Head to the 50th floor of this controversial Boston landmark for some of the best views of the city.
When the Prudential Tower first appeared on the Boston skyline, its bold 1960s design split local opinion and caused many bitter arguments about the appropriateness of the skyscraper in a city that prides itself on its painstaking preservation of history and heritage. Nevertheless, the tower has confounded its critics by becoming one of the most popular attractions in Boston, mainly because of the fabulous views from its 50th floor.Take the elevator to the Skywalk Observatory and enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the city and surrounding areas spread at your feet. The state-of-the-art audio tour helps you to identify some of the major landmarks and get your bearings. The views are especially dramatic as darkness falls, so time your visit carefully if you want to watch the city skyline light up for the evening. The observatory is open every day but is occasionally closed for private functions, so check ahead to avoid disappointment.Two floors further up takes you to the Top of the Hub Restaurant and Lounge, where you can sip a hand-mixed martini served just how you like it before taking your seat by the window for an unforgettable dining experience high above the city streets. If this suggestion makes your head swim, there are plenty of dining and drinking options closer to earth, as well as an adjoining mall where you can get your thrills by indulging in some seriously decadent shopping.The Pru lost its status as Boston’s tallest building when the John Hancock Tower was built a decade later, but it’s lost none of its appeal to visitors who flock here to enjoy some of the best views of the city. The building is open daily. It’s easily reached by subway to Back Bay or by bus, but parking is very limited in this neighbourhood so think twice before bringing a car.
