Explore a victorian-style Garden or Ride the iconic Swan Boats
Located adjacent to Boston Common, the Public Garden is a lush, flowering oasis situated amid a great metropolis. America's very first botanical garden, this 24-acre park and Victorian-style garden offers rich and unusual plants, monuments, fountains, a lagoon and the iconic Swan Boats, which have delighted visitors for over 100 years. Bring the family to this scenic wonderland, where leafing trees and flowering plants create an alluring backdrop for a peaceful day of outdoor recreation in Boston. Enjoy a seasonal Swan Boat ride in the tranquil lagoon or see the famous Make Way for Ducklings statues.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
- Daily from 7 am - 9 pm. and open to pedestrian access 24 hours a day.
Prices
- Free
Events
- Duckling Day Parade
- Shakespeare in the Common
- NYE Fireworks
Activities
- Garden Walks
- Swan Boat Rides
- Public Art Viewing
- Frog Pond Ice Skating
- Horticulture
- Sightseeing
The Public Garden features several greenhouses that hold more than 80 species of plants grown by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. The majority of these plants are eventually planted in the Public Garden or at more than 50 other locations around the city. With 24 acres of rare plants, flowers, statues and artwork, The Public Garden offers an array of scenic fascinations.
The Boston Common, Public Garden, and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall are all free to the public and open 365 days a year. There is no parking in the Public Garden, so you'll have to pay for metered street parking.
Yes, the Boston Public Garden was the first botanical garden in America. It was established in 1837.
- Map
- Garden Info