Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood is an upscale commercial and residential district known for its picturesque tree-lined streets, impeccable architecture, museums, and cultural attractions. But, the most famous of all is Commonwealth Avenue. This street spans 200 feet wide and stretches for three miles from Newton to the Public Garden. It attracts thousands of visitors annually due to its unique charm and distinctive Victorian feel. Commonwealth Avenue combines city living with the impressive grandeur of a suburb, making it feel like a world away from busy Boston.

Think of Commonwealth Avenue as a movie set that exudes a combination of classic elegance and modern-day glamor.

While many streets are worth exploring in this area, few are as iconic as this one. As you walk down Commonwealth Avenue’s well-manicured paths, you will find yourself immersed in towering brownstones with historic plaques, tree-lined alleys adorned with blossoms during springtime, and lush parks that provide perfect picnic spots throughout the year.

As alluded to earlier, Commonwealth is unique in many ways. For starters, it boasts cleaner air than other urban streets thanks to its green spaces coupled with fewer commercial buildings. Additionally, the avenue features some of Boston’s distinctive architectural styles such as the French Gothic Revival, Queen Anne Revivalist architecture among others that show the city’s transformation over time.

One building worth mentioning is The Vendome – known for its tragic history. Fire destroyed it in 1972 leaving nine dead and another eight injured in this six-story historic building. In 1983 condo owners financed rebuilding by selling off individual units as raw space.

Commonwealth Avenue is also famous for having one of the most beautiful rowing courses worldwide – Charles River- where every year’s students partake races that attract people around the globe.

Debating about Boston’s oldest and hippest street could be challenging as different streets have varying attractions. It depends on what one seeks, but regardless of personal preferences, Commonwealth Avenue is a must-visit.

With that in mind, let’s move forward and discover why Newbury Street deserves to be on your travel itinerary.

Anyone who’s visited Boston knows that the Back Bay neighborhood is one of the most revered districts in the city, with landmarks such as the Boston Public Library and Copley Square serving as ever-present reminders of the area’s historical significance. But when it comes to street-level engagement, no place quite captures the essence and vibe of Back Bay like Newbury Street.

Known for its wide variety of stores, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques – Newbury Street is a staple for visitors looking for a fun day or night out. Whether it’s shopping at luxury retailers, grabbing a bite at a trendy restaurant, people-watching from a chic cafe or walking down iconic brownstones – there’s certainly something for everyone on this vibrant street.

Newbury Street has become synonymous with high-end retail shopping; it features many signature shops for those willing to spend some cash on designer fashion pieces. Some of the recognizable names include Gucci, Chanel, Versace, and Burberry. Moreover, visitors seeking vintage clothing are not left behind – stores such as The Closet offer pre-owned designer pieces.

Besides shopping, Newbury Street boasts an extensive array of gourmet food destinations ranging from boulangeries to wine bars. Visitors can indulge in delicacies from around the world with options such as Japanese cuisine at Pabu or Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Oleana Restaurant.

What makes Newbury Street even more inviting is its unique architectural beauty; storefronts lined with cast-iron railings combined with contemporary designs of modern buildings make this street exceptionally picturesque, especially during spring and fall seasons.

If you happen to be in Boston during Open Newbury Street events in September – consider expecting streets turned into pedestrian-only walkways where visitors can enjoy novelty attractions, along with street-side cafes and restaurants set up just for the day.

Newbury street Newbury Street is a mile-long, eight-block stretch of shops, salons, galleries, and restaurants in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. The famous street attracts shoppers and tourists from all over the world due to its architecture, history, and vibrant atmosphere. During the summer months, from July 2 to October 15, one can experience Open Newbury events where the street transforms into a pedestrian-only walkway on Sundays. This unique event offers visitors an opportunity to explore the vibrancy of this iconic street without worrying about cars or traffic.

Starting at 10 am until 8 pm on sixteen consecutive Sundays throughout the summer season, Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue will be closed off for vehicular traffic. Notably, the intersections of Fairfield Street, Gloucester Street, and Hereford Streets will be car-free as well. It’s essential to know that parking will be prohibited from 6 am until 8 pm on these Sundays; any vehicles remaining after 6 am will be towed.

While exploring Open Newbury Street can provide exciting experiences for visitors, planning is crucial when it comes to transportation. Public transportation options include Green Line (Arlington, Copley, Hynes stations), Orange Line/Commuter Rail/Amtrak (Back Bay Station), and Blue Bikes station near Newbury Street.

While Newbury Street is undeniably one of Boston’s most iconic streets, there are other charming locales to be found nearby. One such place worth exploring during a trip to the city is Charles Street.

Newbury street-2 Located in Beacon Hill, Charles Street can provide a contrast to the high-end retail shops and restaurants of Newbury Street. The cobblestone street is adorned with gas lamps, flowers and has an old-time feeling that can transport visitors to Boston’s early days. The street is home to antique shops, charming boutiques that sell unique accessories, local bookstores, and cozy cafes where one can savor a cup of coffee while enjoying the street’s ambiance.

Think of walking on Charles Street as a walk through time that takes you back two centuries – It’s the perfect destination for history lovers or those who prefer a calmer shopping experience than Newbury Street.

Exploring Charles Street can be an intimate experience where visitors feel more connected to the city – it’s easy to imagine living in one of the townhouses lining the streets or trying food from the farmers’ markets during summer weekends.

If you’re looking for other activities in Back Bay, don’t worry. In our next section, we’ll give you a guide with everything you need to know about Back Bay streets – a walking and exploring guide.

Back Bay is known for its beautiful streets lined with architectural wonders, high-end boutiques, and trendy restaurants. For first-time visitors or even locals seeking a weekend stroll, exploring some of the local streets can be an excellent place to start. Here are some notable streets in Back Bay to check out:

Start your adventure on Newbury Street, which we’ve already mentioned as one of the coolest streets in the world. Walking along this iconic street will give you a chance to take in the delights of the city. It’s packed with stores ranging from designer boutiques to secondhand shops. It’s not only shopping that this street is famous for; it also features art galleries, salons and spas, and eateries – making it perfect for both tourists and locals.

The legendary Commonwealth Avenue runs through much of Back Bay and offers stunning views year-round. During winter, the trees lining Commonwealth Avenue light up, creating a unique holiday setting. Be sure to visit during Boston’s marathon day; this street is always a central part of the action.

Next up is Dartmouth Street, located west of Back Bay. This street houses some of Boston’s oldest buildings and is considered an archetypal example of neoclassical architecture. The Henry Phipps mansion at 6-8 has stood since 1900 but looks new despite age thanks to stunning renovations not so long ago.

Finally, take a walk through Arlington Street to see Boston’s famous statue of George Washington on his horse. This area is home to several historic Victorian buildings, including Trinity Church, built-in 1877-1879 by Henry Hobson Richardson.

Think about visiting these areas like taking a journey through different timelines ranging from ancient marvels to modern-day attractions.

Of course, no travel guide can cover all the possibilities. Back Bay is home to many other famous streets and hidden gems that any tourist can explore.

Whether it’s for the stunning architecture, tantalizing cuisine, or high-end shopping destinations, Back Bay has something for everyone. So, pack your walking shoes and set out to enjoy this vibrant Boston neighborhood.