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View Boston

4.3 (115 reviews)
Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 3 weeks ago

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Marlon T.

View Boston in Back Bay was a cool experience, especially during the Boston Marathon expo. I had free access to the top, which was a great perk and made it easy to check out. Unfortunately, it was super cloudy the day I went, so there was basically no view at all. Even with that, it was still fun to go up and see the space. I can imagine on a clear day this would be an amazing spot with incredible views of the city. Hard to complain when it is free, and I would definitely come back again hoping for better weather next time.

Cindy O.

We enjoyed the view from the enclosed 52nd floor observatory. Beautiful day and great for photos! The next floor down with the open air observatory waa so windy, you could barely stand. It was an in-out quickly type of view! Not sure why they even have it! It wasn't a windy day and guessing that high up, there is always wind! There's a nice immersion video running and a cool model set of the city with a video behind going thru dawn to dusk. We saw an area that looked like a bar of restaurant that would make a nice meal with a view. It wasn't open. Maybe it's open during evening time or on the weekends? There wasn't much history about the building or how it was built (as is done at the NYC Empire State Building). It's very over priced for what you get, entrance only! If you bare doing the Boston Pass, and it doesn't cost much, then I would suggest it. In addition to the ticket price (and tax), we paid $6.88 processing fee! Self-service at a Kiosk and gave no idea why they would charge a processing fee (these were purchased onsite not online!). $75 for two people! Money better spent elsewhere. Definitely feel like a summer tourist now. They run a lot of ads and how I was sucked in! I used to work at the John Hancock Tower during Summers. We were allowed up to the observatory any time no charge (and definitely took many opportunities). Very cool.and scary for many! Unfortunately they permanently closed the observatory after 9/11! Seems like they have tried to pick up this market. On a nice day, definitely going and seeing a 360 view is fun! Seattle Space Needle and NYC Empire State Building.

Hannah S.

It is worth it to get your timing right where you are up here to watch the sunset!! We ate dinner, had some drinks, and enjoyed the view of the city as well as the sun setting.

City Views
Holly D.

Seeing a city from up high is always such a classic experience, and View Boston absolutely delivered. We went right around sunset, and it was stunning -- the colors, the skyline, the views over the water... truly unforgettable. The whole experience was smooth, well-designed, and definitely one of the highlights of our trip. I'd highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city. A must-do if you want to take in Boston from a whole new perspective!

Corner view from the Cloud Terrace - A high-altitude view of a cityscape through glass barriers on an observation deck, with a blue sky and clouds overhead.
Lailah J.

Boston, MA (Back Bay) - every major city with skyscrapers has at least one observation deck now, and The View on top of the Prudential Tower is Boston's answer to those seeking a bird's eye view of the city. If you've been to One World Observatory in NYC, it's quite similar to that, but not as tall at 52 floors. It used to cost $5 to come up here once upon a time and was no big deal, but the newly opened View (from June 2023) has been turned into a bonafide "attraction" with enhancements. It's a pretty cool experience from start to finish, with a neat finale, albeit pretty pro forma in how these things go. (Admittedly I'm a bit of a jaded customer since I'm a sucker for heights and have done too many observatory towers around the world - including all 5 in NYC - to be easily awestruck.) But sweeping 360 views, especially with outdoor access, never fail to impress, and it's fun trying to identify buildings on the ground. There are digital touchscreens around that point to a few neighborhoods and landmarks, but they could use better graphics and be more detailed. The wrap-around terrace features an indoor-outdoor rooftop bar (Stratus Bar), and there is also a restaurant on the 50th floor (The Beacon Bistro) where you can grab a bite or drink while enjoying panoramic views. This is a fun thing to do in Boston for all ages!

A high-angle view of a city with numerous buildings, a river, and a bridge, under cloudy weather, taken from a tall building.
Christina R.

View Boston was not on my itinerary but I had purchased a CityPass for the aquarium and a boat ride that came with the choice of two other places to visit. It ended up raining pretty bad on our first day in Boston, so an indoor activity like View Boston seemed like the best idea instead of the river activity I had originally planned. Finding the entrance was no hard, there are plenty of signs leading you to the area. The escalators and elevators were fun and I liked the interactive movie in the elevator. The views from up here are fantastic and I appreciated how many levels there were and places to sit and just enjoy. There are even couches and comfy seating on the lower level outside of the restaurant. On the top level, I really loved the screens that showed you landmarks, that you could move around and see details for different places around the city. On the lower level, I really enjoyed the city model that changed color and video depending on the Boston icon they were featuring. Super cool and especially fun for the kids. Overall, I do not regret choosing this experience and would actually come back and pay the full price to experience it.

Dan R.

"The lonesome days they have gone by Why should I beg her when she's saying goodbye? But now she's gone and I don't worry 'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world" (B.B. King) If you can't sit on top of the world, rest assured that you can sit on top of the Prudential Center and get a magnificent view of Boston from the 52nd floor courtesy of View Boston. You enter through the Prudential Center but be aware the signage isn't the best and it may take you a while to find the ticket booth and elevators that zoom you skyward. You'll find a glass encased viewing platform up on that 52nd floor that gives you free access to walk around and enjoy amazing panoramic views of the city. But the 51st floor was just as great, maybe even better because it has a 360° open-air roof deck. Photo ops for your group and scenic views of the city are everywhere. Of course there is a rooftop bar named Stratus, so if you want a Marguerita or a Prosecco as to watch as the sun sets..... no worries. Totally worth the time to visit!

Gino T.

While visiting Boston we did a package deal tour with Boston Duck Company to enjoy View Boston located in the Prudential building a quick walk from the Duck tour as well as our hotel at Copley Place. The weather was perfect that day and so clear, it is a well organized observatory and as it's said in the song "on a clear day you can see forever" What a great way to appreciate the Boston area, all the way to the ocean and every bit of the city. Definitely worth the price, it offers food and full bar at the observation deck with plenty of seating to hang out and enjoy the time as well as the sights. Put it on your list and you won't be disappointed (unless the weather is cloudy etc) Well done View Boston we will be back. Ciao

Elevator lobby

The view is great, but "the experience" leaves a lot to be desired. $37 per person is daylight robbery. There's no cafe at the top, no telescopes, no topography maps, no history exhibits, nothing. Just a few touch terminals displaying a poor man's Google Maps that swivel 360 degrees so you can match the view to the map, however swivel them 180 degrees and you end up looking at a wall. DOH! Plus the operators can't decide if this space is for corporate events or tourists. One day we were told they would close early so we decided to go the following day. However the next day we were caught up in another corporate event and had to squeeze into a corridor to find the exit. TBH find a hotel with a nice roof deck and save yourself the money.

Boston (from View Boston)
Les R.

This is a must do when visiting Boston! For two adults it was $74 for the admission but it was definitely a highlight of our trip. View Boston covers three floors with the observation deck being on the 52nd floor. This is about 750 feet up and the views are amazing. After spending some time indoor panoramic views we made our way down to the cloud terrace. We even enjoyed a refreshing beverage at the Stratus Bar (51st floor) and strolled around the open terrace. We even pulled up a chair and enjoyed the view in one of the many outdoor lounge areas. On the way out the route you down to the 50th floor and you can see additional exhibits, a 3D model of Boston, and of course the gift shop. We even picked up new Boston hat here as a souvenir. Loved this and we even scored some great recommendations for dinner.

Vivian M.

Loved! Loved! Loved it! Get ready and take video of the elevator ride up, it's a great memory. Not to mention how pretty it is. Everyone is so nice and helpful. Shoutout to Brandon who helped us setup the Viewpoint video. Please have your tickets handy so you can set it up too. It is the coolest to see your video on the top of the Prudential Tower! You get a little bit of the history of Boston and their championship teams. Great pictures and videos and the bar and restaurant are just the icing on the cake. You can't go to Boston and miss View Boston at the Prudential Tower!

John C.

I had a great visit during an afternoon at View Boston followed up by a private event later that night. The whole experience is really well done from the arrival to security to elevators to the various experiences available at the top. The views truly are impressive day or night. I have to say that the sunset was particularly awesome. It's a great way to get a sense of how Boston is laid out thus making it a great first stop during someone's visit especially if it's your first time visiting the city. The staff were helpful and kind. I'd recommend View Boston to many folks. For folks who are having a hard time finding it in the Prudential Center, follow the signs. It was really hard for me to miss.

A lounge area at Boston 365 features a gray sofa with pillows, red armchairs, a marble coffee table, and decorative ceiling lights, with a view outside the window.
Maria G.

Wow, 5 star experience! It's a relatively new observation deck. It's not as crowded as the ESB or the Top of the Rock (NYC). I initially came on a cloudy/rainy day (with zero visibility), and the staff re-booked us for another sunny day. If you are not from Boston, visit whenever at your convenience. If you are from Boston, I'd recommend coming here on a Sunday morning at 10 AM. There is free street parking (you will have an easier time finding street parking if you get here before 9 AM. Park and walk around Newbury or Eataly.) Then get in line at 9:50 AM right outside of the glass doors and be ready to "rope drop." I'd say you can squeeze this in under 60 minutes if you need to (for tourists). If you are not in a rush, then I'd recommend around 90 minutes for the whole experience (elevator rides/security line, visiting the indoor deck, check out views, then outdoor deck, take the free photo, check out interactive exhibits, email yourself the free photo at kiosk, etc.) Clean bathroom at the top floor, plus a clean changing table and free sanitary products. All the staff members are very kind and friendly and will offer to take your photos! They really should consider adding a binoculars station. Good money making business if they charge like a quarter per guest visit (for a few mins). Very good indoor air quality! You might want to bring your sunglasses with you, since it can get pretty sunny. WiFi password: Theview24!

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Great views of Boston outside the on the observation deck. Best time to go is closer to sunset to see the city lights come alive.

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Ask the Community - View Boston

Hows the parking?

The parking just kind of depends, as it's in a mall. On the day I went, parking was really easy, though.

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Review Highlights - View Boston

The elevator ride itself is pretty quick and has these visuals flashing on the walls as you go up to the 52nd floor.

Mentioned in 7 reviews

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