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Boston Public GardenvsBoston Common
Both Boston Public Garden and Boston Common are highly recommended by expert reviewers. On balance, Boston Common scores marginally better than Boston Public Garden. Boston Common ranks #12 in Boston with recommendations from 7 publications such as Fodor's, Michelin Guide and Where.
Boston Public Garden
Fodor's
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
Afar Magazine
On the Grid
Where
Time Out Afar Magazine Show All Reviews
69 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108
From $0/night
Fodor's "The central feature of the Public Garden is its irregularly shaped pond, intended to appear, from any vantage point along its banks, much larger than its nearly 4 acres." Full review
Concierge "It's one of America's most scenic public places."
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"Adjoining Boston Common, the 24-acre Public Garden provides an inviting oasis of bountiful flowers and shady trees." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The first recognized public botanical garden in America evokes a sense of Victorian style in the 21st century." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"Today it's a popular retreat, charming visitors with lush plantings, footpaths, statuary and the beloved swan boats." Full review
Afar Magazine "Boston's Public Garden is beautiful in every season. Winter provides a special opportunity to view its structural elements highlighted by a dusting of snow." Full review
On the Grid "Great spot for a picnic, enjoy a coffee, read a book or explore Boston’s history." Full review
i
Since Boston is such a walkable city, be sure to cut through on your way across town.
Where "Established in 1837, it is the country’s first public botanical garden." Full review
Time Out "The Public Garden is America's first botanical garden and a Paris park in miniature, with pathways designed for promenading, formal flower beds and a petite lagoon fringed with weeping willows" Full review
Afar Magazine "Boston is often described as a big town masquerading as a small city, and the Boston Public Garden is one of the city’s most human-scaled spaces." Full review
Boston Common Lonely Planet Fodor's Michelin Guide
Condé Nast Traveler Afar Magazine Where Afar Magazine Afar Magazine Travel + Leisure
Frommer's Show All Reviews
Tremont, Beacon, Charles, Park & Boylston Streets, Boston, MA 02108
From $0/night
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"The Boston Common has served many purposes over the years, including as a campground for British troops during the Revolutionary War and as green grass for cattle grazing until 1830." Full review
Fodor's "Nothing is more central to Boston than the Common, the oldest public park in the United States and undoubtedly the largest and most famous of the town commons." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"The Public Garden is quiet and contained, the adjacent Commons is open and bustling." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "A green, 50-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Boston, the Common is the oldest park in the United States (first laid out as a pasture for cattle grazing in 1634)." Full review
Afar Magazine "A beautiful spot to walk in all seasons, during the winter, the Frog Pond has a magical skating rink that will delight both young and old." Full review
Where "Freedom Trail attraction." Full review
Afar Magazine "The 20-hectare (50-acre) Boston Common is not only the starting point of the Freedom Trail, but also the oldest park in the United States, having been established in 1634." Full review
Afar Magazine "Summer splashing and winter skating at the Frog Pond are local traditions, and you can spend hours wandering from landmark to landmark." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Boston Common is the start of the Freedom Trail, but it's also just a beautiful place to sprawl out for the day in the summer or fall"
Boston Travel Guide
March 1, 2021
Frommer's "In 1634, when their settlement was just 4 years old, the town fathers paid the Rev. William Blackstone £30 for this property. In 1640 it was set aside as common land." Full review
