Back Bay
4.5
About
This tony neighborhood--one of the two most expensive residential areas in Boston--started as a bay. The bay was filled in during the 19th century to create the area now known by the name Back Bay. The area is known for its Victorian brownstones, the Boston Public Library, shopping, office high rises and upscale hotels.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Neighbourhood: Back Bay
Wander around this quintessential neighborhood in the heart of Boston for high-end shops, restaurants, and the feeling of city bustle. Its most identifiable skyscrapers, the Prudential Center and John Hancock Tower, are highlights of the city skyline. Visit Newbury street to explore unique and trendy boutiques – as well as every other kind of store imaginable – all housed in beautiful brownstone buildings. In nice weather, restaurant patio seating is packed with Bostonians and tourists alike soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the food. Commonwealth Ave offers a beautiful stroll down residential tree-lined streets. Keep walking towards the Charles River and enjoy a beautiful view by the water. In warmer months, people run and bike on paths running along the esplanade, and sail and kayak on the Charles River. Boylston street, also full of shops, bars, and restaurants, is the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Head towards Copley Square and check out the Boston Public Library, which is particularly beautiful from the Dartmouth street entrance.
How to get there
- Copley • 2 min walk
- Back Bay • 6 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
2,885 within 5 kms
Attractions
904 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
640 reviews
Excellent
405
Very good
220
Average
12
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Soabrevaya
Buenos Aires, Argentina448 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
Nice area with pretty houses and shops. Nice to walk in, it's close to Boston Commons. If you want to go up, it's steep. But you can see them without going up too much.
Written March 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuperDuper Coach
Mitcham, Australia185 contributions
Sept 2022
People rave about it. I think it is massively overrated. Boring buildings, uninteresting shops, gruff servers in shops, lousy coffee, No real attractions. I’d say stick to downtown unless you are in Boston for some time and really have nothing else to do.
Written October 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise F
Brisbane, Australia46 contributions
Sept 2022
Sensational salad great pasta, great service, niceties by the glass and finally espresso in Boston. I had two doubles. A shame mama at the door was so grumpy.
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abiezer L
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic19 contributions
Jul 2022
My first time in Boston was in march but I couldn't know Boston downtown as itself, I came back in July and decided to stay in a hotel in Back bay and I have no complaints, everything is close from restaurants to shopping.
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AVFA
Oxford, UK395 contributions
Jul 2022
Enjoyed walking through back bay. Beautiful houses. Streets lined with trees and the and the scenic green way along commonwealth avenue is stunning. Feels like Paris.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlotte W
23 contributions
Jun 2022
We stayed at The Lenox in the Back Bay Area of Boston. Plenty of upmarket shops and some interesting cafes and eateries. We liked the Atlantic Fish company for dinner.
Written June 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bela
Mumbai, India567 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Beautiful architecture
Took a bus tour through d area
Transportation to centuries back
Dominance brown shade
Captivating with green foliage
Took a bus tour through d area
Transportation to centuries back
Dominance brown shade
Captivating with green foliage
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia18,666 contributions
Apr 2022
Just after visiting the iconic Beacon Hill, we continued are walking tour through this upscale area.
Terrific Victorian brick houses with charming restaurants led us to the neighborhood highlights such as the Boston Library and Trinity Church.
Terrific Victorian brick houses with charming restaurants led us to the neighborhood highlights such as the Boston Library and Trinity Church.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David-Kevin B
Washington DC, DC408 contributions
Oct 2021
One of the city's most famous areas is Back Bay, characterized by rows of Victorian era brownstones. The neighbourhood's northern boundary is Storrow Drive; its southern one, the Southwestern Corridor Path. Art galleries, cafes, pubs and restaurants populate the myriad streets between, and there is excellent shopping to be enjoyed on Boylston and Newbury Streets. Depending on the weather, dining al fresco is the norm.
Written February 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
San Jose, CA1,108 contributions
Oct 2021
This is a nice neighborhood for taking a casual stroll down the tree lined Commonwealth Avenue and the trendy Newbury Street with shops and restaurants. You are limited only by your stamina and how much time you want to spend here.
Written October 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qué hay para ver caminando paralelo al agua? Algún paseo por el agua para ver Boston desde allí?
Written April 17, 2019
Where would be a good economic place to park and then take train or other means of transport to go to downtown or Back Bay area?
Which MBTA station with parking is closest?
Written June 16, 2018
Where would be a good economic place to park and then take train or other means of transport to go to downtown or Back Bay area?
Which MBTA station with parking is closest?
Written June 16, 2018
There are parking garages all over downtown Boston. Depends on where you want to go. I know the mall at Copley place has parking and you can take the train and or the bus to downtown Boston from there or enjoy the Back bay... nowadays people UBER so that is always a great go to.
Written June 25, 2018
Hi Sandra,
Any and all info regarding where we can watch our cousin in the marathon this weekend would be a tremendous help. I hear there's bleachers somewhere for spectators, and fun things for the crowd to get involved. Any clue about any of this, or where exactly it is in Back Bay?
Thanks!
Written April 12, 2016
This year the Back Bay route is very short. On Commonwealth Ave from Mass Ave to Hereford right on Hereford to Boylston and then on to the finish line. You wont be able to get close to the finish line so I suggest either on Comm Ave from Mass Ave to Hereford or on Hereford Street itself which may be packed full unless you get there early. No Bleachers no fun things for the crowd. All that happens outside of the Back Bay....Hope this helpsw
Written April 13, 2016
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