A Perfect Day In Boston's Back Bay

There's something special about Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. The satisfying balance of tourist bustle and local hustle makes this area of the city a perfect place to plan a day trip. Shopping, sightseeing, eating and so much more await folks who decide to spend a little bit of quality time here. We have five ways for you to divvy up plans for that perfect day in Boston's Back Bay.

Everyone needs a place to stay when planning the perfect day trip out in Boston's Back Bay. The Copley Inn, located over on Garrison Street, serves as a great option for tourists and locals alike. Out-of-towners and business professionals will find particular joy with The Copley Inn's various amenities, such as the personal kitchen, as well as the hotel's close proximity to no less than three different T-stops, making The Copley Inn a great nexus and jumping-off point to kick start the day.

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The Fairy Shop is something a little different than your average department store or clothing shop. Entering this quaint and cute little Newbury Street shop, located in between Fairfield Street and Gloucester Street, is like traveling back in time to a fantasy land, a land of fairies! Indeed, magic is alive and well here at The Fairy Shop, as this little shop touches on that element of childhood whimsy within us all, offering a fun alternative to the big chain stores clogging the streets.

Newbury Comics is a legendary local business, a center for music, film and pop culture which has served the New England underground subculture since the 1980s. Although Newbury Comics has since branched out to other local New England locations, the Newbury Street location is the founding location; the little store where singer Aimee Mann used to work before forming Til Tuesday and where the Boston hardcore scene prominently displayed flyers for bands with names like Gang Green, Slapshop, SSD and Wrecking Crew. Records, movies, books and comics line the walls here at Newbury Comics.

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The Salty Pig is located on Dartmouth Street in the Back Bay, in between Columbus Avenue and Chandler Street, and is a recommended stop for carnivores seeking out some diehard, he-man meat dishes while out on that Boston Back Bay day trip. Savory lamb and an epic charcuterie plate (featuring various cured meats and cheeses) are surefire highlights, while a hearty beer selection sets up the perfect accompaniment to wash down all of the pork products found here at The Salty Pig.

Asta Boston is a great way to finish up a Back Bay Boston day trip in style. It's an elevated, fancy and upscale joint on Massachusetts Avenue perfect for an intimate dinner with that special someone out on the town. Heck, this place even has its own sommelier on hand to recommend perfect wine pairings for any number of Asta's entrees. Extravagant tasting menus are a must here at Asta, as the expert chefs create a dining experience virtually guaranteed to impress the palate.

George Pacheco has been writing professionally about arts and entertainment for over a decade. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, George currently resides in a humble New England home with his wife, cat and massive music and film collection. His work can be found at Examiner.com.