The exorbitant PARKING SCAM has actually gotten worse...reading other reviews from fall 2019,…read morepeople were complaining about a 10 minute "free" parking window if you get your ticket validated by one of the establishments inside. Well guess what, as of this writing it's been cut to FIVE fricking minutes!!! Yep, $5 for less than 10 minutes it took me to park, wait in line at REI, pick up my online order, go back to my car and leave. These people have zero shame. I hope the pandemic economy puts these scumbags out of business ASAP. Next time I come to pick up an order from REI, I will simply park in the "Lyft drop off / pickup" area in front. Will have to dash in and out before these ingrates try to have me towed.

Parking is a total disaster - if the goal was to discourage anyone from going there - they have…read moresucceeded. Only because Blick is the best art store in Massachusetts did I persist. The threatening sign at the garage entrance to the spaces that are too small and blocked by columns to the complete lack of signage on how to get to blick in the garage - there is a lot of terrible parking in boston but they win the prize!

Came here b/c they validate parking and was playing The Farewell…read more Pros: - Cinema validates parking - reduces parking cost to $3; there is a machine inside that validates the ticket - Movie prices are relatively cheap compared to other theaters ($13 for regular ticket) - Comfortable seats and screen size (both are smaller compared to other theaters) - Clean bathroom stalls on the second floor - Not crowded, best part Cons: - A bit out of the way but if you have a car this is a great place in terms of parking and pricing

This is my favorite local theater located on a quiet street in Kendall Square. The reclining seats…read moreare comfy and spacious and they have showings of latest blockbuster hits as well as smaller indie films. Some parts of the theater were a bit rundown and undergoing renovations when we went, but that didn't affect the movie-watching experience. I wish they didn't play a horror movie trailer before my non-horror movie though. I paid to see the movie I chose, not for unwanted scares!

View Boston was an awesome experience! It's located inside the Prudential Center, which makes it…read morereally convenient to visit while you're shopping or exploring the area. I recommend purchasing your tickets directly at the location, as they were cheaper than buying them online or through the Go City app when we visited. The top floor is more geared toward taking pictures and has some really great photo opportunities. The lower floor has more of an outdoor feel, along with a great bar, music, and a fun atmosphere. It honestly felt like a great after work hangout spot for adults. There's also a nice gift shop where you can purchase the photos taken at the beginning of the experience or pick up a souvenir. I would definitely recommend View Boston for all ages. The best part was that everyone in our group enjoyed it from the little ones to the older kids, with ages ranging from 2 to 14. It was a fun experience for the entire family!

If you're looking for an expensive photo op, then sure, stop by…read more This was very disappointing. It's a great view, but for $30+ per.person, it's definitely not worth it. We lived in Boston for years, so we know what we're looking at, but if you're visiting, I'm not sure if you'll really understand what you're seeing. There are no maps, no signs that point out destinations, no employees to tell you what landmarks you're looking at. Nothing. They have a photo package that is a couple photos of you against a photo wall. The photos aren't even of the Boston views. Save your money. Don't go. I can't emphasize that enough. Here are some free alternatives that are pretty nice. 1. Bunker Hill Monument -- Panoramic city views from the topYou can climb the 294 steps for free and get one of the best skyline views in the city. It's the closest true alternative to a paid observation deck. 2. Charles River Esplanade -- Open waterfront + skyline vistasMiles of riverfront paths with unobstructed views of Back Bay and Cambridge. Perfect for sunset walks or bike rides. 3. Christian Science Plaza -- Reflecting pool + architectural panoramaRight next to View Boston, this plaza gives wide-angle views of the Prudential Tower and surrounding architecture -- totally free. 4. Commonwealth Avenue Mall -- Grand boulevard perspectiveTree-lined, mansion-framed views that feel like a cinematic sweep through Back Bay. 5. Boston Public Library Courtyard -- Historic architecture + open-air spaceA free indoor/outdoor architectural gem with Renaissance-style symmetry and open courtyard views.

Before going to Boston we added Good Will Hunting Bench on our itinerary and watched again the…read moremovie released in 1997 starring Robin Williams (amazing performance) and a young Matt Damon (talented). We made it our mission to find the exact bench where they filmed the scene while visiting the Public Garden so we went on a goose chase. It's not easy, but there's lot of info out there so we did find it, bonding with other fellow Angeleno-s who were also visiting and trying to find the bench. We managed to take photos of each other and it was a fun shared experience. We love finding movie locations so we enjoyed tracking another one while in Boston for a landmark film shot in the city!

This is a neat landmark from a movie. The movie good Will hunting was filmed around here or in…read morespots and this is the bench that is famous in a scene from the movie

During our last stay in Boston, we had a room that had a direct view of the John Hancock tower…read more It was such a beautiful sight...especially at night...most of the offices were lit up and it made the whole building look almost magical. This towering skyscraper stands tall at 790 feet, making it the tallest building in New England. Construction on the John Hancock Tower began in 1968 and was completed in 1976. The tower is made up of reflective glass panels that give it a sleek and modern appearance The John Hancock Tower is located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, at 200 Clarendon Street. If you are lucky to go up to some of the high floors, you could enjoy great views of the city.

I *SO* wish I was writing this review under different circumstances. There is now a deep pain…read moreassociated with this building... but this isn't the building's fault - thus no stars deducted. You see, I used to work at one of the companies within. I don't want to name it, so let's say I was somewhere between 50%-75% of the way up. To say it was a dream job is an understatement; I couldn't have dreamt it up if I tried. Well, my employment ended in less than six months. Not 100% my fault, not 100% theirs... even if you were to find the numbers, they probably wouldn't add up to 100 either - sometimes in life there is a sprinkle of rotten luck. I had a lot of pride not only in the company I worked for and in the work I did, but also for where (physically) I worked. Friends and colleagues would often ask me, and I would tell them I work right in the John Hancock Tower. Outwardly, I would [try to] be completely nonchalant about it, but inside I felt just a little hurt when the other person wasn't as wowed as I was walking into work every day. From inside, well, the view is incredible, of course. The one caveat is the nighttime view isn't what you would expect (nor what I accurately conveyed in the photos). I think it is partly due to the blue mirror coating on the glass - it reflects some of the now rather scarce blue light. As an architectural symbol, it is probably as uniquely Boston as Fenway. Something that is immediately recognizable. Yes, there are valid criticisms about its location right next to Trinity Church, and how it fits into the overall landscape. It is said, correctly, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I for one, despite what anyone else says, think the building is wicked awesome. I also love how one can see it from very far away (I've seen it from Lynn and Weymouth!) There is also some fascinating history surrounding the building, including cases where the glass would fall out, and many windows were replaced with wooden panels. Or, how it was determined that under certain wind conditions, the building could fall - and reinforcements were added to the structure, as well as a stabilizer on one of the top floors. With all this, and especially the privilege of having worked inside it, there is not conceivable way I would award anything less than five stars.

Every time I think of Boston this is one of the first places that comes to mind. Whenever I visit I…read moremake a point to stop here. This is the place where I had my first Boston cream pie and I will never forget it. Feneuil Hall dates back to the 1700s and was created as a meeting Hall and marketplace, but later became a very important site for public speeches during the American revolution. You can still feel the history here in the spirit and the gorgeous architecture of the space. Every time I visit it feels so vibrant and alive. It's almost always packed with people and has a great energy. You can find amazing food here and I wasn't joking about my first ever Boston cream pie. I was born and raised on the west coast and it's just not something that we eat out there. Ever since my first bite, if Boston cream pie is an option anywhere, that is the choice I am making. It's so simple, but so delicious! Boston has so much to see and do. There is such a rich history here that it can be hard to choose just a few activities during a visit. I've been lucky enough to visit many times and do many things here and I would still put Feneuil Hall at the top of my list. Between the architecture, the history and the atmosphere, its's definitely a must-do and you could honestly probably move through this one quickly, but it's much better if you take your time, grab something to eat and just let yourself enjoy being part of the city for a little while.

National Park Service does a great job with narrated lectures of the hall and informal Q&As from…read morevisitors. In our freedom trail tour, we heard about this, so we decided to come back and check it out. We are glad we did, as it was neat to see the paintings, the history of the hall and the history that has occurred in the hall. We were disappointed the third floor artillery display was not available for viewing, as my son was looking forward to seeing it. Evidently the volunteers were not there that day, but we were sorry we were not able to see it. Otherwise, it was a great experience!

On Boylston st. Just south where the Boston Public garden & Boston Common meet you can find the…read moreEdgar Allan Poe statue. Another cool statue that you can stumble upon just walking through Boston. During the Boston marathon weekend this one of the statues the city put a participant bib on. The only one statue I saw with a bib was the Democratic Donkey by old city hall. Makes me wonder how many statues in the city does Boston put bibs on during marathon weekend.

I've been a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe's writings since middle school. Re-reading his stories is…read moresomething I never get bored doing. For that reason, this statue holds a special place in my heart (as I'm sure it is for thousands more like me who love his literature). It's a beautifully designed bronze sculpture created by Stefanie Rocknak in 2014. It is located at the Edgar Allan Poe Square. As he was originally from Boston, it seems a fitting tribute to his memory.

North End aka Little Italy is my favorite Boston neighborhood…read more It's lively and welcoming with bakeries, pizza shops, and Italian restaurants lining the cobblestone streets Paul Revere's house is in North End as are several other historical landmarks. You can't help but feel like you're in a small village in Italy when in the North End.

This is a super cute neighborhood and really feels like you're in Italy (though I've never been so…read morecan't say how accurate that is). They have lots of cute little houses and shops, as well as a ton of Italian restaurants and bakeries. I was told to stop over here for dinner and dessert and I'm glad I did! However, if you want to drive or park it is probably very difficult to do.

Just walk through and you'll see the history. Rough around the edges, but it has it plenty of food…read moreand drink places to explore while in Boston. Within walking distance from our hotel by the Waterfront area.

I always enjoy visiting a Chinatown if there's one in the city I explore. So, there was no doubt…read moreI'd check the one in Boston, very close to downtown, located near a subway stop that bears its name. The majestic gate is the key to the kingdom, the entrance to a nice, cool area, ready to be checked out! The gate at Boston's Chinatown, is big, impressive, nicely decorated guarded by two lions. It's located at Beach st. and donated by the government of Taiwan in 1982. It's a great stop to take some photos, I couldn't resist, I also took some for some other fellow tourists! One of the main spots to check out in Chinatown! Nice landmark of the city!

We were here to go to the aquarium and take a harbor cruise and decided to walk around a bit to…read morecheck out the area. This wharf is filled with history and it has a lot of fun things to do and see. If you like taking walks the harbor walk is very scenic, even if you see the airport in full view. There are a few places to eat and drink so if you get hungry there's stuff for you. Quite a few boats leave from this area, including ferries to the multiple islands in the harbor. All in all, this could be a quick visit, but it's a nice one even if it's quick.

We stopped at Long Wharf after a ferry ride. It drops you off here, near the Aquarium. Very lively…read morearea, pretty crowded when we visited, but fun and it has nice views. Lots of restaurants around, pretty touristy area.