other side of the street, right on top of I-93, is a green piece of recent Boston history: the lush Rose Kennedy Greenway. Add in great nearby dining options and attractions, and nearby Quincy Market, and you have a street that can also be an experience, whether you're a visitor or a lifelong resident.

I didn't get a chance to take St. Stephen St. in until I managed to get lost around there trying to navigate the Fens area. Since then, I have walked it many times, and have even sought out some apartments there. One day, I hope to afford it. The buildings are beautiful, and the street is wonderfully quiet. And on top of that, the location is ideal-it's right near Symphony Hall, the MFA, and the Pru, for all your possible cultural and shopping needs. It isn't a lively street in its own right, but it is near plenty; and don't we all on some level want to live and play in different places? If you can afford it, it's hard to think of too many better places to reside than St. Stephen.

If you blink, you might miss School St. It's small, and hidden behind the start of Beacon downtown. But it runs down one of the most charming, historic, and walk-worthy two blocks in the entire city. The first block features the side of historic King's Chapel and the Omni-Parker, where you can have the original (seriously, the original) Parker House rolls and Boston Cream Pie. Then you come upon Old City Hall-and if the gorgeous building and photo-perfect statues weren't enough of a draw, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is right inside. As you hit the end going into Washington St., you will see a gorgeous Borders and the Old South Meeting House down the street--just make sure you don't miss taking in the haunting beauty of the Irish Famine Memorial, an oft-overlooked site that is one of the most powerful in town.

I should preface this by saying that Hanover Street, in spite of its flaws, is a ton of fun and boasts most of the best food in Boston. No one should visit Boston and not stroll down Hanover-it is the center of Little Italy and, in many ways, the real heart of Boston. Keep a few things in mind before you go, though: first, don't drive. Public transit is a short walk away, but walking down Hanover means you are going faster than most of the cars. This is a busy street to drive down, and on a weekend night, even a busy street to walk down. It's crowded, a little noisy, and not the cleanest street around. But it has a lot of heart, and boy is the food incredible...

I discovered North Street the way most people do-I was frustrated with the insane waits at all the incredible Italian places on Hanover St. and decided to explore off the beaten path. Turns out that North St. in the North End boasts some amazing restaurants-Limoncello, Ricardo's, and the best restaurant in the North End, Carmen. Couple it with the fact that some great history sites, including the Old North Church and Paul Revere's house, are only steps away, and North St. is an experience in and of itself!

You can tell a lot about a person from how they view Boylston Street. Some people think of it as a shopping street-they may hang out around the new Basement and Marshalls when Newbury Street gives them sticker shock. Some people think of it as near the Common and the Theater District-they tend to be artsy types, or Emerson students, or both. But for me, and a lot of people, this is a bar street-we get off at Hynes and hang around the dodgy end. I have had good and bad nights here, but I will say this for Boylston-there is a bar for every budget, every personality, and every level of inebriation. I would never want to live here, but I would never, never, never stop visiting.

My first introduction to Marlborough Street was, I'm ashamed to admit, as a cut-through for when there was really bad traffic on Mass Ave coming over from Cambridge. I was initially annoyed by all the crosswalks and red lights, but at one point looked up from my dashboard frustration and actually appreciated the quaint beauty of the street. I vowed to come back and walk it, and I did-much to my delight. It's now one of my favorite walking places in Boston. It boasts the same charming colonial brick as many other streets in the Back Bay/Beacon Hill area, but it gives the weary city-dweller a much-needed dose of green and quiet (apart, of course, from the occasional annoyed driver).

Maybe it's just because I was walking down this street during the last big snow squall Boston got, but I had to pinch myself to make sure I hadn't gotten sucked into the pages of "Nicholas Nickelby" or something. This street has so much charm and character, and if it weren't for the cars and pavement, I'm not sure I would realize what century I was in. I thought of this as an antiquing street the first time I visited, and it is-but I have since come to know its amazing markets and wine shops (Charles St. Liquors and Beacon Hill W&S have the best selection and prices), not to mention its incredible restaurants and a great wine bar in Bin 26 Enoteca. It's my favorite visiting street in Boston, but with its culture, look, and how quiet it is for a main thoroughfare, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to live here, too!

Comm. Ave in Boston is a funny sort of street. When you're downtown, right where Comm starts, it's one of the toniest places in town to live (if you live around the 300s, one of your neighbors is the Harvard Club of Boston. Yeah.). Even before I could put it at the end of my address line, I simply adored walking down the green boulevard in the middle of Comm, admiring the statues and the beautiful brick residences. Now, when you move into the 1900s and up, where I call home, it's not exactly the same picture of class, but definitely can boast as much if not more character. The location is great-the B train is right outside your door, and you're never far from the C or D. You have food and shopping always nearby, even if you don't have a car (though it really helps here). You do have BC in your backyard, which can be annoying, funny, or both-my favorite example is when I woke up at 3 in the morning to a group of BC gents scream-singing the "Kars-for-Kids" jingle from the radio. This may be a deterrent for young families or the older set, but if you're a young professional single or couple, this is a place you can afford to enjoy the real Boston: part-college town, part-swanky metro, part-working class town, all home. Plus, you get a different pizza delivery menu in your mailbox every week-there's no better way to enjoy a slice of Beantown.