United States
Massachusetts (MA)
Boston
Boston Attractions
Back Bay
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Back Bay

See all things to do
See all things to do
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.
Suggested 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 • 1 min walk
  • Back Bay • 5 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
2,679 within 5 kms
Sorellina
860
0.1 km$$$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Atlantic Fish Co
4,963
0.3 km$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Thinking Cup
305
0.3 km$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Flour Bakery + Cafe
667
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
The Friendly Toast
842
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
La Voile
713
0.4 km$$$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly
OAK Long Bar + Kitchen
776
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Soups
Mistral
1,101
0.5 km$$$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly
The Salty Pig
535
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pizza
Douzo
495
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
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Attractions
606 within 10 kms
Old South Church in Boston
251
28 mHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
Boston Public Library
4,108
75 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Libraries
Copley Square
838
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Trinity Church
1,033
0.2 kmArchitectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Newbury Street
2,512
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Boston Marathon Survivor Memorial
7
74 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Norman B. Leventhal Map Center
7
97 mSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
John Singleton Copley Statue
15
0.1 kmMonuments & Statues
Society of Arts and Crafts
5
0.1 kmArt Galleries
Society of Arts and Crafts
6
0.1 kmArt Galleries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
640 reviews
Excellent
406
Very good
219
Average
12
Poor
2
Terrible
1
SuperDuper Coach
Mitcham, Australia188 contributions
Waste of time
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 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.
Denise F
Brisbane, Australia46 contributions
Walk up here to have a decent coffee and lunch at Piattini.
Sep 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 19 September 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 Republic21 contributions
Beautiful neighborhood for tourists
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 10 August 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, UK419 contributions
Amazing neighbourhood
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 29 July 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
14 contributions
Very nice upmarket area to visit
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 15 June 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, India518 contributions
Bygone era
Jun 2022 • Couples
Beautiful architecture
Took a bus tour through d area
Transportation to centuries back

Dominance brown shade
Captivating with green foliage
Written 12 June 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, Serbia17,664 contributions
Terrific upscale area
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.
Written 31 May 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, DC404 contributions
Boston's Gorgeous Back Bay...
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.
Michael K
991 contributions
Nice neighborhood for taking casual strolls
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 19 October 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.
Laurie P
Cortland, NY7,552 contributions
Beautiful Serene City Area
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.
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.
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BACK BAY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Back Bay
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