I love being a tourist in my own city. Hey, we don’t need out of town visitors for an excuse to do touristy things. Over the weekend I got together with a few family and friends to check out View Boston. You remember the Top of the Hub restaurant at the Prudential Building? Now it’s a place to see our entire city from panoramic perspective. I’ll tell you all about my visit to View Boston And 360° Of Stunning Views From the Top of the Pru.
I have to tell you, we chose a good time to go because the tickets were 25% off for school vacation week. My first thought when seeing the full cost of a ticket is that it was bit pricey. I mean, it’s a view. But I have to say, after experiencing View Boston, it was worth it(especially with the discount)! You’ll find out below all about the pricing and options. Afterwards, we visited a restaurant I recently wrote (the Steak Room at Rochambeau) that gives endless fries with your steak. It was fabulous, by the way!
Timing Is Everything
We did a self-guided look around, but you can get a guided tour. I chose sunset because of obvious reasons. The timing and the weather was perfect. But keep in mind, this is New England so you may want to hold of on buying tickets until a day or so in advance, simply because our weather is so unpredictable.
Not only did we get to see views at daylight and sunset, but we also got the evening views. And the moon was putting on a show Saturday night. It was impressive. By the way, there were a few employees around if you had any questions. We asked about particular buildings and history of the area. And the guide was very knowledgeable.
We found a bar cart on one side of View Boston and toasted to a beautiful experience. We even ventured out on the observation deck, despite the frigid temps and wind. It’s located off their bar on a different level than the main attraction. There’s a restaurant as well, and you can also find out about those, just below.
Overall, I would say my visit to View Boston and 360° of stunning views from the top of the Pru was worth every penny. It was something unique to do in the city and you are in the heart of Back Bay, where there are plenty of options for dining and entertainment following your visit.
What The View Will Cost You
- Standard ticket: (Adult) $29.99
- Upgraded Experience: (Adult)$39.99 and includes priority entrance and exit + $8 to spend at the gift shop
- VIP Guided Tour: (Adult)$39.99 includes a guide, priority entrance and exit +$8 to spend at gift shop
- All Inclusive: (Adult) $49.99 includes priority entrance/exit, $12 for drinks or shop, Viewfinder Map keepsake and flexible arrival time.
Other ticket options include:
- The Family Pack Sale (Save 20% on 4 or more tickets)
- View Boston After Dark- Thursday through Saturday 6-10pm. A 360° cocktail rooftop experience
- Yoga with a View: Join the lululemon ambassador team every Wednesday morning for an hour long class at View Boston.
- Save with CityPass: Save 45% on admission to 4 top Boston attractions, including View Boston. See the attractions “at your own pace, in any order, over a 9-day period. Details are HERE.
Here’s your link to all tickets
(Photo by Carolyn Kruse)
Dining Options
At View Boston you’ll find a bar and a bistro on the levels just below “the view.” The bar is called Stratus and here you’ll find signature cocktail and gorgeous views, from indoors and outdoors. We did venture out onto their enormous deck, but it was a very chilly evening. Still, a great place to grab a photo.
(Photo by Carolyn Kruse)
The restaurant is called The Beacon and it boasts a dining experience with “new heights” that features “33 miles of breathtaking views, a 22-seat window facing bar and seasonal beverages and bites.” The place is beautiful.
View Finders and An Immersive Theater
At View Boston you’ll find a “neighborhood discovery tool” so you can check out all the neighborhoods in Boston and even find local restaurants, attractions and landmarks. They also have an immersive theater so you can feel like you are right there in different neighborhoods. Check out the Fenway Park view in the theater!
(Photo by Carolyn Kruse)
A Model City
The “model city” was really cool. It’s an entire room with a model of Boston and the background changes for different seasons and weather conditions. You’ll see Boston covered in snow, which was our favorite. It’s an impressive 3D model with “projection-mapping to dramatically reveal the seasons, spirit, and celebrations that bring Boston to life.” Definitely worth a climb down the stairs from the views.
(Photo by Carolyn Kruse)
Hours and Location
- View Boston is open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
- Find View Boston at the Prudential Building in Center Court.
- Address: 800 Boylston St. Boston
It wasn’t crowded at all, and on a Saturday evening. The timing is structured to ensure an optimal viewing experience.
