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Newbury Street & Back Bay

Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts

Description

Back Bay is a Boston neighbourhood built in the mid-19th century on reclaimed land in the Charles River Basin. It is famous for its rows of Victorian brownstone homes and some buildings with remarkable architecture such as the Boston Public Library (central branch) and Trinity Church. It is considered one of the city's prime shopping and restaurant destinations, with Newbury Street and Boylston Street attracting a mix of chains and independent brands. Newbury Street runs roughly east–west, from the Boston Public Garden to Brookline Avenue. Trivia: the MIT was located on Newbury Street from 1865 to 1916.

Access & Transport

The neighbourhood is immediately southwest of Boston Public Garden, stretching parallel to the Charles River in the direction of Fenway. The green metro line runs under Boylston Street with 3 stops, from east to west, at Arlington, Copley, and Hynes Convention Center Station.

Instructions & Recommendations

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Meta review

The neighbourhood is often featured in travel magazines and online reviews are also very positive about Back Bay, for its brownstone houses, the wealth of shops and restaurants in the area, and the scenic green space along Commonwealth Ave. Newbury Street in particular is singled out for its lively atmosphere but there are some comments that large chains are slowly taking over from independent stores and that prices are quite high.

Environmental & Social

Some trees and a few green spaces but a lot of concrete, electricity usage, and commercially oriented with rising rents for residents.

Conclusion

Back Bay may not be the best value shopping area, but it probably has the best mix or architecture, atmosphere, trendy restaurants, and fashion stores. A must for urban explorers and shoppers and still a good area for a stroll for the others.

Key positive

Plenty of restaurant choices and shopping options

Some interesting architecture

Good public transport access

Key negative

Expensive and dominated by chains

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

August 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 25m

est. visit time:1h 30m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningNo

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightOk

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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