Prudential Center in Boston's swanky Back Bay neighborhood features a carefully curated mix of 75+ upscale stores, boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment in an indoor shopping mall under immense glass skylights and domes.
With Boston's famous Newbury Street right around the corner and even higher-end Copley Place just a stroll through a skywalk away, Back Bay abounds with appealing opportunities for shoppers seeking designer labels, luxury goods, and unique artisan items.
Want to Enjoy Spectacular Views from the Top of the Pru?
Get tickets to the new View Boston Observatory on Prudential Center's top 3 floors:
- View Boston Observatory Entry Ticket - Get breath-taking 360 degree views
- After Dark at View Boston (Adults Only) - Entry to Stratus Bar and Cloud Terrace roof deck
So how does Prudential Center compete, aside from its appealing retail stores? Why should you visit?
Let's start with Prudential Center's most spectacular experience: View Boston, a 360-degree observation deck on the 52nd floor where you can see panoramic views of Boston, Cambridge, and beyond.
And then there's Eataly - the fantastic Italian marketplace bursting with restaurants, bistros, bars, take-away dinners, and high quality imported specialty pastas and other goodies from Italy - a destination within a destination.
But you'll also find a lot more to love at Pru Center, as we call it in Boston. Take a look at our five compelling reasons why you'll want to come here for shopping, dining, entertainment, and more, including a couple of the city's most popular family activities.
Top photo: Huntington Ave entrance to Prudential Center
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Why You'll Love Visiting Prudential Center: 5 Top Reasons
1. The Right Mix of Stores
Saks Fifth Avenue anchors Prudential Center and offers boutique-like collections of coveted American and International designer labels, with a particular emphasis on women's fashion - especially high-end luxury designers.
Other clothing stores range from popular brands found in most suburban malls to specialty boutiques. Look for Bonobos, Aritzia, Madewell, Canada Goose, Allbirds, Johnny Was, Polo Ralph Lauren, OAK + FORT, Marine Layer, Kate Spade New York, Vineyard Vines, and Club Monoco for women's and men's clothing, accessories, and shoes.
Head to Janie & Jackfor the cutest baby, toddler, and little kid wear, toys, strollers, and gear, and enroll your infants and toddlers in enrichment classes at Little Lovage Club where they'll enjoy the large open play area, toys, and climbing structures while you relax in the parent lounge.
Lululemon Athletic and Alo Yoga provide plenty of choices for athletic wear and gear, and if you need a reason to use it, stop by Peloton.
You'll also find excellent shops for gifts, linens, and personal items in various price ranges, including Swarovski, Nespresso, MAC Cosmetics, L'Occitane, Sephora, and Ray-Ban.
Shinola and Ocean Time offer an assortment of awesome watches, bicycles, leather goods, and journals, all American-made.
Need a treat for yourself? Head over to Frette and stock up on the same luxury Italian linens featured at the Mandarin Hotel, also in the complex.
Several shops specializing in glasses (Warby Parker, Oakley, Sunglass Hut, Oliver Peoples) round out the offerings.
Tesla Showroom at Prudential Center
Tesla acts as almost a second anchor for Prudential Center, with a spectacular showroom facing onto Boylston Street.
Stop by, especially if you're search for the perfect gift for someone special. Or for yourself.
Prudential Center Carts & Kiosks
Part of what makes Pru Center special are its carts and kiosks, many of which feature unique handcrafted items. The mix of vendors varies all the time, so there's always something new to see.
Each cart or kiosk typically specializes in just one thing - artisan-crafted jewelry, gorgeous Russian art collectibles, Cross pens, exquisite hair ornaments, Boston logo clothing, scarves, original art. Prices are generally reasonable, especially for the quality. Perfect for 1-stop holiday shopping!
More Shopping near Prudential Center
If you can't find what you want at Prudential Center, walk through the skyway (clearly marked with signs) to Copley Place - or head over to Newbury Street, just one block away.
2. View Boston at the Top of the Pru
For the best and most spectacular views of the city, head up to the top of Prudential Tower where the View Boston observatory offers offers you spectacular views from three levels.
To get panoramic 360-degree views from a comfortable indoor climate-controlled space, start on the 52nd floor.
For an open-air experience, the 51st floor provides similar 360-degree views from an outdoor roof deck, where you can also enjoy a drink at Stratus.
On the 50th floor, you'll find a detailed 3D model of Boston where you can get close-up interactive views of neighborhoods, landmarks, attractions, and even restaurant.
3. Dining & Food at Prudential Center: Eataly & More!
Eataly is the star of Prudential Center dining, and a magnet for everyone who loves Italian food and wine.
You can eat at any of the food hall's four full-service restaurants, numerous cafes, and coffee bars, or buy premium imported and local fresh and dried New England pastas, meats, cheese, seafood, and other high-quality Italian products. Do not miss the chocolates, biscottis, and pastries!
Eataly's wine shop offers more than 1,200 bottles, and has knowledgeable staff on hand to answer your questions.
There's also a houseware section (Italian products, of course), a book store, and a cooking school where you choose from almost-daily classes.
Eataly covers multiple floors, and roughly an acre of space.
In addition, Prudential Center offers a variety of other dining and beverage options.
For full meals, look for Wagamama, Sweetgreen, Pressed Cafe, Cheesecake Factory, Del Frisco's, Num Pang, CAVA, and Earl's Kitchen.
More casual options include Ben & Jerry's, Blue Bottle Coffee, Shake Shack, Clover Food Labs, Dunkin' Donuts, Sugarfina, and Nespresso.
More Fun Things to Do near Prudential Center
- See Boston After Dark at View Boston Observatory (Adults Only) - Toast the stars from the city's highest viewpoint
- Take a Walking Tour of Back Bay & the Freedom Trail
- See the Best of Boston on a City Bike Tour
- Get Timed-Entry Tickets to View Boston
4. Convenient Back Bay Location
Of course Prudential Center's selection of popular and high-end retailers, unique boutiques, and excellent restaurants draws crowds of enthusiastic shoppers - but let's face it, being located right in the heart of Back Bay also helps.
You cannot beat the convenience. With the Green Line/E Prudential subway station located next to the Huntington Ave entrance and the city's largest parking garage (3,800 spaces!) underground, getting there couldn't be easier - unless you're on foot.
Direct access from Pru Center to the Sheraton Boston Hotel (technically through the Hynes Convention Center) and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel as well as close proximity to most other Back Bay hotels means you'll never have to carry overflowing shopping bags too far if you're staying in this part of the city.
The shopping arcade occupies the floor just above street level, perched between Boylston Street and Huntington Avenue. Enter from either street and ride up the escalator under soaring skylights.
5. Fun Events at Prudential Center
Prudential Center hosts a variety of free events and entertainment throughout the year. Here are some of the most popular:
- Family Film Festival - Free family-friendly movies under the stars in Prudential Center's lovely South Garden on most Saturdays during July and August - Find the schedule
- Pru Boo - Boston's biggest Halloween party for toddlers to 12-year-olds - Check details
- Christmas Shopping Entertainment - Stop by on almost any weekend variety of music and other entertainment - More about holiday shopping at Pru Center and other locations
6. Indoor Gardens & Outdoor Plazas
Considering that 51 floors of the 53-story Prudential Building tower over the shopping arcade, an amazing amount of natural light streams through the immense glass skylights and domes, creating the perfect environment for plants - and for you to enjoy.
Indoor gardens filled with a changing assortment of plants and trees punctuate the long hall next to South Garden, a lush outdoor park-like space which is actually a rooftop garden covering of another part of the Pru Center complex.
South Garden features a waterfall, fountains, colorful plantings, and plenty of seating throughout much of the year.
Best Boston Hotels near Prudential Center
If you plan to shop a lot during your Boston visit, check out the Back Bay hotels next to Pru Center - some of Boston's best, and close to Newbury Street shopping as well!
Boston hotels closest Prudential Center include:
- Sheraton Boston Hotel - Fabulous views, direct inside connection to Prudential Center, plus one of the largest indoor hotel swimming pools in New England
- Mandarin Oriental- Luxurious 5-star hotel; wonderful amenities and on-site facilities; also direct access to Prudential Center
- Lenox Hotel - Charming luxury hotel - ask for one of the rooms with a wood-burning fireplace
- Colonnade Hotel- Another individually owned luxury hotel, across the street (Huntington Ave) from Pru Center - sleek and modern - super rooftop swimming pool
More Places to Shop in Boston
Getting to Prudential Center: Map & Directions
Prudential Center Location & Entrances
There are a variety of entrances to Prudential Center, located in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, including two main entrances:
- Main Entrance: 800 Boylston Street
- Main Entrance: 100 Huntington Ave
- Skybridge Entrance from Copley Place Mall
- Direct entrances from Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel
- Avalon Entrance on Exeter Street to Lord & Taylor
- Direct entrances by elevator from the underground Prudential Center Parking Garage
Parking at Prudential Center Garage
You can park for a fee in Prudential Center's immense underground parking garage.
Parking is pricey - UNLESS you get your parking ticket validated with a $10 or higher purchase at any Pru Center store, restaurant, cart, or kiosk - so bring your ticket with you and give it to your sales associate after you make your purchase. Special events and Red Sox parking rates are also a sweet deal.
Validated rates at Prudential Center Garage are $15 for up to 4 hours, $20 for 4-5 hours - but for 5 hours or more, regular daily rates apply.
Regular rates at Prudential Center Garage are $13 for up to 1 hour, $22 for 1-1.5 hour, $32 1.5-2 hours, and a whopping $44 for 2-24 hours.
Special event rates, evening and weekend events only, at Symphony Hall, Berklee, Huntington Theatre, Jordan Hall (enter after 2pm M-F or after 7am weekends, and exit by 3am) - $18
Red Sox Parking (this is a fantastic deal; Fenway Park is only about a 10-12 minute walk from the garage) - Night and weekend games only: Enter after 2pm M-F and after 7am on weekends, and exit by 3am. You can get this $18 rate at the Concierge Desk off Center Court, at the garage office on the P2 level upon presenting your ticket stub, or by scanning your same-day ticket stub at the exit machine as you leave the garage. But, if the game is postponed, there's no Red Sox discount - so if the game gets canceled after you've parked, buy something for $10 or more at Pru Center to get the shopping discount. Also, please note: This discount is only for Red Sox games - NOT Fenway Park concerts or other non-Red Sox events.
Parking Alert: While the garage's 3,800 spaces provide ample parking throughout most of the year, the holiday shopping period from Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) through New Year's Eve is an exception. The garage fills up quickly during this period, so your best strategy is to arrive early - or wait until an hour or two before closing. Otherwise, you run the risk of seeing the dreaded "Garage Full" sign.
More information about parking and how to get the discount rates: website
Why You'll Save Money When You Shop in Massachusetts
If you are visiting Boston from many other American states, Canada, or overseas, you will benefit from a "hidden" savings, especially when you shop for clothes because you'll pay no sales tax on clothing items under $175. Massachusetts sales tax on non-clothing items and clothing costing $175 or more is only 6.25%.
If you are visiting from a country with a high VAT or even from another American state where clothing is taxed or the sales tax rate is high, you can enjoy significant tax savings when you shop here.
More Articles about Shopping in Boston
- What to expect when shopping on Newbury Street
- Famous designer boutiques to browse at Copley Place
- Wrentham Village Outlets - Boston's discount biggest shopping mall
- Patriot Place - More shopping and entertainment near Wrentham Village - next to Gillette Stadium
- More about best shopping areas in Boston
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