Spotlight on Acorn Street, Boston

Rainy days have a peculiar charm, don’t they?

The way droplets dance on pavements, casting a glistening sheen, and the damp smell to the air. They all add a touch of magic to any adventure.

With only one day to explore the streets of Boston, MA, I didn’t let the drizzle dampen my spirit or energy. To see all my ‘must-sees’, including one of the most photographed streets in the USA – Acorn St.

Beacon Hill beacons

After visiting the Harvard University campus, I caught the subway to the Charles/MGH Subway stop, and walked the mere 5 minutes to Acorn St. To my delight, the rain had most people indoors, so I had Acorn St to myself – yay!

Squirrels from the nearby Boston Common are thought to have planted an abundance of acorn trees that once lined the street, which led to the naming of Acorn Street. Originally built in the 1820s as a residential street for merchants and artisans.

It’s one of the last remaining true cobblestone streets in America, and one of the oldest streets in Boston. Walking along the street, you almost feel like you’ve gone back in time. Be warned that the cobblestones are hard to walk on, and are quite slick when it’s been raining. I mainly stuck to the paved path on each side.

With its charming Federal-style row houses, adorned with flowered window boxes, this quaint street exudes old-world elegance.

As I strolled along Acorn Street, a pedestrian-only residential street, the rain lent an enchanting ambiance to the scene. I loved the muted pitter-patter of raindrops on the cobblestones.

After visiting Acorn Street, it was easy to meander into the city centre via the Boston Common. Walking past the State Houses, that you can see in the map below.