Back Bay is a neighborhood full of historical landmarks, architecturally-significant buildings, and important cultural institutions. It is home to the Boston Public Library, the Prudential Center, Copley Square, Symphony Hall, and the Christian Science Center. It is also a first-class shopping destination, with fashionable Newbury Street running through its heart.

While some of the tallest office buildings in Boston are in Back Bay, such as the Prudential Center and the John Hancock Tower, the neighborhood is also famous for its rows of Victorian brick homes, which are considered one of the best-preserved examples of 19^th century urban design in the United States. Along with nearby Beacon Hill, the Back Bay is one of Boston’s two most expensive residential neighborhoods.

Back Bay runs from Massachusetts Ave. towards downtown via major avenues such as Boylston St., Newbury St., Commonwealth Ave., and Huntington Ave, and ends at the Boston Public Garden. Commonwealth Ave. is mostly residential in this area, with a beautiful, wide, tree-lined walkway running the length of it as part of the Emerald Necklace park system of Boston. Boylston St. and Newbury St. are significant cultural centers, lined with local shops, fine dining, and a booming nightlife.

There is a rich history in the Back Bay. It was transformed from an actual bay into a habitable locality during a 19^th century filling project, and has been home to some of Boston’s leading institutions, which have eventually moved elsewhere for expansion. The Boston Public Library remains as a symbol of the neighborhood’s academic history, as it is the first public library ever to be established in the United States. Berklee College of Music and the Boston Architectural College are also located in the Back Bay.

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Learn more about the other Boston neighborhoods we serve:
Fenway/Kenmore — Longwood Medical Area — Beacon Hill — Brookline — North End — South End