Downtown Crossing

Pretty comprehensible and easy to get places. Maybe i'm just used to nyc subways but honestly good experience. There's not a lot of people around working though. Worth the money imo. You can get most places you have to go.

Downtown Crossing is almost like an outdoor shopping mall. I don't know that they did this on purpose but it seems to have worked out well with the usual shopping mall vendors you'd expect to see, along a mostly pedestrian-only set of streets in Boston. Yep, there's a major MBTA station here where the Red Line and the Orange Lines meet (the nearest Blue Line station is State Street, a few blocks north and the nearest Green Line station is Park Street, a few blocks west). It's quite a busy part of the city. Major retail outlets nearby include Primark, Marshalls, Macy's, Old Navy and such. The few times I've been here I have seen several police officers on patrol or just standing around and keeping an eye on things. Live music, sometimes. Christmas Carolers another. It's a happening spot.

Clothing stores. Check Easy access to multiple T stops within reach. Check Grocery shopping within reach. Check Street performers. Check Fancy restaurants. Check I've been to Downtown Crossing ever since I was a kid and overall the feel has changed since Filenes is gone and replaced by Primark/Old Navy/Roche Bros/Millennium Tower. The place has remained pretty similar for the most part. You are within walking distance of the North End and Chinatown, so that's also a plus. This area is generally safe and you don't have to worry about much. Nice area to transit elsewhere and do some people watching if you are about that life, granted I usually just cut through here to get to somewhere else.

Shops, vendors and live music. Lots going on down here. Restaurants, coffee shops, taverns. You can get on the T here. If you arrive late at night you can feel safe walking about. It's well lit and lots of police keeping watch. It's cool just to walk around and explore here. Mel M Yelp 17:115

In the northwest quadrant of the Boston Theater and Chinatown Districts the vicinity of Washington Street and Summer Street is a downtown crossing that bridges the past and future. Physically and in spirit the Boston Downtown Crossing is the junction of Bostons past and future. When I read the Yelp library of reviews on the Downtown Crossing they collectively tell a story about a pedestrianized city center that had seen better days. Boston Yelper's brought up a pedestrianized mall that was turning into a shadow of its former self. I read about muggings, abandoned businesses including Barnes & Noble and Sam Goody, rampant homelessness, and a pink elephant in the former Felines Basement Building that was a giant hole. My review joins the Yelp library of Downtown Crossing reviews as it starts a new chapter. From my first hand experience and reading on this business listing, there is a positive energy that is transitioning Downtown Crossing into a vibrant city center. I will discuss this with my first hand experience walking through Downtown Crossing in the late summer. This is from the unique perspective of a visitor that was seeing Boston for the first time. The north to south spine of the Downtown Crossing is Washington Street. It is the longest street in Boston. The primary east to west spine is Winter /Summer Street. The best way to describe Washington Street in Downtown Crossing is as a dumb bar laid out facing Southwest to northeast. The southwest weight is the Theater District where the Northeast weight is the Financial Center. When we explored the Downtown Crossing it was as a part of a walking tour from the Chinatown Gate to the Old State House. Washington Street was the main part of the walk. And Washington Street is the heart of Downtown Crossing. On this walk, Washington Street connects the downtown Crossing to the theaters and Chinatown to the south and the historic buildings to the north. The neat thing about touring Downtown Crossing is that you see the theater Marques creating this feeling that you are on the Broadway of Boston and you see the historic Old South Meeting House. When I walked into the Downtown Crossing the positive energy gave Boston a new boutique hotel named the Godfrey with George Howell Coffee Shop. We'd stop there for a good cup of coffee. North of Temple Street to South of School Street, Washington Street is a pedestrian mall. The anchor store is a Macy's that is across from a transit station serving the Orange and Red subway lines. Across from Macy's also stands the Corner Mall that is home to the food court. This is the spot where you can see the theater Marques to the southwest and the Old South Meeting House to the northeast. And this is the spot where I saw the futuristic side of Boston. The former hole that gave the former Feline Basement site a bad name in some reviews is now the Millennium Tower which is the third tallest building in Boston at 60 stories. It's funny how things change. In the past and even today, Downtown Crossing gets written off as the past. Ironically it is the mall of the future. The evidence is in Las Vegas. On Las Vegas the outdoor lifestyle center is replacing the indoor mall. I am dead serious when I write that a couple of years ago a very popular local outdoor mall called Downtown Summerlin opened. I am smiling writing this how it looks like a Disney clean version of the Downtown Crossing. Even the setup with Macy's looks similar. The major difference is that we don't have the option of a subway to arrive there. Subconsciously today's mall developers might have visited the Downtown Crossing and had an influence on creating a cute urbanism version. When I toured the Downtown Crossing in the summer of 2016, I was seeing the transition of a downtown core and the future lifestyle malls in the warmer climates. It will be interesting to see the metamorphosis of the Downtown core in the next few years. All of this positive energy happening in downtown is crossing into a brighter chapter that will be the future of the Downtown Crossing.

Downtown Crossing at present is in midst of a transition. The major MBTA T lines are Red Line (Downtown Crossing--stop), and Park Street. Orange Line stop is also Downtown Crossing (both lines are here) and also State St. (formerly called Devonshire). Downtown Crossing is located between the former red light district (the former Combat Zone) renamed/rechristened by the real estate/developer folks: NOWA (North of Washington St.) and it borders Chinatown, the former Leather District (South Station), the Theatre District, the Financial District, Government Center and Beacon Hill. Agree in the past, it was a shopping shopping district, that has gone through hard times for stalled redeveloped, and now it's borders are being a little bit edited and redistricted. Mostly due to the borders of neighborhood developers putting in high end housing. It's good in one way b/c those folks want basic retail amenities and so now there is a grocery store--something Chinatown folks wanted for years. However, folks on the edge of China town are being priced out--negative downside. This changes the equation from a shopping district to a neighborhood and the major factor behind it was money. With the construction of the new tower and retail at the site of the former beloved Filene's Department store, things have taken a turn for the better. There is outdoor seating adjacent to Franklin St., (aka Shopper's Park), and often special events held on Summer St. Special -- such as pop up speciality markets,etc. Suffolk University and Emerson college have also added dorms and much of the retail fast food of the healthy variety, cell phone stores and other retail blossomed with the injection of the students. Empty store fronts remain though, and the Downtown Crossing nonprofit improvement association continues to have pushcarts, special events, volunteers on hand to help tourists and even now a Little Free Library outside Walgreen's former Borders Books.

This is a wonderful place and I probably have spent half of my life in this area of Boston. I started coming here before I could even walk or talk (or write Yelp reviews for that matter, LOL) because my mum and her sister used to take me here when I was just a tiny baby. But as I grew up and got older I continued to come here and am here quite often enjoying the array of stores that are located here. There are loads and loads of stores, restaurants and other businesses here. Macy's, Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, Forever 21, Primark, 7-Eleven, GNC (two of them), Roche Bros. Central Bistro, Grass Roots Cafe, CVS, Walgreens and that is not even a fraction of what you will find here. There are food vendors outside along the sidewalks selling sausages, roasted peanuts, and other street vendors selling things such as jewelry, Boston souvenirs, scarves, flowers, etc. This shopping area is easily accessible by train on the Red Line and the MBTA station you want to get off at, obviously, is Downtown Crossing. If you are on the train and happen to miss your stop you can always get off at the next station which is Park Street station. Go up the stairs and cross Tremont Street, walk to the bottom of Winter Street and you're there. In fact Downtown Crossing is so close to Park Street that you can see it from there when you stand at the top of Winter Street. The stores here are all the best and you can get some pretty decent deals. My two favorite stores are Macy's and Primark and they happen to be right across the street from one another. If you like malls there is one rather small one located at Downtown Crossing and that is The Corner Mall. I worked at that mall in the 90's for a few years as a salesperson and while it is small they do have some cool stores and a decent food court. You will see plenty of street performers here doing everything from singing to performing magic. I will say there are some homeless people begging for money and cigarettes here. There are also some pretty shady characters but don't worry the area is loaded with police so if anyone bothers you rest assured that help is nearby. Right between Macy's and Primark you can usually count on seeing at least two or three Boston Police Officers. There are several Downtown Ambassadors stationed around the area and they help direct tourists to where they want to go and they have tables with leaflets on some of Boston's businesses and attractions. They also are there for anyone at all, even locals, who run into any kind of problem at all and will give you any type of assistance you need. And if it is a problem that they can't handle themselves they will find you help from elsewhere. So, as you can see, this is a wonderful place to be. If you like shopping and eating out, then this is the place for you. I have always loved it there, and in fact, will be walking towards there very, very shortly. See you there.

Dear Yelp Community- Downtown Crossing can get kind of dangerous. Especially at night. Do I worry? Absolutely not. I'm a purple belt* in karate, as well as a former volunteer sheriff deputy. We have training for this exact... forget it. I've already said too much. After all, this is my civilian Yelp account. I try to protect this city from crime. Nevertheless, be alert around here folks. Lukewarm regards, Dwight K. Schrute Assistant Regional Manager Dunder Mifflin Paper Products, Scranton Branch *testing for yellow next week

4.0 based on how bustling this area is Times arrived: During the morning and evening both prior to 10/11AM on weekends and as late as 8pm or 11pm on a Saturday night. Ambience: Bright lights, well lit, small streets, with adjacent stores and often street performers. Just a quick walk away from theater options and Chinatown. Safety: I personally did not feel in any particular danger as I walked home late on a Saturday evening, although it was more quiet, but I think the fact that Chinatown is also so close by adds to how bustling this general area is. Tips/Takeaways: -In general as with any station or public location, walk with purpose and expediently. Do not walk into unlit areas alone or especially for no reason. Stay in brighter lit areas for safety. -Great transportation options to get elsewhere with great signage of how to get to various locations, and estimated wait times inside the station itself. -Fun music, with the occasional individual quarrel or outdoor rant - best to avoid confrontation. -Would recommend frequenting the nearby stores, Boston Commons area, Chinatown, theater performances in the area

Downtown Crossing is a trashy shopping district in Downtown Boston. I hate the store. I hate the food options. The parking rates are VERY overpriced! The Macy's here is a true rip off of the Macy's in Harald Square. Wouldn't recommend.

It's A-OK. That's it. Just A-OK. I'm a Bostonian (Dorchester to be exact), and I've always been in and around the Downtown Crossing area growing up. Going "Downtown" was a treat when I was a kid because that meant going to the Lafayette mall or Jordan Marsh for blueberry muffins and fried chicken (you can now find the muffins at Uno Due Go btw). Downtown Crossing has changed A LOT over the years, and if you were from the area and spent lots of time, you'd know. For the locals, it's a nostalgic place. Lots of stores disappeared, especially Barnes and Noble, Sam Goody, Strawberries, HMV Records, and who could forget...Filene's/Filene's Basement. Filene's was cool because they had lots of vendors selling ice cream and Mediterranean food. Now it's just meh. Not a lot going on anymore except for Macy's and random restaurants to grab a quick bite. It's not the same anymore. The arrival of Roche Brothers could be an improvement. I realized I wrote a review of the area and not the station. Well... The station SUCKS. Never had an upgrade/renovation since never. It smells. It has random people pissing and spitting wherever they want. MBTA should really spend their $$ wisely on stations that are decrepit and need serious help, this station being one of them.

I've been here many times in college and now that I'm back visiting, I feel like it's gotten worse? True, the places nearby such as the Commons and stuff are nice to visit, but this area itself needs a lot of improvement. The shops have gotten better, but it defeats the purpose if this burrow is still covered in trash and beggars.

Why all the hate for DTX? It's got the biggest DSW everererer and a pretty baller TJ Maxx. It's got street carts with luggage and t-shirts and hats and sunglasses and flowers and food food food. Sure, there's, like, this giant hole in the middle, but they're got plans to build there and building there isn't easy. And there's a couple of amazing bars and a great coffeehouse and and and... Plus is't getting this weird shishi Walgreens with sushi and stuff. Where else are you gonna find that in Boston? Nowhere, that's where.

I'm going to time travel into the future, and you tell me if I'm right: -- * UPDATE 2/15/2016 * Hello from the future! Here I am in Downtown Crossing! The legendary Boston area for shopping! Look at all the - holes? Empty stores? STILL? I went into the future 4 years and it's STILL empty here? Look - look at that GIANT HOLE in the ground! STILL left undeveloped ever since they got rid of Filene's! Good job, City of Boston! Let's go look at where that ol' Borders used to be - oop - nope - still empty! How about that old Barnes and Noble location - NOPE nothing there still, too!! Well, at least there's still that old Strawberries where you can - uh - nope. Gone. Empty. Still empty. Downtown Crossing is a blight on this city. It's pathetic. I'm going back to 2012.

I used to work in Downtown Xing and it was pretty ghetto no matter which day it was. I once witnessed a mugging which was kind of scary. On the bright side the stores and food are pretty awesome. I am a fan of falafel king. DC is a pretty convenient area and its where everyone talks about going for shopping, although its a filenes basement, tj maxx and marshalls. I wouldnt come here to spend the day, but maybe an hour or two or go to falafel king.

Always so busy wherever you go. It's really loud but many places to go. Macy's, primark, old navy, tj max, and Marshall's are so close to each other and so convenient. There was a new store that opened up called flying tiger that's so modern and cool. Food court was smaller than I expected but it wasn't too crowded. Overall this place is great if you don't mind homeless people begging for money everywhere.

I remember years ago roaming gangs of teens woukd accost people and rob them. It seems thats stopped but im still jumpy when I see kids there. Constant construction, but not messy (anymore). Lots of shops, but theyre usually a wreck. Cheap food.

You're pretty Downtown Crossing is one of the busiest T stops that exists. Rush hour may leave you waiting for the next train. The deal: if you need to transfer to the red line at Downtown Crossing, and use the elevator, you need to leave via a turnstile and pay a second time to get back to the elevator on the red line.

I've been working in the area for 16+ years, and I've seen all kinds of things both good and bad over that time. That's to be expected in an area with so much pedestrian traffic of all different lifestyles. Things appear to be looking even better with all of the development going on in the neighborhood. Hopefully my office decides to stay in the area for the foreseeable future.

I felt that I had to write a review for Downtown Crossing after reading all the bad reviews here. I can't believe what I'm reading. No wonder Boston gets a bad rap for being snobby. Most of the reviews here that talk about how nasty DC come across to me as snobby. You want everything to be like Newbury St and the Prudential Center?? Why? Don't get me wrong, I like Back Bay. Sure it's pretty, clean, mostly bum/homeless free, but it's also a very pretentious, snobby, and an elitist area. Downtown Crossing could be a little cleaner, but it's far from filthy. DC could use some revitalization, but it's far from being dead and outdated. DC feels more like a real downtown shopping district.. more so than any other area of Boston, and that's one of the reasons I like it. I do agree with other reviews in that DC does feel a little unsafe at night, and the city should probably open up the streets to traffic again to keep the area lively. Doing so would probably bring more nightlife businesses and keep the existing stores open later. [warning: beginning rant...] I've lived in Boston 3 years, and am continually surprised about how segregated the city is and how much more segregated people would like it to be. (Not racial segregation, but soci-economic segregation.) I have news for you (if you think that way): that's not a real city that you want. A real city mixes everyone of all socio-economic levels to create rich culture and diversity. Sure that brings a little filth sometimes. Sure that brings a little crime sometimes. But the positives outweigh the negatives by far. That's what makes a real city so much fun to live in. On "dangerous places" in Boston. Yes, there are some places that I think are dangerous and I wouldn't want to spend too much time in. But there are a lot of places labeled as dangerous that are far from dangerous. Some of these dangerous places in greater Boston are much safer than the nice areas of cities like NYC and Philly. Maybe you don't like NYC or Philly, but my point is to make you realize that even danger is relative.... and sometimes danger is only perceived because the area isn't in pristine condition. Working class does not equal danger. Sorry for getting side-tracked with my rant... But my overall point about Downtown Crossing is that it is generally a good shopping district. It has "normal" prices, not crazy expensive prices like you find at some shops in Back Bay. The city could make Downtown Crossing much better, but it doesn't mean you should avoid the area. Disclaimers: 1. I love Boston, and I think it is a real city. I just think that the yuppies and elitists should be careful about how much they "cleanse" the city. 2. I am a yuppie. 3. I'm not crazy rich, but can afford some of the luxuries of Back Bay, South End, etc... but I'm also not blind to how ridiculous they can be. Sorry for the rant... :-/

Downtown Crossing sure has gone downhill. Even though Filene's Basement is no longer, and Borders has left us too, there are still a few great places left that are being unfairly overlooked due to bad reputations. Be optimistic about: - Antique bookshops - Boston Common Co. - Grassroots Cafe - Sushi Time in Corner Mall - Falafel King - Beautiful cheap flowers across from the Downtown Crossing station - GREAT jewelry prices! Negotiable and often starts at a much lower rate than your typical jewelry stores Downtown Crossing is no SoHo, but it's still OUR shit hole that has a few good places to embrace.

Downtown Crossing's as much a Boston landmark as Faneuil Hall, and more relevant to Bostonians. But it has a long way to go. Part of the ill-fated 1970s movement to turn downtown streets nationwide into pedestrian malls (that for a lot of them hastened their transition into corridors of blight and decay instead), Downtown Crossing is a bargain shopper's mecca. From H&M to DSW to the CitySports outlet to the king of all Filene's Basements, it's the frugal person's Newbury Street. Moreover, it's one of the few places streets bustle with Bostonians. Not tourists for the most part, the DC crowds are regular people on lunch break, out shopping, selling their stuff, or pleading for your money or your time. It's not a boring tourist trap like Faneuil Hall or a contrived artificial space like the Pru. Kids goof off, lovers argue, people sing badly to no one in particular -- it's real, it's busy, it's kind of gritty -- a genuine city place in a downtown that too often prefers to be an urban Disneyland caricature of itself. That said, Downtown Crossing failed as a public space because simply closing off its streets killed it as a destination after the evenings. It's like a shopping mall that closes at night, deserted and unsafe-feeling, and most of the businesses are closed wherever the streets are as well. The city needs to come up with a plan to rethink the district, carrying over its daytime vibrance into some kind of nighttime energy without stripping the area of its importance to regular people. Granted, this is a problem with most of Downtown to an extent, but clearly not as glaring anyplace like it is in Downtown Crossing.

So many bargain stores, so little time. Bargain stores are a real American obsession these days, and while slightly less of a scam than outlet malls, are still really overrated. Can't say I didn't go to DC for work clothes though... when you're close to broke, you'll take any [half] bargain you can get. As large urban outdoor-mall-esque enterprises go, DC is okay. It's compact, which many Yelpers seem to appreciate. I find it an extremely strictly-business shopping chore, but for what it's worth, it fits the bill. Filene's [Real] Basement was a huge let-down, but that's another story. DC is the ramen noodles of shopping, getting the job done for less, but leaving you feeling kind of bloated afterwards.

Strongly dislike. If you enjoy a crowded, dirty street where there are hundreds of high school kids who don't feel like going home after school hanging out and being loud, blobs of spit and gum everywhere, tiny and overcrowded stores, and more fast food options than you could ever need in life, this is the place for you. If you are someone who is on a mission who needs somewhere to go, something to get and you just need to take care of it quickly and efficiently, and you have no other way to get there than to walk through Downtown Crossing amidst all the high schoolers, spit, and slow walkers, I understand your dilemma. I don't feel like I'm in danger walking through Downtown Crossing. I interned there for a semester and I walk through every now and again if I have errands that (unfortunately) must be done there, but I just think it's a hole. A dump, if you will. I don't think the shopping is great, I think it's disgustingly managed in terms of cleanliness, and I think it's gross that every fast food restaurant is always packed regardless of what time you walk by. I wouldn't call it "ghetto" and I certainly don't feel the need to have a bodyguard with me when I'm walking around. It's just a gross place and I always feel dirty when I am walking through. The armpit of downtown Boston sounds like a good way to explain it.

Downtown Crossing... in list form (followed by a story!) 1. there's a giant hole in the middle of it. Thanks Mumbles. 2. Filene's Basement is gone :( (again, thanks Mumbles) 3. Two of my least favorite places in Boston (the FYE and that low fat food place) are here 4. Hub Pub is around here. I once met a guy trying to recruit me into the world of the pick-up-artist there. He did not have a garish hat, sadly. 5. There are sausages for sale. 6. There is no 6 7. The Corner is here. It's a weird strip mall with a Skechers and a food court. 8. There are a lot of jewelry stores here. 9. Also a lot of shoe stores. 10. The Macy's once had a turntable and a DJ in it in the middle of the day in the makeup section. Apparently there is a reason for this. It is still lost on me. I have one story that defines Downtown Crossing: I was in the DTX station waiting for Jen H., Laura H., and Cory H. near the Red Line, so we could go to Felt for last year's SBS Halloween Party (oh, and Felt sucks). Anyways, I end up talking to this old lady who proceeds to explain quite quickly how great Barack Obama for something involving health care, or medicine. There was also something about Filene's Basement. She basically talked to me for 15 minutes about her pills and a place that is no longer open. That story gives it the second star. Otherwise...

When I used to take the T every day I had to go through downtown crossing at 7:30am and 5:30pm. I loved it at 7:30- quiet and city like with the tall buildings around it and some classic older stores in the first floors of the buildings. I hated it at 5:30pm- too croweded- annoying and cheap kiosks crowding the sidewalks even more and trash everywhere. I hear they are working to revamp it and I'm excited to see what happens because it could be such a fabulous location. some other likes and dislikes. Likes: Aldo Outlet- good deals on cute shoes lots of stores I like in one local- H&M, TJ's, Filenes (however they are often too crowded to enjoy) Location Location Location- it really seems to be near it all Dislikes: Everything shuts down at 8- that sucks for the after work crowd Dirty, cheap, cheesy, annoying kiosks too many crazy people confused, lost and getting in my way all the TRASH It has so much potential I hope it lives up to it.

The erstwhile business center of the Hub gets a somewhat deserved bad rap: it is home to significant sleeze, petty crime, prostitution and general urban blight. It is however the best place to have the thriving, heaving feel of a city's core - unmatched in Boston. Some ok shopping, a dilapidated Macy's..... Hey, i like DTX, and i hope that the proposed influx of funds restores some of its luster.

When I miss living in Birmingham, Alabama, I come here. Then I remember why I moved to Boston.

If you get off the redline, there's a stand selling street meat (or is it subway meat?) and it's pretty damn good! I'll take a meat and cheese pocket any day.

When I 1st arrived to Boston for college this was one of my favorite parts of the city to come for shopping, eating & people watch. It had a mixture of history, commerce, people & energy that was unique. The the soul of the place got ripped out when Jordans & Filene's was bought out then a physical building was torn down to be replaced by a big hole. I don't do there that often any more but I hear they are on a comeback so maybe I will review the DTX again & my opinion will change. The city of Boston need to move these greedy developers along to save this once great area.

So many empty storefronts and a giant hole in the ground. I just walked through there today and noticed that Wendy's is now gone -- after 27 years. I hope that BID legislation funding kicks in soon.

The Business Improvement District legislation was passed giving the area a 4 million dollar a year budget. SO we hope there's some big changes coming.........

Hold onto your purses, my friend got pick pocketed here! Boo! I like this T stop because it gives you access to many areas of Boston. A few blocks in each direction will bring you to the Commons, Chinatown, Financial District, the Opera House, or North end, so that is super convenient. However. It is sort of dirty and kind of ghetto. And for good shopping, you need to book it to Newbury street. STAT!

I like Downtown Crossing. It's busy, and it's easy to lose your bearing on where exactly you are, but there's a lot nearby that's fun, cool, or delicious: the best steak tips in town at Silvertone, one of the best AMC theaters in town around the corner, several great cafes including the unsung hero that is Nero's, and the cool new Millennium Tower. (Oh, and one of the trendiest bars in town: Yvonne's). I've seen Boston Ambassadors walking around several times to assist tourists and curious locals find their way.

Despite the somewhat grungy look, Downtown Crossing can be a fun place to visit. If you want to shop, check out Primark and Macy's on Washington Street, as well as EB Horne's, a jewelry store, that has graced the downtown for decades. For lunch walk a few blocks and get to Chinatown for some outstanding and affordable authentic food. For dinner, try Davio's or Teatro, both have great options and delicious meals. If your budget is huge stay at the Ritz, if it is average, try the new Godfry Hotel.

Downtown Crossing has lots of great places to shop. My go to spots were always Macys, DSW, H&M. There are lots of historic spots in this area too like the Old South Meeting House. You can jump on the Freedom Trail from here and follow it around the city.

I gotta say I don't understand the Downtown Crossing hate. Yes, it's kind of dirty. Yes, crazy and/or homeless people tend to congregate here. Yes, it feels like you're stepping straight into 1972 every time you come up out of the T station, and no, you generally don't want to be there after the shops close. But you know what? That's why I like Downtown Crossing. It is perhaps the last place in central Boston that hasn't been gentrified within an inch of its life. It's the common Bostonian's Newbury or Tremont Street, full of discount shopping and people from every walk of life. Every city should have a few blocks like Downtown Crossing, that are hopelessly out of date, a little dilapidated, and maybe even a tad sketchy. Not everything needs to be razed and rebuilt to please the sensibilities of the elite - that's how we wound up with City Hall, remember?

I would give it negative stars if I could. Downtown crossing is beyond horrendous. It is dirty, smelly, run down and generally feels rather unsafe. Why, you may ask, did Daphne decide to write a review of it right now as all that is public information, widely known. Well let me tell you a little story. Last Friday I was going home after hanging out with a few friends after work. It wasn't late, probably only around 8:30 or so. The general feeling of unsafeness at Downtown Crossing somehow intensifies shortly after the commuters leave for the day. This day there were a number of people on the platform. No one appeared to be particularly interested in bothering others until I sat down and started reading. As I sat there a couple came walking up the way holding hands looking very happy. They happened to be gay couple. They stopped near me and waited for the train. Another couple came up and sat down next to me. The guy in that couple tapped my arm and said something like "Hey look gay people!" I shrugged in response, gave him a funny look and said "So what?" His response was "She says so what!" I tried to ignore him as he continued to lob insults over at the other couple in a tone that I hope and think was a little too low for them to hear. And then that announcement that talked about reporting suspicious behavior came on and the guy started pointing and saying "Hey look suspicious behavior!" Luckily the train came shortly thereafter and I was able to escape to the other end of the station. I have saved the best(worst?) part of the story until the end...The insulting homophobic couple was Interracial: a white guy and a black girl. Oh the hypocrisy. I was sickened and saddened and wished I could have said something to make that guy see the error of his ways. And that is the kind of thing you might see at Downtown Crossing.

It's basically a pretty sketchy area mixed with a business-y type area, which is always an interesting combination. Some good stores around here, plus an easy walk to Chinatown, but definitely a lot of people who spend all day and all night standing outside of hip zepi, listening to their music. Kind of makes you want to buy them a stereo, or a walkman or something.

I walk through here at night on my way home. I know, I am wicked smart. It has a sort of post apocalypto feel at night when the mutants come out of the shadows and their skin is a buzz with the neon lights. I have nearly been spit on several times as I walk through, which requires some quick steps and stealth like maneuvers to avoid the splash. Today I saw a man with pigeons on his arms and he was making kissy faces to them. I cried a little.

I wish this was the Downtown Crossing I grew up and hang out with during the late 80s early 90s. It would easily get 5 stars. Gone are the days of going there to purchase hard to find items. Gone are great stores such as Mickey Finn's, Sherman's and many others. The arcade is now gone too. Lafayette Place mall was always nice. The Corner Mall is now a shell of its former self. Now the stores are the same that you would find at any suburban mall. I would probably pick being water-boarded than eating anything from the carts. The stores mostly close at 6 - In the city!!!??? I also miss many of the street performers such as the blind keyboard player and the Caribbean guy that would play Christmas music on the steel drums. I can't forget Filene's which is now a hole in the ground. Downtown Crossing has gone the way of Boston...no more charm.

It reminds me alot of Roosevelt Avenue and Downtown Flushing in general. I wouldn't want to be in either place after a certain time, but that's common sense. The clothing store options are actually pretty good and well stocked, especially H&M and T.J. Maxx. The key to avoiding unwanted encounters with people outside is to keep moving like you know where you're going. Prolonged window/kiosk browsing should be avoided if possible.

Squalid. Tolerable if you're just passing through, like a tourist or occasional shopper. But if you have to be here every day, the horror of human squalor gnaws away at you.

Now Borders is closing. That was my last reason to come here. This neighborhood was murdered. There's nothing left now but empty storefronts and the occasional sneaker shop. The Menino Crater remains.

It is a good place to shop and also to walk around with fam nd friends, great place for tourist. Good prices great stores

Downtown Crossing is a mixed bag. On one hand it has some nice stores like Macy's, then on the other hand it has closed up storefronts or the failed attempt to have a suburb-style mini-mall, Corner Mall. There is a nice section in front of Macy's that has tables to sit at and some food carts. It can be aggravating navigating the crowds at lunchtime. It seems the area is in a perpetual state of construction. Eventually the construction will finally end and the area will be better.

I work in the Diamond and Jewelry building in Downtown Crossing and honestly, I really like it. I find that it houses an interesting cross section of folks seeing as it borders beacon hill, the financial district and is near some university campuses. It's a great place to people watch. There's also always people around so when I get out of work late I don't get sketched out.

Downtown Crossing is a fantastic place to go for bargain shopping. Filene's Basement, TJMaxx, Marshalls, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Payless.... all here. Lots of carts selling Boston-related paraphenilia. Easy to get to from the T (red or orange line to Downtown Crossing, or green line to Park St- you just walk across the street.) One word of warning- do NOT go there at night. It becomes scary very quickly.

IF you want to get caught in a game of 3 card monty in an alley way or just doing some shopping, Downtown crossing is a nice place to go. They have alot of outside kiosks, and some department store to check out. If you are in the area, eat at the little chilean sandwich place, it is amazing.

My review is for the T station which is always dirty, noisy, and full of lunatics, at all hours it seems. Less and less reasons to even get off here anymore with everything crumbling around it. Hopefully it is revived someday...