Boston City Hall
Boston City Hall
3.5
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Neighbourhood: Downtown
The largest area of the city, Downtown is rich with historical and iconic sites in Boston. Stroll through one of Boston’s most famous green spaces, the Boston Public Gardens, check out and make way for duckling statues, picnic under a beautiful tree overlooking the pond, and walk over the iconic footbridge where, during summer time, you will catch a swan boat toting children and eager tourists through the pond. Have your camera ready to capture its peaceful beauty in the middle of a bustling city. Continue on through the Gardens and take in some open green space at the Boston Common, where you can spend time throwing a frisbee, sitting on a park bench, or, in the winter time, skating on the frog pond. Head north from the end of the Common to see the golden dome of the State House, and travel through government center to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, both a historic and popular destination worth a quick visit for a first time to Boston. Head to Long Wharf to visit the Aquarium, or catch a boat to Charlestown or even Cape Cod.
How to get there
- Government Center • 2 min walk
- State • 3 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
29 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
6
Average
13
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,485 contributions
Jan 2020
A bombastic piece of urban renewal from the late 60s. Not attractive, imposing concrete with a big plaza out front. Location of a busy subway stop. Also an important office building.
Written June 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kay-cee-1138
Houston, TX486 contributions
Sept 2022
We walked up Congress Street as we were following the Freedom Trail toward Faneuil Hall when we saw the City Hall on the left. The local person I was with admitted it was not considered a handsome building. I had no trouble agreeing -- the CIty Hall is clearly of the concrete-heavy and inspiration-light Brutalist style, which was favored some decades ago mainly for economy and certainly not for looks. The style originated in the UK -- hmm, so was City Hall's design some kind of subtle revenge by the British for that spot of bother with the tea in the harbor in 1773........?
Needless to say, we politely averted our eyes and continued on our way on the Trail.
Needless to say, we politely averted our eyes and continued on our way on the Trail.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Bellflower, CA24,387 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Built in 1968 this ugly concrete monstrosity looks more like a Soviet bomb shelter than a civic building in a historical city. Its tall gray wall holds the offices of Boston’s mayor and city council. It free to enter and look around, at night when its illuminated with colored lights it’s still ugly, but now with colored highlights.
TIP: Good place to visit on a rainy day
TIP: Good place to visit on a rainy day
Written January 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2014Travelinggal
North Kansas City, MO54 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Thank you to all the good people of Boston that made our 5 days in and around your city so enjoyable.
No matter where we were if someone saw us looking "lost" or on our phones for directions they extended a helping hand.
The baseball fans at Fenway Park could not have been more cordial to these out of towners.
We only have positive things to say about Boston and its residents.
Thank You .....
No matter where we were if someone saw us looking "lost" or on our phones for directions they extended a helping hand.
The baseball fans at Fenway Park could not have been more cordial to these out of towners.
We only have positive things to say about Boston and its residents.
Thank You .....
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timo P
Göteborg15 contributions
Oct 2017
This Orwelly building gives no further apetite at first glance. Enter! Its free admission through the security and just explore it. Beatiful light, original non-restored, tons of adorable details, still 1984 but a true masterpiece of brutal on the edge architecture.
Written October 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gooner10-8
Dublin, Ireland1,950 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Even in a City as historic as Boston, MA, you don't expect every building to have that classical style - after all, life goes on, and the old has to co-exist with the new. Occasionally though, you come across a modern building which is utterly stunning in its ugliness - Boston City Hall surely fits that description!
You can't miss this monument to poor taste as you progress along the historic "Freedom Trail" - an example of what is apparently called "Brutalist Architecture", it dominates all around it at a certain point.
Built in 1968, it's truly hard to find any redeeming features in its appearance - if you're visiting the City Centre, sadly, you simply can't miss it !
You can't miss this monument to poor taste as you progress along the historic "Freedom Trail" - an example of what is apparently called "Brutalist Architecture", it dominates all around it at a certain point.
Built in 1968, it's truly hard to find any redeeming features in its appearance - if you're visiting the City Centre, sadly, you simply can't miss it !
Written November 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah G
Boston, MA28 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
One of the finest examples of mid-twentieth century Brutalism, it's popular with amateur and professional photographers alike. Visiting during the day or evening with give you different lightning, and interesting angles to experiment with.
I really want to do a Star Wars cosplay shoot here at some point. It's got "Andor" vibes written all over it!
I really want to do a Star Wars cosplay shoot here at some point. It's got "Andor" vibes written all over it!
Written January 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAFFRONPOST_122
Boston, MA1 contribution
Oct 2020
Would senior have a separate line for voting and if not why? In an age where everyone is accomplishing their human rights I would think that the people we vote in to office would be more thoughtful of senior because of the coronavirus ? I called City Hall and the answer was I do know? Sen
Written October 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
misopiso88
Seattle, WA24,967 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
Growing up in Boston, City Hall was always referred to as "the hideous modern building across the street from Faneuil Hall." Now, as an adult, I appreciate that it is a classic example of Brutalist architecture built at the height of the period in the 1960s. Definitely iconic and hard to forget :)
Written November 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jasmine G
Mansfield, MA1,120 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Went to enjoy the seasons festivities. Not a whole lot to go for young children, but I could picture my husband and I going here to get a bite to eat, browse the vendors and go skating. My son was bundled up and it was too cold out to be here for long.
Written October 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you access the Hall itself, is there a tour?
Written July 26, 2017
Yes you can, just through the security, free and marvelous exploration awaits you. So cool inside!
Written October 13, 2017
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