View Boston

View Boston occupies the top three floors of the Prudential Tower in Back Bay, a 52-storey office tower completed in 1964. The building's old Skywalk Observatory and the Top of the Hub restaurant both closed in 2020, and the floors reopened in June 2023 as View Boston, a 59,000-square-foot attraction on the floors that once held what was for many years the highest publicly accessible viewpoint in New England.

There are three main levels. The 52nd floor has an enclosed observation deck and a gift shop, the 51st floor holds Stratus, an indoor-outdoor bar with a wraparound terrace, and the 50th floor has a bistro called The Beacon. Alongside the views, the attraction includes immersive experiences and interactive exhibits about the city, so it works as a short introduction to Boston as well as a viewpoint. On a clear day the views stretch across the city in every direction.

View Boston is open daily from 10am to 10pm, with last entry at 9:15pm. General admission covers the observation decks, the immersive and interactive exhibits and access to the Stratus rooftop bar, and a Sips and Sights ticket adds one drink. A booking fee applies to each ticket. It is also included in Boston CityPASS, which bundles admission with other attractions. As a general tip, the hour before sunset is the most popular slot, so book that in advance and arrive early to watch the light change, or go in the morning for clearer, quieter visits.

Allow an hour to an hour and a half, more if you stay for a drink on the terrace. The experience suits couples, families and first-time visitors who want an overview of the city on their first day. Check the weather before you go, since low cloud can hide the view; it is usually worth waiting for a clear day if your schedule allows.

The entrance is inside the Prudential Center, next to center court. Prudential station on the Green Line E branch is on the Huntington Avenue side of the building, and Back Bay station is connected via a pedestrian tunnel to Copley Place. Boston Duck Tours also depart from the Prudential Center, so the two are easy to combine.