View Boston is an observation deck occupying the top three floors of the Prudential Tower at 800 Boylston Street in the Back Bay neighbourhood of Boston, Massachusetts. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking options, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the detail and just book tickets, head here. If planning on visiting several Boston attractions, you can probably save money with the Boston CityPASS or Go City Boston Pass.
Updated February 2026. View Boston is currently closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the standard operating hours are 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on open days. Many third-party guides still list hours as 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. daily — both the hours and the closed days are now different from those older listings.
Crucially, it is cheaper to book tickets via a third party than on the official site. Book directly with View Boston, and there’s a $3 per ticket booking fee. Book with Viator, and there’s no booking fee.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199 (Floors 50–52, Prudential Tower) |
| Opening hours | Mon, Thu–Sun: 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. / Tue–Wed: Closed |
| Last entry | 7:00 p.m. (one hour before closing) |
| Standard adult ticket | $34.00 + $3 booking fee per ticket (official site). Just $34 (Viator) |
| Children and seniors | $32 for seniors, $15 aged 6 to 12, free for under 6s. +$3 booking fee for all. |
| Nearest public transport | Prudential station, MBTA Green Line (on-site) |
| Parking | Prudential Center garage, on-site (paid, not operated by View Boston) |
| Typical visit duration | 1–1.5 hours |
View Boston opening hours
View Boston is open Monday and Thursday through Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Last entry is one hour before closing, at 7:00 p.m. Hours may vary on public holidays; check viewboston.com before travelling.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated February 2026.
View Boston ticket prices
The standard entry ticket is The View Experience, priced at $34.00 per adult, plus a $3 booking fee per ticket charged at checkout. This ticket covers access to all three floors, the indoor and outdoor observation decks, all interactive exhibits, and the Stratus rooftop bar and The Beacon bistro (food and drink purchased separately unless a dining package is selected).
Book through Viator and you avoid the $3 booking fee. I earn a small commission from every ticket booked this way, but you also save money, so everybody wins (except organisations that like to sneak extra charges onto advertised prices).
Reduced rates are available for children aged 6 to 12 ($15) and seniors ($32).
Additional ticket types include the Sips & Sights Experience ($48 + $3 fee, includes one drink) and the Dining Experience (from $45, includes a food and beverage package at The Beacon bistro). A Family Pack discount of 20% applies to purchases of four or more tickets. US military personnel and Boston first responders receive $10 off full-priced admission on presentation of valid identification at the box office, with $5 off for up to four accompanying guests.
View Boston is included in the Boston CityPASS, which covers four Boston attractions over nine days. Other attractions included in CityPASS are the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, and the holder’s choice of one further attraction from: Boston Harbor City Cruises, Franklin Park Zoo, and Harvard Museum of Natural History. View Boston is also included in the Go City Boston pass.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated February 2026.
Why book the Boston CityPASS?
- Saves on key attractions: Visit top Boston sights with bundled entry at a reduced price compared with buying individual tickets.
- Flexible sightseeing: CityPASS offers timed entry at major options, helping you plan your itinerary over multiple days.
- Must-see included spots: Explore favourites such as the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science and more, depending on the pass you choose.
- Ideal for first-time visitors: Great way to check off a range of iconic Boston museums and experiences without worrying about separate bookings.
- Mobile ticket convenience: Your pass is delivered digitally for easy scanning at each attraction, with no need to print vouchers.
How to get to View Boston
View Boston is located inside the Prudential Center at 800 Boylston Street. The most direct public transport option is Prudential station on the MBTA Green Line (E branch), which connects directly to the Prudential Center shopping arcade, from which lifts to View Boston are accessible. Copley station (Green Line B, C, D, and E trains) is approximately three blocks away. Back Bay station (MBTA Orange Line and commuter rail) is approximately two blocks away and connects to multiple other MBTA lines.
The Prudential Center is a 20-minute walk from Boston Common and easily reached on foot from the Back Bay and South End neighbourhoods.
5 great Boston experiences to book
- ⚾ See why Boston has America’s most beloved baseball ground on a Fenway Park tour.
- 🚶 Get a history crash course on a small group walking tour along the Freedom Trail.
- 🌅 See the skyline from the water on a sunset harbour cruise.
- 🎓 Hear the stories behind America’s oldest university on a campus walking tour of Harvard University.
- 🍩 Indulge in Boston’s best donuts on a sweet treats walking tour.
Parking at View Boston
View Boston does not operate its own parking. Paid parking is available in the Prudential Center garage, which is accessible from Huntington Avenue and Belvidere Street. Current parking rates are published on the garage website, and they’re expensive, starting at $20 for up to four hours. The garage can reach capacity on weekends and during events at the adjacent Hynes Convention Center; public transport is the more reliable option on busy days.
How long to spend at View Boston
A visit to View Boston covering all three floors — including the indoor 52nd-floor observation deck, the outdoor Cloud Terrace on the 51st floor, and the interactive exhibit floor on the 50th floor — typically takes between one hour and 90 minutes. Visitors who plan to eat at The Beacon bistro or spend time at the Stratus rooftop bar should allow additional time beyond the standard visit.
Accessibility at View Boston
View Boston is fully accessible by lift from street level through the Prudential Center, with step-free access to all three floors of the attraction. Accessible restrooms are available on every level. Certified service animals are permitted; all other animals are prohibited. Bag size is restricted to a maximum of 25 inches high by 17 inches wide by 9 inches deep — luggage of any size is not permitted. There are no lockers or left-luggage facilities on site. All guests and bags are subject to a security screening before entry.
Inside View Boston: what to see
View Boston occupies floors 50, 51, and 52 of the Prudential Tower, approximately 750 feet above street level.
The 52nd floor is the indoor observation deck, with floor-to-ceiling glass providing 360-degree views of the Boston skyline. On a clear day, visible landmarks include the Charles River, Fenway Park, the Massachusetts State House dome, Boston Harbor, and Logan International Airport.
The 51st floor is home to the Cloud Terrace, a 360-degree open-air rooftop walkway. The Stratus outdoor bar is located on this floor and is open Thursday through Monday, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (no reservations; first-come, first-served). Note that the Cloud Terrace may be closed or restricted during adverse weather conditions.
The 50th floor houses the interactive exhibits and The Beacon bistro. Key exhibits include Boston 365, a large-scale 3D model of the city with projection-mapping; Explore Boston, a touchscreen neighbourhood discovery tool; and the Open Doors immersive short film. A free ViewPrint service allows visitors to generate a personalised Boston itinerary to take away.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| View Boston is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays | Plan your visit for Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Many travel aggregators do not reflect this closure. |
| Last entry is at 7:00 p.m. | The building closes at 8:00 p.m. and stops admitting guests one hour before that. Arriving after 7:00 p.m. will result in being turned away even with a valid ticket. |
| Re-entry is not permitted | Once a ticket has been scanned on entry, it cannot be used again for same-day re-entry. |
| Luggage is not allowed | There are no storage or left-luggage facilities. Bags larger than 25″ x 17″ x 9″ will be refused entry. |
| The outdoor Cloud Terrace may be weather-dependent | The 51st-floor outdoor deck can be closed or restricted during rain, wind, or other adverse weather conditions. |
| Sunset visits require advance planning | The attraction closes at 8:00 p.m., so sunset access varies by season. In winter months, sunset falls well before closing time; in summer, last entry at 7:00 p.m. may precede sunset. |
Frequently asked questions about View Boston
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is View Boston suitable for children? | Yes. The interactive exhibits on the 50th floor and the outdoor terrace are accessible for visitors of all ages. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for View Boston? | Advance booking is strongly recommended to secure availability on your preferred date. Walk-up tickets may be purchased at the kiosk in the Prudential Center arcade, but these are subject to availability and daily capacity. |
| Is View Boston open on Sundays? | Yes. Sunday hours are 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., with last entry at 7:00 p.m. |
| Is View Boston open on public holidays? | Generally yes on open days, but hours may vary. Check viewboston.com for the schedule around specific dates. |
| Are bags allowed at View Boston? | Bags are permitted, but are limited to a maximum of 25″ x 17″ x 9″. Luggage of any size is prohibited. All bags are subject to security screening on entry. No lockers are available. |
| Is View Boston included in Boston CityPASS? | Yes. CityPASS covers View Boston plus the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, and one additional attraction from a shortlist, valid for nine days. |
| Is there a bar or restaurant at View Boston? | Yes. The Beacon bistro and Stratus outdoor bar are both located within View Boston, on floors 50 and 51 respectively. Both require a valid View Boston admission ticket to access and are open Thursday through Monday only. |
Things to do near View Boston
The following attractions are within a short distance and can realistically be combined in the same day trip:
- Copley Square and the Boston Public Library — Approximately three blocks from the Prudential Tower. The library’s McKim Building is open to the public at no charge and is a notable piece of architecture with reading rooms and public art.
- Newbury Street — Boston’s main commercial retail street, two blocks from the Prudential Center, running from Massachusetts Avenue to Arlington Street.
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston — Located approximately 0.7 miles from View Boston along Huntington Avenue. Admission is charged; the permanent collection is extensive.
- Museum of Science — Located approximately 2 miles from the Prudential Tower on the Charles River Dam. Also included in Boston CityPASS.
- New England Aquarium — Located at Central Wharf on the Boston waterfront, approximately 2.5 miles from View Boston. Reachable via MBTA (Green Line to Government Center, Blue Line to Aquarium). Also included in Boston CityPASS.
- Franklin Park Zoo — Located approximately 4.5 miles from the Prudential Tower in the Franklin Park area of Dorchester. Also an optional CityPASS attraction.
More Massachusetts travel
Other Massachusetts travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- 5 really good reasons to visit Boston.
- Review of the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.
- Tackle the key sites on the Freedom Trail: The Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Paul Revere House and the Old North Church.
- Discovering the story of baseball, starting at Fenway Park.
- A first time visitor’s guide to Salem, Massachusetts.
