Discover Boston's Back Bay district step by step

For your information, to the north of the district along the Charles River is the Charles River Esplanade. This is a must for summer nights. The number of festivals and concerts is impressive.

At the heart of the district, Copley Square is surrounded by a number of sights, buildings and tourist attractions. Architectural eclecticism is at its best here. Note the difference in size between Trinity Church and the 200 Clarendon building (a 60-storey tower designed by architect I.M. Pei). Trinity Church is an old church built in 1877. It is made of granite and sandstone.

The Boston Public Library has stood proudly around Copley Square since 1895. This imposing library is the second largest in the country, housing more than 20 million documents, books, essays, maps, photographs and drawings. Open every day except certain public holidays. It is open from 9am to 5pm (9pm Monday to Thursday). Sundays only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For a lunch break, there are a large number of cafés and restaurants in the area. The Prudential Centre has a shopping centre where you can have lunch.

After this break, you can head to the top of the Skywalk Observatory in the Prudential Center. From up there (50th floor) the view of Boston and its bay is remarkable! You'll appreciate the omnipresence of the water that surrounds the city (Atlantic Ocean, Charles River) on its eastern side. If you're here in the late afternoon, you'll be able to watch the sunset - a magical sight! Admission fee required, open all year round except on certain public holidays. Open from 11am to 9pm.

Where to stay in the Back Bay area?

⭐ AKA Back Bay

The luxury hotel the AKA Back Bay richly deserves its 4* rating. Firstly its location in the former Boston police headquarters is already remarkable! Copley Square and the Boston Common public garden are less than 500 metres away. The modern, spacious rooms at the AKA Back Bay Hotel are equipped with flat-screen TVs. There is also a work desk and ironing facilities. The gym is open all day.

Today we're continuing our tour of the district. Right at the start of the walk, you arrive on the city's most popular shopping street: Newbury Street.

The eastern part of the street is packed with luxury boutiques, antique shops and art galleries. After a good coffee, it's time to give in to the temptations of all these shops!

If you continue along Commonwealth Avenue towards the Common Garden, you will reach Marlborough Street and Beacon Street. This is a very photogenic area. Victorian brick houses line the tree-lined streets.