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Skywalk Observatory
Rating Details »
Category: Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
Neighborhood: Back Bay800 Boylston Street
(between Fairfield St & Gloucester St)
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 859-0648
- Nearest Transit:
-
Prudential (Green)
Back Bay (Orange)
23 reviews for Skywalk Observatory
In the neverending quest to make sure i do all the touristy stuff in my hometown (well, maybe short of hanging out in the Quincy Market area) and making fun of accents, i wound up finally getting to the observatory at the top of the Pru.
Totally kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Watching the traffic of all kinds flit around the whole of the city at night is nothing short of hypnotic; i could do that for hours.
It only loses a star for being a bit spendy at $12, and for having annoying voiceover exhibits undermine what could be a nice, tranquil experience. It probably also wouldn't be as nice if there were a lot of tourists around.
Apart from myself, that is.
I guess it's nice to check out the view from up there...if you're willing to fork up $11. I just had to do it. The view is amazing and you can practically see all of Boston from up there...and that's about it. They have a self audio tour, but I got bored of that quickly and just walked around admiring the view. There was no snack shop...or none that I knew of...that you could just sit up there and enjoy the view. There's a couple of things to look at, but nothing too great. I think we were up there for 30 minutes...then we left.
BAD MEMORIES!
I lost my father up here. Do you know what it is like to lose one of your parents? The thoughts that run through a child's mind when their parent goes missing?
Mine were like, "Shit, who's gonna buy all of us lunch now?"
Turns out he was just lost in thought, trying to figure out where Fenway was. A father can be pretty hard to find when he's dressed like every other tourist up there. Socks with Teeva's? There's more of that going on up there than Manolo's on 5th Ave.
While the views are understandibly spectacular, the audio tour is a bit dry, as are the exhibits and the decor. Once you look at a bunch of buildings far, far off, welp, there's not a whole lot else to do. I rate it about the same as the Duck Tours and the Freedom Trail, everybody does it, and wonders, after it is done, why, exactly, they did it in the first place, and, after doing it, wonders what there is to do after all the doing is done.
Dong.
[Generic intro]: The views are beautiful, and it's a blast to look out the windows and try to pick out all th e different neighborhoods, not to mention see Fenway Park from way up there.
Buuuuuttt.... uhhh $11 to get in? And then to be subjected to the endless rambling of some annoying dude on a self-guided audio tour? Please spare me the headache.
Here's an idea-- take your $11, go upstairs 2 levels to Top of the Hub on the 52nd floor (yep, even higher up, my friends!), buy yourself an outrageously overpriced cocktail, and check out the views from there. That way you can be drunk while enjoying the breathtaking views, and talk to a friend rather than an automated personality.
Hmmmm?
This is a really good place to get some nice views of Boston and the surrounding area .... .... .... when it bothers to be freakin' OPEN. The last *three* times i've been through the Pru Center, it's been "closed for a private function." That little "make sure to call ahead to see if it's open!" note on their website is an iron-clad warning, people.
Also.. the history lesson up there around the inside of the Skywalk chooses a lens of Ethnic Oppression (from Native Americans to Immigrants) to tell the story of Boston's history. Not that it's wrong, but given the touristy nature of the attraction, it's definitely a strange choice.
UPDATE: finally got back up there... and the exhibits appear to be different and it's no longer depressing.
I'll make this quick.
Yes, the views are smashing. And if you have a bunch of kids, this is the place to go. But if you're just a couple of adults visiting town, go to the Top of the Hub instead. It's, like, one floor below, er, or above... I forget. It's a floor away, anyway.
You can't just walk around and look out the windows without buying anything, but if you are buying, the sky's the limit (literally).
Why spend your money on a view when you can spend it on a view AND a martini. I'm just saying.
Oh, also they have some recorded touristy stuff and some of those viewers that never really work, if that's your thing.
So I went up here by myself today. Not very many people there, which was nice because touristy people annoy the ever-loving crap outta me. It was $11 but I'm a college student so I got in for $9.
The view was awesome. I spent about 45 minutes there just looking everywhere. Boston's really quite nice from an aerial view.
Then, of course there are the little displays and voiceovers and such. There was one where you get to hear quotes from Mark Twain, T.S. Eliot and other highbrow writers and smartasses talk about how smart everyone is in Boston. Whatever.
There are those things you put quarters in and you get a magnified view of the city. Problem is, they don't give you a very good view of anything.
Then there's the whole south wing which focuses on immigration and whatnot. Ok fine great, but there's this guy on the tv screen talking about people's sour attitudes towards immigration and, in a regretful tone, saying something like, "But, y'know....America's got the first amendment and we're free to blah blah blah..." I think a place like this is the LAST place to display a stupid, opinionated P.C. rant on immigration. Especially by some self-important fuckbag wearing a bowtie. A BOWTIE!!!!!
I don't like bowties.
These views of Boston are amazing - definitely worth checking out or bringing visitors. But don't waste your money going to the Skywalk. Take the elevator one floor higher to the Top of the Hub, get yourself a couple martinis and a plate of cookies at the lounge, and enjoy the view from there.
BTW - I agree with everyone who thinks it's BS that this place ALWAYS being closed for private functions. All the more reason to go upstairs.
Amazing views and a hidden museum! For 8 dollars you can whoosh upto the top of the Prudential Tower and take in the views of Boston. It's easily cheaper than the mark-up on a couple of drinks at Top of The Hub on the floor above although obviously not as glamorous. It's a novelty for me as London has no skyscrapers as high with viewing areas. So this is way cool!
I was there on day with reasonably clear skies and could quite clearly see as far as Cape Ann although the views into Back Bay and South End roof gardens turned out to be far more eye-opening. It could also be a novel place to watch a Sox game. I didn't take the audio tour, I was up there to meet a date so instead we spent our time chatting and pointing out things out below. Taking as long as we wanted.
The real revelation was the mini-museum of Boston's immigration that filled up the space away from the windows. Heart-touching stories, films and audio from the immigrants who risked everything to make this city and lots of interesting facts and photos. Turned out my date was a big immigration fan so I think my venue choice surpassed the expensive bar above.
Pricey and kitschy, but you gotta admit the 360-degree views are terrific. You can appreciate the city's layout from here, so it's good for tourists just starting their Boston vacation.
The audio tour narration had an amusingly over-the-top Boston accent. It was informative. For example, "Professor O'Connor" explained how Back Bay was designed to look like Paris, with tree-lined streets and French Empire Style homes with chimney tops. Senator Ted Kennedy briefly spoke of his family's history and recited some of Longfellow's Paul Revere's Ride. The audio tour also bizarrely reenacted glass shattering and Bostonians screaming when the Hancock's windows popped out.
Their immigration exhibit had a hilarious rap video on the naturalization process:
"What is the Declaration of IndependENCE?
Are you ready to pledge allegiENCE?"
(Yes it was as silly as it sounds).
I took some guests from NYC to the Skywalk. Since there is probably no other place to see a bird's eye view of the city of Boston, I think my friends enjoyed it. In total, to make our time worth it, we ended up staying for about 30 min but there is really nothing to do there. For the cost and the upkeep of the place, it wasn't worth it.
Fortunately, the girls I went with had their college ID and got in for $9 instead of $11. The cost doesn't make sense to me when all the machines and historical information booths were all worn down or out of order. The view of the Charles was closed off for a reception making the trip 1/4 less interesting.
If you have nothing else to do with your in-laws or clueless out of town guests, and need a place to go to kill some time, this is a good spot. Don't forget to bring your college ID.
This is a great experience. I got my man up here at sunset, and it was gorgeous seeing all of Boston go from light to dark. Plus, you get free headsets at the door that give you a guided audio tour of the city from a bird's eye view.
Sweet!
Lovely views. Look at a map before and after, it's amazing to look at the map and imagine the view.
$11 is expensice.
This is the place I frequent when I volunteer to be a tour guide for foreign visitors and out of state friends/family. To see what it is that encompassess Boston is wicked! Simply put it is the most breath taking views of Boston both day and night, not to mention a reminder of what makes me me so happy to be a native.
Today in particular I brought my Lil' Sister to the Sky Walk and relived my childhood vicariously through her. The price you pay to do the walk is reasonable and you definitely get what you pay for. I believe it is $8 per person, but if you are a volunteer Big & Lil you get in for free. Which I must say I didn't expect. I just noted to the cashier we were with BBBS and if they offered a discount. Expecting a small discount, I was excited when she said - there's no charge!
We did take the audio tour, which I think is a bit of cheeze, but the kids version excited the hella out of my Lil and kept her entertained. Who knew? If you are sans children, and a with a native Bostonian I say skip the tour and let them do their thing. The views alone are spectacular. I also recommend checking out the mini museum's in the center that provide more background and history of Boston. One other thing I feel important to point out is this place is never overly crowded, so you can walk around the sky walk and enjoy a quaint view in peace.
Definitely a nice place to visit for those new to Boston, or those just looking for a way to appreciate the city without spending alot of money. A nice taste in Boston Culture and History. :)
As a long-time Bostonian, quite often I am asked by visitors what is the one thing I should definatley not miss while I'm in Boston - my answer used to be the Hancock Tower Observatory, but sadly that is now closed. My current answer is the Prudential Tower Observatory.
Boston tends to be a little choppy, as far as the layout, and I think that the only way you can appreciate the beauty of the entire city is by aerial veiw. The perfect rows of brownstones (really brick buildings, but we call them brownstones for some reason), the river, the Emerald necklace. From way up there it all just makes sense!
An added bonus is the exhibit that highlights the history of the immigration to Boston. It is so easy to forget that Boston started as a teeny little town and it was through the efforts of those that came before us that it is the thriving, diverse, beautiful city that we have to enjoy today.
AHHH YESSSS!!! MY BIG 1000TH YELP REVIEW IS FINALLY HERE!! WOOT! WOOT!
I'm reviewing my one of my favorite places in Boston, the Skywalk Observation Deck at the top of the Prudential Center. I took my folks here when they were visiting me from out of town. For 11 bucks a pop, we were whooshed up to the 50th floor. The skyline views were TOTALLY AMAZING! We could see all of Boston, Cambridge, and as far away as Gloucester on the North Shore and Hingham on the South Shore. We also took the Audio Tour to learn about each landmark we were looking at and took some breathtaking photos of the skyline. This stop was definitely worth it and we really enjoyed the views. I highly recommend a stop at the top of Prudential Center on a nice clear day if you happen to be visiting Boston.
NOW IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!! Be sure to see my SMILEY YELP MAP on my profile!!!
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[$THE SHOPS AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER$]
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I'm shipping up to Boston, whoa!!!!!!
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(58) *O O OO* | To find my wood-en leg!!!
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I almost skipped this when I saw the price. I'm very glad I decided to pay up and go.
The audio tour was fun, and the views are amazing.
I highly recommend that you start off your vacation here. They point out many great places to check out -- from parks to museums.
Here's a picture I took of Fenway: http://flickr.com/phot...
For an $8 audio tour it was merely OK. The ride up was unspectacular and while it's probably the best view of the city the fact is that Boston looks much better from ground level than from way up there. It is quite easy to see Copley Square, the Fens, and the general skyline of the financial district. The audio tour provides both an "adult" track with a spritely narrator, and a "childrens" track. It's fun to switch between the two because it gives you different perspective. I would definitely do this one during the day.
An additional advantage is that it points out some of the interesting places to visit in this great "walking city". It also has a few exhibits boasting the diversity of Boston.
Times visited: 1
Skywalk is the best, but I miss the little presentation they had about boston history in the john hancock tower. I really wish they'd open it again. The skywalk is pretty cool tho and an equally great view. Nice Gift shop and friendly staff. Top of the Hub restaurant is close by.
Convenient to green and orange lines.
I know, I know--it's $11 and that's silly. But I love me a good view. And Boston gives good view. I'm so familiar with Boston's history at this point that the little self-guided tour didn't give me any new information, but I did enjoy just looking over the city, and understanding how one area relates to another. I like to stand right up against the windows and really analyze the landscape, and I imagine that would be frowned upon at Top of the Hub, even if I did get a $15 martini. The Skywalk Observatory is right in the middle of everything and lets you get a good long gander at Boston and its metro area.
I went up here with a friend who was visiting Boston. I took a bunch of pictures and had fun looking around. I wouldn't do it again, but this is something I would recommend doing at least once so you can have a good view of Boston from above. I enjoy doing this (going up high for a bird's eye view) with other cities as well.
For $11, I was expecting more. Granted, they do give you a device to be your "tour guide" and explain what you are seeing out the window, but really $11 is overpriced. I did get some wonderful aerial pictures of Boston, but I just wished the sun was out so my pictures would look better. The idea of it is cool and I wish they had something back in LA like it. Nice to check out, but I wouldn't go again.
Combine this with a Duck Tour, then a drink at the Top of the Hub, and this is my favorite tourist thing to do with Boston visitors!
