Its hard to believe something this beautiful is in a city as big as Boston is. You can walk around for hours and hours and view all kinds of Flowers and foliage (during the fall). The have a great Bonsai section and planets from all over the world. You can hike up to this one area where you see a breathtaking view of Boston or go inside the main building and learn all about the Arboretum. Best of all this place is FREE!! If you go in the month of May you'll see all kinds of Lilacs too. A visit here will make you forget all about whatever might stress you out. It's that good here. read more

I enjoy the arboretum. Great place for a run or a walk, even if you aren't into studying trees. It's amazing how quickly you can escape the city here. read more

This place is practically in my backyard. Sadly, I never spent any time here until I got a puppy. Now we're here at least once a day. It isn't uncommon to find us here 3 times a day Friday-Sunday! There are a lot of dogs and dog owners here. If you're not a dog person, you might not be so happy here. There are a lot of dogs running about off-leash, but you won't see my puppy running loose because of the close proximity to scary roads (Arborway!). There are benches, water fountains, and maps. As the puppy gets bigger, we go farther and farther. We find new things all the time! read more

Hello again, old hunting grounds! Remember me? I used to come visit you on bicycle and even on roller blades a couple of times. Well I've come back for a visit today. I am happy to share with you that you haven't change, you are still beautiful, warm and inviting, even as I walk through all over the grounds in 47 degree weather. So enjoyable to get close to your lovely trees wearing name tags and get reacquainted with them. I surely will come back for another visit when you are in full bloom. Fondly Yours, DH read more

This is my favorite place in all of Boston. Regardless of the season, it is always a beautiful walk. You can get a tremendous view of the downtown skyline, and your dog is always welcome! I like that there are paved paths that are stroller friendly, and also some dirt paths if you want to find some solitude. There are ample signs and garbage cans, and the staff maintains everything with pride. read more

Beautiful place to walk your dog or go for a walk. I visit the arboretum about once a week and always find something new to explore - we are lucky to have it in JP! read more

Harvard runs this public park / research space. A beautiful spot to visit, and a great excuse to make it to Jamaica Plain.

Really nice area to just relax and take a nice stroll. The different areas were nicely kept. You may also want to bring your camera to take some nice pictures. read more

I go on my runs here and it's always beautiful... No matter what the season or the weather. Great place to go with visitors who are in town. Lilac festival on Mother's Day is a zoo... But try going the week before (or even the day before) to avoid the crowds. My favorite area is often times desolate-- the bussey trail down by forest hills. You may as well be in Vermont or New Hampshire with how remote you feel on the dirt path. read more

This is a beautiful, serene, and romantic place to spend a few hours. I lived in Boston and there wasn't a time of year that this oasis didn't provide a relaxing place to enjoy the change of seasons. Snow on branches was a particularly beautiful sight, as was the leaves changing colors. read more

Beautiful natural park- Love the tree with fern leaves and pink hairy flowers.

I love this place! So beautiful! The array of flowers, trees, and shrubs is just wonderful. Its a great way to spend a lazy afternoon looking at nature. read more

A place in the city to worship trees, of every variety. Lilac Sunday is the best possible way to kick off spring.

Very beautiful. Don't park at the south entrance. We were away from our car for an hour mid day and our car was broken into and my back pack stolen. Bummer. Still beautiful. read more

This park is a wonderful place. Very nice to walk your on leash dog. In the Spring the lilacs are just gorgeous. If you like to go birding it is also a great place to check out. It is a beautiful place in a busy city. read more

This is a true oasis in the city. Accessible by T, the Arnold Arboretum is almost 300 acres of woods and hills close to downtown. There is a great view of the skyline from Peter's Hill and this is the closest place to escape the sounds of the city. read more

a gorgeous sprawling park that is just perfect for walks. they have about 50 different kinds of lilacs that are so fragrant and beautiful. if you get the chance, make sure you spend a weekend afternoon exploring the trails and plant life. read more

Why haven't we gone here before? I asked. It was so nice to go for a peaceful and lovely walk with our puppy here this afternoon. This will now be one of our frequented places. read more

Love this place. I used to sled and ride bikes here as a kid. I am going to take my daughter this winter!

Took my sister here when she was out from Denver. The lilacs were in full bloom and intoxicating. My 1 year old was in love with the flowers and kept blowing on them. We hiked to the top of the hill and back down coming through the bonsai garden. Loads of fun, great views and flowers and trees, and all free! read more

So beautiful!!! Great place for some fresh air and a break from the car packed streets of Boston

A paradise for dogs and people. If you're looking for a place to do some light hiking, or just spend a quiet afternoon, I highly recommend!

a fan of this park a long with how they label their plants! i love that its dog friendly! its a great surrounding!

the Arnold Arboretum. beautiful in every season. I get a lot of "use" out of living so close to the Arboretum. I run here whenever the weather permits and it is always a treat. other runners, bicyclists, and walkers/enjoyers of nature are friendly, considerate and like to share. the lilacs are particularly enjoyable, but so is the view from the top of hill. LOVE the charming Arboretum, tree zoo or not. read more

Great escape from the bustle and aesthetic ugliness of the city...a greatly appreciated oasis. I"ll have to try sledding this winter, sounds like a blast. Check it out. read more

Great place to go for a run, let the kids play, and bring the dog for some playtime. It is nice that they try to keep the paths plowed in the winter, but some spots tend to get icy on the sides of the park where the wind blows the most. Tons to do and see here in the warmer months read more

One of the finest of its kind. Fall colors were spectacular. Even the oaks were strutting their stuff. What an asset to the neighborhood! They even allow dogs, but keep them on leash. There are parts I wouldn't advise be walked alone at night, for instance near Forest Hills station. But otherwise, I felt perfectly safe walking alone. read more

If you love nature then this is the place to go! I went here about 11 years ago and I still can smell those trees! It is clean, peaceful and quiet. They have a beautiful Japanese garden and a pond. I remember it well and I truly miss it!! To bad I don't live nearby. read more

JP is quite a hike for me, but I still enjoy coming to the Arboretum on the weekends.

The Arnold Arboretum is just as good on a snowy winter day as it is in during the warm summer months. In the snow you can cross country ski and snowshoe, and in the summer you can lay out in one of the grassy areas and enjoy the quiet of this city wild spot. It's dog friendly and a great place to run too. read more

This is a beautiful place to run or even go for a walk. I love sliding when it snows and enjoy going for a run even in the winter. t s great to go with your fmily but they don t have a plauground for kids. It has a beautiful view of Boston downtown read more

This "AMERICAN" is impressed with this park. So kids can't climb the trees...waaaaaaaah. Maybe Daddy needs to get his hands out of his pockets and use his imagination and actually play with the kid. read more

The best! So beautiful, make your walking shoes on though...LOL! Such a fun day out and has a great little coffee shop by the T stop.

This place is a sparkling gem of Boston; a tree of every kind available in the North, I believe (I may be mistaken) and the grounds are meticulously well-kept. I went here on a field trip as a kid, first, and I've been back countless times since. It's beautiful in every season, perfect for a picnic, a jog, or just to read a book under a huge tree. read more

I grew up across the street. Spent most day, walking, cycling, studying the different plants. I can't say enough about the parkland. A must take. read more

Spring/Summer/Fall walk through a very interesting and beautifully landscaped guardian with well annotated species of trees (and other plants). If you have small kids you can then go to the nearby Franklin Zoo to cap off a sunny afternoon. read more

love all this green space in JP. i like to look at the bonsai's and walk to the "lookout" point. don't be afraid to venture a little farther in if you're looking for some alone time. read more

No comparison to a good European city park, but as far as Boston parks go it is not bad. It is mostly meant for elderly people to sit and admire trees and birds, and little thought went into making it a family destination, but it is a tidy park with interesting trees. read more

I sure do love the Arboretum. It's an easily accessible sanctuary from the stress of city living, and I definitely need to get out there more often. A short walk from the end of the orange line (Forest Hills) brings you to this sylvan oasis. Go for a stroll with a friend or your dog. Follow one of many paths through the trees (all with name tags) up the hills and down the dales. I know you aren't technically supposed to picnic there, but I have and it's a perfect place for it (just pick up your trash). You're also not allowed to climb the trees, but I've done that too. It's just beautiful in every season. I particularly love the lilacs and magnolias in the spring, visiting the Bonsai collection, and people watching near the pond. It's also a great place to come alone to think or read a book. Definitely one of my favorite places. For an even more peaceful place check out the Forest Hills Cemetary, which is really quite lovely. read more

The Arboretum in JP is truly a gem (no pun intended). As part of the Emerald Necklace, it really serves a need/purpose to beautify the neighborhood. I know this park well...used to live just up the street from it on Arborway, thus consider myself something of an "expert". Things to know - go only before sundown...or if you venture forth at night, go with people. When I first moved to Boston (from Nebraska...that's right, Nebraska), I was still rather freshly naive and thought to go jogging in the park in the evening...alone. Let's just say I don't recommend this. Even though I am sure I was the only person there, I still got the sense that "others" back amongst the pines were waiting to pull me into some shrubbery. But did I learn my lesson?? Hell no! I had since gone back at dusk tempting fate and each time the 'ole paranoia kicked in. But maybe it was simply that...just paranoia...but somehow I doubt it! The other thing to note is that if you go to the end of the park,(to the area with all the huge pines), and stay on the path until you reach the gate, you can leave the park, cross the street, and enter into another park-like area called Bussey Hill which is less groomed and more wild - there is even an old graveyard there randomly tucked away...which is quite interesting. So what was my point again? Yeah, the Arboretum is beautiful. Everything is labeled so you science-folk will appreciate knowing what Phylum such and such is...etc....and it's well-maintained and peaceful. When I've gone there was usually some Pan-like person playing their flute adding a little 17th century minstrel-vibe to the place too....I have yet to spy them though...not sure they're real actually....but I digress! Anywho - get thee hence!!! It's free for God's sake!!! What the hell else could you ask for??? read more