Back Bay Neighborhood Guide

Newbury Street and Back Bay Shopping

Shopping is a major part of life in Back Bay, with several commercial corridors offering different experiences.

• Newbury Street - Newbury Street runs through the heart of Back Bay and is lined with boutiques, restaurants, galleries, salons, cafés, and other businesses. Historic brownstone buildings provide the backdrop for the street's retail spaces, making it one of Boston's most recognizable commercial destinations.
  
• Boylston Street - Boylston Street passes through the Copley Square area and connects many of Back Bay's major attractions. Shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, and cultural destinations line the street, making it one of the neighborhood's busiest corridors.
• Prudential Center and Copley Place - For indoor shopping, the Prudential Center and Copley Place offer a mix of retail and dining in the southern portion of Back Bay. The Prudential Center is also home to View Boston, an observation experience at the top of the Prudential Tower. 
  

Dining in Back Bay

Back Bay has a broad selection of restaurants, from casual cafés and brunch spots to seafood restaurants, steakhouses, and fine dining destinations.

Much of the neighborhood's dining scene is concentrated around Newbury Street, Boylston Street, Copley Square, and the surrounding side streets. Historic brownstone buildings also give many restaurants a distinctive setting that reflects the neighborhood's architecture.

Dining options continue into the Copley Square area, where restaurants are close to the Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, and other neighborhood landmarks.

Parks and Outdoor Spaces in Back Bay

Despite its urban setting, Back Bay has several prominent parks and landscaped public spaces.

• Commonwealth Avenue Mall - Commonwealth Avenue Mall forms the landscaped center of Commonwealth Avenue and provides a tree-lined route through the neighborhood. The space was designed in the nineteenth century as part of the original Back Bay plan and remains an important pedestrian connection between the Public Garden and the western portion of the neighborhood.
  
• Boston Public Garden - Public Garden sits along the eastern edge of Back Bay and connects the neighborhood with Boston Common and Beacon Hill. Its formal gardens, paths, lagoon, and historic landscape provide a change of pace from the surrounding city streets.
  
• Copley Square - Copley Square Park is at the center of Back Bay's civic and cultural district. The square is surrounded by notable buildings, including Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library, and is also associated with the Boston Marathon finish line.
  
• Charles River Esplanade - The Charles River Esplanade borders Back Bay to the north and provides access to walking, running, cycling, boating, and other outdoor activities along the river. Its paths provide another way to experience the neighborhood away from the main commercial streets.
  

Arts, Culture and Landmarks

Back Bay is home to several major Boston landmarks and cultural institutions.

• Boston Public Library - Boston Public Library occupies a prominent position on Copley Square. The Central Library combines an active public library with historic architecture, art, reading rooms, exhibitions, and public programming.
  
• Trinity Church - Trinity Church anchors one side of Copley Square. The church's Richardson Romanesque architecture makes it one of the neighborhood's most recognizable historic buildings.
  
• Boston Marathon Finish Line - The Boston Marathon finish line is located on Boylston Street near Copley Square and the Boston Public Library. It has become one of the most recognizable landmarks associated with Back Bay and Boston's annual marathon.
  
• The Prudential Tower - The Prudential complex is another defining feature of the Back Bay skyline. Along with offices, shops, restaurants, and other amenities, the complex includes View Boston, which offers expansive views across the city. 
  

Getting Around Back Bay

Back Bay's central location makes it easy to reach many parts of Boston without relying exclusively on a car. The neighborhood is served by several MBTA options, including Back Bay Station and Green Line stops near major commercial and residential streets.

Back Bay Station provides access to the Orange Line and commuter rail service, while Green Line stops around Copley, Arlington, and the surrounding area provides connections to other parts of Boston.

For residents, the neighborhood's walkable street layout also puts many everyday destinations within a relatively short distance of home.

Nearby Boston Neighborhoods

Back Bay sits near several other central Boston neighborhoods, making it easy to move between different parts of the city.

• Beacon Hill lies northeast of Back Bay, across the Public Garden and Boston Common.
• South End is directly south of Back Bay and is known for its historic row houses, restaurants, parks, and neighborhood commercial streets.
• Fenway-Kenmore is west of Back Bay and provides access to Fenway Park, additional restaurants, shops, and cultural destinations.
• Downtown Boston is east of Back Bay and contains the city's central business district, historic sites, shopping, dining, and major transportation connections.
  
• Bay Village and the Theater District are also within easy reach of Back Bay.