Back Bay, Boston

Favorite thing: The Back Bay neighborhood, well known for expensive housing and first-class shopping, is dominated by brownstone townhouses. Outdoor cafes and upscale shops line Newbury Street, the perfect place to people watch.
Take a stroll in The Public Garden.
In Copley Square, visit Trinity Church, John Hancock Tower, and the Boston Public Library.

Favorite thing: Back Bay occupies the area roughly between the south bank of the Charles and Beacon Hill in the north-south axis, and the Public Garden and Massachusetts Avenue east and west. This area used to be swampy wetlands. In the 1850s it was decided to expand the area of Boston Proper, and so Back Bay was filled. Today it's an exciting mix of architectural jewels, exclusive shops, fine art galleries, centers of higher learning, and tidy expanses of green space. It's also Boston's most beautiful and most expensive neighborhood.

Favorite thing: The stretch of Commonwealth Avenue in Back Bay ("Comm Ave" as it is known locally) is perhaps the most picturesque stretch of road in Boston. It's part of the Emerald Necklace of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Both sides of the Avenue are lined with venerable brick buildings and stately mansions, each worth milions of dollars. The pedestrian mall in the middle is shaded with trees and punctuated by sculptures. A stroll from Kenmore Square or Massachusetts Avenue to the Public Garden where Commonwealth Ave terminates is particularly pleasant.

Favorite thing: The Back Bay is another great neighborhood for walking. It is also well known as Boston's most notable shopping district. Everystreet is lined with 3 to 4 story brownstone townhouses and there are plenty of nice restaurants and neighborhood pubs.

Favorite thing: There`s an area of Boston near the Boston Commons where the streets are alphabetical. When you visit Boston, check out this area! Starting at the Ritz-Carlton walking westward, the street is Arlington. Next Berkeley, then Clarendon, Dartmouth, Exeter, Fairfield, Gloucester, & the last Hereford.
In South Boston, the streets there are alphabetized: A, B, C, D, E, etc...

Fondest memory: Back Bay, early evening, winter. The sun is setting and lights are turning on. Cars whoosh by, people are everywhere. It's just a dazzling combination of archtecture and people and lights...see for yourself:

Favorite thing: Do the Tom Hanks in 'BIG' thing with the keyboard at FAO Schwartz

Fondest memory: Window shopping around the toy store...wishing I could be in pre-school again...