In The Neighborhood

The Swan Boats are located in the nation’s first botanical garden. Dating back to 1837, the Boston Public Garden was established on land that was once tidal marshes. Surrounded by Victorian-era cast iron fencing, the garden sits in the heart of downtown, surrounded by the historic neighborhoods of Beacon Hill and Back Bay.

Learn more about the history, plantings, sculpture, and memorials of the Public Garden.

The Friends of the Public Garden is one of the oldest public-private partnerships in the nation. SInce 1970, they have partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department to renew, care, and advocate for the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

Learn about the history, sculpture, and horticulture of America’s first public botanical garden by taking a one-hour guided tour through this treasured oasis. Untold Stories of the Public Garden

Make Way for Ducklings Statues

Created by Nancy Schön and installed in the Public Garden in 1987, this sculpture depicts the mallard family in Robert McCloskey’s children’s classic Make Way for Ducklings.

Duckling Day

The Friends of the Public Garden, in association with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, celebrates Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during its annual Duckling Day event

Founded in 1634, the fifty-acre Boston Common is the oldest public park in America. It was purchased by citizens of Boston in 1634 for 30 pounds and officially designated as public land in 1640. The park’s original purpose was for military training grounds and a place for grazing cattle.

Boston Common Visitors Center

The Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond.

The Embrace

Located in the Boston Common, the Embrace honors the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. The 20-foot-tall, 25-foot-wide artwork is based on a photo of an embrace between them after he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Frog Pond

The Frog Pond Spray Pool is a great way for kids of all ages to splash around and cool down on hot summer days. It is typically open daily from late June to Labor Day, weather permitting, from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.