The '''Back Bay''' was once a stagnant pool of water behind the '''Public Garden'''. It now holds some of the most exclusive real estate in Boston. The streets between Commonwealth Avenue and the Charles are almost entirely residential. Newbury St was once all stables to support these homes, it is now a shopping district that has been compared to Rodeo Drive in LA and 5th Avenue in New York. On the other side of Newbury is Boylston St, which on one side contains numerous bars and restaurants, and on the other several city landmarks, most notably '''Copley Square''' and the '''Prudential Center'''.

Get In

The Back Bay is bordered by the Charles River to the north, the Public Garden to the east, Fenway-Kenmore to the west, and the South End to the (you guessed it) south.

By Car:

Like most of downtown Boston driving in the back bay is a terrible idea. While, unlike the rest of the city, the streets are laid out in a grid, the traffic tends to be bad to terrible. Newbury is the worst, as trucks frequently double park and pedestrians brazenly walk in front of cars. Boylston and Mass Ave are also frequently congested. If you must drive there are several parking garages in the area, and Exit 22 off I-90 East (only) serves the area. Storrow Drive is also another point of egress, although during rush hour it is often gridlocked.

By Train

'''Back Bay''': Amtrak: Acela Express, Regional, Lake Shore Limited. Commuter Rail: Attleboro/Providence, Framingham/Worcester, Needham and Franklin lines. Also served by the Orange Line and the 10 and 39 bus. It is near the boarder of the South End. Nearby attractions are Copley Place and the Prudential Center.

'''Hynes Convention Center:''' Served by B, C and D branches of the Green Line and the 1 and CT1 bus. Actually on Mass Ave, the Convention Center from which it takes its name is a few blocks away on Boylston St. It serves the more 'Artsy' end of Newbury st, as well as the Prudential Center, Boston Architectural College and the Berklee School of Music.

'''Copley:''' Served by all Green Line branches, and the last stop before the E branches off. Also serviced by the 9, 39, and 55 bus. Services Copley Square, the Boston Public Library, Trinity Church and The John Hancock Tower. It is important to note there is no crossover (or transfer) between the inbound and outbound platforms and you should ride to Arlington to do so.

'''Arlington:''' Service by all Green Line branches, as well as the 9 and 55 bus. It is in the far corner of the Public Garden, and the more 'ritzy' end of Newbury St.

'''Prudential:''' Served only by the Green Line E branch, it is next after Copley going outbound. Also served by the 39 and 55 bus. It connects directly into the Prudential Center, but for convenience most residents use nearby Hynes and walk, as the E has the most infrequent service and it is easier to get to most destinations on the other lines.

By Bus

Routes CT1, 1, 9, 10, 39 and 55 service the area. The #1 bus is the most useful to tourists, as it runs on Mass Ave and connects the Back Bay with Central and Harvard Square in Cambridge.

See

With no specific destination, the best way to explore the Back Bay is to start at the Public Garden and walk up Newbury St. The shops slowly change from extremely high end to more bohemian. At Mass Ave, going to the right will bring you to Commonwealth Ave; a split road with a tree-lined pedestrian mall in the center. Boardering Commonwealth Ave are some of the most elegant townhouses in the city, rivaled only by those on Beacon Hill. Going left as Mass Ave will bring you into the Berklee College of Music, many more shops and eventually Symphony Hall. Left off Mass Ave is Boylston Street, a vibrant avenue that has many bars and restaurants on the one side, and many popular Boston attractions such as the Prudential Center, Copley Square, and Hynes Convention Center on the other.

Do

  • '''Boston Duck Tours''', [http://www.bostonducktours.com] An institution in their own right, these modified WWII DUKWs give a great tour of the city from both land and sea, in the same vehicle. Easily one of the best all-around tours in Boston. Schedules and ticket information available at /
  • '''Boston By Foot''', [http://www.bostonbyfoot.org] Guided walking tours highlighting the architecture and history of Back Bay including Trinity Church, the Boston Public Library, New Old South Church, and the grand rows of Back Bay townhouses.
  • '''Urban AdvenTours''', [http://www.urbanadventours.com] Urban AdvenTours offers environmentally-friendly and exciting bicycle tours of Boston - from historic landmarks to quaint neighborhood streets of Boston and Cambridge - for families, students and visitors. Ride with us and see Boston the way it was meant to be seen - on two wheels! New location at 103 Atlantic Avenue in the North End.
  • Buy

  • Newbury Street[http://www.newbury-st.com/] has its own webpage, which has an interactive map for most destinations. Due to many shops being in the basement or upper levels of other buildings and sometimes hard to find, it is a very useful tool.
  • Eat

  • '''B. Good''', 131 Dartmouth St., ''+1'' 617-424-5252, [http://www.bgood.com/]. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. '''Vegetarian''' Offers health-conscious veggie burgers with great fixings, like salsa and guacamole, and sides of tasty steamed veggies. The fries are air-baked and taste like real potatoes!
  • '''Fire and Ice''', 205 Berkeley St., ''+1'' 617-482-FIRE(3473). You get to pick your own food and sauces, and they cook it right in front of you on a large communal grill. $16.95, all you can eat. Rather touristy.
  • '''Hsin Hsin Cafe''', 25 Massachusetts Ave., A very cheap and fast Chinese food joint, popular among students living in the area.
  • '''Noodle St.''', 627 Commonwealth Ave (''near BU East T''), ''+1'' 617-536-3100. 11:30AM-10:30PM. This newer establishment has been a hit with the student crowd with its complex menu of create-it-yourself '''Thai''' fusion at reasonable, if not quite insanely cheap prices. Try the special buckwheat noodles or the Noodle St. soup.
  • '''Nud Pob''', 708 Commonwealth Ave, ''+1'' 617-536-8676. M-F 11:30AM-11:00PM, S+S 12:00PM-10:30PM. A student favorite for years, this little '''Thai''' jewel is cheap and delicious. Tucked away below street level this place is easy to miss but worth searching for. The food is fast, cheap, and some of the best in Boston. Their pad thai is perfect and their yellow and green curry dishes are to die for.
  • '''The Parish Cafe''', 361 Boylston Street, [http://www.parishcafe.com/]. A casual place with a moderate side walk cafe. Their specialty is sandwiches designed by some of the best chefs in Boston.
  • '''Pour House''', 907 Boylston St. (''across the street from Hynes Convention Center and The Prudential Center''), ''+1'' 617-236-1767. Specific Day Specials. Cheap eats. Check it out. Oh and it's seat yourself.
  • '''Summer Shack Restaurant''', 50 Dalton St, (across from the Hynes Auditorium), ''+1'' 617-867-9955. Wonderful selections of '''seafood''' which change on a daily basis. The Summer Shack has a rotating selection of oysters and clams, and always have fresh lobsters for boiling or grilling on a wood flame. In addition, their fried seafood is great. Try their raspberry mojitos from $15-$40.
  • '''Victoria's Seafood''', 1029 Commonwealth Ave, (Babcock St. off Green(B) line), ''+1'' 617-783-5111. Excellent for large parties, authentic and traditional, '''Cantonese style''' cuisine.
  • Splurge

  • '''Abe and Louie's''', 793 Boylston Street, ''+1'' 617 536-6300. Su-Th 11:30AM-11PM, [http://www.abeandlouies.com] Fr-Sa 11:30AM-12PM. A happening steakhouse with some of the best cuts in town. Make sure to get reservations or come in on off hours.
  • '''Grill 23 & Bar''', 161 Berkeley St, ''+1'' 617-542-2255, [http://www.grill23.com/]. Certainly a contender for the best steaks in Boston. Also serves excellent seafood entrees. Private dining rooms available. Make sure to make weekend reservations at least a week in advance.
  • '''L'Espalier''', 30 Gloucester St (''Back Bay''), ''+1'' 617-262-3023, [http://www.lespalier.com] The flagship French restaurant in Boston headed by award-winning chef Frank McClelland. Impeccable service and memorable cuisine make this a top choice for special occasions. Choose from several fix-priced multi-course menus (no a la carte menu available). Make reservations way in advance. (Note: L'Espalier would move from its current location to a new place near the new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in September 2008. The new location is only a couple minutes' walk from the old one, but given the complex nature of moving a restaurant, do call ahead and ask.)
  • '''Morton's Steakhouse''', 699 Boylston St (''at Exeter St''), ''+1'' 617-266-5858, [http://www.mortons.com] Located near the Hynes Convention Center and Newbury Street. A conservative dinner for two without drinks will run you about $150, not including tax and gratuity.
  • '''Top of the Hub''', Prudential Center, ''+1'' 617-859-0648, [http://www.prudentialcenter.com/dine/dine_detail.php?id=61]. Dine in luxury at the top of the Prudential Building, the second tallest building in the city. Light jazz, good food, and high prices accompany a view of the city and everything around. On a clear day, you can see Maine and Cape Cod. $40/person, $60-80 with drinks at dinner.
  • Drink

  • '''Sonsie''', 327 Newbury St. Extremely trendy and somewhat expensive, Sonsie is known as a place for beautiful people. Multiple celebrities have dined here, and a few movies have been filmed within. There is reason for this, the food is excellent, the atmosphere serene and the dowstairs wine bar is to die for.
  • '''The Pour House''', 907 Boylston St. A favorite with locals, the Pour House offers cheap food and drinks in a fun atmosphere. Weekends tend to be crowded, but during the day it is a great place for a cold brew and gigantic plate of nachos.
  • '''Cottonwood Cafe''', 222 Berkley Street. Cottonwood has a tequila menu to rival many restaurant's wine lists. Their margaritas are the best in town. They also carry a respectable wine list and a good selection of regional and national micro brews.
  • Coffee

  • '''Espresso Royale Caffe''', 288 Newbury St, (617) 859-9515, [http://espressoroyale.com]. Located a few steps down below Newbury Street, Espresso Royale serves up its coffee and snacks with unique style. A small patio lets you enjoy your drink outside in the warmed months, while the interior, complete with cool art, music and wood tables is inviting and cozy. The tempo here is slower than that outside on the street, so you'll feel comfortable slowing down a bit and maybe even engaging in a board game.
  • Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Best Western Terrace Inn''', 1650 Commonwealth Ave, 617-566-6260, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=22029]. Budget hotel on Green B Subway line. Free parking, free continental breakfast, free wireless internet. From $99.99. On subway green line. Probably cheapest rate you'll find in the city, is 30 minute subway ride from Park Street and downtown.
  • '''Midtown Hotel''', 220 Huntington Ave, ''+1'' 617-262-1000, Fax: ''+1'' 617-262 8739, [http://www.midtownhotel.com/]. Budget hotel/motel within walking distance of Symphony Hall, First Church of Christ Scientist, Prudential Mall and Copley Place Mall. Close to Fenway Park, The Museum of Fine Arts, Newbury Street, Copley Library, and Esplanade July 4th Celebration. Across the street from Prudential MBTA stop on the Green Line. Advertised rates between $89 and $239 as of 3/2006. Free parking.
  • Moderate

  • '''Boston Furnished Apartments''', 617-357-6900, [http://www.furnishedapt.com Boston Furnished Apartments] is a furnished apartment rental agency, offering an alternative to a hotel room. These rentals are private homes, condos or apartments located in residential buildings within the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, North End, South End, and Financial District neighborhoods. There are monthly, weekly and nightly rentals available. The homes range in size from smaller studios to one or two bedroom apartments, and all have fully equipped kitchens and private bathrooms. This is a unique way to experience the city like a Bostonian, in a brownstone home. Rental paperwork is required and most credit cards are accepted.
  • '''The Colonnade Boston Hotel''', 120 Huntington Ave, ''+1'' 617-424-7000, Fax: ''+1'' 617-424-1717, [http://www.colonnadehotel.com/]. This Boston Colonnade hotel is located in the fashionable Back Bay district of Boston, MA across from the Prudential Center and blocks from Fenway Park. This hotel is great for business and leisure travelers who are looking for a unique experience. The hotel offers 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and boasts the city's only Roof Top Pool.
  • '''Courtyard by Marriott''', 88 Exeter St, ''+1'' 617-437-9300, [http://www.courtyardboston.com]. An 81 room boutique hotel. The hotel offers 5 elegantly appointed Suites, 63 King, and 14 Queen Doubles guestrooms. Hotel is located in the heart of the Historic Back Bay in Boston and neighboring Beacon Hill.
  • '''The College Club of Boston''', 44 Commonwealth Ave, ''+1'' 617-536-9510, Fax: ''+1'' 617-247-8537, [http://www.thecollegeclubofboston.com/]. Reasonably priced B&B in the Back Bay neighborhood, next to the Boston Public Gardens. Close to Copley Square, Boston Common, Prudential Center, Freedom Trail, Downtown Crossing Shops, Newbury Street and more. Small historic brownstone overlooking Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Advertised rates between $80 and $200 as of 10/2006.
  • Marriott Copley Place. 10 Huntington Avenue" [http://www.copleymarriott.com] checkin=". This Boston Marriott hotel is located in the historic Back Bay district of Boston, MA. This hotel is great for business and leisure travel and offers 65,000 sq ft of flexible meeting & event space.

  • Marriott Copley Square. 8 Exeter Street. 17.437.9300. ttp://www.courtyardboston.com/. Every room in the hotel has been professionally designed to create an atmosphere of serenity and comfort, while maintaining the state-of-the-art amenities you've come to expect from a Marriott.

    Splurge

  • '''Four Seasons Hotel Boston''', 200 Boylston St, ''+1'' 617-338-4400, Fax: ''+1'' 617-423-0154, [http://www.fourseasons.com/boston/]. This is New England's only AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star hotel and it is located right across from the Public Gardens. The Four Seasons Hotel provides unbeatable views and close proximity to all major attractions. The lobby lounge (Bristol Lounge) has an excellent post-theatre dessert buffet during weekends.
  • '''Sheraton Prudential Center''' [http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/sheratonboston/], '''Westin Copley''' [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1035] and '''Marriott Copley Place''' [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosco-boston-marriott-copley-place/] are all located above the Prudential/Copley Place mall. They are typically crowded during conventions as well as beginning and end of school year, since they are in close proximity of Northeastern and Boston Universities as well as other colleges, making it a favorite for visiting parents. Westin is located in the Copley end of the mall next to Neiman Marcus, and Sheraton is located at the end of the Prudential next to Prudential tower, and the Marriott is located in between. Visitors staying at these hotels would appreciate its close proximity to shopping and most locations within the Back Bay area.
  • '''Hilton Boston Back Bay''', 40 Dalton St, ''+1'' 800-HILTON, [http://www.hiltonfamilyboston.com/]. The Hilton Boston Back Bay hotel offers boutique-style lodging situated just steps away from all the excitement Boston has to offer. Walk from the hotel to fashionable Newbury Street and Copley Square for fabulous shopping and dining or make the short walk to historic Fenway Park.
  • '''The Copley Square Hotel''', 47 Huntington Ave,[http://www.copleysquarehotel.com/]. Located in historic Copley Square, walking distance to Fenway Park, Newbury Street and Boston Common. This Boston hotel features 143 hotel rooms and suites. The Copley Square Hotel offers onsite dining and entertainment at its restaurant, XHale Restaurant, and music lounge, Saint. XHale Restaurant is a casual meeting place for breakfast, dinner or cocktails; Saint is a boutique music lounge which serves drinks and provides live music.
  • '''The Fairmont Copley Plaza''', 138 St. James Ave, 866-540-4417, [http://fairmontcopleyplaza-boston.com] Recently renovated and restored, this Boston hotel features 383 rooms including 17 elegant suites. The Fairmont is located near historic Beacon Hill, Copley Place, the Hynes Convention Center and the Freedom Trail.
  • '''Courtyard Boston Tremont Hotel''', 275 Tremont St, ''+1'' 617-426-1400, Fax: ''+1'' 617-482-6730, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/BOSDM]. This 4 star luxury hotel is located in the back bay area of Boston. Recently redesigned has made this hotel into a leading hotel to stay in boston. Across the street from the Wang Theatre.
  • Contact