Guide To Boston's Symphony Hall

By Lori Lennon

Symphony Hall, home to the Boston Pops and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, opened in October 1900 and is regarded as one of the finest concert halls in the world. The building is constructed in a way that music is able to travel freely throughout the hall, creating an amazing musical experience for people who come to see performances.

GETTING THERE

301 Mass. Ave.
Boston, Mass. 02115
617.266.1492

Symphony Hall is right off I-93 and the Mass Pike. MAP

Parking:

Parking is available at Symphony Garage, located at 41 Westland Ave. If you show your BSO ticket stub, parking in this garage will only cost you $3. Symphony Garage is a valet operated garage, so you will have to leave your car keys with the attendant.

The Prudential Center Garage also offers a discount to people who are headed to Symphony Hall, if you enter the garage after 5 p.m.

There are also two parking garages on Westland Ave. near Symphony Hall and an additional garage located on Gainsborough Street next to Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory.

There is street parking available, but it is very hard to come by in this busy part of the city.

Public Transportation:

Symphony Hall is also accessible by public transportation.

You can take the "E" Green Line to the Symphony Station stop, or the Orange Line to the Mass. Ave stop.  You can also take any other Green Line to the Hynes Convention Center stop, but you'll have to walk a few blocks before you reach Symphony Hall.

If you're going by bus, take the Mass. Ave. bus from Harvard Square in Cambridge directly to Symphony Hall.

WHAT TO SEE

Symphony Hall is home to the world famous Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops.

Conductor James Levine and the BSO play magnificent shows throughout the year at this venue.

One of the most famous events at Symphony Hall is the Holiday Pops. Every year during the holidays, Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops perform songs of the season to get you into the holiday spirit.

Tickets for any performance can be purchased by calling 888.266.1200. Phone orders can be made Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

View: Calendar of Performances
View: Seating Chart

You can also buy tickets online at bso.org, or stop by the Symphony Hall Box Office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Saturday, starting at 12 p.m. On concert nights, the box office will remain open through intermission.

Symphony Hall also offers mobile alerts for the BSO. If you sign up, the BSO will send reminders, premiums and special offers to you via text message.

STAY CONNECTED

Keep up with what's going on at Symphony Hall on Twitter and Facebook.

You can also watch past performances on YouTube.

WHAT'S NEARBY

Shopping

Copley Place
2 Copley Place
Boston, Mass. 02116
617.262.6600
http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?id=784

Copley Place features high-end stores, such as Neiman Marcus, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton.

The Shops at Prudential Centers
800 Boylston St.
Boston, Mass. 02199
617.236.3100
http://www.prudentialcenter.com/

The Shops at Prudential Centers is a more wallet-friendly place to shop. It also has some great places to eat.

Relax!

Reflecting Pool At Christian Science Plaza

210 Mass. Ave
Boston, Mass. 02115

Across the street from Symphony Hall is the Reflecting Pool at the Christian Science Plaza. There is nothing crazy to do here, but it is a nice place to sit, relax and watch as water runs off the edge of the massive reflecting pool. The pool is outside, so there is no open or closing times. It is the perfect place to sit and relax before or after a show.

Bowling!

Kings
50 Dalton Street
Boston, Mass. 02115
617.266.26095
http://kingsbackbay.com/#1

After your show at Symphony Hall, why not grab a couple of drinks and hit the lanes for some after-hours bowling? Kings, located at 50 Dalton Street, is only a few blocks away from Symphony Hall. It features 16, 10-pin bowling lanes, a billiards room and three huge bars to hang out in.