Copley Square
Copley Square
4.5
About
Copley Square, home to the Boston Public Library, is known for its upscale restaurants and trendy stores. Anchored by the modern John Hancock building and the stately Trinity Church, the square is more than just an entertainment hub in the Back Bay neighborhood. The architecture in the area is steeped in history and the plaza’s fountain and lawn are great spots to people-watch and unwind. Visit on market days for the farmers market—one of the biggest and busiest in Boston—and check out the activities calendar for cultural events held year-round at the square. – Tripadvisor
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The area
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Neighborhood: Back Bay
Wander around this quintessential neighborhood in the heart of Boston for high-end shops, restaurants, and the feeling of city bustle. Its most identifiable skyscrapers, the Prudential Center and John Hancock Tower, are highlights of the city skyline. Visit Newbury street to explore unique and trendy boutiques – as well as every other kind of store imaginable – all housed in beautiful brownstone buildings. In nice weather, restaurant patio seating is packed with Bostonians and tourists alike soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the food. Commonwealth Ave offers a beautiful stroll down residential tree-lined streets. Keep walking towards the Charles River and enjoy a beautiful view by the water. In warmer months, people run and bike on paths running along the esplanade, and sail and kayak on the Charles River. Boylston street, also full of shops, bars, and restaurants, is the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Head towards Copley Square and check out the Boston Public Library, which is particularly beautiful from the Dartmouth street entrance.
How to get there
- Copley • 2 min walk
- Back Bay • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,881 within 5 kms
Attractions
980 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
838 reviews
Excellent
406
Very good
350
Average
77
Poor
2
Terrible
3
TarJa
Salt Lake City, UT229 contributions
Sep 2019
We stayed at the Fairmont, so everyday we walked out of the hotel, we passed by Copley Square. There was something happening here every single day. There was an informational exhibit one day, and the next was a Farmers Market.
It's a small square, but getting here lets you see so many other sites that are withing steps (Trinity Church, Newbury Street, The Library, etc).
It's a small square, but getting here lets you see so many other sites that are withing steps (Trinity Church, Newbury Street, The Library, etc).
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
candycorn1
Philadelphia, PA367 contributions
Sep 2022
This is a beautiful section of Boston. We stayed at a hotel on Boyleston Street and it was a nice respite to relax after walking and touring all day. Fountains and water pools, and grassy area for picnics or just people watching.
Written November 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seanworc
New York City, NY713 contributions
Jul 2021
Copley Square is one of the central meeting places in Boston. It has seen hard times in the past, but it has been revitalized. Trinity Church faces east. The classic Copley Square Hotel faces south. The stunning Public Library, based on the palaces of Florence, is on the west. The north side opens onto to Boylston Street and shops. Tragically, the Boston Marathon bombing was right near the Public Library. The John Hancock building is just off the square. Great place for kids to run around.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roaming_kiwi58
Christchurch, New Zealand2,816 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Copley square is surrounded by interesting and historic buildings. We only had a brief stop here as part of a tour. Unfortunately a large part of the square was being dug up, so it was difficult to get around to see much in the short time we had. Need to go back!
Written November 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camassia
Eugene, OR203 contributions
Oct 2022
Spending several days ambling around Boston, with some destinations but also random routes. Copley Square was a nice surprise on one of our routes. A little farmer's market was taking place, added color and interest and learned about John Copley. Explored the surrounding architecture and buildings, especially the Old South Church. Interesting history timeline.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
New York City, NY3,280 contributions
Nov 2021
My wife, daughter, two friends and I walked around Copley Square in November 2021. And I returned once by myself. Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library are the key sights on the square. There is a lot of activity in the square and it is a nice place to walk around.
Written November 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kay-cee-1138
Houston, TX486 contributions
Sep 2022
When visiting the sites of the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, one can hardly miss Copley Square, since it sits directly between two of the finest buildings in town: the Public Library and Trinity Church.
Copley Square is about a block in size, with grass, trees, and flower beds. There is a large fountain on the north side (by the statue of the square's namesake). The openness of the square allows some fine photographs of the surrounding buildings.
On the Saturday when your reviewer was there, Copley Square was covered with a large traders' market, with tents selling everything from clothes to books to spices, and more. The place felt vibrant and was quite well-attended. Of course, it helped that it was almost a perfect day, weather-wise.
Copley Square is about a block in size, with grass, trees, and flower beds. There is a large fountain on the north side (by the statue of the square's namesake). The openness of the square allows some fine photographs of the surrounding buildings.
On the Saturday when your reviewer was there, Copley Square was covered with a large traders' market, with tents selling everything from clothes to books to spices, and more. The place felt vibrant and was quite well-attended. Of course, it helped that it was almost a perfect day, weather-wise.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy A
Springfield, MA12 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Spent New Year's Eve enjoying the sights and sounds of Boston's Copley Square. We had an excellent time walking around, shopping and eating. The crowd was awesome. Will make this an annual outing!!
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
explore_enjoy
Atlanta, GA50 contributions
I am absolutely in love with this place.There is the John Hancock tower,Prudential mall<2nd tallest in the city>,Trinity church and Boston Public Library.
In summer you can spend a day in this area.The church is wonderful from inside and u have a tour for 6$.
The library is a must visit.Its a palace I would say.Wonderful architecture ,spacious,historic and holds millions of titles.The statues on outside incline you to take an inside tour.
The prudential mall has amazing shops and a skywalk.You get a breathtaking view of Beantown from the top and also a small documentory.The skywalk though expensive is a must do.
The famous duck tours start near the mall.The reservation counters too are located inside the mall.
The cheesecake factory too is in the mall and so is California Pizza Kitchen.
There are other shops nearby and few more on the Newbury street which is just about a minute walk form the church.
There are amazing restaurants with various cuisines..
The Boston Commons park is a 5 min walk and is also an awesome park to visit.
The train station is located just near the library and hence you can travel anywhere in Boston if you stay here.Not to mention that MBTA the public transport is rocking.
It saves you a ton of money on renting a car but deprives you of the opportunity to display your excellent????????????parellel street parking skills in a narrow space.
In summer you can spend a day in this area.The church is wonderful from inside and u have a tour for 6$.
The library is a must visit.Its a palace I would say.Wonderful architecture ,spacious,historic and holds millions of titles.The statues on outside incline you to take an inside tour.
The prudential mall has amazing shops and a skywalk.You get a breathtaking view of Beantown from the top and also a small documentory.The skywalk though expensive is a must do.
The famous duck tours start near the mall.The reservation counters too are located inside the mall.
The cheesecake factory too is in the mall and so is California Pizza Kitchen.
There are other shops nearby and few more on the Newbury street which is just about a minute walk form the church.
There are amazing restaurants with various cuisines.
The Boston Commons park is a 5 min walk and is also an awesome park to visit.
The train station is located just near the library and hence you can travel anywhere in Boston if you stay here.Not to mention that MBTA the public transport is rocking.
It saves you a ton of money on renting a car but deprives you of the opportunity to display your excellent????????????parellel street parking skills in a narrow space.
Written December 17, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Piotr H.
Lodz, Poland3,877 contributions
Jun 2019
Nice square just in the heart of the city. You can have a seat and rest a little. There are some nice buildings surrounding it
Written October 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Copley Square is an open area that never closes. It is more vibrant before 6pm. Shops in Pru mall close at 6-7pm on Sunday. Restaurants are open late. Library is open noon-5pm. I am not sure about trinity church or observatory at Hancock. You can always go to top of the hub to see the city from above! Enjoy!
Written August 1, 2016
My husband and myself will be visiting Boston beginning of June for 4 nights. We would really appreciate advice on where to stay centrally on a budget of around $170 a night if that is possible
Thanks
Written March 26, 2015
Honestly I would try to stay close to the city or close to a T station. Unless you have a car, Chelsea, Woburn & Peabody are hard to get to and you will waste too much time travelling. I think your best bet is to go for airbb and vacationrental and hope you find a good option. Also use kayak and hopper for other hotel options.
Written June 5, 2017
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