Things to do in Back Bay

5 places to start in Back Bay

Boston Public Library

The 1895 building on Copley Square is free to enter. See the reading room with its green lamps, then have a coffee in the courtyard.

Official site →Photo: NateBergin, CC BY 4.0

The Mapparium

At the Mary Baker Eddy Library you walk through the inside of a three-story stained-glass globe on a glass bridge. It shows the world as it was mapped in 1935.

Official site →Photo: Christian Science Publishing Society, Public domain

Trinity Church

Across the square, H.H. Richardson's 1870s church has murals and stained glass that are worth the small entry fee.

Official site →Photo: Daderot, CC BY-SA 3.0

Charles River Esplanade

This riverside park has walking paths and wooden docks where you can rest by the water. The Hatch Shell stage here hosts the Boston Pops on the Fourth of July.

Official site →Photo: bynyalcin, CC BY 3.0

View Boston

The observation deck at the top of the Prudential Tower gives you a full circle of the city, with an open-air level.

Official site →Photo: Vegasjon, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hotels in Back Bay

Staying over? These are the picks from our guide, Where to stay in Back Bay, Boston, near Copley and Newbury, and Dyme members see private rates on each. You can also browse every Boston hotel guide or search hotels on Dyme.

Mandarin Oriental, Boston 776 Boylston Street, Boston 9.4334 reviews 3 min walk to Prudential (Green Line E)On Boylston Street with direct access to the Shops at Prudential Center, and a 9.4 guest score that ties it for the top rating on this list View hotel → Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston 1 DALTON STREET, Boston 9.4320 reviews 5 min walk to Prudential (Green Line E)One Dalton is a 61-floor tower, and its 9.4 guest score ties the Mandarin Oriental for the top rating on this list View hotel → Raffles Boston 40 Trinity Place, Boston 9.3211 reviews 2 min walk to Back Bay (Orange Line/Commuter Rail)The brand's first North American hotel, in a purpose-built tower 2 minutes from Back Bay Station and 4 from Copley Square, with a 9.3 guest score View hotel → Boston Marriott Copley Place 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston 8.71,802 reviews 3 min walk to Copley (Green Line B/Green Line C/Green Line D)Enclosed walkways link it to Copley Place and the Prudential Center: shops and restaurants you can reach without a coat View hotel →

This weekend in Back Bay: November 13–15

34 things on: 4 shows, 3 parties, 2 talks and 4 free. Listed by day and start time.

Friday, November 13

10:00 AMPatriots of Color ExhibitionRevolutionary War exhibition.Art97 Newbury StFrom $10View listing →10:00 AMHistoric Library TourGuided historic library tour.Tour700 Boylston StFreeView listing →11:00 AMCopley Square Farmers MarketFarm-fresh finds in Back Bay.Shopping227-230 Dartmouth StView listing →1:00 PMThe Curiosity Desk LIVE at the Boston Public LibraryLive curiosity show.Talk700 Boylston StView listing →2:00 PMThe Culture Show LIVE at the Boston Public LibraryLive arts & culture talk.Talk700 Boylston StView listing →4:00 PMHUE: Bar, Supper Club & SpeakeasyCocktails, supper & secrets.Bar90 Exeter StView listing →5:00 PMBlind Duck Speakeasy at the Raffles HotelHidden high-rise cocktail party.Bar40 Trinity PlView listing →5:00 PMLa Padrona: New Luxury Italian Restaurant in the Raffles HotelWarm Italian hospitality.Food38 Trinity PlView listing →5:00 PMBoston's Favorite Steak FritesSteak frites & endless fries.Food900 Boylston StFrom $39View listing →7:00 PMNiki LuparelliCabaret performance and piano.Show209 Columbus AveFreeView listing →8:00 PMNineteen Minutes LaterSynth-driven alt rock.Music136 Massachusetts AveView listing →10:00 PMHalf-off Sandwiches after 10pmHalf-price after dark.Food361 Boylston StView listing →10:00 PMClub Café Fridays – GayMaxxingWeekly queer dance party.Party209 Columbus AveFrom $15View listing →

Saturday, November 14

10:00 AMPatriots of Color ExhibitionRevolutionary War exhibition.Art97 Newbury StFrom $10View listing →10:00 AMLibrary Book Sale - November 2026French library book sale.Shopping53 Marlborough StFrom $1View listing →11:00 AMWeekend BrunchLively brunch & cocktails.Food209 Columbus AveView listing →11:30 AMThe Ladies Who Brunch Men’s EditionCabaret brunch showcase.Show209 Columbus AveFrom $25View listing →4:00 PMHUE: Bar, Supper Club & SpeakeasyCocktails, supper & secrets.Bar90 Exeter StView listing →5:00 PMBlind Duck Speakeasy at the Raffles HotelHidden high-rise cocktail party.Bar40 Trinity PlView listing →5:00 PMLa Padrona: New Luxury Italian Restaurant in the Raffles HotelWarm Italian hospitality.Food38 Trinity PlView listing →5:00 PMBoston's Favorite Steak FritesSteak frites & endless fries.Food900 Boylston StFrom $39View listing →7:00 PMLittle Shop of Horrors: The Drag ConcertDrag musical theatre performance.Show209 Columbus AveFrom $25View listing →10:00 PMHalf-off Sandwiches after 10pmHalf-price after dark.Food361 Boylston StView listing →10:00 PMSaturday Night House PartyHouse music until 2am.Party209 Columbus AveFrom $15View listing →

Sunday, November 15

11:00 AMWeekend BrunchLively brunch & cocktails.Food209 Columbus AveView listing →11:30 AMThe Ladies Who Brunch Men’s EditionCabaret brunch showcase.Show209 Columbus AveFrom $25View listing →12:00 PMBear BoutiqueBear community holiday marketplace.Shopping209 Columbus AveView listing →2:00 PMHalf Price Apps Sandwiches & PizzaSunday funday eats.Food209 Columbus AveView listing →4:00 PMHUE: Bar, Supper Club & SpeakeasyCocktails, supper & secrets.Bar90 Exeter StView listing →4:00 PMBear TeaMonthly bear tea dance.Party209 Columbus AveFreeView listing →5:00 PMLa Padrona: New Luxury Italian Restaurant in the Raffles HotelWarm Italian hospitality.Food38 Trinity PlView listing →5:00 PMBoston's Favorite Steak FritesSteak frites & endless fries.Food900 Boylston StFrom $39View listing →6:00 PMJim RiceCabaret music performance.Show209 Columbus AveFreeView listing →10:00 PMHalf-off Sandwiches after 10pmHalf-price after dark.Food361 Boylston StView listing →

More Boston neighborhoods

• Downtown Boston
• The South End