Boston Public Garden

You can sit and gaze over a beautifully sculptured landscape of flower beds, or examine them more closely as you travel across a perfectly laid walking path that journeys through statues, lagoons, and brilliant flower beds. Watch couples in love take their wedding pictures here on beautiful summer weekends, and don’t forget to make way for the ducklings.

This is the scene at Boston Public Garden, located across Charles Street from the Boston Common. It is one of beauty, majesty and life. The garden came to life in 1837 as the first public botanical garden in the country. It stretches across 24 acres of what was previously marsh land. The garden, with all it’s intricate paths and carefully laid out flower beds, was designed by George V. Meacham. Meacham won a public competition for designing the garden. It has since grown, and in 1895 was preserved forever as an open space for the public. The garden is protection by Boylston Street on the south, Arlington Street on the west, Beacon Street on the north, as it faces Beacon Hill.

In conjunction with Boston Common, the two parks form part of the Emerald Necklace, which is a lengthy string of parks, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The garden is perfect for some time dedicated to relaxation, or ideal for a romantic stroll. All of the plants in the gardens, small and formal, are maintained by the city and others. Among the beautiful flower beds and crystal water, artwork dots the park. Several statues pose for visitors as they stroll by, including a monument of George Washington riding a horse, as well as a statue celebrating the first use of ether as an anesthetic. Also, the setting for the popular children’s story Make Way For Duckling is the garden, and there is a sculpture of the small ducklings in the northeast corner of the park.

One breathtaking way to travel through the gardens is on the infamous Swan Boats. The ride allows passengers to view the entire garden from the serenity of the water. Join millions of others, including celebrities such as Matt Damon and Melissa Etheridge who have ridden the Swan Boats and view the Gardens from atop the calm water. Admire the park and say hello to the many swans that make their home in the gardens during the summer.

Because of the beauty the gardens encompass, many couples decide to have their wedding among the flowerbeds and clear lake. Swan Boats are also available for wedding parties and guests to ride in. For both weddings in the park and parties on the boats, reservations and permission is needed.

The Boston Public Garden is extremely easily accessible. Visitors can take the take the MBTA Green Line to Arlington Station or Boylston Station, as well as the Red Lines Park Street Station to come to the park. For those who prefer to drive, the public parking is located underneath Charles Street near the garden.

Whether you’re looking a romantic evening with that special someone, or just a day of relaxation, the garden offers a beauty that can never be matched. With so much history and majesty in one area, guests will find themselves wandering the paths for hours, in awe of the beauty.