The most beautiful street in America

I was reading the first chapter of The Education of Henry Adams and became curious about the author's neighborhood--Boston's historic Beacon Hill. Adams, great-grandson of John Adams and grandson of John Quincy Adams, grew up at 57 Mount Vernon Street, and fellow author Henry James says that Mount Vernon Street is the most beautiful street in America.

Adams says that his social advantages were an eighteenth century creation that became an irksome handicap in twentieth century America, but I think that I could bear the irksome consequence of living on Mount Vernon Street.

Beacon Hill is still stylish and desirable, but it is expensive. Current residents include Senator John Kerry and former GE CEO Jack Welch. Apparently, Adams's childhood home has been converted to condominiums, and one sold for $634,000 in 2004.

Okay. Mount Vernon Street is a bit beyond my price range. But I have added the following travel plan to my list of things to do: Go to Boston. Walk through Beacon Hill. Stop at 57 Mount Vernon Street and STARE.