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To help smooth things over, the lads back in the day would pour sand between the cobs but that could only do so much. They retained their natural shapes which is why the cobbled stones are anything but uniform. The stones (also called “cobs” or “ cobbles”) were set against each other in beds of sand. These stones were found abundantly throughout New England and more specifically transported by coastal schooners from Maine. The entire setting, while unexpectedly small, is a sight to behold and almost museum-like but make no mistake, the main attraction here is the cobblestone and it’s worth understanding why.Ī common pre-industrial paving technique for roadways was to use cobblestones.

On top of that, the street cobbles its way through charming federal-style row houses complete with antique street lamps and hanging ivy. In short, Acorn Street is famous because it’s an original cobblestone street which is super rare to find these days.

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It is arguably the most photographed street in Boston and some even say the entire country. Are there other cobblestone roads nearby?Īcorn Street is a small street (or more accurately an alleyway) that is famous for its charming cobblestones, gas-lit lamps, red brick sidewalks, and overall historic look and feel.every day except Sunday, and a calendar of events is available on its website. Walk down to the Museum of African American History, located at the restored African Meeting House. Take some time to learn about the area before or during your visit. But more importantly, Acorn Street seeps of historic abolitionist activism in antebellum America. We walked down the block and took a few more images by the shops and brownstones - but it's also in close proximity to the Common, which would make a second - and much more open - location for photos. Taking pictures on Acorn Street is a one-two punch, but all of Beacon Hill is so picturesque - so don't fret. This means waiting in line twice, but it is worth it, I promise!

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Where you are shooting (and where you are shooting from) are cramped quarters, so bring a wide angle lens to capture the full length of the row houses, and shoot from both the top and the bottom of the street. So unless you are like me and are willing to break an ankle for the perfect shot, leave the six inch stilettos at home.

Located in aptly named Beacon Hill, Acorn Street is also much steeper than you could possibly imagine and is a *true cobblestone street, making it incredibly uneven and irregular. if you shoot Christmas card pictures in October, be prepared for pumpkins!) The residents do a fantastic job decorating their stoops for each holiday, making it a great backdrop for seasonal photos (taken in *that season - i.e.

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Avoid accidentally shooting through their windows or getting them in the background of your pictures without their consent. So be mindful of the people who live there. The one-block-long road is just about the width of a car and because it is still in use, you may have to stop and move to allow for locals to drive through….Or park in front of their house, as this is still a residential street. Your best bet is to go on a weekday, closer to dusk - but either way, this is not the location to do a full photoshoot (we snapped pics for five minutes, then took the rest of our photos in the surrounding areas.Īcorn Street isn't comprable to say, taking pictures at Lombard Street in San Francisco. Expect to wait a few minutes, expect people to be waiting to shoot after you (and expect them to awkwardly watch while you take yours - though in our case, this could have been the out-of-season plaid and stacks of matching packages). No matter when you go, there will usually be some sort of a crowd. Once inhabited by freed slaves who played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad, Acorn Street now houses some of the most coveted real estate in all of Massachusetts. It's situated just south of Louisburg Square and is rich in Black History and the racial progress of our nation. If you're considering visiting, rest assured you'll feel like you walked right into the Revolutionary Era when you walk the path. Located in the heart of Beacon Hill, Acorn Street is purportedly the most photographed ally in America - and having been erected during the 1700's, one of the oldest and last *true cobblestoned rows left in America.