Copley Square Park — Attraction in Boston

Copley Square with its beautiful fountain is in the heart of Boston’s upscale Back Bay neighbourhood and is one of the most frequently visited public spaces in the city. This small green space surrounded by architectural treasures, some of which date back more than a century, is the perfect place to take a break. Originally called Arts Square, the park was renamed in 1883 after the painter John Singleton Copley. The central green of Copley Square allows for unobstructed views between the Boston Public Library (1889) and Trinity Church (1877), strengthening the connection between the two and the perception of the Square as the front yard to these notable buildings. Other important buildings surrounding the square are the New Old South Church (1873), Copley Fairmont Hotel (1912), and the John Hancock Tower (1976). John Hancock Tower is the tallest building in Boston at 60 stories and the contemporary architecture of the tower sits in stark contrast to its surroundings. Nearby and visible from the square is the Prudential Tower at 800 Boylston Street. Its Skywalk Observatory offers spectacular views of Boston and the harbour area.

Copley Square is the finishing point for the famous Boston Marathon, held annually on Patriots’ Day, the third Monday in April. A memorial celebrating the race's 100th running (in 1996) is located in the park, near the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth streets. On April 15, 2013, around 2:50 pm (about three hours after the first runners crossed the line) two bombs exploded—one near the finish line near the Boston Public Library, the other some seconds later and one block west. Three people were killed and at least 183 injured.

We were lucky to visit Copley Square when the bi-weekly farmer’s market was operating and it had a wide selection of delicious local produce and meat on offer. It is an excellent market which runs on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11am to 6pm between May and November. If travelling in those months check the exact starting and closing dates. Boston’s most popular upscale mall with over 70 stores is in nearby Copley Place if you want to take a break from sightseeing. If visiting Boston don’t miss out on a trip to Copley Square to view some of the city's most notable architecture. There is a major subway stop at Copley Square and it is best to travel by subway or bus as parking in the area can be difficult to find. If you found this review helpful please click on the ‘Like’...

Copley Square is located in Back Bay and is a nice area to spend time in this area of Boston. Here you will find plenty of area shopping, dining and some very good sightseeing attractions, situated right on this neat little square.

We very much enjoyed our visit to the Boston Public Library (free). There is a lovely courtyard, nice murals and good exhibitions to see here. Two churches worth visiting are located here as well. The Old South Church (free) and is worth a quick look-see.

You'll also find Trinity Church, a national landmark, featuring unique Richardson Romanesque style architecture. Have a look at the church reflection in the John Hancock building situated across the street. This is neat to see.

During our visit we found a very neat food market taking place. Not sure if this a regular market at Copley Square or not. Some delicious looking local produce and as it was autumn, some great looking pumpkins lining the vendor stalls. That was neat to see.

The square includes expected park benches, a small pool area and some interesting statue figures. We liked seeing the tortoise and the hare, another child-friendly thing to find similar to the duck statues at the Boston Public Garden.

Note: From Copley Square you are just a couple minutes from the Newbury Street, a really good shopping and dining street. A few minutes further north, you'll find the very nice Commonwealth Avenue Mall, a great urban green space.

Tip: There is a T station at Copley Square, making it accessible from other...

They have a really nice library over here Copley square and they also have access by bus or train to get from there to anywhere else! It's a library filled with tradition! It is absolutely huge on the inside! You could be in there for hours and still probably not complete everything you want to do! I appreciate this library its historical it's huge and it's amazing! There are churches in that area and places to eat as well! And many of these churches reach out to the homeless which I love! This Book author used to be homeless over 4 years at one point! And over in this area once a year we have a thing called the Winter walk, and it's designed to bring in income to help the homeless! And even though I am disabled in the knee I still take part an walk it! Because it's a great cause and a lot of the city turns out and does it! Boston for me has been a great place to live! and I wouldn't trade it to go back to Indiana for all the money in the world! Indiana is where my homelessness started! If You've been rescued from a fire, you don't want to jump back into that same fire! That's why my home is here, I have no intention of going back to Indiana! Maybe in the future I'll visit but that's it! My home is...