Boston Common
4.7(36,235)4.7 out of 5 stars, 36235 reviews Boston, MA
About Boston Common
Boston Common offers a unique blend of historical significance and natural beauty, making it a highly-rated destination for families. Its distinct value proposition lies in providing a free, expansive urban park where children can engage with literary landmarks (the 'Make Way for Ducklings' statues), enjoy seasonal attractions like a carousel and winter ice skating at the Frog Pond, and explore an integral part of Boston's history (Freedom Trail start) all within walking distance of other major city attractions.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for free, open-air activities with a blend of nature and history.Parents wanting iconic photo opportunities with their children.Families seeking a central point to start exploring other Boston attractions.A casual family stroll or active outdoor time (walking, potentially running).Winter visits, especially around New Year's Eve, due to the Frog Pond's ice rink transformation.
Why families love it
- Iconic 'Make Way for Ducklings' statues which are a prominent spot for children's photos and connect to a beloved book.
- The Frog Pond transforms seasonally, serving as an ice rink during colder months, offering a specific winter activity.
- A charming carousel provides a specific ride attraction for kids.
- Beautiful, well-maintained park with delightful walking paths around a pond, shaded by weeping willow trees, perfect for family strolls.
- Rich historical context with numerous statues, plaques, and its role as the starting point for the Freedom Trail, offering educational opportunities.
- Proximity to other key attractions like the Public Gardens, Charles River Esplanade, Chinatown, Quincy Market, and the Harbor area, making it a central hub for exploration.
Insider tips
- Plan to visit the 'Make Way for Ducklings' statues for memorable family photos.
- If visiting in winter (e.g., New Year's Eve), check if the Frog Pond is open for ice skating as it's a popular activity.
- Consider a leisurely walk around the pond's perimeter to enjoy the scenery and shade.
- Leverage its central location: it's a short walk to Chinatown, Quincy Market, and the Harbor, making it easy to combine with other sightseeing.
- Explore the Public Gardens and the Public Foot Bridge which are connected and offer additional beauty and activities like the carousel.
- Bring comfortable shoes for walking, as the park is large and connects to other extensive walking paths like the Charles River Esplanade.
Good to know before you go
- Do not rely solely on the Frog Pond for specific activities (e.g., wading) without checking its current seasonal status, as it can be closed or used as an ice rink depending on the time of year.
- Crowds
- Regularly busy with a nice atmosphere, suggesting it's a popular destination but not necessarily uncomfortably crowded.
- Value
- Entering Boston Common is free. Specific attractions like the carousel would likely have a small fee (not specified in reviews). The value is exceptionally high as it offers extensive, well-maintained space, historical education, and specific kid-friendly attractions at no or minimal cost.
- Food
- No specific food policy mentioned in reviews, implying general park rules; families should assume bringing their own snacks is permissible for casual visits.
- Accessibility
- Paved walkways throughout the park suggest good accessibility for strollers and wheelchairs.
- Safety
- No specific safety features like staff supervision or entry tracking were mentioned in the reviews, typical for a large public park.
What parents say
"What a beautiful part of Boston to take a stroll! There is a beautiful statue called the "Embrace" dedicated to Martin Luther King and his Coretta Scott King, in honor of their love, as Boston is where they met. The park is beautiful! One of my favorite parts is the pond. It is delightful to walk around the perimeter that is surrounded by beautiful weeping willow trees and others that tunnel sidewalks or provide shade for people to sit and enjoy the local musicians who entertain! A tour guide I heard on one of the Trolleys noted that one hasn't visited Boston if they don't take a SWAN boat"
a week ago
"It's my first time visiting this place. Beautiful well maintained park with kids friendly attractions. Definitely worth visiting. It's pretty close to China town and Quincy Market and Harbor area. It's just a short walk"
a week ago
"Boston Common is a beautiful park located near the Back Bay of Boston. We arrived at the park today to run the Boston 5k, which is where the race started. The whole event was very well done, and the new course route through the city is fantastic. This is the best 5k we have all ever ran! The bus pick up that gets you to the start of the Boston Marathon was also at this location as well. Overall, it was just a great weekend of races!"
a week ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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