From world-famous museums to boutique shopping to top restaurants and bars, there’s something to fit every vacation style near Boston's Fenway and Back Bay neighborhoods.
Check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including...
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- View Boston Observation Deck
- Swan Boats of Boston
- And more!
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts is the place in Boston for your art fix. It's one of the best museums in the country, according to a recent TripAdvisor poll. With an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, and decorative arts, you can spend all day in this lovely institution.
They also host special exhibits on world-renowned artists, compelling subjects and beloved topics. Some exhibitions may come at a small additional cost.
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Here's a glimpse of the classic works you'll find inside.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Gardner Museum is another top option for art lovers. So much more than just a museum, it combines the appeal of a fascinating historic home with luxurious gardens alongside an impressive collection of artwork.
With more than 2,500 works of art from masters like Titian, Rembrandt, Manet, Degas, Sargent and more, you’re bound to find a favorite here.
Discover a Venetian palazzo filled with plants and trees, a stunningly unique museum backdrop.
Panopticon Gallery
If you prefer photographs to paintings, then a visit to the Panopticon Gallery may be for you.
One of the earliest fine art photography galleries in the country, it houses a remarkable collection of beautiful works of art that you can purchase or just admire and enjoy. A visit here is a nice complement to the MFA or the Gardner.
Kenmore Square
The home of a nearby T stop, Kenmore Square is also the heart of a lively community filled with students, restaurants, bars, and shops.
Here you’ll find everything from the renowned Eastern Standard to local favorite Cornwall’s pub. There’s also a bookstore, a few boutique shops and plenty of chain restaurants for those looking to save money for souvenirs.
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Classical music lovers should not pass up the chance to hear a performance from one of the country’s best orchestras, the Boston Symphony Orchestra. With a variety of performances put on in a majestic hall, you’ll love the entire experience. For a more affordable ticket, try attending an open rehearsal. A performance by the BSO is a top cultural thing to do near Fenway.
Things to Do in the Back Bay
View Boston Observation Deck
Located on the 50th floor of the Prudential Center, View Boston offers a breathtaking 360° look at the city skyline.
From this lofty vantage point, you can spot Boston’s most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods stretching out in every direction. After soaking up the views (and snapping plenty of photos), head to The Beacon bar or Stratus lounge for a cocktail and light bites with a view that’s truly worth it.
Head to the skies for unbeatable Boston views.
Swan Boats of Boston
Take a ride aboard one of Boston’s best beloved historic treasures – the Swan Boats of Boston.
First invented in the 1870s by innovator Robert Paget, these ingenious vessels are propelled by your own pedaling feet. Their recognizable swan shape has also inspired great children’s literature like Make Way for Ducklings. So, the swan boats are an important cultural artifact as well!
Paddle power meets postcard views!
Mary Baker Eddy Library & Mapparium
A unique attraction nestled in Back Bay, Boston, the How Do You See The World?® experience with the Mapparium® globe is a fascinating place for kids and adults alike.
Mary Baker Eddy was a significant person in early Boston’s history, working as a teacher, businesswoman, publisher, and religious leader, and the institution today reflects her wide-ranging vision for human knowledge.
Do not miss a visit to the Mapparium itself, a massive painted glass globe that visitors can actually walk through!
Take a trip inside this awesome globe!
Freedom Trail of Boston
Follow in the footsteps of history along Boston’s iconic Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile path, marked by a distinctive red line, winds through the city past 16 of its most important historical landmarks — from Boston Common and the Old State House to Paul Revere’s House and the site of the Boston Massacre.
You can easily stroll the trail at your own pace, but joining a guided tour brings the city’s revolutionary past vividly to life. Expect fascinating stories, local insight, and a whole new appreciation for the birthplace of American independence.
Travel back in time (no time machine required).
Boston Public Library
Although you can certainly feel free to sign up for a library card if you’re a local, it’s also worth it as a visitor just to step inside the Boston Public Library for a glimpse of their beautiful, legendary reading rooms.
Then, you can step back outside and marvel at the BPL’s distinctive architecture. Be sure to get a photo of yourself on the library steps – it’s a Boston tradition and one of the top things to do near Back Bay.
Emerald Necklace Parks
If you love a good stroll surrounded by nature, Boston’s Emerald Necklace is your perfect escape. Designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, this 1,100-acre chain of connected parks winds through the Fenway–Kenmore area and beyond, linking some of the city’s most beautiful green spaces.
Wander tree-lined paths, stop to admire the ponds and bridges, and keep an eye out for local wildlife — it’s a favorite spot for birdwatching, picnics, and snapping those picture-perfect Boston moments. Visit in fall for a spectacular show of autumn color, or in spring when the blossoms make the parkland glow.
The best of Boston beyond the ballpark
From world-class art and architecture to leafy park paths and skyline views, Fenway and Back Bay show off Boston at its most vibrant. Whether you’re catching a concert, wandering through a museum or relaxing by the water, this part of the city is packed with culture, charm and plenty of local flavor.
So take your time, explore a little further and see why these neighborhoods are among Boston’s best-loved. And if you want to make the most of your trip, grab a Go City Boston pass – you’ll save on top attractions like the Museum of Fine Arts, View Boston, and more, while exploring at your own pace.
Boston’s calling — and this is the perfect place to start your adventure.
