Boston Public Garden: Address, Boston Public Garden Reviews: 4.5/5
Boston Public Garden
Boston Public Garden
4.5
About
This Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park, famous for its Swan Boats, has over 600 varieties of trees and an ever-changing array of flowers. It is America's first public garden.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Beacon Hill
Visit this historic and ritzy Boston neighborhood to soak up its classic New England charm as you stroll down cobblestoned, gas-lamp lined streets. Bring your walking shoes, camera, and select a nice day to wander through the hilly neighborhood and check out its exclusive addresses. Louisburg Square, Mt. Vernon street, Chestnut street and the extremely narrow and widely photographed Acorn street make a nice walking path. Make sure to meander down Charles street to poke into boutiques and antique shops, cafes, and restaurants on this quaint shopping street. Don’t forget to catch a glimpse up close of the State House with its beautiful and iconic dome.
How to get there
- Arlington • 7 min walk
- Boylston • 7 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,920 within 5 kms

Tatte Bakery & Cafe
566
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe

Ristorante Toscano
665
0.1 km$$$$ • Italian • Tuscan • Central-Italian

75 Chestnut
447
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

The Paramount
1,374
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe

Thinking Cup
663
0.5 km$ • Dessert • American • Cafe

Bistro du Midi
598
0.4 km$$$$ • French • Seafood • Contemporary

Ma Maison
261
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Parish Cafe & Bar
926
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Cafe

Cheers Beacon Hill
2,999
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub

FIGS by Todd English
416
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
563 within 10 kms

Frog Pond
243
0.1 kmSports Complexes • Parks

Acorn Street
271
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Make Way for Ducklings Statues
67
84 mMonuments & Statues

William Hickling Prescott House
6
0.1 kmHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings

Beacon Street
82
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Freedom Trail
17,517
0.5 kmHistoric Walking Areas

Boston Common
6,458
0.4 kmParks

Church of the Advent
3
0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals

Louisburg Square
27
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

Charles Street
119
0.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
9,883 reviews
Excellent
7,101
Very good
2,479
Average
285
Poor
14
Terrible
5
SJ S
7 contributions
May 2022
You can spend time just sitting in the shade or walking around. The Information Center is located adjacent to the park in Boston Commons, a good place to stop in for information.
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
DJH35
Jacksonville, FL168 contributions
May 2022
Walked the public gardens our first morning in Boston. Found the ducking statues, George Washington and found the Frog Pond (no water at this time but a shallow concrete "pool". I liked that the trees had labels on them.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ekelleman88
Hammond, IN144 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
A great place to go for a walk on a nice day. There is a pond, some statues, and lots of trails criss crossing the park. And it's right near the start of the Freedom Trail.
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
XSki007
New Jersey1,171 contributions
Apr. 2022 • Couples
I was impressed with the entire city - green pockets everywhere and the streets are extremely well kept.
My first non business visit.
This space is special and it does a lot to add to the character and charm of the city.
My first non business visit.
This space is special and it does a lot to add to the character and charm of the city.
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jack L
East Syracuse, NY768 contributions
Sep. 2021
Public Garden is located next to the Boston Common separated with Charles Street. The Garden is about 1/3 the size of the Common, that doesn't mean there is not enough sites to view. The following is what I photographed: the George Washington statue, statues Tadcusz Koseiusk- a Polish officer during the American Revolutionary Waron the patriot side-Wendell Phillips & Charles Sumner followed with he Ethen Monument-the Garden's tallest structure. One exhibit is the 9/11 In Peaseful REmembrance- which is about the people of Boston who's lives were taken from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York City.
The Garden's center has the Duck Pond also known was the lagoon-which houses the Duck Island & Swan Boats where can ride. About the midway mrk is the Suspenion Bridge that leads weat to east.
What I missed was 'Make Way For Ducklings'- sculptures of bronze ducks- and the Bagheer Foundation. If a visitor walks west-pass the George Washington statue-cross Arlington Street, there will encounter a walkway between two Commonwealth Avenue that run west & east the staue of Alexander Hamilton.
What does the Garden over over the Common, the color of gree. Yes the Common has green, however the Garden's green is more green, sculptures bushs & tall circlar bushy trees and very colorful flowers. A garden surrounds the the Garden's greatest site-George Washington on horse bck, mounted on a large base.
PARKING.
The only parking is the Boston Parking Garage off Charles St. The garage is an underground three level facility. If using a GPS unit, use 4 Charles Street, Boston, MA , 02116. The zip code is the most important park of the address. If a visitor does park here, remember which level they park on: TOP, MIDDLE & LOWER and the space number. I walked about 15 minutes before locating my vehicle.
A visit is highly recommended. My visit lasted over an hour. Time spent will depend what a visitor views & reads.
The Garden's center has the Duck Pond also known was the lagoon-which houses the Duck Island & Swan Boats where can ride. About the midway mrk is the Suspenion Bridge that leads weat to east.
What I missed was 'Make Way For Ducklings'- sculptures of bronze ducks- and the Bagheer Foundation. If a visitor walks west-pass the George Washington statue-cross Arlington Street, there will encounter a walkway between two Commonwealth Avenue that run west & east the staue of Alexander Hamilton.
What does the Garden over over the Common, the color of gree. Yes the Common has green, however the Garden's green is more green, sculptures bushs & tall circlar bushy trees and very colorful flowers. A garden surrounds the the Garden's greatest site-George Washington on horse bck, mounted on a large base.
PARKING.
The only parking is the Boston Parking Garage off Charles St. The garage is an underground three level facility. If using a GPS unit, use 4 Charles Street, Boston, MA , 02116. The zip code is the most important park of the address. If a visitor does park here, remember which level they park on: TOP, MIDDLE & LOWER and the space number. I walked about 15 minutes before locating my vehicle.
A visit is highly recommended. My visit lasted over an hour. Time spent will depend what a visitor views & reads.
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chris W
London, UK174 contributions
Apr. 2022
Beautifully kept, well designed park/gardens, moving tribute to 9/11 in the memorial garden. Lots of walkways around the lake to enjoy the nature
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ladodgerone
Los Angeles, CA669 contributions
Aug. 2021
Love the Common, so expansive and a great place to walk with the family. Make sure to see the duck parade statues!
Written 22 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mikhael DH
Montreal, Canada11 contributions
Dec. 2021
Lovely park right in the middle of the city of Boston. Much nicer than Boston Common, worth going there before starting the Freedom Trail. The lake in the middle of the park is full of animals and surrounded by benches.
Written 5 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kree
Baltimore, MD112 contributions
Dec. 2021 • Family
Beautiful park. We all enjoyed the view so much. Our young cousins loved to run around. Unfortunately a lil bit chilly so couldn’t stay longer.
Written 1 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
blairkk25
New Jersey2,863 contributions
Nov. 2021
My wife, daughter, two friends and I walked around the Boston Public Garden and I went back two more times by myself in November 2021. It is a beautiful place. There is a foot bridge over a pond. Since I have walked around here during the spring and summer there are flowers and swan boats. But not during the fall. Besides the foot bridge and the pond, there are many benches where you can sit and relax. And there is also a statue of George Washington on a horse. The Boston Public Garden leads out to Commonwealth Avenue, Newbury Street and Boylston Avenue and Back Bay. In the other direction it leads out to Boston Common.
Written 30 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thierry Boucher
Laval, Canada2 contributions
Hi
Any washroom at the park?
Hilcheyhurst
Akasaka, Japan15 contributions
Excellent question - no there are no facilities available in the park
Love2travelWfam2
Ringwood, NJ156 contributions
Do you know if the boats are still running?
Caroline G
San Juan Capistrano, CA62 contributions
No they are not
how do i get from fenway park tour to boston garden
debra k
4 contributions
Use the "T" Boston's subway transit system. Maps of the system are available in hotels, etc. The "T" is very user friendly.
how much are the swan boats
Chibu U
Winnipeg, Canada29 contributions
$5 I think.
Are dogs allowed?
debra k
4 contributions
Bostonians love their pets - don't we all. Keep them on a leash and clean up - always.
martaivi
Arenys de Mar, Spain12 contributions
Hola, estare.en Boton de 18 a 20 de julio,,,me aconsejais excursion para ver ballenas??gracias anticipadas por vuestra respuesta..M
Veronica M
Montevideo, Uruguay5 contributions
Si vas con niños te aconsejo el museo de los niños, espectacular. Buen viaje
Tonifaj
89 contributions
Is there a public restroom on or near the Boston Public Garden?
drarthurbloom
Boston, MA13 contributions
But NOT on the Gardens themselves
Randy A
Davao City, Philippines
Is there any food and coffee we can get within Boston Public Garden?
Jetset18MelM
San Diego, CA159 contributions
Yes! There are vendors within the walking paths of the park. Right across the street there are coffee shops, fast food, restaurants, pizza you can see from Boston Common. Lots of choices.
Steve H
Fullerton, CA186 contributions
Is there any parking at this Boston Public Garden?
Dragonfly972
Castro Valley, CA216 contributions
There is street parking around the perimeter of the gardens. Also, the Boston Common Garage is underground parking beneath Boston Common (right next to Boston Public Garden)
Katy S
Minneapolis, MN2 contributions
Is there a playground in the park for kids?
Neta_Avivi
Tel Aviv, Israel3,546 contributions
Yes. There is.
Frequently Asked Questions about Boston Public Garden
- We recommend booking Boston Public Garden tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 21 Boston Public Garden tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Boston Public Garden:
- Boston Small-Group Food & History North End Freedom Trail Walking Tour (From AU$147.27)
- Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River (From AU$81.20)
- Guided Walking Tour of Copley Square to Downtown Boston Freedom Trail (From AU$63.72)
- Walking Tour: Downtown Freedom Trail plus Beacon Hill to Copley Square/Back Bay (From AU$63.72)
- New York To Boston in One Day (From AU$184.09)
- Hotels near Boston Public Garden:
- (0.08 km) Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro
- (0.50 km) The Whitney Hotel Boston
- (0.47 km) Four Seasons Hotel Boston
- (0.41 km) The Newbury Boston
- (0.48 km) The College Club of Boston
- Restaurants near Boston Public Garden:
- (0.01 km) Starbucks
- (0.04 km) DeLuca's Market
- (0.04 km) Mariah's Cookies
- (0.05 km) The Upper Crust
- (0.13 km) Ristorante Toscano
- Attractions near Boston Public Garden:
- (0.04 km) Walking Tours Of Boston In French
- (0.05 km) Rainbows Pottery Studio
- (0.14 km) Four-Handed Illusions: An Intimate Evening of Laughs & Wonder
- (0.14 km) Frog Pond
- (0.16 km) Acorn Street