Under a public-private partnership with Harvard University, the 265-acre Arnold Arboretum is planted with over 15,000 exotic trees and flowering shrubs…

Getty Images
Streetcar Suburbs
A chain of parks known as the Emerald Necklace leads south to the Streetcar Suburbs. With deeply rooted Jewish and Russian populations, Brookline was the birthplace of John F Kennedy, while Jamaica Plain is a progressive residential community with gracious Victorian architecture and a cutting-edge music scene.
Explore Streetcar Suburbs
- AArnold Arboretum
Under a public-private partnership with Harvard University, the 265-acre Arnold Arboretum is planted with over 15,000 exotic trees and flowering shrubs…
- JJohn F Kennedy National Historic Site
Four of the nine Kennedy children were born and raised in this modest house, including Jack, who was born in the master bedroom in 1917. Matriarch Rose…
- FFrederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
Widely considered the father of landscape design, Frederick Law Olmsted ran his operation from his home 'Fairsted,' which is now a National Historic Site…
- FFranklin Park
Franklin Park, at 500-plus acres and part of the Emerald Necklace, is an underutilized resource – partly because it borders a sketchy neighborhood, and…
- LLarz Anderson Auto Museum & Park
Larz and Isabel Anderson, a high-society couple, bought their first automobile in 1899: a Winton Runabout. It was the first of 32 autos that they would…
- OOlmsted Park
Part of the Emerald Necklace, Olmsted Park features a paved path that hugs the banks of Leverett Pond and Ward's Pond in Jamaica Plain.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Streetcar Suburbs.
- See
Arnold Arboretum
Under a public-private partnership with Harvard University, the 265-acre Arnold Arboretum is planted with over 15,000 exotic trees and flowering shrubs…
- See
John F Kennedy National Historic Site
Four of the nine Kennedy children were born and raised in this modest house, including Jack, who was born in the master bedroom in 1917. Matriarch Rose…
- See
Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
Widely considered the father of landscape design, Frederick Law Olmsted ran his operation from his home 'Fairsted,' which is now a National Historic Site…
- See
Franklin Park
Franklin Park, at 500-plus acres and part of the Emerald Necklace, is an underutilized resource – partly because it borders a sketchy neighborhood, and…
- See
Larz Anderson Auto Museum & Park
Larz and Isabel Anderson, a high-society couple, bought their first automobile in 1899: a Winton Runabout. It was the first of 32 autos that they would…
- See
Olmsted Park
Part of the Emerald Necklace, Olmsted Park features a paved path that hugs the banks of Leverett Pond and Ward's Pond in Jamaica Plain.
Guidebooks
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks
Get to the heart of Streetcar Suburbs with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.