One needs to savor Back Bay. We didn’t rush around this neighborhood. We strolled, observed and savoured. As its’ name suggests this was once a bay which was filled in the 19th century creating this upscale neighborhood. Back Bay is known for its’ brownstones, trendy shopping streets, Copley Square lined with The Boston Public Library & Trinity Church, high rise buildings and hotels.
Copley square with boston public library & Trinity church
Copley Square with its’ fountains, the lawn that on the weekend hosts free aerobic workouts, the chairs and benches, is a great place from which to see how the old and new blend in this lovely neighborhood.
The square is flanked on the one side by The Boston Public Library.
Definitely worth visiting this impressive building. Take note of the murals going up to the first floor and make sure you go into The Reading Room – makes you want to grab a book and sit down to read. In the Summer there are concerts in the coutyard.
The other side of the Copley Square is flanked by the iconic Trinity Church. I didn’t do the tour of the inside of the Church with its stained glass windows but sufficed with just checking out the exterior of this very impressive building. On a clear day the reflection of The Trinity Church, a building from the early 18th century, in the glass facade of the modern adjacent Hancock Building is special and worth taking note of.
Newbury Street
You don’t have to buy in one of the many chic stores lining this beautiful street to enjoy it! We walked the length of this street on both sides of it, from it’s east end at the entrance/exit to the Boston Common to the west end at Massachusetts Avenue. For a break stop at Stephanie’s on Newbury for a coffee/brunch – a great place for people watching.
Boylston StreeT, Charles River & Boston Common
Boylston Street, parallel to Newbury Street and flanking The Copley Square, is a shopping street famous for The Prudential Center – a shopper’s paradise. Apple, Trader’s Joe and New Balance also grace this street. So lots of variety.
On Boylston close to The Boston Common stop at Tatte for coffee and selection of Israeli influenced sweet and savory dishes . Tatte Cafe & Bakery, created and run by an Israeli with it’s 11 branches sprawled over Boston and Cambridge is the place to go. Every branch I stumbled upon was packed and loads of others waiting in line. I can vouch that the wait, which I usually avoid, is well worth it!
It is a great walk down from Copley Square to the Charles River. You pass the area with all the brownstones. The park and esplanade at the river are super for a walk/run, for people and squirrel watching and for amazing views of Cambridge.
I also did a day trip from Boston to Salem :-
https://gallivantinggoldies.com/day-trip-to-salem-from-boston-by-ferry/
All the photos are mine taken with my iPhone.
If you would like to know a little more about this gallivanting goldie take a look at:-