There are few public parks in the world as famous as Boston Common and The Public Gardens....So, uh yeah, this tip is practically useless; because any visitor to Boston invariably falls upon these public spaces with no help from a guidebook.
The two parks are separated by Charles Street, but have vastly different characters. The Common is a little rougher around the edges, a little more casual, and the site of concerts, festivals and a lovely swimming hole that becomes an ice skating rink during the winter. The Gardens, by contrast, are impeccably manicured with tidy flower beds, pedestrian bridges and the iconic swan boats.
When in Boston, I approach The Common via Downtown Crossing and pass through both parks on the way to Newbury Street. Or, I'll come down off Beacon Hill, visiting the State House before crossing the Common and on to Newbury.
One warning: You'll think I'm kidding, but the squirrels in these two parks are notoriously agressive. Get too close, and you might lose a finger or two.
Updated Mar 7, 2009
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
Boston Commons is a green oasis in the middle of the city. Well-manicured grass areas, clean paths and some water elements help stressed city dwellers and tourists alike to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Boston downtown. There are benches here and there, and a lot of trees to provide shadow from the blazing sun in the summer. The park is surprisingly void of services, there are a few stalls selling drinks and ice cream, but nothing else. Which is good.
Besides being an oasis, Boston Commons is the oldest park in the United States, dating back to the times before independence.
Written Mar 1, 2009
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
Boston Common is the hub of action in the downtown area. Life for Bostonians will be different without this park. It is where people go to spend time with family, friends and colleagues. It is a place where people congregate to satisfy the longing for solitude, the desire to be out in nature, the wish to be with others in a wonderful setting and the need to enjoy life's simple pleasures (e.g., spending time with family & friends, reading a good book, watching a Shakespeare play in the summer, enjoying the foliage, throwing coins in the fountain, etc.).
Enjoy Boston Common!
Updated Feb 15, 2009
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
Nice Place to walk around, but be aware of the surroundings. There are homeless and drunk people in the park and taking up a lot of benches. They do have propeller boats on the water and a pavilion for concerts. It is a big park at 44 acres of grounds. It was the grazing farm of William Blackstone, one the the first to be involved in the city growth and was a clergyman.
Updated Oct 18, 2008
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
We enjoyed walking, shopping and eating at the Commons. The Commons are a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as "Boston Commons". Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States. Its 50 acres (20 ha) of land are bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street, Charles Street, and Boylston Street.
Written Jul 15, 2008
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
Boston Common is a large park area located in the center of the city adjacent to many destinations you may wish to visit while in Boston. It's a great place to grab a cold drink on a hot day at one of the stands that dot the walkways, or even convince some of the locals to let you in on their games of Ultimate Frisbee!
Written Jun 17, 2008
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
This park - the oldest in USA - is more or less like the heart of Boston: everything starts here. It's surrounded by the Old State house, Park Street Church & Granary Burying Ground and Boston Public Garden, and it has a big tourism office within its limits where you can get maps of the city and information about tours and other activities/attractions. So sooner or later you'll find yourself at this place.
The Freedom Trail starts here too, so it's the departure point of the tours that take you all along the historic journey. Thus it's not unusual to see a man dressed like a Pilgrim standing in front of the tourism office waiting for the crowd to gather in order to start the tour.
Even though it's a nice area with trees and squirrels and birds all over, being just across the street from Boston Public Garden makes it pretty noticeable that Boston Common isn't as well preserved and is rather poorly maintained in comparison to Boston Public Garden. Still, there are many people who like to come here and jog, stroll, play or just sit back and enjoy nature for a while, especially when the weather improves and the trees start to bloom! It's a lovely view.
Updated Jun 16, 2008
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncommon.asp
There is much to see on the Common but we really enjoyed the Frog Pond, amusing frog statutes by the pond and for those in need of light refreshments there is the Pavillion Cafe where you can sit and enjoy the view.
Written Jun 6, 2008
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
Centrally located near the city centre this beautiful parkland is an oasis within this beautiful city. An easy walk from many parts of the city we visited Tuesday afternoon on a sunny late May day and found the parklands to be picture perfect.
Landscaped and developed over hundreds of years you will find magnificent trees, ponds, flowers, statutes, and a restaurant by the pond. Although mid week there were considerable numbers of people enjoying the common and one would expect early mornings and evenings the various tracks would be ideal for fitness training.
Written Jun 6, 2008
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
In its 370 years, Boston Common has served as common pasture, military drill ground and camp site, public execution site and burying ground; it should therefore come as no surprise that it still occupies an important place in Boston's culture and traditions nowadays. On sunny summer days, Bostonians flock to the city's biggest public park for a little bit of sunbathing or to cool off around the frog pond (which incidently has earned Boston the rather unflattering nickname of "frogpondium", thanks to Edgar Allan Poe).
The Boston Public Garden is located right across Charles Street and is more recent, dating back to 1869 and taking after English-style gardens. Different monuments, sculptures and other architectural and historical attractions grace this lovely wooded area of downtown Boston, including the Public Garden's famous swan boats and the "Make Way for Ducklings" sculpture, erected in honour of Robert McCloskey's popular children story set in the Public Garden.
Updated May 31, 2008
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/FreedomTrail/bostoncommon.asp
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In its 370 years, Boston Common has served as common pasture, military drill ground and camp site, public execution site and burying ground; it should therefore...
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