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Recommended Reviews - Old City Hall

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Reviews With Photos

Jerry D.

I didn't go in and tour the place. The lobby has Ruth's steakhouse in it and some other businesses. However pretty cool to see what the former looked like and there are some pretty awesome markings on the ground.

Outside
Nico Samneil S.

Classic and historical. Building is now used for business. Some people are performing outside by the walkway. Definitely no parking space. Find a garage

Old City Hall
Anthony G.

The next stop on the Freedom Trail was Boston's Old City Hall which served as Boston's City Hall for 104 years. This City Hall was built upon the site of the nation's first public school. It's a significant historical site... that was converted to a friggin Ruth's Chris! That's sad! The grounds are beautiful, with murals and statues of the city's and nations forefathers, while inside someone eats overpriced steak. It's like how the old post office in DC was converted into a Trump hotel (although that is worse!). I do not agree with selling places that are symbols of our public heritage to private interests that cater only to people who can afford it. Just depressing to see this!

Old City Hall from The Parker House.
Patrick L.

Old City Hall is a beautiful old building with a must-see front courtyard. It's home to the Ben Franklin statue and little bronze donkey statue ( Ruth's Chris Steakhouse reside inside the majestic building). Grab a coffee nearby and sit in the courtyard - it's really a lovely spot in the heart of Boston. 4 stars

Outside
Kevin W.

Next stop on my Freedom Trail walk. Architecture of the building is different from the colonial buildings on the trail. Ben Franklin Statue on the outside. Located next to King's Chapel Burying Grounds. Kills the historical feel when see the Ruth Chris on the inside. That donkey statue!

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6 months ago

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9 months ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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12 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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11 years ago

Nice little courtyard and building with a couple statues, though a chain steakhouse ruins it.

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John Hancock Tower - Looking over Charles (from inside)

John Hancock Tower

(22 reviews)

Back Bay

During our last stay in Boston, we had a room that had a direct view of the John Hancock tower…read more It was such a beautiful sight...especially at night...most of the offices were lit up and it made the whole building look almost magical. This towering skyscraper stands tall at 790 feet, making it the tallest building in New England. Construction on the John Hancock Tower began in 1968 and was completed in 1976. The tower is made up of reflective glass panels that give it a sleek and modern appearance The John Hancock Tower is located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, at 200 Clarendon Street. If you are lucky to go up to some of the high floors, you could enjoy great views of the city.

I *SO* wish I was writing this review under different circumstances. There is now a deep pain…read moreassociated with this building... but this isn't the building's fault - thus no stars deducted. You see, I used to work at one of the companies within. I don't want to name it, so let's say I was somewhere between 50%-75% of the way up. To say it was a dream job is an understatement; I couldn't have dreamt it up if I tried. Well, my employment ended in less than six months. Not 100% my fault, not 100% theirs... even if you were to find the numbers, they probably wouldn't add up to 100 either - sometimes in life there is a sprinkle of rotten luck. I had a lot of pride not only in the company I worked for and in the work I did, but also for where (physically) I worked. Friends and colleagues would often ask me, and I would tell them I work right in the John Hancock Tower. Outwardly, I would [try to] be completely nonchalant about it, but inside I felt just a little hurt when the other person wasn't as wowed as I was walking into work every day. From inside, well, the view is incredible, of course. The one caveat is the nighttime view isn't what you would expect (nor what I accurately conveyed in the photos). I think it is partly due to the blue mirror coating on the glass - it reflects some of the now rather scarce blue light. As an architectural symbol, it is probably as uniquely Boston as Fenway. Something that is immediately recognizable. Yes, there are valid criticisms about its location right next to Trinity Church, and how it fits into the overall landscape. It is said, correctly, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I for one, despite what anyone else says, think the building is wicked awesome. I also love how one can see it from very far away (I've seen it from Lynn and Weymouth!) There is also some fascinating history surrounding the building, including cases where the glass would fall out, and many windows were replaced with wooden panels. Or, how it was determined that under certain wind conditions, the building could fall - and reinforcements were added to the structure, as well as a stabilizer on one of the top floors. With all this, and especially the privilege of having worked inside it, there is not conceivable way I would award anything less than five stars.

Faneuil Hall - 7/22/2024

Faneuil Hall

(149 reviews)

Downtown

Every time I think of Boston this is one of the first places that comes to mind. Whenever I visit I…read moremake a point to stop here. This is the place where I had my first Boston cream pie and I will never forget it. Feneuil Hall dates back to the 1700s and was created as a meeting Hall and marketplace, but later became a very important site for public speeches during the American revolution. You can still feel the history here in the spirit and the gorgeous architecture of the space. Every time I visit it feels so vibrant and alive. It's almost always packed with people and has a great energy. You can find amazing food here and I wasn't joking about my first ever Boston cream pie. I was born and raised on the west coast and it's just not something that we eat out there. Ever since my first bite, if Boston cream pie is an option anywhere, that is the choice I am making. It's so simple, but so delicious! Boston has so much to see and do. There is such a rich history here that it can be hard to choose just a few activities during a visit. I've been lucky enough to visit many times and do many things here and I would still put Feneuil Hall at the top of my list. Between the architecture, the history and the atmosphere, its's definitely a must-do and you could honestly probably move through this one quickly, but it's much better if you take your time, grab something to eat and just let yourself enjoy being part of the city for a little while.

Great historic building in Boston. Faneuil Hall is a must visit if in town…read more Located inside a beautiful building with a great facade, Faneuil Hall is standing in the area since 1742 as a place of gathering for people like Samuel Adams and John Hancock to protest the rules and laws of the King pre-Revolution. It continued to be a place for community members to gather, discuss ideas, start protests, trying to make things better in the country. Nowadays, Faneuil Hall is a nice Visitor Center belonging to the National Park Services. It's a free museum dedicated to its interesting past, spread on 2 floors. Lots of great and interesting exhibits here. There are a few shops as well to get souvenirs. Downstairs, there are clean restrooms, water fountains to refill your bottle and benches where you can rest a tad. People meet in front for tours. They have street artists, I usually enjoy that type of the show, but here they were taking over and they were rude to tourists! It opens at 10 am, closes at 5 pm. Great for your own tour of Boston. Part of Freedom Trail. A place that's a great part of US history!

The North End - View from my hotel in NORTH END of BOSTON

The North End

(133 reviews)

North End

North End aka Little Italy is my favorite Boston neighborhood…read more It's lively and welcoming with bakeries, pizza shops, and Italian restaurants lining the cobblestone streets Paul Revere's house is in North End as are several other historical landmarks. You can't help but feel like you're in a small village in Italy when in the North End.

After spending a year nearby a few years ago, I feel like I've explored and experienced the North…read moreEnd pretty well. I've dined at a few dozen Italian restaurants, wandered through historic landmarks, and even spent quiet moments in the old cemeteries tucked between brick facades and wrought iron. Returning recently for a day of exploring with Mrs. K., I was eager to share some of that charm -- those narrow streets that smell like espresso and marinara, the echo of Paul Revere's midnight ride, and the layered stories etched into every corner. But what stood out this time, more than the cannoli or the cobblestones, was how difficult the neighborhood can be for folks with mobility challenges. The North End is a feast for the senses, but not always a friend to the feet. Sidewalks are uneven, often narrow, and sometimes disappear altogether. Curb cuts are inconsistent, and many storefronts (especially the older, family-run trattorias) have steps without railings or ramps. We found ourselves rerouting a few times, dodging delivery trucks and squeezing past sidewalk café setups that left little room for a walker or wheelchair. Even the Freedom Trail, which winds through the area, occasionally dips into terrain that feels more 18th-century than 21st-century accessible. That said, the spirit of the place remains magnetic. We managed fabulous espressos at a quiet spot on Salem Street. A few blocks away, we paused at Copp's Hill Burying Ground, where the view over the harbor still stirs something deep and reflective. But I couldn't help noticing how much of the North End's magic is locked behind physical barriers. How many stories, meals, and moments are harder to reach if you're not nimble on your feet. It's a neighborhood that deserves to be experienced by everyone, and I hope the city continues to find ways to make that possible. Because the North End isn't just Boston's Little Italy. It is a living museum, a community, and a reminder that history should be accessible, not just preserved. [Review 1117 of 2025 - 1262 in Massachusetts - 24670 overall]

Old City Hall - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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