Widely regarded as one of the greatest concert halls in the world, Boston’s Symphony Hall has set the gold standard for acoustics since its opening in 1900. Home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), it was the first hall designed with scientifically derived acoustical principles, ensuring an unparalleled listening experience.

Designed by the renowned McKim, Mead & White and acoustically perfected by Harvard physicist Wallace Clement Sabine, the hall’s architecture creates an ideal sound environment—its sloped stage, shallow balconies, and coffered ceiling work in harmony to distribute sound flawlessly. The Aeolian Skinner organ, installed in 1949, is considered one of the world’s finest concert hall organs. Look closely, and you’ll spot 16 Greek and Roman statues, symbolizing music, art, and literature, and a tribute to Boston’s reputation as the “Athens of America.”

From Beethoven’s name alone gracing the stage plaques (a nod to his enduring legacy) to the hall’s storied past as a replacement for the Old Boston Music Hall, Symphony Hall remains a must-visit for music lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone seeking an unforgettable cultural experience in Boston.