//
Neighborhoods of Boston
Photo: Joel McCoy from Cambridge, MA, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Both bound closely with Boston while remaining a bit cut off, Allston/Brighton is defined by the colleges that surround it. A visit reveals a bohemian vibe in this student village writ large. Check back often, in this neighborhood of youth and energy: the one constant is change.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Milestone #6
Proclaiming six miles to Boston, this milestone was placed here in 1729 by Paul Dudley. Once a part of a colonial "superhighway" called Boston Post Road, which stretched from downtown Boston to Wall Street in New York City. The settlers copped the idea from Native Americans, who called the trail Pequot Path and had been using it long before Europeans arrived. Seven markers remain in the greater Boston area. This one has somehow escaped being mowed down by a fire truck or errant moving van over the years. Can you spot the other one nearby? Hint: check out the library in Lower Allston.
Devlin Hall
The museum holds an extensive permanent collection, which spans the history of art from Europe, Asia and the Americas, and has significant representation of Gothic and Baroque tapestries, Italian paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries, and American paintings of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Soldiers Field
This historic stadium was actually where football's forward pass was invented, and modern field dimensions were defined. Buy your tickets way in advance for the big Harvard-Yale game. Root for them to lose, if only to hear the cruel Crimson chant: "It's alright, it's OK, you're gonna work for us some day!" The stadium and grounds will also occasionally play host to concerts and music festivals, like Boston Calling for example. When there aren't games or other events planned, get here early to run up and down the 1000+ steps with the rest of the post docs.
Home of BC Eagles football, this stadium seats 44,500. Actually located within the city limits of Newton.
Kelley Rink
Directly attached to Alumni Stadium and home of BC Eagles basketball and (ice) hockey, seating 8,600 for basketball and just under 7,900 for hockey. The "Kelley Rink" name is used only for hockey. As with Alumni Stadium, it's within the Newton city limits.
This complex, opened in 2018 and within the Boston city limits, is home to BC baseball and softball. It consists of three structures—the playing facilities of Eddie Pellagrini Diamond and Boston College Softball Field, and the Pete Frates Center (not open to the public), which houses offices, locker rooms, and training facilities for both teams.
Arguably the best established and longest running club in the area. This is a great intimate venue with space for less than a thousand. It's relatively compact and split into two levels, so you can usually get a good look at the performer without ever being too far from the bar!
Another great choice for seeing established local and national acts. Brighton Music Hall is about half the size of the Paradise, and owned by the same company. The hall is basically a big box with no mezzanine, so when it gets packed sightlines to the stage are cut off for all but the tallest attendees.
Great Scott is a fantastic choice to check out big name acts a few years before they blow up, or hometown heroes having a great year. They play host to a wide variety of genres; like indie, rock, hip hop, and dance. Voted "Best Rock Club", "Best Bar", and host of the "Best Dance Night".
The smallest in terms of physical size and prominence of the acts they attract. It's more likely to attract local bands new to the touring circuit, but you never know. Sometimes the staff will just up and decide to grill a bunch of chicken wings for the crowd. They're not good, but they're free and you're drunk.
Thai ice cream rolls
Improbably remaining open since 1984, Steve's is the perfect start to a day that hasn't quite ended yet. The cheapest, greasiest, and most filling homestyle breakfasts served all day long. Cash only.
Giant Asian supermarket in back anchors a bevy of food stalls in this indoor market. Each offers a different take on all varieties of Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and pretty much any other Asian cuisine you can think of.
Ice Cream Shop. Boston's locally owned self serve frozen yogurt shop always offering 10 weekly flavors and over 50 toppings served fresh daily.
Voted by the Travel Channel as #2 on their "Top 10 Places To Pig Out". This deli, located near Cleveland Circle, boasts the "Eagles Challenge Burger", which for a mere $50, you can get a cheeseburger featuring 5 pounds of beef, 20 slices of cheese, 20 pieces of bacon, 5 pounds of french fries, a pickle and a fountain soda, and it must be served to one person! Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Casual counter serve spot for some of the best vegan options in Boston. Check FoMu next door for vegan dessert.
Another strictly vegan Asian restaurant with a definite Vietnamese influence. Very delicious. Awesome chicken fingers and vegan cheesecake. Great Sunday buffet.
80s themed diner serving breakfast. Very popular, be prepared to wait in line during the weekend brunch rush.
Offers inexpensive, delicious Burmese food. Full vegetarian menu. Appetizers $5, salads/entrees $7-10, and family combo meals start at $25 for two. Free refills on jasmine rice. Try the hot tea and the complimentary palm sugars for dessert.
Possibly the best Italian outside of the North End. Unbelievably perfect homemade pasta in a cramped yet cozy setting. Lines out the door most nights. Full bar.
Offers tapas, small, appetizer-sized dishes that you order in groups as a meal. A tasty, fun way to enjoy multiple dishes from Spanish cuisine.
Mixes traditional American fare with a touch of international flavor. They offer both a seasonal menu and year-round upscale comfort food. After the meal, tables are cleared away and the dance floor opens with music provided by DJs. Nice outdoor seating in the warmer months.
Bandita Brighton
Combination College Bar/Local Irish Pub. It's small, but there's rarely a line and there's always some music. Great burgers and some pub favorites.
The ceiling tiles have grayed with age and dirt, the pool table is uneven, and the jukebox doesn't have anything recent. Free popcorn, cheap beer, and your mixed drink can be prepared small or large. Leave your license at the bar in exchange for a few darts to toss.
Sunset has one of the largest beer selections in the country, boasting 130 beers on tap and more than 300 bottled varieties. Get your beer passport at the door, then sample 20 different varieties to earn a "free" t-shirt. A few honored bar stools are emblazoned with name-tags, affixed once the patron has sampled every beer in the house.
Tits
Good cafe for working. Good wifi, good beverages. Arrive early on weekends during the school year.
Not fancy, but has air conditioning. A few private bathrooms. Shared kitchen and living room.
Close to Harvard Business School. 20 min. walk to Harvard Yard. Bus 64 goes to MIT. Internet, WiFi, use of a computer, breakfast, parking (all free). Innkeepers are friendly and glad to help. Small children can not be accommodated. Cash only.
Note the name is Days Hotel, not Inn-- this can certainly cause confusion when getting directions. This hotel has gone through several incarnations and seen lots of wear. While not convenient for walking to popular destinations, there is plenty of parking and a large supermarket across Western Ave.
Formerly the Best Western
Discount hotel on upper Commonwealth Avenue. Free continental breakfast and wireless internet.
Free shuttle to downtown Boston and Harvard Square. Complimentary basic wireless Internet throughout the hotel. Parking $35.
Any truck/semi/car supplies you could ever need (as long as you know what to ask for). Great for truckers and travelers, right off the interstate. For less complicated auto-related purchases, visit AutoZone up the street.
Safe, clean, professional tattoo parlor. Used to host punk shows three or four times a month.
Offers exotic gifts for women, magic supplies, and other new age stuff.
One of the largest thrift stores in town, a bit of a warehouse full of college kid clothing castoffs, odd toys, blankets, and a room full of spinny chairs and broken exercise equipment. Great selection and prices.
By bicycle
Boston has been installing miles of bike lanes for years now, so cycling can be a good option in these neighborhoods. At least five Bluebikes stations can be found nearby to help you out.
By car
Having a car in Allston/Brighton isn't (usually) the disaster you'll find in the rest of the city.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Boston · International · BOS
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Allston-Brighton and United States.
Nature & adventureHow to use the America the Beautiful pass, navigate timed-entry reservations and win hiking permits across America's top national parks.
7 min read
Travel tipsHow to master the NYC subway with OMNY contactless pay, dodge airport transfer traps and explore iconic Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods.
7 min read
ItinerariesHow to plan the classic California Highway 1 road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, navigating Big Sur closures, coastal stops and vehicle tips.
6 min read
Travel tipsSplitting a city stay between two hotels can cut costs, save hours of travel and buy you a night of luxury. Here is how to do it well.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.