One of the prettiest places to stop and take in all the downtown area has to offer is at the Boston Public Garden. Bordered between Arlingtonx, Beacon, Boylston and Charles Streets, the smaller sibling to the Boston Common is home to a beautiful Japanese pagoda tree and the beloved Swan Boats. Here, you can also sit on the same bench Robin Williams and Matt Damon did in the movie "Good Will Hunting." The grounds are beautifully landscaped with flowers (more than 80 species of plants are cultivated here) and paved walkways complemented by a lagoon, fountains and monuments.
Parking and public transportation at Boston Public Garden
Metered street parking is available along Arlington, Beacon, Boylston and Charles Streets. The Boston Common Parking Garage is just steps from here and offers reasonable rates for city parking. There are also two nearby public transportation stops on the Green Line MBTA subway available (Boylston and Park Street).
Best and worst time go to Boston Public Garden
Spring, summer and fall are the best times to visit the Boston Public Garden with summer months being the most popular. Since the park spans across 24 acres, it never becomes entirely congested. Lunchtime is always popular with business professionals enjoying a quick bite here.
Admission to Boston Public Garden
There is no cost for admission.
Must see/do at Boston Public Garden
One of the oldest monuments here is the 1868 Ether Fountain to honor the anesthetic discovery ether at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Another prominent statue is of George Washington, which has been a fixture here since 1869. The Swan Boats make their debut here each year in April and run daily through the end of September for a 15-minute ride in the lagoon for a nominal fee. Be sure to check out the nearby Make Way for Ducklings statues honoring the famous childhood book.
Other places to visit near Boston Public Garden
There is a September 11th Memorial Garden of Remembrance nearby created in 2014 to honor more than 200 Massachusetts killed in the terrorist attacks. There are lots of street vendors during the warmer months selling a variety of snacks and drinks. If you prefer to sit down, head over to Cheers Boston (the inspiration for the sitcom) in Beacon Hill for burgers and brews.
Insider tip for visitors to Boston Public Garden
At night, the Boston Public Garden is populated with homeless people. It is not recommended to walk alone here during the late night hours.
Author's bio: Kellie Speed is a freelance writer/editor who lives in the Boston area.