How to Spend a Day in Back Bay

Get away this weekend without going very far. Take a mini Boston-based vacation by spending a day in Back Bay. The Prudential Center is now open and ready for visitors with ample safety measures in place to protect guests. Max out a full day of fun with this guide to some of the city’s top culinary and retail attractions—and they’re all located within a few blocks of each other.

10 a.m.

Head over to Back Bay and park right at the Prudential Center. You’ll receive complimentary parking validation throughout the month of September when you spend $100 at any Prudential Center shop or restaurant. No car? Take a Green Line E train. The Prudential stop exits directly into the center.

10:30 a.m.

Spend the morning outside on one of the city’s famous Boston Duck Tours. The amphibious vehicles offer views of Bunker Hill, the State House, Boston Common, and Quincy Market that you can’t get from a sidewalk, plus expert commentary from your own “conDUCKtor.” (If you miss the boat, tours leave every half hour until about an hour before sunset.)

12 p.m.

After brushing up on your Boston history, dig into lunch at Eataly inside the Prudential Center. Grab authentic Roman-style pizza slices from the counter at La Panetteria or order regional Italian specialties from La Gastronomia. Of course, no visit to Eataly is complete without stopping by the gelateria for a little dessert. Eataly makes its creamy treats with local milk from High Lawn Farm in the Berkshires and imported delicacies like Sicilian pistachios.

2 p.m.

Up next: Browsing some of the 40-some shops at the Prudential Center. Just steps away from Eataly, find new fall knits, tees, and denim at Bonobos, Aritzia, and Madewell. After refreshing your wardrobe, browse must-have makeup essentials at Sephora, then head to lululemon for some fresh workout gear that’ll amp up those at-home workouts.

3:30 p.m.

Pause for a brief pick-me-up at Blue Bottle Coffee, located in Center Court. The New Orleans-style iced coffee features roasted chicory mixed with whole milk and organic cane sugar. Or, keep the Italian theme going from lunch and try a shakerato, an iced espresso drink with a hint of vanilla.

4 p.m.

Latte in hand, head over to Barnes & Noble for some fresh fall reads, including the latest bestsellers and your favorite magazines. Pick up a new jigsaw puzzle for the family while you’re at it.

6 p.m.

Cap off the perfect day with dinner and drinks at Earls Kitchen + Bar. Sip on a Yuzu Collins while munching on happy hour plates (truffle fries, anyone?) or dig into something heartier like a hot crispy chicken sandwich. With Earls’ massive rooftop patio, you’ll literally end the day on a high note.

Plan your perfect day at the Prudential Center with the city’s top shops, restaurants, experiences, and more.