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
Neighborhood: 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
2,897 within 3 miles
Attractions
985 within 6 miles
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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 wait 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
larryrneal2016
Warren, PA450 contributions
Apr 2021
Spent several days in the Back Bay after our Bermuda tour was cancelled and saw many of the sites in the area. Because of COVID, many sites were closed and others were limited. We were fortunate that several restaurants opened the last two days we were in Boston. My biggest complaint is reserved for the cost of parking.
Written May 3, 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.
TarJa
Salt Lake City, UT229 contributions
Sep 2019
There are quite a few popular neighborhoods in Boston, so it's hard to decide where to stay...
If you stay in Back Bay, you can find almost everything you need in walking distance (if you're a walker). You can even walk to the North End, or a quick Uber ride can get you there quickly.
There is sooooo much to see in Back Bay, and you if you're in town for a short trip, you don't need a rental car.
If you stay in Back Bay, you can find almost everything you need in walking distance (if you're a walker). You can even walk to the North End, or a quick Uber ride can get you there quickly.
There is sooooo much to see in Back Bay, and you if you're in town for a short trip, you don't need a rental car.
Written March 4, 2020
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.
Steve R
Temecula, CA2,186 contributions
Feb 2020
There is so much to see and do in Back Bay. Tons of restaurants and Bars. Boutique shops are plentiful as well as well known big name stores. Everything is walking distance. Staying in this area will have you in a central location.
Written February 6, 2020
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, Australia205 contributions
Sep 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.
D-DiLeo
Bronx, NY78 contributions
Dec 2019
We stayed here for a weekend and it was a perfect location. We had our car but didn't want to have to drive around and bother worrying about parking. Everything you could possibly need is within walking distance. Restaurants, bars, shops, a mall, sites, and even The Freedom Trail. When we come back we would definitely stay in this area again.
Written January 3, 2020
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.
766kelly89
3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Spent a day in Boston Back Bay, it is so full of history and so much to do!
Its hard to fit everything in a day n one night. Definitely need at least a full weekend!
There is so much History everywhere you go it's hard not to get caught up in all of it.
The dinning is so accommodating for everyone from picky eater to vegans to foodies. You can always find something to do wether its the aquarium or visiting Paul Reveres home to shopping. Its also nice that everything is easy to get to in walking distance or a cheap Uber.
Its hard to fit everything in a day n one night. Definitely need at least a full weekend!
There is so much History everywhere you go it's hard not to get caught up in all of it.
The dinning is so accommodating for everyone from picky eater to vegans to foodies. You can always find something to do wether its the aquarium or visiting Paul Reveres home to shopping. Its also nice that everything is easy to get to in walking distance or a cheap Uber.
Written January 6, 2020
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.
Raymond L
Waterbury, CT18 contributions
Dec 2019
What can you say about a visit to Boston's Back Bay? It is a great place for locally owner guest houses, restaurants and bars. You can spend many days just in the portion of Boston. Visit the Boston public library is a must.
Written January 26, 2020
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.
Piotr H.
Lodz, Poland3,877 contributions
Jun 2019
Great area for a walk, food, shopping, sighseeing. You can reach everything just walking. There are some skyscrapers and you can see the bay from above
Written October 3, 2019
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.
Patricia A
Chicago, IL534 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
Lived in the area 25 years ago, we came back as a family touring colleges. We stayed at the large Marriott, and we walked all throughout back bay. It used to be a very up – scale, "hip"area. And it still is!
Lovely residential, and city streets to walk on, close to everything! Walking distance to the parks (Swan boats on the lake) "T" and fun restaurants.
I would highly recommend coming to back bay, as it is a great location in Boston!
Here's a tip! If you are in the area during the summer, with kids, be sure to ride the swan boats! It is a quick 15 minute boat ride on a small lake. Even the teenagers had a blast! If you are thinking of moving here as a single person, this location has a very young "vibe".
Please press "helpful" if you found this review insightful, as I wonder if anyone actually read these.....
Lovely residential, and city streets to walk on, close to everything! Walking distance to the parks (Swan boats on the lake) "T" and fun restaurants.
I would highly recommend coming to back bay, as it is a great location in Boston!
Here's a tip! If you are in the area during the summer, with kids, be sure to ride the swan boats! It is a quick 15 minute boat ride on a small lake. Even the teenagers had a blast! If you are thinking of moving here as a single person, this location has a very young "vibe".
Please press "helpful" if you found this review insightful, as I wonder if anyone actually read these.....
Written June 25, 2017
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.
Lizzy
Hillsboro, OR12 contributions
Apr 2021
Parents of children and people on bicycle are not to come here. The whole design is not friendly to wheeled locomotive pushed or pulked. This whole area is a poor attempt at poshnes.
Written May 2, 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 all�
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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