For an eclectic mix of history, public green space, shops, and restaurants, no other Boston neighborhood compares to Beacon Hill. Listed as a National Historic District, Beacon Hill is home to some of Boston’s most elite residents – including former presidential candidate John Kerry, author Robin Cook, and until recently, singer Carly Simon – who live in the meticulously restored (and ridiculously expensive) 19th century brick row houses. The pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is perfect for spending an afternoon walking the narrow, tree-lined streets and wandering in and out of the interesting shops and boutiques, including more than a dozen antique stores, along Charles Street. Bostonians of all walks of life gather in Boston Common, the nation’s oldest public park, while culture junkies opt for tours of the State House or the African Meeting House, a museum located in what was once the heart of Boston’s 19th century African-American community. Crowds of tourists flock to the bar that was the original inspiration for the TV series “Cheers,” while those in the know imbibe with lobbyists, elected officials and State House staffers at the 21st Amendment, a cozy pub next to the State House. Beacon Hill evenings are particularly romantic, as couples venture out for a nosh at one of the neighborhood’s top-notch restaurants or relaxed pubs, followed by a stroll among the seductive glow of the gas lamps.