Downtown Boston facts for kids
Downtown Boston is a very important part of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Boston was started way back in 1630. Downtown is like the main busy center of the city. It's where many big companies have their offices. You'll also find many government buildings here, for the city, state, and even the whole country. Plus, it's home to many cool places that tourists love to visit!
Recently, Downtown Boston has changed a lot. New homes have been built, old buildings have been fixed up, and new people and businesses have moved in. This area is looked after by a representative in the Boston City Council.
Downtown Boston is surrounded by other famous areas. These include Back Bay, the North End, Beacon Hill, and the South End. Inside Downtown, you'll find special areas like Government Center and the Financial District.
Contents
A Look at Downtown's History
Long ago, the area we now call Downtown Boston was most of the city itself. Boston grew a lot in the 1860s and 1870s. A huge event called the Great Boston Fire of 1872 destroyed much of the neighborhood. This happened especially near Summer, Washington, and Milk Streets.
Later, in the 1950s, a big highway called the Central Artery was built. It ran right through the city. From 1982 to 2007, a huge project called the Big Dig moved this highway underground. In the 1960s and 1970s, a large new area called Government Center was built. It replaced an older area known as Scollay Square.
Famous Places in Downtown Boston
Downtown Boston has many famous landmarks that are fun to explore.
- The Greenway is a beautiful park area.
- The Custom House Tower is a very tall, historic building.
- City Hall is where Boston's government works.
- Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are popular spots for food and shopping.
- The Old State House and Old South Meeting House are important historical buildings.
- The Massachusetts State House is where the state government meets.
- Park Street Church is a historic church.
- Boston Common and Boston Public Garden are two of the oldest parks in the United States.
Learning in Downtown Boston
Downtown Boston is also home to some great places to learn.
- Emerson College is a well-known school.
- Suffolk University is another important university in the area.
Getting Around Downtown
It's easy to get around Downtown Boston using public transportation. All four of the MBTA subway lines meet here. You can find subway stations like Downtown Crossing, Park Street, Government Center, and State.
South Station is a very busy place for travel. You can catch the subway, commuter trains, long-distance buses, and Amtrak trains there.
Education in the Area
The Boston Public Schools system runs the public schools in the Downtown area.
A school called Boston Renaissance Charter Public School used to be in Park Square. In 2010, it moved to its new location in Hyde Park.
