Guide to Boston's Financial District: 7 Things to Do
Boston's Financial District (FiDi to us locals) is easy to write off as nothing but office towers and take-out spots. But thanks to almost 400 years of culture and history, there’s a ton to do in this vibrant neighborhood — smack dab in the middle of historic downtown Boston.
Ready to explore colonial history, a great food scene, and pocket parks that capture the beauty of our great city? Here’s my guide to the best things to do in Boston’s Financial District.
Where Is the Financial District in Boston?
The Financial District is located in downtown Boston, centered around Post Office Square and the skyscrapers along Congress, Federal, and State streets. It sits between Downtown Crossing, Government Center, the Seaport, and the waterfront.
The Financial District of Boston is easy to reach by public transit, with nearby MBTA stops including South Station, Downtown Crossing, State, and Government Center. The neighborhood is compact and walkable, so you can cover most of my list below in a single afternoon.
A Quick History of FiDi
The Financial District has been Boston's commercial center for centuries, built on our mercantile, maritime, and financial history. It's one of the oldest business districts in the country, dating all the way back to the construction of Broad Street in the 1600s. We began as a bustling colonial waterfront, where merchants made their fortunes through shipping and trade. After the Great Boston Fire of 1872, much of the area was rebuilt with larger commercial buildings and wider streets.
You’ll still see colonial-era buildings like the Old State House scattered between glass office towers, and the street grid itself still follows its 18th-century layout in places (heads up: the twisty streets can get pretty confusing).
7 Things to Do in Boston’s Financial District
Whether you’re looking for ways to break up your workday or visiting Boston for the first time, here’s my shortlist of the best things to do in FiDi.
1. Old State House
Location: 206 Washington St
One of Boston's oldest public buildings, the Old State House was the seat of colonial government. It's a stop on the Freedom Trail and now operates as a museum with exhibits on Boston's Revolutionary history. It’s worth the extra 30-45 minutes if you want context for the rest of the neighborhood.
Old State House also cover same-day admission to the Old South Meeting House a few blocks away, so it’s a pretty good deal. The self-guided route covers the Council Chamber and Representatives Hall on the second floor, plus rotating exhibits on colonial Boston and the Revolution.
The second-floor balcony facing Congress Street is where the Declaration of Independence was first publicly read in Boston on July 18, 1776. The city still reenacts the reading from that same balcony every year, so if you're in town around the Fourth, it’s a pretty cool thing to experience.
2. Custom House Tower
Location: 3 McKinley Square
Originally built as a customs house, Custom House Tower is one of the most recognizable buildings of the Boston skyline. Its clock and observation deck are a nod to our maritime and commercial past, and it's a great photo op even if you don't go inside.
The original Custom House was built in the 1840s. The tower was added between 1913 and 1915 and was Boston's tallest building at the time. It's designed in a neoclassical style with a Greek temple-style base, a pyramidal roof, and a clock on each of its four sides.
It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. At 496 feet, it's still one of the tallest historic structures downtown. The 26th-floor observation deck is open to the public for free (just make sure to reserve a spot).
3. Post Office Square & Norman B. Leventhal Park
Location: Franklin St
This is my favorite pocket-sized green space in downtown, and it’s the perfect place to take a break during work or between seeing the sights. Post Office Square (with Norman B. Leventhal Park at its center) has tons of benches, gardens, and seasonal events.
In the 18th century, the area was home to rope-making businesse that supported Boston’s maritime industry. It later became a residential neighborhood before banks, warehouses, and insurance companies began moving in. After the Boston Fire of 1872, the neighborhood was rebuilt and named for the post office that faced the square.
An above-ground parking garage took over much of the space in the mid-1900s. It was eventually demolished, and the parking was moved underground to make room for Norman B. Leventhal Park, which opened in 1992.
4. The Lineup
Location: 115 Federal St
This is hands down my favorite spot to grab lunch in the Financial District of Boston. The Lineup is a food hall run by a Michelin-acclaimed chef, so you know the quality is good. They have five different concepts, so it’s a great place to bring a group because everyone can choose whatever they’re craving. Here’s a quick overview of what they have:
Day Shift— Coffees, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries
Gatto Pazzo— Neapolitan pizza, sandwiches, salads, and cannolis
Big Grin — Smash burgers, shakes, fries, and soft serve
Iris Mezze — Build-your-own mezze and pitas, salads, and baklava
Rotating pop-up — Every few months, something new! I’ve seen everything from ramen to poké to protein bowls to a rotisserie chicken spot. You’ll always find something fresh at The Lineup.
Each kiosk has its own distinct menu, so if your group is splitting between pizza and burgers, you can order separately at each counter rather than through one shared menu. If you'd rather skip the wait entirely, you can order online for pickup or delivery. Pro-tip: If you’re planning a corporate event or team lunch at the office, you can also order catering.
5. Vermilion
Location: 115 Federal St
Vermilion is an iconic Boston steakhouse, located right upstairs from The Lineup. This spot is also led by Michelin-acclaimed chef John Fraser, and they were the first steakhouse in the city to offer Prime 850 cuts (featuring the top 5% of all USDA Prime beef). The menu is built around New England classics like dry-aged steaks, local seafood, and plenty of vegetarian-friendly options.
They have a stunning 55-foot bar, set right underneath a stunning glass sculpture, and seating that looks straight out into FiDi’s skyscrapers. Behind the bar, beverage director Amy Racine (a James Beard Award semifinalist and Wine Enthusiast's 2024 Beverage Director of the Year) runs a list of more than 70 cocktails that range from timeless classics to innovative creations you won’t find anywhere else.
I also just love the space. It has an elegant and upscale atmosphere, so it’s great for business lunches, special occasions, birthday dinners, and more. Vermilion does take walk-ins, but they’re very popular and spots fill up fast, so I’d recommend booking your table in advance. And if you want to host a private event here, make sure to contact them several weeks in advance.
6. Boston Harbor
Location: No set address, but you can search Long Wharf or Rowes Wharf in your maps app.
A short walk from the Financial District, the Boston Harbor is worth the trip for its waterfront paths, great views, and access to harbor cruises. Long Wharf is the main departure point for boats out of downtown: Boston Harbor City Cruises runs sightseeing tours, whale watches in partnership with the New England Aquarium, and ferries to Provincetown, Salem, and the Harbor Islands. A few minutes south at Rowes Wharf, Classic Harbor Line runs 90-minute sails aboard a schooner and a 1920s-style motor yacht (perfect for families or romantic date ideas).
I love walking the Boston Harbor because it's a reminder that our commercial history is inseparable from our maritime culture. The same wharves that once handled clipper ships and colonial trade now sit a block from the skyscrapers. If you happen to be in Boston during the summer Boston during the summer for the 4th of July, Boston Harborfest fills this stretch of waterfront with live music, chowder tastings, and historical reenactments.
7. Boston Common
Location: 139 Tremont St
Boston Common is the oldest public park in the country, set aside for common use back in 1634, and its roughly 50 acres sit a short walk from the Financial District, past Downtown Crossing. It's the best place to start the Freedom Trail, a red-brick line in the sidewalk that runs from here to the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere's grave, and on into the North End.
The Frog Pond is the Common's main draw, depending on the season: a splash pool with lifeguards from late June through Labor Day, and an outdoor skating rink once it turns cold. Cross Charles Street at the Common's western edge where you’ll find the famous Public Garden. This is a more formal, Victorian-style park with swan boats, footbridges, and landscaping that’ll take you back in time.
For a FiDi worker, it's less than a fifteen-minute walk to a great lunch break. For a visitor, it’s easy to pair with Beacon Hill's brownstone streets or the shops around Downtown Crossing on the way there. Read more about the best Boston parks and other fun things to do in Boston.
Lineup and Eat at Boston’s Best Food Hall
Boston's Financial District has never really been just about the business — it’s all about history, food, and culture. In a few blocks, you can trace our incredible history from the wharves that built our city to some of the best food in the area. Swing by The Lineup and try the best food hall in FiDi.
FAQs
What is Boston's Financial District?
Boston's Financial District, often shortened to FiDi, is the city's downtown business core, roughly bounded by Boston Common and Downtown Crossing to the west, the harbor and Long Wharf to the east, and Faneuil Hall to the north.
Is the Financial District in Boston a good place to stay?
Yes, particularly for business travelers or anyone who wants to walk to most of downtown Boston rather than rely on the T. Hotels in the area put guests within about 15 minutes of the Freedom Trail, the harbor, and Boston Common.
How walkable is Boston's Financial District?
Very! Boston’s downtown Financial District’s colonial-era street grid is compact and mostly flat, and its major landmarks sit within a 15-minute walk of each other. Downtown Crossing and State Street T stations make it easy to get around the city, and both Boston Common and the harbor are walkable in under 10 minutes.
What are the best restaurants in Boston's Financial District?
There’s a lot of food in the Financial District in Boston. But Vermilion, John Fraser's modern steakhouse, is the best spot for an upscale dinner. It sits just above The Lineup , Fraser's set of more fast-casual concepts on the ground floor, which cover everything from Mediterranean small plates to a coffee-and-sandwich counter. Whether you’re grabbing something between meetings or between seeing the sights, it’s the best lunch in Boston’s Financial District.