Louisburg Square

The basics

From the time of the first house, Louisburg Square has been one of the most fashionable addresses in Boston. Famous names from shipping and merchant banking, such as Cabot and Appleton, used to call the square home, as well as some famous artistic figures. Charles Bulfinch, the architect of the Massachusetts State House and portions of the US Capitol Building, lived along the square, as did Louisa May Alcott and artist John Singleton Copley. You can explore the area via guided and/or self-guided tours. Louisburg Square is also a popular stop on photography tours of Beacon Hill and cycling tours of Boston.

Things to know before you go

• Some of the colonial-style homes have transitioned from single-family houses to condominiums and apartments.

• Louisburg Square is one of the stops on the city’s hop-on hop-off trolley route.

• Acorn Street in Beacon Hill, located just off the square, is one of the country's most photographed streets, thanks to its 19th-century charm and narrow brick sidewalks.

How to get there

Located a couple blocks from Boston Common, Louisburg Square is situated within walking distance of attractions including the Museum of African American History and the Massachusetts State House. The square itself, the grassy park surrounded by a wrought-iron fence, is not open to the public. You can see the statues of Christopher Columbus and Aristides the Just on the north and south ends from outside the fences on Mt. Vernon Street and Pinckney Street.

When to get there

During the summer, both locals and visitors head to Boston Common and the Charles River to enjoy the city’s sunny days, so expect the largest crowds in the neighborhood during that time. Spring and fall are also good times to visit; this is when you’ll experience milder weather that’s good for exploring on foot.

Things to do in the Beacon Hill neighborhood

Louisburg Square is located in Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood. With cobbled streets, brownstone buildings, and gas lanterns, the area preserves the look and feel of the city’s days of yore. Here, you can stroll the narrow streets, browse the boutiques on Charles Street, or enjoy dinner at one of the upscale restaurants.