# AIA Guide to Boston

> Digital architectural guide to Boston's landmarks, neighborhoods, and tours. (iPhone/iPad app by Thomas Pounds.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aia-guide-to-boston/id1136848990 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Thomas Pounds](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541934979)
- Category: Travel, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 11 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 150 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2017-05-25
- Data updated: 2026-07-07
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aia-guide-to-boston/id1136848990/reviews.md

## What is AIA Guide to Boston?

Published in three prior paper editions, the AIA Guide to Boston been called "the best [field guide] of its kind on the continent." This new digital version adds more than 500 new sites along with color images from leading photographers. 
 
This is the first AIA Guide anywhere to be published as a mobile app. It's:
Effortless to carry. If you have your phone, you have the Guide (now the equivalent of a 500+ page book!)
Smart. Using GPS, the app can find the guides closest to you
Connected. Directions are available with a tap, and live links to online resources provide more depth instantly
Up-to-date. New sites and guides are added to the app as the city grows and evolves.
 
The Guide features:
Descriptions, stories, and photos of more than 1,200 contemporary landmarks, historical buildings, urban features, and parks across the metro area
In-depth guides to neighborhoods, architects, styles, and award winners
Walking and site tours around prime destinations including Downtown, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Harvard, MIT, and emerging districts. Follow the Freedom Trail and Walk to the Sea with new eyes, focusing on the old and new architecture along the way.
 
For residents and visitors, architects and design lovers, builders and students, the AIA Guide to Boston offers a unique, fun new way to explore the nation's oldest major city.

## Key features

- 1,200+ landmarks, buildings, and parks
- Neighborhood and architect guides
- GPS-enabled site discovery
- Integrated directions
- Walking and site tours
- Color images and descriptions

## Recent user reviews (10 of 11)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aia-guide-to-boston/id1136848990/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Not great

*2024-06-27*

Just got the app and already discovered the map for Hyde Park doesn’t work. Some pins show up on a blank page and even the pins are hit or miss. Haven’t looked at other neighborhoods but disappointed so far. Also there is no entry for the historic Westinghouse Plaza nor the former racetrack in Hyde Park. Both very worthy historical spots of interest.

### 4/5 — Nothing else like it

*2021-04-18*

App is way better after the update, sometimes pages take a little while to load but I’ve got time. I wish the tiles on the discover page were more interesting. Great app over all. I love being able to look at the map of Cambridge and see all the pins and check out what’s what. I wish the pages for the different buildings had more pictures.

P.s. No LeCorbusier Carpenter Center???

**Developer response:** Thanks, glad you found the updated version! The Discover tab is now updated per your feedback - it's a classic balancing act between ease/speed of use and how it looks, and we agree that more is more in that case. 

The Carpenter Center is in the Harvard guide, as well as the Harvard walking tour. Check it out - with commentary from Harry Cobb, we think it's one of the best entries. (We decided to separate Harvard from the West Cambridge guide - together, they have over 200 sites!)

### 1/5 — AIA Guide to Boston App

*2021-01-11*

This app has never worked for me.  Requests for support go completely unanswered.  I am sorry I bought it.

**Developer response:** Apologies, v1.0 fell out of date while we worked up v2.0. The updated version is now available - we hope you'll download it and give it another try. 

If you do, please let us know your thoughts!

### 5/5 — Super cool app

*2020-04-21*

This is a very cool app for visitors and also locals, featuring Boston locations as well as many in the greater Boston area.   

You can search by architect, by neighborhood, etc.  Lots of great content.  

One thing to be aware of:  at present, you must have location services turned on when using the app.  If you set to “never,” you can’t see any of the content.  

Definitely worth paying for.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the nice review, and for the helpful feedback!

### 5/5 — My new favorite app!

*2017-09-23*

I love how I'm alerted to interesting buildings as I approach. Who knew there were so many amazing stories right in Harvard Square or the South End?! A great app for travelers and long-time residents alike!

### 5/5 — Informative and easy to use

*2017-06-15*

This guide provides multiple ways to experience Boston's architecture---choose categories like architect, neighborhood, style, BSA award winners, and more. I love that i can choose to have the app alert me when I'm near a building of interest.

### 5/5 — Can't wait to discover more

*2017-06-14*

My husband and I just tried it on Comm Ave and found out that what seemed to be a very bland building was really very interesting.  We walk all over Boston and look forward to more discoveries!

DDjane

### 5/5 — An amazing way to experience the city.

*2017-06-14*

This app gives tons of content - where ever you find yourself in Boston, there's a something new to see and to learn. One forgets how many beautiful buildings we have in Boston.

### 5/5 — Perfect Guide to Boston's Buildings

*2017-06-13*

This is a fun guide!  Enjoy building gawking at a whole new level.  Fills you in on the impressive, the beautiful, the interesting and the funky buildings and places that you encounter as you bop around the city. Wonder no longer as you wander.

### 5/5 — Terrific app!

*2017-06-10*

Works as advertised, entries are well-written and interesting.

## Frequently asked questions about AIA Guide to Boston

### What is the AIA Guide to Boston?

The AIA Guide to Boston is a digital guide to the city's architecture, landmarks, and urban features. It provides descriptions, stories, and photos of over 1,200 sites, along with neighborhood guides and walking tours.

### What makes the AIA Guide to Boston smart?

The app uses GPS to find the closest guides to your current location. It also offers one-tap directions to sites and live links to online resources for more in-depth information.

### How often is the AIA Guide to Boston updated?

New sites and guides are added to the app as the city grows and evolves. The latest version was updated on November 12, 2025.

### Is the AIA Guide to Boston available on Android?

The AIA Guide to Boston is currently available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is not specified if an Android version is planned.

### What kind of content does the AIA Guide to Boston include?

It features descriptions, stories, and photos of over 1,200 contemporary landmarks, historical buildings, urban features, and parks. It also includes in-depth guides to neighborhoods, architects, styles, and award winners.

### Can I take tours with the AIA Guide to Boston?

Yes, the app offers walking and site tours around prime destinations like Downtown, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Harvard, and MIT. You can follow routes like the Freedom Trail with a new architectural focus.

### What is the user rating for the AIA Guide to Boston?

The app has a strong rating of 4.5 stars based on 16 user ratings, indicating a positive user experience.

### Does the AIA Guide to Boston have ads?

No, the AIA Guide to Boston is ad-free. It is a free application with no advertisements present.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 9.0.573 — 2026-07-01

Small bug fixes and improvements

### 9.0.454 — 2025-11-12

Small bug fixes and improvements

### 9.0.341 — 2025-04-25

Small bug fixes and improvements

### 9.0.297 — 2025-01-11

Minor Bug Fixes and Improvement

### 9.0.117 — 2024-03-05

Minor Bug Fixes and Improvement

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-07.*
