Exploring Back Bay
Afternoon
Grab a patio table at the
Parish Café
and enjoy an inventive sandwich while gazing out onto the Public Garden.
Stroll one block over to Newbury Street and peruse the impressive
contemporary art galleries concentrated between Arlington and Dartmouth
streets. Cross back over to Boylston at Dartmouth and sit for a spell
inside
Trinity Church
where La Farge’s stained-glass
windows top an inexhaustible list of highlights. And while you’re in an
aesthetics-appreciating mood, traverse St James Place to the Copley Plaza Hotel and lounge a moment in the ornate, Versaillesesque lobby. Next, cross Dartmouth to the
Boston Public Library
and admire John Singer Sargent’s
gorgeous murals. Now it’s time to warm up your credit card, so head
back to Newbury Street for a dizzying shopping spree. Turn left onto
Newbury for Boston-only boutiques such as Fresh and
Trident Booksellers
. Stop for a reinvigorating fruit smoothie or thick frappé at Ben & Jerry’s (174 Newbury St). At Massachusetts Avenue, turn left, then left again onto Boylston and continue to the Prudential Center
for name-brand shopping – think Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and
the like. Cap it all off with a bracing-cold cocktail and smooth jazz at
the 52nd-floor
Top of the Hub Lounge
, where you can soak in Boston’s skyline – and with any luck, a dazzling sunset.
Art Galleries
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Robert Klein
Everybody
who’s anybody in photography vies for space at Robert Klein. Past coups
include shows by Annie Liebovitz and Herb Ritts.
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38 Newbury St
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617 267 7997
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Closed Sun & Mon
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Copley Society of Art
With
a commitment to exhibiting works by promising New England artists, this
non-profit organization boasts a 120-year history of providing young
artists with that crucial first break.
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158 Newbury St
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617 536 5049
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Closed Mon
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Gallery NAGA
Representing some of New England’s most regarded artists, NAGA is possibly Newbury’s best contemporary art gallery.
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67 Newbury St
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617 267 9060
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Closed Sun–Mon
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Barbara Krakow Gallery
Since
opening in 1964 with an exhibition of Ellsworth Kelly prints, Barbara
Krakow’s keen judgment of contemporary art has earned her many fans –
and customers.
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10 Newbury St
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617 262 4490
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Closed Sun–Mon
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Pepper Gallery
In
welcome contrast to her peers, Audrey Pepper looks for a sense of
playfulness in the pieces she exhibits – plenty of bold colors and
amusing juxtapositions.
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38 Newbury St
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617 236 4497
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Closed Sun–Mon
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The Artful Hand
With
the American Crafts Movement of the late-19th century as its muse, The
Artful Hand sells exquisite pieces of embroidery, woodwork, home
accessories, and hand-painted glass.
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100 Huntington Ave
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617 262 9601
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Judi Rotenberg Gallery
Intense
colors and an emphasis on graphic design distinguish the works of
artist-owner Rotenberg and her contemporaries. Most artists here are New
England-based.
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130 Newbury St
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617 437 1518
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Closed Mon
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Alpha Gallery
Founded
in 1967 to showcase contemporary artists from Boston, Alpha now covers
the country and carries an impressive line of prints by modern masters.
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38 Newbury St
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617 536 4465
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Neilsen Gallery
Favoring
lush, contemporary paintings, and the occasional mixed-media sculpture,
Neilsen is popular among Boston’s art cognoscenti for the distinction
of her artists.
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179 Newbury St
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617 266 4835
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Closed Sun–Mon
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International Poster Gallery
Arguably
the most fun – albeit the most populist – gallery on Newbury, the IPG
stocks vintage first edition movie posters and print advertisements from
the belle époque.
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205 Newbury St
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617 375 0076
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Unless otherwise specified galleries are open daily. Opening hours are generally from 10am–5:30pm
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Homegrown Newbury Shops
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Johnny Cupcakes
This
boutique specializes in limited-edition crossbones-and-cupcake
T-shirts. The joke continues with bakery case displays, aprons on the
staff and the smell of cake batter in the air.
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Trident Booksellers & Café
Trident
is popular for its delicious, healthy sandwiches, strong coffee
concoctions, and arguably the best informed book and magazine selections
in the city.
Trident Booksellers & Café
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Hempest
True
believers in the superiority of hemp as something to put on rather than
inhale, Hempest showcases casual and dress duds fashioned from this
environmentally-friendly fiber.
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Fresh
Chic
grooming products for men and women, many of them based on such natural
products as sugar (for face and body skin polish), clay (masks and
lotions), and soy (facial cleaning gel).
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Newbury Comics
Generally
undercutting the chain stores on compact discs, Newbury Comics delivers
value along with a stellar selection of rare import CDs, concert
videos, and the latest comics.
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Life is Good
This
feel-good store name has swept through America. The collection offers
youth fashion with whimsical images emblazoned on casual clothes.
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Second Time Around
Before
blowing your budget on that Chanel handbag, take a peek at Second Time
Around, where used designer clothing and accessories get a second lease
on life. Think head-to-toe Versace for a mere $100.
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Condom World
Check
your inhibitions at this subterranean boutique’s door. While male
anatomy-shaped ketchup dispensers deserve a laugh, some of the sex toys
toward the back might sooner merit a wince.
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Envi
Eco-conscious
fashion, made from earth-friendly fibers (organic cotton, organic wool,
hemp, soy, bamboo) and deconstructed vintage garments lets buyers look
good and feel good about it too.
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Deluca’s Back Bay Market
This
old world-style corner market stocks fabulous produce, chilled beer,
ready-made sandwiches, and imported delights of all kinds.
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Unless otherwise specified shops are open daily
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