Skywalk Observatory
Skywalk Observatory
4.5
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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
- Prudential • 3 min walk
- Copley • 5 min walk
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Restaurants
2,915 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,000 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.
4.5
1,306 reviews
Excellent
650
Very good
448
Average
161
Poor
31
Terrible
16
photoguywisconsin
Oshkosh, WI948 contributions
Dec 2019
This place isn't photographer friendly. They won't allow anyone to bring in a tripod or monopod for photography. When asked, they couldn't provide a coherent reason for their exclucsion. I typically use a tripod or monopod ( has only one leg) to take better quality photos, especially at night. Considering the admission price (something like $20 for an adult) I had hoped they would at the very least allow me to take quality photos. This exclusion felt especially ludicrous considering there were very few other guests present.
could see why they might limit
could see why they might limit
Written January 9, 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.
lynnr69
Northallerton, UK53 contributions
Feb 2020
Loved our visit here, definitely worth the entrance fee. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the audio device you carry around explains both the history and views as you look out over the city and surrounding areas. We had a beautiful sunny morning when we visited so could really see for miles. My daughter asked if she could use her UK student card for discount and this was easily accepted. Lots of information on how Boston was built with immigrants from all over the world, and continues this tradition now. Very poignant in today's climate.
Written March 5, 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.
Newyorkfan40
Walsall, UK357 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This was an interesting and informative tourist thing to do while in Boston, gave a lot of information regarding the immigration of many different cultures back in the day while being able to look out over Boston.
The most difficult part was trying to actually find the place. As we are from the UK unless we had already arrived somewhere and sorted the wifi then we only had basic Google maps and it kept walking us back and forth along the street with the building registered as in the street behind with no way of getting to that street, no where does it tell you to walk into the shopping centre and you will eventually find a sign for the Skywalk
The most difficult part was trying to actually find the place. As we are from the UK unless we had already arrived somewhere and sorted the wifi then we only had basic Google maps and it kept walking us back and forth along the street with the building registered as in the street behind with no way of getting to that street, no where does it tell you to walk into the shopping centre and you will eventually find a sign for the Skywalk
Written February 16, 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.
solo traveler
Glasgow, UK128 contributions
Dec 2019
I went to see this as it was one of my options on my Go Boston card, It wasn't anything to exciting if I'm honest and even the staff looked like they didn't want to work there. I was let in but wasn't given a headset or any audio to tell me what I was looking at. Basically I just looked out the windows and took some pictures.
Written January 6, 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.
Rolshchikov-Dmitry
Moscow, Russia515 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
As far as I know, this is the highest publicly-accessible observation deck in Boston. It provides great views of the city. The are a lot of informative materials. The staff is friendly. The deck isn’t crowded. Even though the deck’s lights are dimmed after sunset, it’s not easy to take photos due to reflections, but it’s an issue for most of the observation decks, not just this one. If you have troubles taking photos, just watch, enjoy and remember :)
Written March 22, 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.
Life’s2Short
East Longmeadow, MA12 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Great views 360 degrees around the whole tower, lots of educational displays and short movies about history of boston, etc. It’s all indoor, which makes it nice year-round, but for me to give the 5th star it would need the addition of an outdoor section (even if it was a small one) to get the full raw experience of being up that high and fully soaking in the city view. Good activity for an hour or two, worth it.
Written March 14, 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.
Jason B
Marlborough, UK27 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
First real outing of the New Year in Boston. Great way to see 360 degrees of the city from up high. A beautiful clear winter sky made it such an amazing trip - great value too since it was included in the price of our Go Boston cards. The hostess greeted us so positively and helpfully upon arrival at the viewing floor.
Written January 7, 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.
BeachStone2C
Helsinki, Finland2,610 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I was lucky with weather and got a perfect 360 views. Entrance was 21 dollars. It is for entrance, audio guide and a few very small exhibitions. There are no food service. There is a restaurant two stores above though. The audio guide was just right; no lectures, just a right amount of interesting information.
Written January 12, 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.
Cat D
11 contributions
Jan 2020
I went during the day and the views were great! Price wasn't terrible as we got student discounts. However, it went by quicker than we imagined. Nevertheless, something everyone should do at least one in Boston. An activity for all ages as it has little things to do on the floor as well (history lessons, games, videos, etc.)
Written February 11, 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.
Piotr H.
Lodz, Poland3,871 contributions
Jun 2019
Very nice place to go. It is 52nd floor. You can see the whole city from every side. They offer an audio guidance. You can hear and feel the whole history of the city. There are also a lot of monuments
Written October 3, 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.
Hi, I’m wondering if the top is reopen, are you able to go outside? Are u able to open the windows? Thanks.
Written March 17, 2021
Where exactly do you purchase tickets directly for this attraction?
Is it a kiosk or somewhere else?
Written February 16, 2020
Upstairs there is an office. I bought directly after going with the elevator to 52nd floor. There was no queue. It was about 20-30 usd. Do not remember exactly
Written February 17, 2020
How long does it take to go through the observatory?
Written October 28, 2019
About 30 - 45 minutes and that was at a "lingering" pace. I will note that it was not crowded at all.
Written November 30, 2019
I am afraid of heights. Is elevator quick to top?
Written July 13, 2019
Just go with someone who will chat with you the entire time.
Pretty quick anyway!
Written July 14, 2019
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