Downtown Boston

These two photos were taken from the highest viewing platform in Boston, called "View Boston," located at the top of the Prudential Center. In both pictures, you can clearly see that Downtown Boston looks very different from Manhattan. Unlike Manhattan, Boston doesn’t have a lot of very tall skyscrapers. Most of its buildings are shorter and more spread out. When you look at the night photo, you can also notice that Boston’s night view is much dimmer compared to Manhattan’s bright and colorful lights. Even though it’s not as flashy, Boston’s city lights give off a calm and peaceful feeling.

Right in the center of both pictures is the dark, reflective John Hancock Tower (now officially called 200 Clarendon Street), which is the tallest building in Boston. Its smooth glass surface stands out from the more detailed textures of the surrounding architecture.

Despite the gray weather, the view is rich in detail. You can spot Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood stretching toward the Charles River on the left and the Seaport District and Boston Harbor on the right. The roads below, including the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), cut through the tightly packed buildings, adding a sense of structure to the wide city scene.