Rumor around town is that top executives at Hancock have long coveted the space for their own use and didn't believe that enough sightseeing dollars were coming in to continue its use as a tourist attraction. Vague "security concerns" in the wake of 9/11 allowed Hancock to shut the observatory down and convert the space into an executive dining and reception area. There are no plans to reopen the observatory to the public. That leaves the nearby Prudential Center as the highest viewpoint in Boston.

The express elevator whisks you straight up to the top floor where you can see sail boats dotting the Charles River, bustling Loan International Airport, and even New Hampshire's White Mountains in the distance.

Inside in a heavily-protected showcase, we viewed an original oversized signature of John Hancock, one of the original signers of the American Declaration of Independence. I had always heard about his large signature, but it was amazing to see the actual signed copy with his enormous scrawl.

In the shadow of the skyscraper is the famous 1877 Trinity Church, one of the top 10 architectural churches in America.

To see if there are any changes in the status of the observatory, call 1-617-572-6425. I hope that they re-open soon!

Be sure to pop your ears after the speedy ride up 60 floors. Enjoy the breathtaking view of downtown Boston, but don't ignore the Observatory exhibits and interactive quizzes and games (for kids).

If you are planning to see lots of Boston attractions, you should buy a CityPass. It gets you into the John Hancock Observatory and five other attractions for $30.25 for adults, $14.00 for youths aged 12-17 and $22.25 for seniors.