Back Bay Travel Guide

Boston

Back Bay featuring heritage architecture, a city and street scenes
Back Bay
Back Bay featuring street scenes and a city as well as a large group of people
Back Bay showing a statue or sculpture
Back Bay which includes markets and food

Parisian boulevards and elegant brownstones conjure a truly romantic atmosphere, perfect for strolling and window shopping.

Back Bay, now one of Boston’s most desirable neighbourhoods, was once a large swamp. Here gorgeous townhouses and historical sites stand alongside some of the trendiest shopping in town, as well as two of the city’s tallest towers. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon visit to this modern, chic and walkable area.

As you walk around the area, notice how the layout makes sense. In 1856, Arthur Gilman proposed a neighbourhood plan based on the French model, with a flat orientation and a logically ordered street grid. Names of cross-streets are in alphabetical order. Notice the wide tree-lined boulevards inspired by Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s then-recent renovation of Paris, and a variety of beautiful stone townhouses. Back Bay’s lovely streets are perfect for strolling, stopping occasionally to admire the architecture or chat with residents.

Explore the neighbourhood by getting to know its two great walking streets. Newbury Street, once home to stables for the area’s houses, is now a shopping destination, with European-style boutiques and restaurants as well as the iconic music store, Newbury Comics. By contrast, Commonwealth Avenue is a grand boulevard in true Parisian style, lined with charming Victorian brownstones and street-side cafés.

The diverse flavours and styles of Back Bay and downtown Boston are proudly displayed at nearby Copley Square, the neighbourhood’s small but lively plaza. Take a seat and look around at a real marvel of architectural coexistence. Admire the proud Trinity Church of 1877, then see it again sumptuously reflected in the mirrored glass of the giant John Hancock Tower. The nearby Boston Public Library announces Boston as the “Athens of America” with its magnificent façade. Copley is also home to a smart fountain and a twice-weekly farmers market.

Use the subway to easily access Back Bay. After your visit, continue exploring the city’s many attractions: The Boston Public Garden, the Charles River Esplanade and the Prudential Centre are all just a short walk away. Alternatively, stay in the area to sample some of the finest eating and drinking Boston has to offer.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Back Bay

Copley Square Hotel, a FOUND Hotel

Copley Square Hotel, a FOUND Hotel

4 out of 5
47 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA
The price is Rp2.600.589 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.600.589
Rp3.028.386 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Boston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,799 reviews)
"Perfect spot everything was in walkable distance"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Copley Square Hotel, a FOUND Hotel
The Newbury Boston

The Newbury Boston

5 out of 5
15 Arlington St, Boston, MA
The price is Rp7.859.108 per night from 4 Sept to 5 Sept
Rp7.859.108
Rp10.000.707 total
4 Sept - 5 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Boston. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (479 reviews)
"The Newbury is everything a five star hotel should be. Beautiful building, well appointed rooms, immaculate service, and the best location in Boston - with fabulous views across the park and the shops of Newbury street just yards away."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

The Newbury Boston
Copley House

Copley House

3 out of 5
239 W Newton St, Boston, MA
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Boston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,771 reviews)
"Very nice option to large overpriced hotels. I will definitely keep this in my “rolodex.”"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Copley House
Sheraton Boston, a Marriott Hotel

Sheraton Boston, a Marriott Hotel

4 out of 5
39 Dalton St, Boston, MA
The price is Rp3.395.414 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp3.395.414
Rp3.953.960 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Boston. Enjoy a 24-hour fitness centre, valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,692 reviews)
"A great place to stay. I.will reserve a room again in the future."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Sheraton Boston, a Marriott Hotel
Boston Marriott Copley Place

Boston Marriott Copley Place

4 out of 5
110 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA
The price is Rp3.855.124 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp3.855.124
Rp5.055.250 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Boston. Enjoy 3 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,648 reviews)
A huge hotel/mall conglomerate in great location.
"Great location! Concierge desk really helpful for getting tickets to View and other providing information. Starbucks on premises was great. It took us a while to figure out elevators, but once we did we appreciated how efficient the system was."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Boston Marriott Copley Place
The Lenox Hotel Boston

The Lenox Hotel Boston

4.5 out of 5
61 Exeter Street, Boston, MA
The price is Rp4.737.915 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp4.737.915
Rp5.517.303 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Boston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,099 reviews)
"Great hotel"

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

The Lenox Hotel Boston
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Back Bay

Back Bay showing a city

Back Bay East

If you're spending time in Back Bay East, check out sights like Copley Square or Old South Church and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Copley Station or Arlington Station.

Back Bay East
Default Image

Prudential - St. Botolph

While you're in Prudential - St. Botolph, take in top sights like Copley Square and jump on the metro at Prudential Station to see more of the city.

Prudential - St. Botolph
Theatre District which includes night scenes and signage

Bay Village

While you're in Bay Village, take in top sights like Charles Playhouse and jump on the metro at Tufts Medical Center Station to see more of the city.

Bay Village
Default Image

South End

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

South End is noteworthy for its cafes, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Copley Place and SoWa Artists Guild.

South End
Beacon Hill showing landscape views

Beacon Hill

5/5(3 area reviews)

Historical sites, shopping and restaurants highlight some notable features of Beacon Hill. Make a stop by Charles Street or Hatch Shell while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Charles-MGH Station or Park St. Station to get around town.

Beacon Hill
Boston which includes a park

MIT

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

While you're in MIT, take in top sights like Stata Center and jump on the metro at Kendall-MIT Station to see more of the city.

MIT

Back Bay Travel Guide