South End has some of the most wonderful restored brownstones in the area, which offers a stark contrast from the modernism of some other parts of Boston. It is also a very enjoyable place to stroll in the evenings. Many small gardens and parks are tucked between the warren of small, intimate streets.
Bay Village is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Boston, about 6 square blocks around Piedmont Street east of Arlington. After the original mud flats were drained in the early 1800s, many craftsmen involved in the construction of Beacon Hill's premier residences built their own modest but well-crafted houses here. Consequently, there are many architectural similarities between these two neighborhoods. It wasn't until the Prohibition years 1920s that Bay Village got its bohemian ambience. It has now become the center for Boston's gay community.
