Where is Boston located?

Where is Boston, and how far is Boston from nearby US cities? Learn more about Boston’s location on the map, including fun facts about the city they lovingly call Beantown.

Boston is located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is the capital city and also the largest city in the state. 

Boston belongs to the country of the United States of America.

It is on the eastern side of Massachusetts and is on the northeast side of the US.

Boston’s exact location is 42.36 latitude and -71.05 longitude.

Boston, Massachusetts, is among the best places to visit in the USA.

Are you planning on going on a trip to Beantown? Make sure to check all of the ultimate things to do in Boston, including our list of the best hotels to stay in Boston, things for couples to do in Boston, and the traditional Boston foods you should not miss. 

Distance to other major destinations:

Boston to New York: 190 miles or 306 kilometers

Boston to Philadelphia: 270 miles or 435 kilometers

Boston to Ottawa Canada: 312 miles or 503 kilometers

Boston to Washington DC: 394 miles or 634 kilometers

Boston to Toronto Canada: 432 miles or 695 kilometers

Where is Boston on the Map

Boston Fun Facts

1. Boston’s name came from an England town in Lincolnshire where the first settlers in the city came from. They decided to keep the name of their former home.

2. Boston was home to the first-ever American lighthouse, which was built in 1716. It was located on Little Brewster Island.

3. Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States. It was established in 1634.

4. The first subway in America was in Boston. The Tremont Street Subway was built here in 1897. 

5. America’s oldest university, Harvard, is found in Boston. It was founded in 1636.

6. Boston is affectionately called Beantown because it is famous for its baked beans!

7. Want to know what the weather is going to be like? Set your eyes on the John Hancock Building. It has a weather beacon on top which flashes colors that correspond to a certain weather condition. To quote a common knowledge in Boston: “Steady blue, clear view. Flashing blue, clouds due. Steady red, rain ahead. Flashing red, snow instead.”

8. The Boston Public Library is the third largest library in the United States. It comes after the Library of Congress and the New York Public Library.

9. The Boston University Bridge claims to be the only place in the world where you can see a boat sailing under a train while passing under a car that’s driving under an airplane. Go figure!

10. There was a time that Christmas was banned in Boston. This was so from 1659 to 1681.

11. Happy Hour on drinks is inexistent in the city of Boston. The local government has banned it since 1984.

12. Many prominent celebrities were born in Boston. Some of them are Benjamin Franklin, Mark Wahlberg, Uma Thurman, John F. Kennedy, and Emily Dickinson.

Frequently Asked Questions about Where is Boston located