In last week’s blog we shared some tips on how to incorporate one of 2018’s hottest trends, health & wellness, into your next BCEC event. This week we continue with more health and wellness tips for your Hynes event.
Situated in the heart of Boston’s charming and historic Back Bay neighborhood, the Hynes Convention Center is the best-located convention center in North America, steps away from world-class shopping, dining, and numerous historic landmarks and attractions. The Hynes is the ideal location for your health-conscious attendees thanks to its close proximity to lots of healthy restaurants, gorgeous parks, gyms, and endless options for outdoor fitness activities.
Walking & Outdoor Fitness Activities in Boston’s Back Bay Neighborhood
According to experts, walking is the best way to stay in shape, while also being the healthiest for your body. And luckily, Boston is best explored by foot! Below are four of our favorite Back Bay strolls for soaking up the city’s sights, while decompressing after a long event day or in between sessions:
Charles River Esplanade (0.6 miles*)
You may know the Boston Esplanade as the spot of the famous Boston Pops July 4th concert and fireworks show, but this leafy park has a lot more to offer! The Esplanade stretches for about 3 miles along the Charles River from the Museum of Science to Boston University and is the perfect place to run, stroll, bike (you can rent a Blue Bike starting from only $2.50), or simply relax in the sun, while taking in some of Boston’s best sights.
For those looking to get a more serious workout, the Esplanade has its own outdoor exercise gym featuring pull-up bars, incline benches, push-up bars, and more.
And if you want a truly unforgettable experience while getting your sweat on, you can rent a kayak, paddleboard, or a canoe and go boating on the Charles – it’s a unique way to see the city!
Boston Common (1.0 mile) & Public Garden (0.8 mile)
Boston Common (established in 1634) and Boston’s Public Garden (established in 1837) are the first public park and first public botanical garden in the country and two must-visit Boston landmarks.
While Boston Common is more practical and pastoral, the Public Garden is meant to impress with its rich variety of plants, monuments, and fountains. The two adjacent parks form a peaceful green oasis in the heart of the city and make for the quintessential Boston stroll just minutes away from the Hynes. In addition, The Common hosts one of Boston’s most popular free outdoor fitness series every summer Thursday near the Frog Pond featuring some of Boston’s best yoga instructors.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall (0.7 miles*)
The Commonwealth Avenue Mall is part of Boston’s Emerald Necklace (a 1,100-acre chain of parks linked by parkways and waterways) and was designed in the French boulevard style by Arthur Gilman in 1856.
Originally planted with American and European elm trees, the Mall today is a mixture of hardy large-scale shade trees like sweetgum, green ash, maple, linden, zelkova, Japanese pagoda, and more. The variety of trees and sculptural elements along the Mall make for beautiful walk year-round with flowers in the spring, lush greenery in the summer, colorful leaves in the fall, and holiday lights in the winter.
Acorn Street (1.3 miles*)
A walk on Acorn Street, one of the most photographed streets in the city, will take you back to colonial Boston. Located in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, Acorn Street is surrounded by many historical landmarks including the Massachusetts State House and the Boston African American National Historic Site.
Fun fact: Acorn Street is one of the last places to still have original cobblestones as pavement.
The Back Bay Fens (0.5 miles*)
One of Bostonians’ favorite parks, the Back Bay Fens is a mix of formal and community gardens, memorials, and historic structures. Some of its major attractions are the Kelleher Rose Garden, the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War memorials, and its unusual range of bird species.
The park is also a great place to get a workout: the Joseph Lee Playground area features softball, soccer, lacrosse, football, basketball, and a recreational running track.
Indoor Fitness
When the weather is not suitable for outdoor activities, Back Bay offers a huge variety of standard and specialized fitness studios. We’ve listed six of the highest rated gyms, all less than a mile away from the Hynes:
- Boston Sports Club (BSC), Prudential Center (0.5 miles*) – connected to the Hynes via skybridge
- BSC Lab, Copley Square (0.4 miles*)
- Healthworks Fitness Center for Women (0.6 miles*)
- Barry’s Bootcamp (0.6 miles*)
- Exhale (0.8 miles*)
- Cyc Fitness (0.4 miles*)
The Hynes is connected to two internationally renowned shopping destinations, Copley Place and Prudential Center (both great for mall walking), and three beautiful, world-class hotels which boast a number of great wellness amenities for their guests:
- The Sheraton Boston Hotel: Indoor pool with retractable roof, sundeck, and sauna; Fitness facility
- Boston Marriott Copley Place: Indoor pool; 24-hour Health Club
- Westin Copley Place Boston: Massage Treatments; Grettacole Day Spa
Food
Back Bay is every foodie’s dream with some of the best restaurants in the city, ranging from intimate eateries to nationally acclaimed restaurants. In close proximity to the Hynes you will also find a huge variety of healthy and delicious fast casual spots such as:
- Love Art Sushi (0.4 miles*): sushi, poké bowls, bubble tea
- Sweetgreen (0.4 miles*): salads, soups, and bowls
- CAVA (0.4 miles*): Mediterranean salads, soups, bowls
- Dig Inn (0.5 miles*): seasonal bowls
- JUGOS (0.6 miles*): smoothies, acai bowls, juices
- B. Good (0.4 miles*): burgers, salads & more
Check out our Hynes dining guide for a full list of dining options nearby.
Moreover, inside the convention center our exclusive food & beverage provider, Levy Restaurants, serves food that you can feel good about. Their snack breaks and meal options feature a variety of fresh, seasonal produce, high protein options, and whole grains and up to 75% of their ingredients come from local farms and producers depending on the season.
The Plan Your Event section of our website includes information on all of the services available at our facilities. Whether you are in the process of evaluating Boston or planning your upcoming Boston event, our Signature Boston Team can walk you through all of your building services options. No matter how big or small, our convention centers have the flexibility to bring your vision to life.
*Distance from Hynes
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