John Hancock Tower
John Hancock Tower
4
About
This striking I.M. Pei edifice, famous for its beauty and infamous for falling glass panes, is Boston's tallest building. After terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the popular 60th-floor observatory was permanently closed due to security concerns.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Back Bay
Wander around this quintessential neighborhood in the heart of Boston for high-end shops, restaurants, and the feeling of city bustle. Its most identifiable skyscrapers, the Prudential Center and John Hancock Tower, are highlights of the city skyline. Visit Newbury street to explore unique and trendy boutiques – as well as every other kind of store imaginable – all housed in beautiful brownstone buildings. In nice weather, restaurant patio seating is packed with Bostonians and tourists alike soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the food. Commonwealth Ave offers a beautiful stroll down residential tree-lined streets. Keep walking towards the Charles River and enjoy a beautiful view by the water. In warmer months, people run and bike on paths running along the esplanade, and sail and kayak on the Charles River. Boylston street, also full of shops, bars, and restaurants, is the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Head towards Copley Square and check out the Boston Public Library, which is particularly beautiful from the Dartmouth street entrance.
How to get there
- Back Bay • 3 min walk
- East Berkeley St • 3 min walk
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2,871 within 3 miles
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979 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
106 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
33
Average
19
Poor
2
Terrible
4
David-Kevin B
Washington DC, DC408 contributions
Oct 2021
Although it has been rechristened with the lackluster moniker, 200 Clarendon Street, the minimalist building, characterized by windows of blue glass, will always be The John Hancock Tower. The building, designed by the world-renowned firm of I. M. Pei & Partners, achieved that rare feat of becoming instantly iconic and singularly defined Boston's skyline. Depending on the weather, season of the year and time of day, the building itself disappears against bright blue skies while simultaneously reflecting the buildings and neighbourhoods surrounding her base.
Written February 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nikki w
1 contribution
Apr 2017 • Solo
Hancock tower here in Boston has closed their observatory in 2001 after 9/11 and it hasn't been reopened since and there are companies that occupy the floor it was on now. So if you plan on visiting Boston you will have to do the prudential unless you know someone who works for a company on one of the higher floors that can bring you to their offices. I can't count the number of times we had to tell people it was closed or people who had a coupon for what they thought was the hancock tower but was for the prudential skywalk. The coupon actually showed the Hancock when it was supposed to be depicting a view from the prudential. Hancock was the better observatory anyways.
Written April 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele S
Boston, MA2 contributions
The excellent view of the City of Boston. Alas, the observatory is gone. Generations will miss the history lesson that the Observatory provided as well as the breath-taking 60th floor views.
Written July 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warren47
Rhode Island65 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Alas, the observation deck has been closed since 911. I told out of state guests how great the diorama on the Battle of Boston was. However, if it's closed, how do you have three "recent" reviews of the view?????
Written October 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geov0711
17 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
Nobody writing reviews knows what location they are reviewing. Wow. Why are these still up on this site?
Written July 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan O
London, England, United Kingdom116 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
As it was a girls weekend we decided to go to the observatory bar to get a look at the magnificent views (which they were) and have a cocktail while we were there. It was a lovely place to relax on the 96th floor in lovely surroundings. We had a great booth and you could be as near or as far from the window as you liked. Very pleasant staff. We had appetisers and cocktails. Just be careful because if you are going in groups of over 6 as a hefty 20% (non negotiable) service charge goes on as well as the tax.
Written November 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorry
Cambridge, MA350 contributions
Oct 2019
Largest skyscraper in the Boston but no observation deck. Good point for direction but not much else you can do at this tower. Some posters seem to be confusing this Hancock tower in Boston with the Chicago one which does have an observation deck for tourists.
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan T
Warrington, UK334 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
No admission charge (unlike the Observatory two floors below). For the price of a drink enjoy amazing views across the city.
Written August 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobYokoi
Igarata, SP76 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Very nice building, tall, lot of windows … but there NO MORE possibility to go all the way to the top …. This as an attraction is GONE …..
On the other hand there is an excellent option … the Prudential building … very close and you can go all the way up and still you can eventually have a lunch or a dinner or just seat on the bar ….
On the other hand there is an excellent option … the Prudential building … very close and you can go all the way up and still you can eventually have a lunch or a dinner or just seat on the bar ….
Written May 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tobibetnolan
Williams Bay, WI26 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The elevator to the 95th floor is quick. The staff is nice, great view, great place to get a drink. Must get a pic in the ladies bathroom
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does the John Hancock building still have the revolutionary war exhibit?
Written February 9, 2020
Is this review on the right page?
it was my impression that BOSTON'S JOHN HANCOCK was 60 floors not 96?
Written July 14, 2016
It seems as if there are lots of recent reviews- but some of them mention Chicago?? I thought the Hancock Tower in Boston was closed to the public. Are people confusing it with the tower in Chicago or is it re-opened?
Written December 4, 2015
No I'm on about the Hancock building in Chicago, and the 95th floor. In Chicago it;s the Hancock building guess in Boston they call it the Tower, hope this answers your question
Written December 28, 2015
Everything I read indicates the Boston John Hancock building's observation deck and exhibits have been closed since 911 but you have a recent review. Has it reopened? Are you sure it was John .Hancock and not Prudentual? I'd like to take out if state guests up if it's reopened.
Thanks, Warren in RI
Written March 21, 2015
It is my understanding that most of the reviews were left by people who Don't read the page before Commenting/Reviewing. They probably just saw a link that said John Hancock and assumed it was Chicago. This page though the page is for the tower in Boston, which has been closed since 9/11 and is only an office building now closed to the general public.
Written July 15, 2016
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