This post is a guide to Boston’s Skywalk Observatory as well as other Boston observation decks including the Bunker Hill Monument.
SKYWALK OBSERVATORY
The Boston Skywalk Observatory has closed indefinitely.
The following section will provide all the information you need to find the Skywalk Observatory, get tickets ahead of time, and potentially even save money on admission.
This attraction is open from 10 am - 10 pm, and it’s a great place to visit after dark or at sunset.
If you’re looking for more activities after the sun goes down, read our post covering things to do at night in Boston.
How to Get Here
Entering the building can be a bit confusing.
As Boston’s second tallest building at 729 feet (222 m) tall, it is easily seen from the street, but you must enter the Prudential Center Mall at 800 Boylston St. to get to the lobby of the tower.
Once in the lobby, you have to check in with security, so make sure you have a photo ID with you.
The Nearest MTBA Station is Prudential Station (Green Line E Tram) (map).
Read our post on how to use the Boston T (subway)
Ticket Prices
Since the Skywalk Observatory is one of the highest observation decks in the city with one of the best views, you can expect admission to cost a bit more than other alternatives.
That said, you can save money on tickets by using a tourist attraction discount pass (read below).
- $21/Adults
- $17/Seniors
- $17/Students
- $15/Children
- Free for Toddlers (3 and under)
More information or to purchase.
Included in the admission is an audio guided tour offered in two other Languages besides English (French Canadian and Japanese).
You’ll also get access to the Dreams of Freedom Museum and the Multimedia Movie Theater!
Tourist Attraction Discount Pass
The Skywalk Observatory is included on both major tourist passes in Boston.
This is a great way to save money on general admission prices, especially if you plan on doing a lot of things while visiting the city.
Tourist attraction discount passes work by bundling together several popular tourist attractions and tours into one discounted price.
They can also save you time by allowing you to skip the ticket lines at several locations.
Boston CityPASS
The Skywalk Observatory is one of four different activities included with this service. Rather than pay per activity, you’ll pay one flat price for everything.
Here are the attractions you can enjoy with this pass:
- New England Aquarium | Normally $31
- Museum of Science | Normally $29
- Skywalk Observatory | Normally $21
- Harvard Museum of Natural History | Normally $15
- or Boston Harbor Cruises | Normally $33
The total value of all these activities is up to $114, and the price of the pass is only $64 for adults and $52 for kids.
At that price, you’ll essentially be paying $16 for your ticket to the Skywalk Observatory, which is $5 off the normal price.
This is a great deal, and it includes a lot of additional family attractions that usually cost even more!
Go Boston Card
If you’re planning to visit even more attractions, this pass includes 44 different things to do in Boston – including the Skywalk Observatory!
Here are a few of the activities included with the Go Boston Card:
- Boston Red Sox Game | Normally $40
- New England Aquarium | Normally $31
- Hop-on-Hop-off Trolley | Normally $52
- Six Flags New England | Normally $72
- Skywalk Observatory | Normally $21
- Franklin Park Zoo | Normally $20
- Museum of Science | Normally $29
- Museum of Fine Arts | Normally $25
Unlike the Boston CityPASS, this service is offered for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days in a row. This means that you can enjoy everything included on the discount pass for one low price.
A one day pass is only $63, so if you use it for at least a few things in addition to the Skywalk Observatory, you can easily save money. Most people can find time to do at least 3-5 things per day.
Here is an example of how you can save money with even a 1-Day Go Boston Card:
- Hop-on-Hop-off Trolley | $52
- New England Aquarium | $31
- Skywalk Observatory | $21
- Museum of Science | $29
The total value of all these activities is $133, which means you’re saving about 53% on everything – a total discount of $11 off your tickets to Skywalk Observatory!
In addition to the discounts, this pass also includes skip-the-line privileges at some locations (such as the New England Aquarium and Museum of Science).
This is a fantastic way to save time while visiting all of the major attractions in the city.
ALTERNATIVES TO SKYWALK OBSERVATORY
There are a lot of other observation decks and locations with a great view in the city of Boston, and all of the following options are entirely free to visit.
If you’re looking for even more great things to do without paying a dime, make sure to check our post covering free things to do in Boston.
Top of the Hub
Located on the very top of the Prudential Tower, the view is just as good plus you can get a drink for your money. The restaurant is free to enter.
If you decide to visit Top of the Hub, you should go in the daytime. During the day, you will get a nice window seat for drinks only.
At night, for drinks, you will be seated at the bar with no window.
Many prefer this option because not only are you one floor higher than the observatory, you can sip on a drink while taking in the view.
The only drawback about the restaurant is that it does not have an audio guided tour or binoculars. With that said, you can bring your own binoculars if you have them.
Bunker Hill Monument
Located at 43 Monument Square, Charlestown, this 221-foot (67m) tall granite obelisk was built between the years 1827 and 1843 to commemorate the historic Battle of Bunker Hill.
The monument has no elevator and one must climb a narrow, winding staircase made up of 294 stairs in order to reach the top.
While the climb is a great way to get exercise, it can be a bit strenuous and is not recommended anyone with heart trouble or breathing issues.
When finally reaching the top of the Monument, there a small window where one can gaze out of and get a decent view of the city.
This isn’t really the best view, as the window at the top is small, but a good place to visit for history buffs or anyone interested in learning about America’s war for Independence.
Operated by the National Parks Service, the monument guides are happy to answer questions and give insight into the events which took place during that battle. The Bunker Hill Monument is free and open year round.
For more information call: 617-242-5641. Located on Boston’s Freedom Trail, the nearest MBTA Stop is North Station on the Orange and Green Line.
Marriott Customs House Tower
Another option is the Marriott Customs House Tower. Although the building is a bit shorter than the Skywalk Observatory, it may be situated in a better location.
Sitting on Boston’s scenic waterfront, it stands at 492 feet (150m) and provides wonderful views of Boston and the Boston Harbor.
The Custom House Tower was Boston’s tallest building from 1915 when it opened until 1965 when it was dwarfed by the Prudential Tower.
The iconic four face clock is a landmark in Boston’s skyline, and on the top ledge lives a family of Peregrine Falcons.
They are one of the fastest birds on the planet and can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour while hunting other birds.
You can view these birds in their nest through the Falcon Cam located on the Observation Floor.
The Marriott Custom House is located at 3 McKinley Sq. Boston, MA 02109. For observation times and more information call (617) 310-6300. The nearest MBTA Stop is the Aquarium Stop on the Blue Line.
Independence Wharf
A short jaunt from the Marriott Custom House and located at 470 Atlantic Avenue, is Independence Wharf. This office building also has great views of Boston Harbor.
Located on the buildings 14th floor, the observation deck provides visitors with a single bench and binoculars that do not need to be fed with quarters.
Independence Wharf is accessible through the Harborwalk which is a walkway running along Boston Harbor.
You will need to be buzzed into the building by security and an ID is required to enter.
For more information call (617) 737-0974. The nearest MBTA Stop is the Aquarium Stop on the Blue Line.
The Judson B. Coit Observatory
The Judson B. Coit Observatory is located at 725 Commonwealth Ave. on the roof of Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences.
This observatory, which is free and open to the public every Wednesday night, provides a great view of Boston and the stars above.
On Wednesday nights, they invite guests to gaze through the telescope located in the Observatory while mapping the stars with the help of astronomy buffs.
For more information call: (617) 353-2625. The nearest MBTA Stop is Boston University Central Station on the Green Line B Train.
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