Boston Public Garden
The Boston Public Garden is a 24-acre Victorian park in central Boston, set beside Boston Common and close to Beacon Hill and Back Bay. It opened in 1837 as the first public botanical garden in America, and today it is best known for its flower beds, the lagoon with its Swan Boats, the little footbridge and the Make Way for Ducklings statues. This page covers its history, what to do there, hours and rules, what sits nearby and how to reach it on a Boston Sightseeing bus. We checked the details on October 28, 2026, so confirm Swan Boat dates and park hours before you go.
Location and History
The Public Garden is at the heart of Boston, bounded by Arlington, Beacon, Boylston and Charles Streets. Boston Common is next door, and Beacon Hill rises on the other side of Beacon Street. The two parks are often visited together, but they are separate places with different looks. The Common is wide open lawn, while the Garden is a formal, landscaped park of paths, beds and water.
The ground was once tidal mudflats of the Back Bay. The City of Boston says the garden was established in 1837. The National Park Service dates it to 1839, when a group of amateur horticulturists led by Horace Gray got permission to create a public botanic garden on the site, so the exact date depends on who you ask. A design competition in 1859 chose the plan of George Meacham, which centered on a formal garden with a pond, and city engineer James Slade later adapted it. The result is a park with winding paths, a Victorian cast-iron fence, fountains and a pond with a bridge. The Public Garden is a National Historic Landmark and is called the first public botanical garden in the United States.
Boston Common and the Public Garden are also described as the northern end of the Emerald Necklace, the string of parks that runs south toward Franklin Park. Our Emerald Necklace guide shows how the chain fits together.
Activities
The Public Garden is small enough to cover in an hour or two, but it rewards a slower pace. These are the things most visitors come for, in the order they usually find them.
Swan Boats
The Swan Boats have carried visitors around the lagoon since 1877. A ride lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, no reservation is needed, and tickets are sold at the dock. The 2026 season ran from April 18 to September 7, with rides from 10 AM to 4 PM early in the season and 10 AM to 5 PM from late June. The boats are closed for the winter now, so check the 2027 dates before you plan around one.
Make Way for Ducklings
Nancy Schön's bronze duck family has stood in the Public Garden since 1987, inspired by the children's book Make Way for Ducklings. The ducks are often dressed in costumes for holidays or in team jerseys when a local team is winning.
The Lagoon Footbridge
A small footbridge crosses the lagoon. It opened on June 1, 1867, was first built as a suspension bridge and was converted to a girder bridge in 1921. It is a good place to stand for photos of the water.
Flower Beds And Tulips
The beds are changed with the seasons. In spring the city plants tulips that bloom in stages, from early Triumph varieties to late Single Late tulips, so color usually runs from late April into May. Summer and fall plantings follow, and the beds look different each month. Our guides to spring in Boston, summer in Boston and fall in Boston show what else is on in each season.
Statues And Fountains
An equestrian statue of George Washington by Thomas Ball stands in the park. It was commissioned in 1859, modeled in 1864 and dedicated on July 3, 1869. Other monuments and fountains are spread along the paths. Walk the loop once and you will pass most of them.
Hours, Rules And Visitor Tips
Keep these points in mind:
- Hours: The parks open at 6:30 AM and close at 11 PM, with pedestrian access at all hours.
- Cost: Entry is free every day of the year.
- Dogs: Leashed dogs are welcome.
- Bikes and sports: Bikes, scooters, skateboards, balls, Frisbees and kites are not allowed in the Garden.
- Picnics: A picnic on the lawn is fine, but alcohol is not allowed. No food is sold inside the Garden.
- Plants and wildlife: Stay on the paths and lawns, leave flowers undisturbed and do not feed the birds.
- Restrooms: Public restrooms are at the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common.
- Access: Some locations have stairs. A guide at the Visitor Information Center can point out routes that suit you.
- Events: Organized activities, performances and wedding photography need a permit from Boston Parks and Recreation.
- Timing with the bus: Our buses run about 9:30 AM to about 5:00 PM, and the Garden stays open until 11 PM, so it also works as an evening walk after your ride.
Nearby Attractions
The Garden sits between several of the city's best-known areas, so it fits easily into a day of Boston attractions. Boston Common is across the way, and the Freedom Trail begins there. On the other side of Beacon Street, Beacon Hill has its historic row houses, and our Beacon Hill guide lists the best streets to walk. Cheers Beacon Hill, the bar at 84 Beacon Street, is across from the Garden.
To the south and west, Newbury Street and Copley Square are in Back Bay, where you can also see the Boston Public Library and the Arlington Street Church at the corner of Arlington and Boylston Streets. For more green space, see our guide to the best parks in Boston. If you want a plan for the whole day, our downtown Boston guide shows what sits between here and the waterfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Boston Public Garden?
The Boston Public Garden is a Victorian city park of about 24 acres in central Boston, next to Boston Common. It has flower beds, a lagoon with Swan Boats, a footbridge, statues and fountains, and it is known as the first public botanical garden in America.
When was the Boston Public Garden established?
The City of Boston says 1837, while the National Park Service dates it to 1839, when a group led by Horace Gray got permission to create a public botanic garden. The design competition that shaped the park was held in 1859. We use 1837 and note the difference.
Is the Boston Public Garden the same as Boston Common?
No. They are two separate parks that sit side by side. Boston Common is the larger open park and the start of the Freedom Trail, while the Public Garden is the formal garden with the lagoon, the Swan Boats and the Make Way for Ducklings sculptures.
Is the Boston Public Garden free?
Yes. The Friends of the Public Garden say entry to the parks is free every day of the year. Swan Boat rides are a separate paid activity.
What are the hours for the Boston Public Garden?
The parks open at 6:30 AM and close at 11 PM, and pedestrian access runs around the clock. Check the City of Boston's park page before an early or late visit, since events and weather can change access.
How do I buy Swan Boat tickets?
Swan Boat rides do not need a reservation, and guests buy tickets at the dock. The 2026 season ran from April 18 to September 7, so there are no rides in late October. Confirm the 2027 dates before you plan around a ride.
Where are the Make Way for Ducklings statues?
The bronze duck family stands in the Public Garden. Nancy Schön made the sculptures, and they have been in the park since 1987. Visitors often see them dressed in seasonal costumes or team jerseys.
When do the tulips bloom in the Public Garden?
Tulips usually peak from late April into May, depending on the weather. The city plants varieties that bloom in stages, so the beds flower over several weeks. Spring colors change from year to year, so check recent photos before you go.
Can I bring my dog or bike to the Boston Public Garden?
Leashed dogs are welcome. Bikes, scooters, skateboards, balls, Frisbees and kites are not allowed in the Garden. Please stay on the paths and lawns, leave the flowers alone and do not feed the birds.
Can I have a picnic in the Boston Public Garden?
A picnic on the lawn is fine, but alcohol is not allowed. No food is sold inside the Garden, so bring your own or buy something nearby first.
How do I get to the Boston Public Garden with Boston Sightseeing?
The Public Garden is not a bus stop. The closest stops on the Blue route are Stop 5, Cheers Pub, and Stop 4, Boston Common, and both are covered by the 90 minute ticket and the All Day ticket. Check the tour map for the walking route.
Plan your Boston Tour with Boston Sightseeing
The Public Garden is not a bus stop, so you reach it on foot from a nearby Boston Sightseeing stop. The closest stops on the Blue route are Stop 5, Cheers Pub, which is on Beacon Street along the Garden's northern edge, and Stop 4, Boston Common. Stop 6, Boston Public Library, and Stop 7, Trinity Church, put you on the Back Bay side. Check the tour map for the walking route from each stop.
All of these stops are on the Blue route, Stops 1 to 8, which the 90 minute and All Day tickets cover. Our buses run about 9:30 AM to about 5:00 PM and come roughly every 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. The bus gives you a look at the city's parks and landmarks from above, and you can hop off at Stop 4 or Stop 5 to visit the Garden. Check the route and stop notice before you ride, since schedules can change by season.
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