The Esplanade is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

1. The Esplanade

9.6
The Esplanade, Boston, MA
Park · Back Bay East · 80 tips and reviews

Tomáš C.Tomáš Cigánek: You have to visit this park. Beautiful view and calm surrounding bring you completly different thoughts than city center. :)

ThrillistThrillist: Stroll over to Community Boating for a sail on the Charles. If you’re afraid of the water, enjoy a snooze on the Esplanade’s grassy knolls.

Valentina M.Valentina Monte: Boston college kids: Miss your dog? Go pet strangers'! The Esplanade is one of the only places in Boston that isn't 97.8% college kids!

Commonwealth Avenue Mall is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

2. Commonwealth Avenue Mall

9.1
Commonwealth Ave. (btwn Arlington St. & Mass Ave.), Boston, MA
Park · Back Bay East · 26 tips and reviews

Travelhound12Travelhound12: A walk along the Promenade here is so relaxing because of the beautiful views offered by the architecture and statues. Plenty of benches to rest on as well.

IWalked Audio ToursIWalked Audio Tours: French-style boulevard established in 1856. Mall stretches 3/4 of a mile and 7 street blocks (each named alphabetically from A-H as you move away from Public Garden). More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.

JessicaJessica: Run, walk, or sit and read. Gorgeous year round!

SW Corridor Park - Back Bay is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

3. SW Corridor Park - Back Bay

8.5
Boston, MA
Park · Prudential - St. Botolph · 12 tips and reviews

Mike D.Mike D: Serene park in the heart of the city with beautiful townhouses and gardens!

BU TodayBU Today: With community gardens maintained by locals, this 5 mile path is popular among dog walkers and joggers. A great destination to kick off a South End visit. Read more.

Topo AthleticTopo Athletic: Run a few extra miles and join us. We're having a launch event at CitySports on Wednesday at 6pm. Try us on, run with us, become part of us. Information is here: https://topo-athletic.eventbrite.com/

Lyric Stage Company is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

4. Lyric Stage Company

8.5
140 Clarendon St, Boston, MA
Theater · Prudential - St. Botolph · 8 tips and reviews

Mark S.Mark Sullivan: Lyric is a small intimate theatre that does top notch well mounted productions some strictly for entertainment and others addressing important social topics. There is inexpensive parking nearby.

Marleigh N.Marleigh Norton: Upstairs at the YMCA.

Louis T.Louis Toth: "Avenue Q", the adult puppet show, plays thru Jun 2012

View Boston is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

5. View Boston

8.3
800 Boyleston st, Boston, MA
Attraction · Prudential - St. Botolph · 2 tips and reviews

Paula B.Paula Buzzo: The space is beautiful, 360 view to the city. Highly recommend.

MaríaFe P.MaríaFe Peña: Amazing! Totally worthy. The night view is breathtaking

John Hancock Hall is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

6. John Hancock Hall

8.0
180 Berkeley St (at Stuart St), Boston, MA
Performing Arts Venue · Prudential - St. Botolph · 2 tips and reviews

Aisha H.Aisha H.: Make sure to see Tony Williams' Urban Nutcracker. It's a can't-miss holiday treat!

Philip G.Philip Ganz: Angel Dance Celebration was an amazing performance

Esplanade Playspace is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

7. Esplanade Playspace

7.6
Storrow Dr, Boston, MA
Playground · Back Bay East · 5 tips and reviews

Alex R.Alex Rainert: Super fun playground with some really unique challenges. This rope jungle gym to giant slide is really excellent. Not pictured - rad zip line swing. Best for slightly older kids (4+)

schneidermike s.schneidermike schneidermike: Playground smokers get a ticket to Hell

Niki G.Niki G: Full adventure park! A blast it is!

Carleton Court Dog Park is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

8. Carleton Court Dog Park

7.5
Carleton Court, Boston, MA
Dog Park · Prudential - St. Botolph · 4 tips and reviews

Catie C.Catie Copley: Woof! This is one of my favorite dog parks in the city!

Jake S.Jake Smith: Take your dog here to play, hang out with other dogs, and do dog type stuff.

Mike D.Mike D: Beautiful oasis in the back bay!

Frieda Garcia Park is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

9. Frieda Garcia Park

7.5
38 Stanhope St. (Clarendon St.), Boston, MA
Playground · Prudential - St. Botolph · 3 tips and reviews

LisaLisa: Get something delicious from Flour and enjoy your breakfast or lunch outside in this park 😀

Nathaniel H.Nathaniel Hajian: One if the most lovely places in Boston. Play.

Lynn C.Lynn Crisci-Lynn Julian: no dogs allowed...shame!

Boston Public Library - Leventhal Map Center is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

10. Boston Public Library - Leventhal Map Center

7.5
700 Boylston St (Dartmouth), Boston, MA
Art Gallery · Back Bay East · 10 tips and reviews

Boston Public LibraryBoston Public Library: Stop in to see the exhibition "America Votes: Mapping the Political Landscape" in the Map Center's gallery through November 10, 2012.

Boston Public LibraryBoston Public Library: Opening to the public on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at 11:00am.

Birdie B.Birdie Bln: There's the garden restaurant.. Grab some food and sit in the atrium with a beautiful fountain.. Calm and beautiful place!!!

The BIRN is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

11. The BIRN

7.4
921 Boylston St (Hereford St.), Boston, MA
Music Venue · Back Bay West · 2 tips and reviews

Mabel L.Mabel Leong: If anything doesn't work, call production asap!

Cara H.Cara Hatfield: New England's Untitled Rock Show, Monday's 11-1 am

Abbey Room - Boston Public Library is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

12. Abbey Room - Boston Public Library

7.3
700 Boylston St (Dartmouth), Boston, MA
Art Gallery · Back Bay East · 1 tip

Boston Public LibraryBoston Public Library: The Abbey Room is 64 feet long by 33 feet wide, is of luxurious beauty. It has richly colored mural paintings "The Quest of the Holy Grail" by the American artist, Edwin Austin Abbey.

Back Bay Events Center is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

13. Back Bay Events Center

7.1
180 Berkeley St, Boston, MA
Performing Arts Venue · Prudential - St. Botolph · 5 tips and reviews

Chris R.Chris Requena: Park at the 100 Clarendon garage. Good rates and one block away. Accepts validation from BBEC.

Justin M.Justin McCarthy: The Urban Nutcracker is a must see Christmas time show

Alexandra M.Alexandra Mottern: More trash cans

East Dock On The Esplanade is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

14. East Dock On The Esplanade

8.4
Boston, MA
Scenic Lookout · Back Bay East · 4 tips and reviews

Indivly RewardsIndivly Rewards: Great place to go tanning or for a picnic with your friends.

shanen s.shanen stout: Amazingly beautiful area especially during sunset

Tarah H.Tarah H: They've added adirondack chairs. Take a seat and take it all in.

The Courtyard Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Fun Activities in Back Bay, Boston.

15. The Courtyard Restaurant

7.9
Boston Public Library, 230 Dartmouth Street (Boylston Street), Boston, MA
New American Restaurant · Back Bay East · 10 tips and reviews

Elaine C.Elaine Courtney: Beautiful place to relax for tea and biscuits! Best of all, the tea service is available throughout the week.

Laura W.Laura Wong: Went here for high tea. Pretty good and filling. They can be pretty busy and are very cognizant of food allergies. They do have seasonal menus and the food is bite sized!

Tiffany L.Tiffany Lopinsky: The winter tea is beautiful and delicious!