Skywalk Observatory

It was a scary elevator ride up to the observatory, with the sound of high winds and the entire elevator shaking.
You definitely get a nice view of Boston! But was rather yawn-​inducing and not really worth the HIGH cost. (in my opinion)

The Skywalk Observatory is located on the 50^th floor of the Prudential Center and provides gorgeous views of the area. There is an audio guide included with the entrance fee, which helps you to figure out what everything is from above. They also offer some exhibits like Dream of Freedom, about immigration to Boston, and trivia about the city, like Boston Firsts. A theater plays a few different films related to the city. We watched Wings Over Boston, which was a helicopter view of the city with narration, which we enjoyed. The views and exhibits were great, and we were able to time being there around sunset to get some different views.
This is definitely a little pricey, but I found it pretty consistently priced with other similar attractions in other cities, so it just depends on whether or not you’re into this kind of thing. My husband loves these types of attractions, so it was worth it for us. That said, I would follow other reviewer advice and check out the restaurant option here to see if you want to do that. It didn’t work with our schedule and timing, but I appreciated knowing that it was an option to check out. I also really liked the exhibits (yeah, I’m a museum person), so it worked out.

I was so excited to come here! I really enjoyed the observatory in Chicago so I was really looking forward to seeing the skyline of Boston.
I got tickets to this via my Boston Go Card. It comes with an audio player and you change the station based on the number next to the window you are looking it out of. Great history lesson while admiring the view!
I got some amazing pictures from the view up too! I appreciated going later in the afternoon to get some great day shots & appreciate the details that could be missed in the dark and I absolutely loved the pictures with the sunset!

This is the kind of observatory that you only go once in the lifetime for the purpose of taking photographs. You’re guaranteed to get a very good look at the architecture, the highways, the parks, the Charles River, and the shops in Back Bay.
However, for the same price, you can go to Top of the Hub 2 floors up. You can sit down, order a cocktail and enjoy the same view. Skywalk Observatory is not on the top floor. Its built-​in window benches create a stupid distance between me and the glass wall, so most of my photos have a light flare or my reflection in it. The ceiling is also as boring as my office. The floor was definitely built for offices before Prudential Tower decided it was just going to throw in a random empty floor as an observatory.

The view and the audio guide were both excellent… at least the part we got to hear. The website says to be there by 7:30pm (closes at 8). We arrived at 7 and between all the info and stories of immigrants to Boston on the walls, the Who Wants to be an American game show my nephew wanted to play, plus the audio tour itself, there is NO WAY anyone could finish in 1 hour much less 30 mins! Very disappointed to have been booted out without having finished. They really should allow guests to finish the tour or at least say that you need at least an hour or more to really enjoy the skywalk. The staff was not very accommodating basically saying get out or get out. I would recommend it but be early…

My friend visited me in Boston and what a better way to start off the tour than by a 360 degree view of the entire city?! The Skywalk Observatory is located at the top of the Prudential Tower so you literally cannot miss it! I forgot how much we paid, I think it was $ 15 each but it was well worth it for anyone visiting for the first time.
Aside from the view, you get a history lesson and stories about the city, certain buildings and infrastructures around the city from a pre-​recorded audio device. As long as you keep your receipt, you can leave and come back the same day!
Must do when in Boston!

Definitely worth it. Lovely views and history with an audio tour. It’s fascinating how the city expanded from what it used to be. I love that it gives you a 360 degree, bird’s eye view, and perspective of the entire city. Even though we weren’t able to hit up every spot of the city on foot, I felt we were there by seeing it from above. This is a must-​do when in Boston!

This is a must see during your first vacation to Boston. The view is beautiful, there is an audio tour included with the price of admission, and many other exhibits on site that will help you learn about the city and see all the great sites from one vantage point. You can’t see everything during one visit to the city, so going here helps you decide what you want to do now, and what you want to do for the next trip.

Rewarding and beautiful 360 view of the city. Its literally just a floor filled with windows. However they do have audio tours available if you want to learn about the history. There is also a theater and some active walls to keep you entertained.

Very disappointed with the staff. I had bought the City Boston pass and was not able to use it because the pass for Skywalk got detached from the main pass. After speaking to an inexperienced front desk staff, who was treating costumers like SHIT. I felt embarrassed for all that tourists who were being ripped to see the views. I also spoke to the manager, Page, who sounded like a broken robot. She kept repeating «this is our policy this is our policy». The views were amazing but the price was extremely expensive… do not go to Skywalk. Grab a coffee at the restaurant on 52^nd floor. Same views.

Call ahead if you plan on a night tour. The observatory is on the 50^th floor and above that is a very beautiful restaurant. I tried various times maybe 4 times in the past year to make it to the observatory and it was closed for private functions. I can see why now! I’d recommend the city pass do the price is not so steep. I’d still pay the full price if you have never been. It’s stunning at night and relaxing. (I recommend even more going around Christmas time at night. Even more is lit up)

Whether visiting Boston for the first time or 100^th time making a trip up to the Observatory is amazing! You can see for miles over into Cambridge, or Boston alike. Take in the sights of MIT, the Charles river, Fenway Park, etc. It is so much fun to walk around and visit every side. Each has a history of the Tower as well as a history of Boston. There is a gift shop to take home little remembrances for friends and family to enjoy. Be sure your camera is charged and you have lots of film cuz there are many angles and sights to take pictures of. If you are a student don’t forget your ID cuz they do offer a student discount.

The 360 degree views from here are spectacular!
I love that they let you leave & come back the same day — as long as you keep your receipt, of course. They don’t let you do that for Top of the Rock.
They had interactive displays & random trivia about Bostonians, their sports teams, and such. It’s a great way to spend part of, or all of your day. Bring your camera to snap lots of pictures.

In order to access the Skywalk you must get your tickets in the lobby in the shops at Prudential near the tower at the kiosk. Adults are 16 bucks is what it is, a tourist trap price but when you compare it to other observation deck type attractions it’s not so bad.
This is in the Back Bay area of Boston so there are very little obstructions because there are only a few tall buildings in this area compared to the financial district where there are much more buildings closer together. Because of this open area of the city this makes for a very good viewing spot. While the Prudential is not a very tall building the location for this is really sort of perfect. You really do have an unobstructed 360 view of all of the area including the such things as Cambridge, Logan airport, the John Hancock tower, Boston Common, Fenway Park, etc.
You get a really good look at all the neighborhoods and what the buildings look like side by side in the Back Bay all lined up in an orderly grid.
Bring a camera and make sure you have some good zoom for some great shots.

After paying $ 26 for my girlfriend and I (we’re both students-that’s the student rate), I have never felt so schemed and scammed. Two floors above is a restaurant that you can enjoy a drink (or not) and see the views for free.
Save the $$$$$

I had walked by the Skywalk Observatory Kiosk in Prudential Arcade many times and decided I would check it out before I left Boston. It was easy to purchase a ticket downstairs for $ 16, and take the elevators up to the 50^th floor observatory.
The little museum and gift shop up there were good to peruse as I waited for the sun to set and get great shots of the city. I wanted to wait until it got dark (open until 9 or 9:30pm) but I had to catch the T to Fenway for dinner with a friend before I went back home.
It is a pretty good deal, with re-​entry with your ticket the whole day/​business hours. For comparison, to go up to the top of the Stratosphere observation deck in Vegas costs $ 18. That was really neat that my hotel (Sheraton) was connected to the Shops at Pru and of course the Prudential Building itself, one of the tallest in Boston’s skyline.
There was a private event going on at the Top of the Hub restaurant so one section of the views was not open to the public. Man, I really wanted to try the restaurant just to say I ate there at the top, and the menus look so good, prix fixe or otherwise.

This was one of my favorite stops in Boston. I had never been to the city before and I was torn on this idea because, as everyone states, $ 15 is dang pricey to look out of a window. However, I am really glad that we stopped. We skipped the audio tour part and just took our time reading the material and looking out the window. The day was super clear out and we could see really far. I thought it was a great way to really understand the layout of the city. I loved seeing the different architecture throughout the city as well as all the boats on the Charles River and Fenway Park. I’d definitely come up here again on a clear day or come at night to see the skyline.

See
All there
Is to see
But is it worth
The admission price is not up to me.

Many times, you do wish you had a clear view of a city, especially one as historic as Boston. The $ 15 admission ticket rewards you with beautiful views without the accompanying vertigo (for wimps like me).
I thought the name Skywalk was a bit of a misnomer, because the Skywalk in Arizona is a clear glass platform that juts out over the canyon. This Boston Skywalk is an enclosed walkaround with large picture windows overlooking the city. Your entry allows you the use of a free Audio guide that plays a short video/​audio clip at different numbered stations. This particular guide is easy to use, and has a few visuals/​slides that clearly point out what is being described. It’s good to learn about what you are looking at.
All around are Q & A stations for you to learn more about the city and its history. There is also a very small display of some immigrant paraphernalia. A small gift shop as well to get your souvenirs.
We happened to come up when it was close to sunset, and just around dark, so the view is entirely different from a daytime view.
Best to explore the city on foot during the day, I think.

So you have a god complex? Just looking for a way to look down on almost everyone else whether they know it or not? Just like to have a great time equal on level to the local police ghetto birds? Well this is where you need to go.
Sweeping vistas are all around. I can only imagine the views at dawn and dusk on a partially clouded day. I am sure it is absolutely magnificent.
Pro Tip: Get city pass if you can handle doing multiple major tourist visits in a single day.
They had a ton of stuff up here for the average tourist or local looking for something new: photostrip booth, postcard booth, penny smasher, remote listening tour dealio (think semi-​guided tour), and a souvenir shop.
This all happens on the 50^th floor. I had initially hoped to have been able to view things from much higher up, but I do not believe that there are more than 1 taller building anywhere near to Boston, and they dont have a viewing deck.
There is not a line and you pay at the top. Walk up hop in an elevator, 20 seconds later hop off and pay to get in or use your pass. That was on a Saturday afternoon even!
After initially being very apprehensive the munchkin loved being up here. She really enjoyed scoping out all of the pools and the tenements with things on the roof. I loved being up here and took tons of photos with various lenses just enjoying the view of Boston. Even thought its not exactly in downtown, You are still afforded a view of most of downtown.
Definitely a touristy place, but dayem… how can you not enjoy being up 50 stories and gazing on the world going by somewhere way down below…

En haut du Prudential Center vous avez le Skywalk Observatory. A faire absolument. Vous y aurez une vue imprenable sur Boston et vous aurez l’occasion de remarquer la façon très rectiligne dont est organisée la ville de Boston comparée à nos villes françaises.
Je tiens surtout à préciser qu’à l’étage au dessus se trouve un restaurant. Au premier abord je me suis dit que ce serait impossible d’y manger, que ce serait horriblement cher. Mais je suis aller voir quand même, par curiosité. Il s’est avéré qu’il y avait un coin lounge où on peut manger des burgers, des pizzas, des soupes etc. Mais tout est extrêmement bon!!!
Ce fut un pur régal de manger un délicieux burger avec la vue nocturne de Boston.

Eine wunderbare Aussicht! Und wer etwas mehr Zeit und Geld übrig hat, kann den Blick auch vom Top of the Hub aus genießen. Ein Restaurant mit überraschend günstigen Preisen in Anbetracht der Lage.

Leider sehr voll, aber nachts ein Erlebnis! Eine wunderschöné Aussicht ist aber auch tagsüber möglich!

Das Empire State Building in New York ist natürlich noch einmal etwas anderes, aber wenn man nun schon in Boston ist, dann sollte man auch einmal in den 50. Stock des Prudential Towers fahren, und einen herrlichen Blick über Boston, Cambridge und die anderen Städte im Großraum Boston genießen.
Zwar versperrt einem ein seit dem 11. September leider für Besucher gesperrtes (noch höheres) Hochhaus den direkten Blick auf den Flughafen, und man steht auch nicht im Freien sondern befindet sich in einer ringsum verglasten Aussichtsetage, aber auch so bekommt man einen prima Überblick.
Die Menschen sind, wie sich das gehört, auf Ameisengröße zusammengeschrumpft. Die Autos bewegen sich wie dicke schwarze Käfer durch die Straßen.
Wer die 11 $ Eintritt scheut, der kann auch ganz nach oben fahren und sein Geld im Restaurant lassen. Da kann man dann, wenn der Andrang der Gäste nich zu groß ist, auch einigermaßen unbehelligt umherspazieren. Aber man kommt dann nicht in den Genuss der vollen 360° Rundumsicht.