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Downtown Crossing
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Downtown Crossing

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See all things to do
Downtown Crossing
3.5
#123 of 458 things to do in Boston
NeighborhoodsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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What people are saying
“The shopping I’ve done in a long time!”
Mar 2022
Excellent shopping – hit DSW, Marshal’s, TJ Maxx, The Gap, Old Navy, and Macy’s within a short step of each other. The prices were incredible and selection unbeatable.
“Police presence”
Nov 2020
The shops at downtown crossing are excellent. We travel here at least once a month. The past 2 times there has been a heavy police presence. We had no idea why until our last trip which was in the 1st week of November. The ongoing problem is the homeless people and the drug addicts. They are more aggressive when panhandling. Our 1st night here we witnessed many people drinking liquor openly and chasing tourists to try to get money. We made sure we were always near the groups of policemen. If the police were not present, I don’t think I would feel safe shopping in this area. Our hotel concierge told us that the city is faced with not only the COVID epidemic but also a heroin pandemic. It certainly is true in this area. People were stumbling around, passed out or screaming obscenities to passerby’s. I would recommend only traveling to this area in the day time hours.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Dorchester / Roxbury / Mattapan
How to get there
  • Downtown Crossing • 1 min walk
  • Park St • 2 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,497 within 5 kms
Cafe Bonjour
200
72 m₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • American • Cafe • Healthy
Sam LaGrassa's
1,591
0.2 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • American • Fast Food • Deli
Thinking Cup
676
0.3 km₱ • Dessert • American • Cafe
The Q
551
0.4 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • Chinese • Sushi • Vegetarian Friendly
Mooo Beacon Hill
853
0.4 km₱₱₱₱ • American • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
Yvonne's
474
57 m₱₱₱₱ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Emmets Irish Pub & Restaurant
456
0.3 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • Irish • Bar • Pub
Parker's Restaurant
653
0.3 km₱₱₱₱ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Ruth's Chris Steak House
885
0.3 km₱₱₱₱ • American • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
No. 9 Park
580
0.3 km₱₱₱₱ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
See all
Attractions
594 within 10 kms
Brewer Fountain
19
33 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Downtown Crossing
1
47 mShopping Malls
Freedom Trail
17,814
0.2 kmHistoric Walking Areas
Citizens Bank Opera House
381
0.2 kmTheaters
Granary Burying Ground
1,664
0.2 kmHistoric Sites • Cemeteries
Boston Ballet
123
0.2 kmBallets
Boston Soldiers and Sailors Monument
9
0.1 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul
2
0.1 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Irish Heritage Trail
5
0.1 kmHistoric Walking Areas • Hiking Trails
Eddie Bauer Outlet
13
0.1 kmFactory Outlets
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
182 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
38
Average
55
Poor
35
Terrible
6
Happy2BHome
Arlington, VA8 contributions
The shopping I’ve done in a long time!
Mar 2022 • Friends
Excellent shopping – hit DSW, Marshal’s, TJ Maxx, The Gap, Old Navy, and Macy’s within a short step of each other. The prices were incredible and selection unbeatable.
Written 20 March 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.
Beverly M
Springfield, MA48 contributions
Police presence
Nov 2020
The shops at downtown crossing are excellent. We travel here at least once a month. The past 2 times there has been a heavy police presence. We had no idea why until our last trip which was in the 1st week of November. The ongoing problem is the homeless people and the drug addicts. They are more aggressive when panhandling. Our 1st night here we witnessed many people drinking liquor openly and chasing tourists to try to get money. We made sure we were always near the groups of policemen. If the police were not present, I don’t think I would feel safe shopping in this area. Our hotel concierge told us that the city is faced with not only the COVID epidemic but also a heroin pandemic. It certainly is true in this area. People were stumbling around, passed out or screaming obscenities to passerby’s. I would recommend only traveling to this area in the day time hours.
Written 7 November 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.
blackeldo
Kiama, Australia2,204 contributions
Cheesy, But….
Aug 2019
….A PLEASANT AREA TO WANDER.

Many cities have done the CBD walking street thing, so it is no surprise that BOSTON, one of the more visitor-friendly locations, has done the same. Ground zero of walking street is DOWNTOWN CROSSING – technically where WINTER, SUMMER and WASHINGTON STREETS meet. The first 2 are the ones which have been pedestrianised.
I enjoyed wandering this area – no shortage of people to check out – tourists, locals, performance artists (I was particularly taken with the A CAPPELLA group from HARVARD** performing outside MACY’S door, opposite of which seats and tables had been set up for listeners) and of course retailing opportunities.

TIPS
Access is a breeze – the DOWNTOWN CROSSING subway stop is right below the intersection and at least a dozen paid parking places within a 300m radius.
- this place is great for RETAIL THERAPEES with many top US and INTERNATIONAL stores on the mall.
- many of BOSTON’s other tourist attractions are close by – BOSTON COMMON** (150m) at the western end of WINTER ST (the FREEDOM TRAIL** starts within the COMMON), BOSTON PUBLIC GARDENS** a further 350m SW across the COMMON, CHINATOWN** within 250m SOUTH and the famed WATERFRONT** 500m EAST.

**TRIPADVISOR has separate review pages on these.
Written 10 January 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.
206aliceo
Folsom, CA196 contributions
Lots of shopping
Oct 2019 • Couples
There are a lot of typical stores here, eg, Macy’s, but definitely stop at Primark. I believe this is a store in England that has opened in Boston. Clothes are not the best quality like at Macys but the prices are great. It was raining so I bought a pair of knee high waterproof boots for $15. Very comfy and worked in the rain. My husband also got some waterproof shoes for $22 and they were so comfy he wore them for 10
days straight. Also purchased some fun costume jewelry and a sweater. The store is huge and they have everything you need. Make it a stop if you like to shop. You will definitely find something
Written 28 October 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.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson18,350 contributions
At the intersection of Summer and Winter
Sep 2019
There's a major train station here (orange and red lines) and the flow of people coming out of the station compounds the congestion but, this is "downtown" in a major metropolis, after all.

We passed a little plaza with a sculpture depicting the (first, maybe?) interaction between Native Americans and the newcomer. People were busy adjusting cameras, taking selfies, and enjoying a snack.

Boston is a hub of activity and Downtown Crossing Station is one of those spokes.
Written 10 October 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.
Piotr H.
Lodz, Poland3,983 contributions
great
Jun 2019
Great area for shopping. I think it is the best place. There are a lot of malls and well known brands. You can also find great places for food and drink
Written 3 October 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.
Bigamus
Boston, MA277 contributions
Fine during the day, a little dicey at night
Jan 2019
Downtown Crossing is a bustling hub of activity during the day, with workers from the Financial District seeking out shopping and lunch. At night, there's much less foot traffic, and there's no reason to be there.
Written 24 September 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.
Lisetteki
1,605 contributions
Downtown square
Jul 2019 • Family
This is the center of the square. The old school house. Statues and a little free library. You can usually find a tourist stand with free maps and a guide to hell answer any questions you may have.
Written 29 July 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.
Phayao13
Stockholm, Sweden3,817 contributions
Downtown is exactly what the name says, maybe no destination in itself
Jun 2019 • Solo
Are you looking for chain stores, and a large department store is the right address. Evening it feels a bit desolate and gets a little chilly.
Written 8 June 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.
Cathy M.
Boston, MA15 contributions
Not sure why this is considered a spot for tourists
May 2019 • Solo
Unclear why this area is always filled with tourists, there really isn't much interesting to see or do. Primarily chain stores, chain restaurants, meh. Always a bit trashy. "Food court" is super gross. Really creepy at night as almost nothing is open and it's dark and deserted. Go to a neighborhood instead and find some cool bars.
Written 30 May 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.
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DOWNTOWN CROSSING: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Downtown Crossing
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