Boston Public Garden and the Swan Boats: history, what to see, how to get there and tickets

The Boston Public Garden is a free city garden in downtown Boston, right next to Boston Common. The National Park Service (NPS) gives its bounds as Beacon Street, Charles Street, Boylston Street and Arlington Street. The city calls it the first public botanical garden in America. It is open every day, and from April through September the Swan Boats, run by the same family since 1877, circle its lagoon. Below: the history of the garden and the boats, what to see, how to get there, hours and prices.

History of the Public Garden and the Swan Boats

The land was once tidal marsh. According to NPS, Boston bought the land west of the Common in 1824, after Charles Street was built. Sources date the founding differently. The Friends of the Public Garden say that in 1837 a private association of seventeen Bostonians petitioned for a botanical garden on the site and that in 1838 the area was first designated as the Public Garden; boston.gov also gives 1837. NPS dates the garden to 1839, when amateur horticulturalists led by Horace Gray obtained permission to create a botanic garden. According to NPS, the project halted in 1847 when Gray lost his fortune. The Friends say that in 1852 the proprietors, short of money, returned the garden to city care.

Today's garden follows the plan of architect George F. Meacham, who won a public design competition (in 1859, says NPS) and, according to boston.gov, a $100 prize. In the 1860s a bridge designed by William G. Preston was built across the lagoon. The Friends say the garden's form, plantings and statuary still evoke its Victorian heritage. By 1880 the garden had 1,500 trees.

In 1877 Robert Paget, who held a City of Boston license for boats for hire, put the first catamaran-style Swan Boat on the lagoon. Robert and Julia were opera fans, and the Swan Boats' own site says the idea for the swan came from the opera "Lohengrin". Robert died in 1878 at 42. His widow Julia, with four children, ran the business for more than three decades. In 1914 the boats were enlarged to five benches seating 20 passengers. From 1952 Paul and Marilyn Paget led the business for over 50 years; today Lyn and Phil Paget, the fourth generation, manage it.

In 1970 residents formed the Friends of the Public Garden, which helped defeat the 1971 Park Plaza urban renewal plan and still cares for the trees and monuments. The NPS list of National Historic Landmarks gives the garden's designation as February 27, 1987, and NPS notes that it has changed little since the mid-19th century.

What to see in the garden

• The lagoon and the bridge. The pond covers six of the garden's 24 acres. The Swan Boats follow a winding course around it, and the Preston bridge crosses it.
• The Swan Boats. The fleet has six boats, the oldest built in 1910. A driver pedals the boat while passengers sit on six benches; a ride lasts 10 to 15 minutes.
• "Make Way for Ducklings". Bronze figures of Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings heading for the island in the lagoon, by sculptor Nancy Schön, based on Robert McCloskey's 1941 children's book, presented to the city in October 1987. The book itself, the Swan Boats' site notes, features the Swan Boats and a pair of mallards raising ducklings on an island in the lagoon.
• The Washington statue. By Thomas Ball, unveiled on July 3, 1869. The Friends call it the second monument to arrive in the garden.
• The Ether Monument. A granite and marble fountain honoring the discovery of ether as an anesthetic, first used in 1846 at Massachusetts General Hospital. Its date differs by source: the Friends call it the oldest monument and date it 1868, while NPS calls it the first sculpture placed in the garden, in 1867.
• Flower beds. The Parks Department greenhouses grow more than 80 species for the garden.

Boston Common next door, which boston.gov calls America's first public park (1634), has its own page on our site.

How to get to the Public Garden

The address is 4 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02116. The nearest MBTA stop is Arlington on the Green Line (B, C, D and E branches), at Arlington and Boylston streets, directly across from the garden entrance. The Swan Boats say the walk to their dock takes about four minutes. The station has elevators.

Other stations nearby: Boylston (Green Line, on the Common; MBTA says it is not accessible), Park Street (Red and Green lines) and Government Center (Blue Line). Check mbta.com for Green Line closures before you go.

For a car, the Boston Common Garage on Charles Street is the closest; the One Beacon Street Garage is another option. Street meters around the park allow two hours at most; the Swan Boats say they are free on Sundays.

Hours and Swan Boat tickets

The garden is free and open 365 days a year. The Swan Boats run only in the warm season: their site gives the standing rule as daily April through September, with exact dates set each year. Tickets are sold at the dock.

Hours and prices checked on November 5, 2026 on swanboats.com and friendsofthepublicgarden.org.

The boats are closed for the winter now, and the site says they return in April 2027. Find the new season's dates and hours on the Plan Your Visit page at swanboats.com.

Rules and tips

• Swan Boats do not run in rain, high winds or extreme heat. No reservation is needed; pay cash or card. Groups of 20 or more can book on weekdays.
• Strollers can be folded and taken aboard or left on the patio, which is not secured. Wheelchair users can transfer to the boat with staff help, and a non-motorized wheelchair can usually go in the front row if staff judge it safe.
• Animals are not allowed on the boats except service dogs. In the garden dogs must be leashed; the only off-leash areas are on the Common.
• Do not feed the birds: the Swan Boats say the city prohibits it, and the Friends ask the same.
• Not allowed in the garden: balls, Frisbees, kites, skateboards, scooters, bikes, hammocks, wading in the lagoon or fountains, alcohol. A picnic on the lawn is fine.
• Restrooms: the Friends point to the Visitor Information Center on the Common and the Frog Pond (seasonal).
• Tours: the Friends of the Public Garden offer free walking tours of the garden from May through September.

See more of the city on places to see in Boston, or read the full Boston city guide.

Questions people ask

How much does a Swan Boat ride cost in Boston?

As of November 5, 2026, a Swan Boat ticket in the Boston Public Garden costs $4.75 for adults, $4.25 for seniors 65 and over and $3.25 for children 2 to 15; children under 2 ride free. Tickets are sold at the dock for cash or card, with no reservation needed, and a ride lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

When do the Swan Boats run?

The Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden run daily from April through September. In the 2026 season they ran 10 am to 4 pm in spring and 10 am to 5 pm in summer. They do not operate in rain, high winds or extreme heat, and there are no rides in winter; swanboats.com posts the next season's dates.

Where is the Make Way for Ducklings statue?

The bronze "Make Way for Ducklings" figures are in the Boston Public Garden, next to Boston Common. Sculptor Nancy Schön made them after Robert McCloskey's 1941 children's book, and they were presented to the city in October 1987. The garden is free and open daily from 6:30 am to 11 pm.

What is the closest T stop to the Public Garden?

The closest MBTA stop is Arlington on the Green Line, served by the B, C, D and E branches. It sits at Arlington and Boylston streets, directly across from the garden entrance, and the walk to the Swan Boat dock takes about four minutes. The station has elevators.