Newbury Street
4.8(506)google
4.3(115)yelp
shoppingwalkingLocal LifeDate SpotPhoto SpotMust-See
Overview
Newbury Street is located in the Back Bay area of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. It runs roughly east–west, from the Boston Public Garden to Brookline Avenue. The road crosses several major arteries along its path, with an entrance to the Massachusetts Turnpike westbound at Massachusetts Avenue.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeSpring through summer (April to September) is ideal, particularly on select summer Sundays during 'Open Newbury' when cars are banned. Visit from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM to enjoy vibrant outdoor patio dining set within the gorgeous 19th-century brownstones.
Getting ThereThe street spans multiple MBTA Green Line stops: exit at Arlington or Copley station for the high-end eastern end, or Hynes Convention Center station for the trendy western end. The entire retail strip runs parallel to Commonwealth Avenue.
Travel Tips
- The historic retail brownstones rely heavily on narrow subterranean steps and lack modern ADA ramps; maneuvering large strollers or physical wheelchairs into these lower shops is difficult.
- Street meters enforce a strict 2-hour maximum stay and are heavily monitored by parking wardens; overstaying results in rapid fines, making Prudential Center Garages a safer alternative.
- On designated summer Sundays (July–September), the city enforces 'Open Newbury Street,' converting the entire road into a vehicle-free zone; all intersecting crossroads are closed to driving.
Reviews
Positive
- Eight blocks of stunning Victorian brownstones house high-end boutiques and alfresco cafes, delivering a highly sophisticated and gorgeous visual landscape.
- The landscaping and sidewalk tiling are impeccably maintained, and nearly every designer boutique or upscale eatery features high-standard luxury restrooms.
- Sales associates in the luxury houses and independent ateliers are exceptionally well-trained, offering polished, professional wardrobe styling consultations.
- Slicing straight through Back Bay with multiple T Green Line stations along its spine, it serves as the ultimate pedestrian promenade for high fashion and leisure.
Heads up
- With massive global retail capital moving in, unique independent local designers and antique shops are being priced out, making the retail mix feel corporate.
- The street features absolutely zero city-provided public benches or free seating areas, forcing tired shoppers to buy something at a cafe just to sit down.
- On sunny weekend afternoons, the narrow sidewalks get entirely choked with heavy foot traffic, and dining alfresco often means having your chair bumped by passersby.
- From premium apparel to casual bistro dining, prices are steep and tailor-made for the affluent, leaving budget travelers restricted to strict window shopping.