Boston Public Garden in the Back Bay Area. Photo courtesy of 6SN7.
One area worth exploring in Boston is the neighborhood of Back Bay. Well-known for its affluent community, French-inspired boulevards, charming Victorian houses and notable landmarks like the Prudential Center, Public Library and Copley Square. The first thing any visitor to Boston’s Back Bay should do is take a stroll to admire the beautiful architecture.
The best place to do this is down Newbury Street, which is lined with boutiques, high-end stores, art galleries, restaurants and cafes perfect for people-watching. It’s also worthwhile to view the beautiful churches in the area like the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Church of the Covenant and the Arlington Street Church. Best of all, taking in the neighborhood’s beauty if one of Boston’s free activities.
Once you’ve enjoyed street-level views of the neighborhood, head to the top of the Prudential Center for aerial vistas. Along with being home to shops, restaurants and services the building features a Skywalk Observatory which offers 360 degree views of Boston and beyond.
Visiting the Boston Public Garden is a great way to spend an afternoon, especially if you’re visiting Boston in the summer. Touted as the first public botanical garden in America, the beautiful green space features colorful flowers, an oddly-shaped pond, a suspension bridges, swan boats, statues and monuments. Furthermore, taking a walk down Commonwealth, Beacon and Marlborough streets to see the wealthy area’s grand mansions as well as down the pleasant paths of Back Bay’s Esplanade is also worthwhile.
No trip to the Back Bay neighborhood would be complete with visiting the Boston Public Library. Start by admiring the structure’s facade, done in a Renaissance Revival style. On the inside, detailed furnishings abound, murals adorn the staircase and a Renaissance-style courtyard mimics the one in Rome’s Palazzo della Cancelleria. The library’s collection is also impressive, featuring rare books, fine art and music. For more art, head to the nearby Boston Center for the Arts to view exhibits and take in live performances.
Opting for a tour is a great way to really get to know the neighborhood of Back Bay. For example, a Boston Photography Tour of Back Bay allows participants to not only learn how to master the art of photography, but also see the iconic sites of Back Bay. Snap photos of the John Hancock Tower, Trinity Church, tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue, the Gothic Revival-style Church of the Covenant and the Boston Women’s Memorial while listening to interesting commentary from your guide.