Back Bay
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
2,927 within 5 kms
Attractions
996 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
642 reviews
Excellent
407
Very good
220
Average
12
Poor
2
Terrible
1
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,251 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
I love wandering through the Back Bay. It's stuffed with gorgeous houses and tree-lined streets, and is full of restaurants and shops that beg to be explored. This area is pretty any time of year but is especially nice during the spring and autumn. You can feel that this is one of the more expensive Boston neighborhoods, but not in a stuffy, exclusive way.
Written 12 November 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.
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 9 February 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.
Laurie P
Cortland, NY8,609 contributions
Aug 2021
We stayed for 4 days at The Revolution Hotel in Back Bay. We loved the easy access of this area to the Mass Pike. It's kind of a sleepy area, and it was pretty quiet at night to sleep considering we were still in the city. I think the one way streets slowed down the traffic a bit so it didn't seem like the city.
Beautiful buildings, definitely worth walking around for a couple hours.
Beautiful buildings, definitely worth walking around for a couple hours.
Written 10 August 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.
kelseybundra
155 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
Filled with old houses, oil lamps, parks, statues, trees, and walkways in the middle of the street. This is what you envision when you think of Boston’s old world charm. The expensive houses weren’t that desirable back in the day, seeing as they were once on the river basin.
Written 19 July 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.
larryrneal2016
Warren, PA447 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 3 May 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.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA19,119 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
A large neighborhood, and one of my favorites. it stretches west from the Common and contains many religious and academic institutions, plus a lot of historic buildings. Most noted for the stately brick and stone townhouses from the Nineteenth Century. Take a long walk on tree-shaded Commonwealth Avenue.
Written 21 October 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.
TarJa
Salt Lake City, UT227 contributions
Sept 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 4 March 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, Australia204 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 22 October 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.
Steve R
Temecula, CA2,184 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 6 February 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.
D-DiLeo
Bronx, NY77 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 3 January 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.
Qué hay para ver caminando paralelo al agua? Algún paseo por el agua para ver Boston desde all�
Written 17 April 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 16 June 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 16 June 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 25 June 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 12 April 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 13 April 2016
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