Skywalk Observatory

General Description

The Skywalk Observatory and Museum is New England’s premier observatory, located at the top of the Prudential Tower. From 50 stories above the city, one can see a panoramic view of a cityscape that is so architecturally diverse that it must be seen from above to be fully appreciated. On a clear day, visibility from the Skywalk is over 80 miles.

The Skywalk offers more than just a breathtaking view. There are several exhibits at the Skywalk that proudly showcase Boston’s distinctive history and plentiful landmarks. Every guest is welcome to use one of our state-of-the-art Opus touch Acoustiguide Audio Tours, which is a handset that allows each visitor to take a personal tour of the city at their own pace. The tour has 20 stops including Fenway Park, Symphony Hall, Boston Common and Logan Airport. There are two different versions of the tour: one for adults and one for children, making the Skywalk a stellar attraction for families with young kids. Also available in French Canadian and Japanese.

Boston is known as “America’s College Town,” and houses some of the most famous universities in the world, including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is also the city which had the first public school and school system, the first college, the first newspaper, and the first public library in the country. The Skywalk is proud of Boston’s world-wide reputation as an international center of education, and we are excited to work with educators to make field trips as enriching and interesting as possible.

Boston is one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities, with one out of every three residents born abroad, and a population that speaks over 140 different languages. The Skywalk is home to the Dreams of Freedom Museum exhibits, which were formerly located at the International Institute of Boston. The exhibits celebrate the important role that immigration has played in shaping the uniquely diverse culture of Boston. The Museum serves as a reminder that we are all essentially immigrants, and that no institution is untouched by the contribution of the newest Americans.

The Multimedia film, “Dreams of Freedom”, shown in our state-of-the-art movie theater, is a wonderful way for students to finish touring our museum. Our out of town guests will be excited to step into our theater and watch “Wings Over Boston,” which is a narrated helicopter tour through the city.

A city as diverse as Boston truly has something for every visitor. The Skywalk, Boston’s only sky-high vantage point, also offers something for everyone. No matter what your age or your background is, we think that you will find the Skywalk to be a truly enriching and one of a kind experience.