Welcome to the Back Bay
A Neighborhood of Stately Sophistication on the Charles
Welcome to the Back Bay, home to glitzy shopping along Newbury Street, beautiful brownstones, myriad sidewalk cafes, Trinity Church, the Boston Public Library, and more. Live in a neighborhood where cultural festivals and farmers markets light up the street, where you can pop into up-and-coming art galleries on a whim. Strolling down the Commonwealth Mall, you can see the monuments honoring some of the city’s greatest citizens. This has long been the most elegant part of the city since early city planners filled in acres of tidal flats in the bay to create the residential district.
Today’s Back Bay residents live in upscale apartments perched above and amidst boutiques along Newbury Street. Historic mansions have been converted into luxury condos and row houses converted into glorious single-family residences. Right outside your front door — the heart of Boston, the ponds of the Public Garden, performances at Symphony Hall, and the placid Charles River.
What to Love
- Shopping and dining on Newbury Street
- Convenience to Public Garden and cultural institutions
- Elegant, traditional ambiance
- Gorgeous brick row houses
Local Lifestyle
Back Bay dwellers are a sophisticated, intellectual bunch. They love to brunch in the springtime sun along Newbury Street, pop in and out of luxury boutiques, and walk the dog in the famous Public Garden. You’re likely to find them sitting on a bench under a weeping willow in the park, quietly reading, or jogging along the Esplanade, enjoying on-the-water views of the Charles River. The lifestyle of the Back Bay is at once playful and polished.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
It’s no secret that Newbury Street is the place for shopping in the Back Bay. Shops run the gamut from high fashion to high tech, baubles to bohemian. Along this picturesque street, often dubbed the “Rodeo Drive of the East,” you’ll find haute couture, haute cuisine, fine homeware, jewelry, activewear, and so much more. Eight city blocks brim with salons, boutiques, and fabulous dining.
Speaking of food, once your shopping bags are full, it’s time to grab a bite. For classic steak and seafood, try Abe & Louie’s or Capital Grille. For even more fresh seafood, the Atlantic Fish Company is a perennial favorite — their extensive dessert and wine menus pull in savvy diners, too. Can’t decide what you’re in the mood for? Head to Eataly Boston in the Prudential Center, focused on the sea and its food. Not only will you learn about the New England fishing community and varieties of local fish, but you can try special dishes in several different restaurants, enjoy seasonal tastings in the market, and take cooking classes in La Scuola di Eataly by Valcucine.
Things to Do
Boston is known for its celebratory holiday events, from the July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular to First Night. Residents of the Back Bay have a front-row seat to the festivities. Watch the fireworks light up the night and open your windows to let in the sounds of the Boston Pops. On the final night of the year, head downstairs and into the street for First Night events.
If it’s summertime, jog along the Esplanade. In the colder months, go ice skating at Boston Commons. Wander along the Esplanade. Spend some quiet time in the Boston Public Library. Visit Trinity Church in Copley Square. Get lost in two levels of the super-chic Barneys department store. With such a convenient location in the heart of the city, Back Bay makes it easy to explore and just as easy to return home.
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