What do you consider 'downtown' Boston? (Cambridge, Somerville: hotels, neighbourhoods, restaurants)

[Trimac20]

This is more your personal opinion, since I don't think downtown has an actual boundary (correct me if I'm wrong).

Is it just that part labelled 'downtown' centered around Congress St, or does it include Beacon Hill, the North End etc?

Is it just that small round-shaped peninsula with most of the historic buildings, or does it include the South End, Chinatown, Back Bay, the area around Prudential Square? Would you even extend it to the Fenway district? I know most of the skyscrapers are on the 'peninsula' part, but walking around it seemed those other inner city neighbourhoods were like greater downtown Boston too.

[Beachcomber4]

When I hear downtown I think of the old Downtown Crossing area. But then again I also think of Jordan Marsh and Filene's basement.

[seeriously]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber4

When I hear downtown I think of the old Downtown Crossing area. But then again I also think of Jordan Marsh and Filene's basement.

Me too. I grew up in Somerville and going downtown meant Jordan's & Filene's.

[missionhill]

Yeah, I think traditionally "downtown" is Winter-Summer-Washington Streets, State St and the financial district, and the Faneuil Hall market area. Today people often include Back Bay since so many stores, hotels, and restaurants are there, while the downtown retail scene has faded. "Intown" used to mean the same thing as "Boston Proper" which included downtown, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, North, West, and South Ends, and maybe Fenway-Kenmore. I don't hear "intown" much any more, and today a lot of people use "Boston Proper" to mean the whole city of Boston, as compared to Cambridge, Brookline, etc.

[MassVt]

I agree with Downtown Crossing, and Filene's Basement, although the shopping and restaurant life in the Back Bay far exceeds that of Downtown Crossing, which ( the latter) is often moribund after 6:00 PM...

[HenryAlan]

I'd say downtown crossing, Beacon Hill, and the financial district, with whatever areas fill in gaps between (eg Chinatown). I agree with missionhill that intown has a meaning that is both different from downtown and Boston proper, which is the entire city. intown to me would be defined best by anything east of Mass Ave. and North of Washington St. But I kind of struggle with these things because in a lot of ways, I'd say Kenmore/Fenway/Longwood have a downtown sort of feel, as does Kendal Square, which isn't even in Boston.