[One Day Walk, One Thousand Characters] From High Observation Decks to Vast Parks... Walking Through Downtown Boston

'A Walkable City' Boston
Enjoying the Sea, Rivers, Parks, and Historical Background

Boston, USA, ranked third in 2021 by Walk Score as one of the best walking cities in the United States after San Francisco and New York, is a city where you can enjoy a stroll while taking in various landscapes. Located by the sea, the Charles River runs through the heart of the city, offering scenic waterfront views, and large parks scattered throughout the downtown area provide a place to relax. The city also boasts a rich history dating back to the American independence movement symbolized by the Boston Tea Party, coexisting with towering skyscrapers, allowing visitors to fully experience its diverse character. The course introduced today is one where you can feel both the grandeur of downtown skyscrapers and the tranquility of large parks.

Today's starting point is the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It is considered one of the three major art museums in the United States, alongside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago. Opened in 1876, the centennial year of American independence, it boasts the longest history among the three. It relocated to its current location in 1909 and reopened. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of works by famous artists such as Renoir, Van Gogh, and Gauguin, as well as significant collections from Egypt and Asia, including mummies. There is also a dedicated Korean gallery, which was visited by First Lady Kim Keon-hee during President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to the United States last April.

Skyscrapers such as the Prudential Building and 111 Huntington Avenue are reflected in the Reflecting Pool at Boston's Christian Science Plaza.
[Photo by Lee Chunhee]

Heading northeast from here and walking about 1 km through the city, you will reach a plaza with a vast lake. This is the Christian Science Plaza, home to the headquarters of the Christian Science religion founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. Regardless of religion, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery reflected in the Reflecting Pool at the center of the plaza, where major skyscrapers of the Back Bay area, such as the Prudential Tower and 111 Huntington Avenue?nicknamed the "R2D2 Tower" for its resemblance to the robot R2D2 from Star Wars?are mirrored together. Especially at night, all the buildings and fountains around the plaza are illuminated, enhancing the beauty of the view.

Night view of downtown Boston as seen from View Boston, the newly opened observatory on the 52nd floor of Prudential Tower.
Photo by View Boston

Walking toward the tall skyscrapers, you will encounter the Prudential Center, a landmark of Boston. Like COEX or Lotte World Mall in Korea, it houses a large shopping mall, hotels, and department stores alongside its skyscrapers. If you happen to be visiting Boston or planning to visit soon when reading this article, you are in luck. Just a few days ago, on the 15th (local time), the high-rise observation deck "View Boston" opened on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower. In fact, the tallest building in Boston is not the Prudential Tower but the John Hancock Tower, which will be introduced later. However, the observation deck on the 60th floor of the John Hancock Tower was closed after 9/11 due to terrorism concerns. Additionally, the observation deck and restaurant in the Prudential Tower closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Boston without a suitable observation deck to view the cityscape. But now, with the reopening of the observation deck on the upper floors of the Prudential Tower after three years, anyone can once again enjoy Boston’s beautiful night views.

Moreover, the Prudential Tower is also a key point for Boston tourism in another sense. It is the main departure point for the "Duck Tour," which has been operating since World War II, allowing visitors to explore the Boston area on amphibious vehicles that travel both on land and water. When you get tired of walking, you can enjoy a unique experience touring the city and cruising the Charles River comfortably.

The courtyard of the Boston Public Library
Photo by Lee Chunhee

Walking about 500 meters further, you will find the Boston Public Library, the first public library in the United States, opened in 1854. It is known to hold over 16 million volumes. In addition to this location, the Boston Public Library operates about 27 branch libraries throughout Boston and nearby areas. As a public library, it is open to everyone. The original Renaissance-style building, constructed at the time of its founding, features a courtyard where visitors can relax, as well as various paintings and sculptures inside, offering a new cultural experience. Guided tours explaining the architecture, paintings, and sculptures are regularly available. Near the Boston Public Library, there is also Copley Square and landmarks such as Trinity Church.

Leaving the Boston Public Library and walking a bit further, you will reach the John Hancock Tower, Boston’s tallest building. Although it has an official name, it is still commonly called by the name of its main tenant at the time of completion, John Hancock Life Insurance. The building is clad in dark blue glass on all four sides, making it a popular spot for photos as it reflects the images of pedestrians and passing cars.

Located in the heart of downtown Boston alongside Boston Common, the Public Garden features a large central lake where visitors can enjoy various scenic views.
[Photo by Lee Chunhee]

Finally, passing through the Public Garden, you will arrive at today’s final destination, Boston Common, the oldest park in the United States, established in 1634. Like Central Park in New York, Boston Common and the Public Garden together form a large park in the heart of the city, serving as an urban oasis where citizens can freely enjoy walks. The Public Garden features a central lake where you can ride the city’s famous swan-shaped boats called "Swan Boats." During Memorial Day in the United States, Boston Common hosts the "Garden of Flags," where small American flags are densely planted to honor fallen soldiers, creating a spectacular scene.