Back Bay is a historic neighborhood that hosts many of the city’s biggest attractions, excellent shopping venues, and a top-notch restaurant. The fashionable part of the town has recognizable Victorian houses. Rows of brownstone homes are among the best-preserved 19th-century architecture in the US. Along with the older parts, the neighborhood is home to modern skyscrapers like the John Hancock Tower, the tallest building.
Visitors that come from abroad need an ESTA permit. With acquiring the travel authorizations, travelers should know about the US customs questions and answers. The usual questions are: what is the purpose of the trip, how long you intend to stay, do you have anything to declare, and others.
What to do in Back Bay
Trinity Church is the epitome of church ornaments. The visual attraction on Copely Square is equally impressive architecturally and in the interior, where walls are painted by a team of artists led by John La Farge. It also has vast stained-glass windows, also designed by famous artists.
Boston Public Library is close to Trinity Church and Copley Square. The library was founded in 1848 and had an extensive collection of close to 24 million items. Current central buildings are in McKim and Johnson Building with an enormous collection of books and a huge reading room.
A great way to spend an afternoon in Back Bay is a visit to the Emporium. A huge globe you can walk in with the world map as it was in the 1930s. The globe is 30 feet in diameter with a glass bridge in the interior.
If you’re a New England Patriot or Boston Celtics fan, go to the Champions, where you can watch live games on hundreds of large screen TV screens, sip craft beers and grab nachos or burgers.
Best views in Boston
Back Bay is also home to Prudential Tower. Besides the great shopping, it offers an observation deck on the 50th floor with a 360-degree view of the city. On a clear day, you can see up to 80 miles and admire the view.
A great view of the Boston skyline, Back Bay, Cambridge, and Charles River is from the Longfellow Bridge. The bridge itself is an attraction and worthy of a couple of Instagram shots.
A little outside of Boston is Washington Tower. Its located at Mount Auburn Cemetery, and it offers an unprecedented view of Boston downtown.
If you don’t mind steps, climb all 294 to the top of Bunker Hill Monument. You can commemorate the historic 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill as a part of the Freedom Trail, and there are outstanding views on the city and especially the downtown skyline.
You can go to Prospect Hill with public transportation and gaze at the horizon. Above the roof In the distance rises the Boston skyline.
Piers Park, Corey Hill Outlook, BU Bridge, and LoPresti Park are other perfect Boston picture viewpoints. Visitors that are looking for picture opportunities often wander is Boston safe. As a tourist destination Boston is generally relatively safe, but as a large city, take the usual precautions.
Indoor activities Boston
Boston has its fair share of rainy and snowy days, but luckily it has plenty of attractions for such occasions. New England Aquarium is a great spot to kill a day with huge tanks with marine water. Science of Sharks, Amazon Rainforest, and Seadragon exhibits are among the most popular.
Boston has excellent museums starting with the Museum of Fine Art that hosts artwork from Ancient Egypt to modern works from Degas, Manet, Van Gogh, and other impressive collection exhibits.
Museum of Science is among the largest global science museums and the most visited cultural institution in the Boston area.
Explore a modern approach to art in the Institute of Contemporary Art. Located by the water in Seaport District with art and installation will blow you away with insight into a vibrant local art scene.
Other notable museums include MIT Museum, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and JFK Presidential Library and Museum.
Boston played a huge role in the American War for Independence, and visiting Old State House is an excellent way to explore those Revolutionary roots.
Suppose history and culture are not your thing, head down to the CabridgeSide Galleria or Prudential Center, and enjoy a day of exquisite shopping experience. Beside great shops, boutiques, and galleries, you can find rich food corners.
Bottom line
Boston is full of popular attractions, and you can spend numerous days exploring it. Find out about Boston history on 4 kilometers long Freedom Trail. Take a break from sightseeing in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the US with more than 50 acres of land and lake. Go to the Boston Garden for a Celtics game or visit the oldest active baseball stadium, the legendary Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
Back Bay is located near downtown, and it can be a perfect place to start exploring this beautiful city.