I first moved to Boston to attend college in 2008; and as it has with many others, the city sunk its claws into my heart and has never let me leave. Over the course of eight and a half years in Boston, I’ve attended three schools, lived in three neighborhoods, worked eight jobs, taken thousands of pictures, made lifelong friendships, fallen in love, and ultimately decided to settle down here for the foreseeable future.

There are countless reasons why Boston is such an easy city to fall in love with. There’s an influx of brilliant people from around the world to its prestigious schools, keeping the city diverse and vibrant. It’s the perfect size for wandering, and you’ll fall in love with the historic buildings and rows of brownstones. Each season has its own beauty, from the stunning fall foliage to the lively summer energy and cozy winter warmth.

I believe that anyone can feel at home in Boston; and to help you find a neighborhood to explore, I’ve put together this Boston travel guide to the must-see spots in my city. This week, I’ll show you Back Bay; next, be sure to check out every other Boston travel guide, covering 4 neighborhoods: Downtown Boston, Beacon Hill, the North End, and the South End!

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Boston Travel Guide: 5 Must-Visit Neighborhoods

Back Bay

Prior to the mid-1800s, Back Bay was, in fact, a bay. Thousands of trainloads of gravel from Needham, MA were responsible for the creation of one of Boston’s most-loved neighborhoods. There are many different ways to experience Back Bay: Go shopping or grab a bite to eat on Newbury and Boylston Streets; see the Charles River from the Esplanade or the Mass Ave Bridge; experience Commonwealth Avenue and the Public Garden in every season; or gaze at the famous Victorian brownstones on Commonwealth, Beacon, and Marlborough Streets. (Keep reading my Boston travel guide to discover the most photogenic streets to wander in Back Bay & 4 other neighborhoods!)

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Boston Travel Guide: Must-See Spots in Back Bay

Christian Science Center

Stop by the reflecting pool during the day, and again at night—it’s impossible to decide which is prettier! Be sure to snap a photo of the skyscrapers’ reflections in the pool.

• 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
• Closest T stops: Hynes (Green line – all branches), Symphony or Prudential (Green line – E branch)
• Season: Spring, summer, fall

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Charles River Esplanade & Massachusetts Avenue Bridge

See stunning views of Boston, Cambridge, and the Charles River from the Massachusetts Avenue bridge. Next, take a mile-long stroll down the Esplanade to Longfellow Bridge, pausing halfway to sunbathe or take pictures on the docks. (This is also where Boston’s 4^th of July fireworks are held!)

• Intersection of Massachusetts Avenue & Storrow Drive, Boston, MA 02115
• Closest T stop: Hynes (Green line – B, C & D branches), or Charles/MGH (Red line) on the opposite end
• Season: Summer, fall

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Boston Public Library

Through the entrance on Dartmouth Street, you’ll enter the McKim Building, one of my favorite places included in my Boston travel guide. You can have lunch in the Roman-inspired open-air courtyard, or read a book upstairs in breathtaking Bates Hall.

• Main entrance: 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116; McKim Building: Dartmouth Street
• Closest T stop: Copley (Green line – all branches)
• Season: All

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Copley Square

You can find your way to Copley Square by following the John Hancock Tower, the tallest building in New England. Have a picnic lunch or read a book on the lawn, by the fountain, or on the steps of Old South Church.

• Intersection of Boylston Street & Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116
• Closest T stop: Copley (Green line – all branches)
• Season: Spring, summer, fall

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Boston Public Garden

This was the first public botanical garden in the United States, established in 1837. Come to see the tulips in the spring, or the scenic pond in any season. It’s also famous for the swan boats and Make Way for Ducklings statues.

• Intersection of Commonwealth Avenue & Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116
• Closest T stop: Arlington (Green line – all branches)
• Season: Spring, summer, fall

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Commonwealth Avenue Mall

This is the green space in the center of Commonwealth Avenue, and it’s the perfect place to read a book in the summer. In the winter, the trees are lit with Christmas lights, and it’s one of the best places to see on my Boston travel guide.

• Commonwealth Avenue, between Arlington Street & Massachusetts Avenue
• Closest T stop: Hynes at one end (Green line – B, C & D branches), Copley in the middle (Green line – all branches), Arlington at the other end (Green line – all branches)
• Season: All

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Boston Travel Guide: Back Bay Streets to Wander

Beacon Street
Boylston Street
Commonwealth Avenue
Marlborough Street
Newbury Street

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Boston Travel Guide: Back Bay Restaurants to Try

Atlantic Fish Company

• 761 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
• Closest T stop: Copley (Green line – all branches)
• Meal: Dinner

Cafeteria

• 279 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
• Closest T stop: Hynes (Green line – B, C & D branches)
• Meal: Dinner

Dig Inn

• 557 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
• Closest T stop: Copley (Green line – all branches)
• Meal: Breakfast or lunch

Douzo

• 131 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116
• Closest T stop: Copley (Green line – all branches), Back Bay (Orange line)
• Meal: Lunch or dinner

JP Licks

• 352 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115
• Closest T stop: Hynes (Green line – B, C & D branches)
• Meal: Dessert

Pavement

• 1096 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215
• Closest T stop: Hynes (Green line – B, C & D branches)
• Meal: Breakfast, lunch, or coffee

Trident

• 338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115
• Closest T stop: Hynes (Green line – B, C & D branches)
• Meal: Breakfast or lunch

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Liked this post? Be sure to check out the 4 other parts of my Boston travel guide: Downtown Boston, Beacon Hill, the North End, and the South End!

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