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Boston Common "The oldest public park in the country, Boston Common is a year-round gathering point for Bostonians of every stripe._x000D_ Boston United States 42.354342 -71.065578

4.33 17

Boston Common - Landmark | Outdoor Activity | Park in Boston.

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13 User Reviews

User Reviews (13)
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Ratings:

Lucas

Adriana

Jonah

Emma

Party Earth Review The oldest public park in the country, Boston Common is a year-round gathering point for Bostonians of every stripe. Founded in 1634, the fifty-acre expanse of green is a favorite hangout in warm weather, when students... ... read full review

Neighborhood:

Downtown / Financial District
Address:

151 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108

Get Directions

T Stop:

Green Line: Arlington, Boylston, Park Street
Phone:

617-426-3115
Links:
Official Website

Hours:

24/7
Recommended as:
- Day Spot
- Night Spot

First to review Jayson M.

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Boston Common Schedule of Events

May 2013

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May26Sun May 26,		2013 Memorial Day Flag Garden on Boston Common Holiday Event	Add to Calendar
May27Mon May 27,		2013 Memorial Day Flag Garden on Boston Common Holiday Event	Add to Calendar

June 2013

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Jun07Fri Jun 7, 18:00PM		2013 Boston Dyke March Special Event / Gay / Gay-friendly 6:00 pm	Add to Calendar
Jun09Sun Jun 9, 09:00AM		3rd Annual Boston Tour de Hives Cycling / Sports 9:00 am	Add to Calendar

Party Earth Boston Common Review

The Scene

"The oldest public park in the country, Boston Common is a year-round gathering point for Bostonians of every stripe._x000D_

Downtown / Financial District, Boston –

The oldest public park in the country, Boston Common is a year-round gathering point for Bostonians of every stripe.

Founded in 1634, the fifty-acre expanse of green is a favorite hangout in warm weather, when students, young professionals, and lovers show up to stroll through the picturesque Public Gardens, picnic on the grass, or laze on a swan boat in the lagoon.

Summers see flocks of young people and college coeds sunbathing or searching for relief from the heat, as the air fills with Frisbees, footballs, and notes from street musicians playing for change, while events like Boston Pride Week, Independence Day fireworks, and Shakespeare plays round out the festivities.

Sporty types can take advantage of the baseball diamond and jogging paths, or get some exercise on the Frog Pond skating rink in winter, which also makes for a great date spot.

One of the few parks that offers activities all year round, Boston Common is clearly the crown jewel in what Bostonians call their “emerald necklace” of parks.

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Tip from Emma:

If you’re looking for a fun and inexpensive winter date, just take your significant other ice skating at Frog Pond – and then top it off with a cup of hot chocolate from one of the vendors to warm up with. How romantic!

Crowd

All types of all ages.
Entertainment / Music

Sporting options include a baseball diamond, jogging paths for walking dogs and roller-blading, and ice skating at Frog Pond in winter.

Cultural events include plays presented by Shakespeare on the Common, occasional concerts by the Boston Lyric Opera, and public art installations. Boston Pride events and rallies. Street performers.
Food / Miscellaneous

Vendors sell ice cream, hot chocolate, hot dogs, and other snacks.
Prices

Ice skating $4, skate rental $8. Snacks $1–$5.

What to Wear / Dress Code

Casual.
Hot Nights / When to Go

Any warm summer day, or winter weekends for ice skating on Frog Pond.
Close By

The best way to end a day in the oldest park in the country is to have a beer or two at The Bell In Hand Tavern (45–55 Union Street), the oldest bar in the country.

Tags:: All AgesAll TypesBaseballCouplesDate PlaceDiverseFestiveFootballFreeFriendlyFrisbeeHistoricHot DogsIce SkatingPicnicSnack FoodSportsSportyStudentsSummerYoung Professionals

Boston Common User Reviews

B Meraki May 6, 2013 4.0 stars Boston's Prime Hot Spot Dates, Relaxation, and Enjoyment Hot spot for college students, The Boston Common begins to fill up during the spring time with stylish quilts and warm blankets! With grass, walk ways and just over the bridge the infamous esplanade, during the day time you can find romantic couples following the trails of the elegantly designed bridges and free spirited bostonians cuddling up on there blankets while soaking up the sun. The scenery is calming and it soothes your stresses! Couples are frequently found here because, what better way to get to know someone than on a blanket and enjoying the earths natural habitat? It’s like a fairy tale land, with good vibes and guitarist playing along the walk ways. And if it wasn’t so great there wouldn’t have been actual weddings that have happened here! It’s a big beautiful garden that carries Boston’s heart. Once you enter you don’t want to leave, and it steals your heart! The flowers that follow the path of cement, remind you of why Boston always has tourist having this be one of the top hits of their travels! During the winter it is turned into a winter wonderland with a skating rink which attracts all kids in the Boston area. Joy can be felt when you enter the commons because it is just always filled with laughter and smiles Kids, couples, and adults enjoy it! It’s the place to be through out all seasons. You can’t go wrong here and once you visit you’ll always come back. Next time you wonder where to take your bored kids, here’s the place! Next time you want to go on a romantic date without having a big bill, here’s the place! If you haven't been here, you might want to re-think your rate on the cool scale because this is the place to be.

Joseph Lee Apr 25, 2013 4.0 stars Great hub for activites or relaxation There's something about a park in the middle of a city. NYC has Central Park, Boston has the Boston Commons. What's nice about this is you have a small haven in the middle of downtown to take walks in and enjoy the nature as a getaway from the busy citylife. Also, this park is surrounded by pubs, a large Loews movie theater with IMAX, fancy French bistros, a Chinatown, and an entire street full of department stores, restaurants, and boutiques. I work near this area, and I walk through the Commons to get to bars or the movie theaters. And on special occasions, there are street performers and street food carts, so you can enjoy this place as if it were an amusement park or county fair!

Liz Zharovsky Feb 26, 2013 4.0 stars A Beautiful Park in a Smaller City Boston Common is the first place I went upon my arrival in the Greater Boston Area as a college student. It's also the place I keep going back to. In a smaller city like Boston, the park is a large and prominent feature. There are bright green trees in bloom, benches, vendors, a GREAT place for people watching, a beautiful little pond with plants wildlife. The best part of the park is that it serves as a pathway between major parts of the city. You can cut through the park on your way to Quincy Market, or just relax in the park on a beautiful day. If you enjoy being outdoors, you'll love the Common. It's clean, it's fun, it's chill, and it's the Common!

alyssacsmi823 Feb 22, 2013 4.0 stars A More Serene Version of Central Park As a New England girl, whenever I think of a central landmark in Boston, I can't help but call to mind the Boston Common. From the sprawling greens to the lagoon complete with swans (and the occasional annoying Duck Boat tours), the Commons are a central natural hub among the surrounding safari of pavement. Whether you need a break from the hustle & bustle or are just looking for a scenic cut through to your next destination, the Commons open and inviting year-round. Perfect to bring a date with a picnic or to simply chill on a lazy summer Saturday, Boston isn't Boston with out the Common.

Feb 17, 2013 3.0 stars Not so common Being from a small town in New Hampshire, traveling to Boston has always been more of a vacation rather than a day trip. The few times that I made it into the city were also times that were spent at the Boston Common. Between the rally for legalizing marijuana to ice skating in New England's finest weather, there is always something to do. Even without events going on people still find entertainment riding bike through the park as well as taking rides on the swan boats. This area has something to offer to everyone, young or old. Being from such a small town, going into Boston is usually stressful. I can say the most enjoyable thing about this busy city is the common area It's nice to know that in all the busyness there is a place I can take my friends to go and relax. There's always a place for us to have lunch, write, people watch, photograph and really just get a feel for the city.

Billy Kirland Dec 19, 2012 3.0 stars A Must Walk in Boston I spent four years in Boston as a student and found no better place to clear my mind than the Boston Common. Winter, spring, summer, or fall all you have to do is head over to the Common to get a breath of fresh air. It's different than Central Park - it's not nearly as massive, you can't really get lost - and it's not as new and clean as Millenium Park in Chicago. However, if you have enough imagination you can picture what it was like when America was just being formed. There are various plaques and memorials that are informative and interesting. Tourists and locals alike gather here. In the winter, it's a great place to go ice skating. In the summer, be sure to bring a blanket and pack a picnic. If you want to give your brain a break, it's okay to post up around a baseball field and watch a little league or recreational softball game. In the spring and fall be sure to bring an umbrella. Don't be discouraged if it's raining though. It's still a nice walk. If you get bored, you can hop on the freedom trail (a red line that runs throughout the whole city). Bring a football or your baseball mitt and a ball in the spring. No matter what season, the Common serves as a reminder of the past and nature in a city that can be tough sometimes.

ChristinaW Dec 11, 2012 4.0 stars So quaint and wonderful! I love Boston Common! I have visited friends in Boston a few times, and even when it's been chilly outside they have always taken me on a long stroll through it so I can breathe in the glory. It's no Central Park, for sure, but it is beautiful and does exactly what it is meant to do: provide a lovely area of greenery and serenity in the middle of the city. I really wish I had the opportunity to spend more time there, but visiting Boston in March isn't the best time for that kind of thing. I did spend some time in a coffee shop nearby and people-watched from inside, which was still pretty cool. This is definitely a unique kind of city park, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Boston!

tartars Dec 9, 2012 3.0 stars the place to go for green when you're in Boston I’m far from Bostonian, but there’s something lovely about the Boston Common. It doesn’t quite have the size and variety of Central Park, but it definitely has the charm. The field of green is located smack dab in its historic center, and when I was here around Christmas there were carolers set up near the church that kept trying to get us to join in! I didn’t get a chance to go ice skating, but the frost-covered pond certainly made me want to. Boston can feel a bit snobby sometimes, but Boston Common does feel like a communal park with a place for everybody.

cmchalmers Dec 1, 2012 4.0 stars Boston Oasis You absolutely can not go to Boston without going to Boston Common. It is a beautiful public park located in the center of the Back Bay and the financial district in Boston. There is lots of grass and trees and flowers. It is a great place to walk or jog or bring your dog. There are lots of fields to play sports as well. Be sure to take a ride on the swan boats. There is literally so much to do! It truly is a beautiful getaway in the heart of Boston. I most definitely recommend a visit to the Boston Common if you are in Boston.

Elizabeth Kaplan Nov 14, 2012 4.0 stars Most beautiful part of Boston This oasis located in the center of the lively Back Bay and the hustle and bustle of the financial district is the most beautiful part of the city. The bright green grass goes on as far as the eye can see and it is embellished with flowers and fountains and statues everywhere. There are always people running, on picnics, and families strolling through the gardens. I love walking through the dog parks and the fields and seeing the people of the city come to life. My childhood memories center around the Swan boats and the "make way for ducklings" statues in the commons. You cannot come to Boston without walking through the commons. There is so much to do and it is such a nice getaway from the city life of Boston. Must check it out!

jsunmatthews Sep 5, 2012 3.0 stars Boston Gem I don’t think I could live in any big city that didn’t have parks. Granted, Boston Common ain’t no Central Park, but it’s still pretty darn big, packed with amenities, and right in the heart of the city. Pretty sure it has been around since before the U.S.A. even existed. It’s a huge social center, hosting tons of events like parades, charity runs, fundraisers, theater, and much more. I go here during the blazing summer and snooze in the grass, and you’re always right near the theater district, Quincy Market, North End, and Chinatown. Apart from all the fearless squirrels and the couples taking ridiculously cheesy wedding photos, it’s perfect (seriously, dude? You want a photo of the two of you running through the grass to be on the invite? Come on, man, grow a pair!). One time we stole one of the boats in the lake. By stole I mean cut it loose and went on an intense .004 mph chase across the water. Ah, college.

Upcoming Events in Boston

May 26 2013 Spring Pops

May

26

2013 Spring Pops
Symphony
May

27

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox
Baseball
May

28

D'Angelo
Concert
May

29

Art of the White Mountains
Art Exhibit
May

30

Buckcherry
Concert

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Boston Common Landmark / Outdoor Activity / Park

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Boston Common Schedule of Events

May 2013

June 2013

Party Earth Boston Common Review

The Scene

Tip from Emma:

Crowd

Entertainment / Music

Food / Miscellaneous

Prices

What to Wear / Dress Code

Hot Nights / When to Go

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Boston Common User Reviews

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