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Back Bay

Boston

Boston's most elegant neighbourhood, with Victorian brownstones, the shops of Newbury Street, Copley Square and the Public Garden.

Best for First visit · Upscale · Families

Transport
5/5
Sights
4/5
Value
2/5
Quiet
4/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$330/night · 10 min to Boston Common

See hotels in Back Bay

Back Bay on the map

Why stay here

  • Elegant, walkable streets
  • Newbury Street shopping and the Public Garden
  • Green, Orange Line and Back Bay station

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Luxury stays
  • Families

Not ideal if…

  • You're on a budget
  • You want lively nightlife
  • You want harbour views

What it's like

Back Bay was built on reclaimed land in the 1800s, and its grid of brownstone streets is one of the best-preserved Victorian neighbourhoods in the US. Newbury Street has boutiques and cafés, Copley Square has Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library, and Commonwealth Avenue's tree-lined mall leads to the Public Garden and its swan boats.

It's the best all-round base: central, safe and well connected, with grand hotels. Prices are high, and the area is quieter at night than Downtown or the Seaport.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Newbury Street

    Boutiques, galleries and cafés in brownstones.

  • Commonwealth Avenue

    Tree-lined mall with grand houses.

  • Boylston Street

    Shops, restaurants and the Boston Marathon finish line.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Green Line along Boylston Street, Orange Line and commuter rail at Back Bay station.
To Boston Common
About 10 minutes
From Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
About 35 minutes: free Silver Line SL1 from Logan to South Station, then the Orange Line to Back Bay.

Nearby attractions

  • Boston Public Garden

    Swan boats and the 'Make Way for Ducklings' statues.

  • Boston Public Library

    Grand 1895 library with a courtyard and murals.

  • Trinity Church

    Romanesque church on Copley Square.

  • View Boston

    Observation deck at the top of the Prudential Center.

Where to eat and drink

  • Newbury Street

    Cafés and restaurants with patios.

  • Boylston Street

    Bars and restaurants near Copley Square.

Where to stay in Back Bay

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Fairmont Copley Plaza

Why we like it: Grand 1912 hotel on Copley Square.

Typical luxury rate in Back Bay: ~$750/night

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Luxury pick

Mandarin Oriental, Boston

Why we like it: Luxury hotel with a large spa, on Boylston Street.

Typical luxury rate in Back Bay: ~$750/night

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Luxury pick

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street

Why we like it: Modern tower with an indoor pool and city views.

Typical luxury rate in Back Bay: ~$750/night

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Hotels in Back BayMid-range from ~$330/night

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