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The Boston Public Garden

If you want to visit a little slice of American history, look no further than Boston Public Garden. It was the first of its kind in the United States and remains a favorite with Bostonians.

History of The Boston Public Garden

Boston Public Garden gained a place in America’s history books by becoming the first public botanical garden in the United States when it was established back in 1837. The park underwent years of development to become a favorite spot with locals and visitors to Boston.

Like most green space in the ‘Emerald Necklace’ that sweeps around Boston, the Public Garden is largely an unstructured green space that is meant for quiet enjoyment and as a visual display of trees and plant life. In order to transform the Public Garden into a city showpiece rather than an empty piece of land, though, a lake was added in 1859, followed by an ornate iron fence which was erected in 1862.

Since the 1800’s, most of Boston Public Garden has remained unchanged other than the constantly evolving flora and fauna displays which are tended to regularly and change with the seasons. Other additions have been made including a bridge, statues, and fountains. In the late 1900’s, 1987 to be precise, the garden became a National Historic Landmark.

Points of Interest

Though the Boston Public Garden has been kept in its traditional style since it opened, additions have been made as points of interest to visitors. In 2001, there were more than ten statues standing on the park.

Amongst the statues in Boston Public Garden there is a bronze cast of George Washington on his horse, and a statue of one of Massachusetts’ home grown heroes, Edward Everett. Another point of interest in the park which might be attractive to children is a collection of bronze characters from the children’s book Make Way for The Duckling. These casts are close to the pond and you’ll pass them on the way to the famous Swan Boats.

The historic Swan Boats have been an attraction at Boston Public Garden for well over a hundred years. They are available in the summer months, and you’ll be taken for a sail around the pond by a tour guide. If you’re lucky there might also be some real swans out on the lake.

Another attraction that you can’t miss in the garden is the suspension bridge, designed by William G Preston. It was built as a suspension bridge in 1867 but was changed to a girder bridge in 1921. These days, the suspension elements are still there, they’re just used as decoration.

Getting to Boston Public Garden

The garden is at the centre of Boston so getting there doesn’t take much planning. The closest T station to the Public Garden is Arlington Street where the Green Line connects with the rest of the city.

If you’re coming from another direction, there are stations at Balyston Street (also on the Green Line) and another at Park Street which is on the Red Line. If you’re driving into the city, there is parking available underneath Charles Street.

The garden is located between four of Boston’s main streets: Balyston Street, Arlington Street, Beacon Street, and Charles Street. Charles Street separates the Public Garden from the city common.

Surrounding Attractions

As Boston Public Garden is right in the middle of the city once you’re there you might as well take some time to see other Boston attractions.

If you’re planning to spend more time out doors, head over Charles Street to Boston Common, or take a walk around the whole Emerald Necklace. Walk along Commonwealth Avenue towards Boston Duck Tours for a boat trip around the city.

If the hunger pangs are kicking in by the time you’ve spent some time in the park, don’t fight them, grab some food at a nearby café or bar. Try a branch of Legal Sea Food on Huntington Avenue or grab a bite at Gypsy Bar which is right on the common.

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The Boston Public Garden