The Esplanade is always beautiful, it doesn't matter the season. This is the perfect time of year -…read morewell now thru Fall to visit. Winter is nice too but they lock up the bathrooms which can be annoying if you're taking a super long walk and trying to stay hydrated! If you're looking for something to do on the weekend, look no further. The park is so big - you can listen to music or maybe even see a movie at the Hatch Shell, have a picnic, hangout on the dock, or even have a beer at Night Shift. Oh and if you have kids, there are a few different playgrounds. Let's not forget, it's super dog friendly. Oh and get your cameras ready for various birds and sometimes turtles in the lagoon.

The Esplanade was a revelation, one of the highlights of my trip to Boston!…read more We took the T-red, got off Charles/MGH and it was a short walk to the Esplanade, a few miles alongside Charles Rivers with beautiful views of the river, wild life, the bridge and the city! We went on a Saturday morning, locals were walking, jogging, sitting on a bench drinking their coffee. Teams were out in the water roving, a nice visual Boston cliche that you see in movies, but I got to see for real. You can walk for miles here, till you get to the BU Bridge in parallel with the beautiful houses of Beacon Hill. Nice nature, cute bridges, birds, peaceful spots to stop by and look at the water, enjoy a book or a coffee. Nice locals offered to take our photos and we enjoyed chatted with. Beautiful sculptures, clean restrooms, lots of greenery. Great spot for a picnic also. I am sure it's pretty here at sunset. I am sure they have events here as well. My husband regrets not knowing about it. He went to Boston University and walked the BU Beach and the Bridge, but wasn't aware of this part. He would have loved to come here for peaceful walks and some reading. We didn't want to leave. A must see place in Boston!

I love well planned green spaces in the central areas of big cities, some of the most famous of…read morewhich are Central Park in NYC and of course, Boston Commons. Tonight after our dinner we enjoyed walking through here and Boston Public Gardens for a good 1.5 hrs catching up with our daughter. There was a growing crowd of happy people (families and children too) cheering the Iraq World Cup team who will play their first match tomorrow against Norway here in Boston. About a dozen Boston police were watching from the sidelines on their motorbikes and I prayed all would stay peaceful. Meanwhile, pedestrians, dog walkers, families were enjoying the fresh cool evening amidst the grandiose trees, lawns, ducks, fountains, and historic statues. If you're in the area, definitely stop by, and also check out the Boston Public Gardens, which are even more landscaped and welcoming!

This review is separate from the Boston Public Gardens which is just across the street and pretty…read moremuch connected. Boston Commons is a normal urban park in some ways with a playground for kids, a pond, park benches, a carousel, baseball stadium, and food vendors. It's also part historic park with monuments including one of the 54th Civil War all black regiment, a plaque saying this is the oldest park in America and others. It's also a part of the Freedom Trail. There's also a small cemetery in the park. The park is both busy and relaxing. It's smaller than I expected but that may just be because it felt like I went through it quickly. Time flies when you are having fun so maybe distance does too. Boston Commons is a must stop on any trip to Boston.

One of the best city gardens I've ever been! If you're a tourist in Boston, this is a must-go…read more It's free; it's near a lot of other great sites (eg Boston Common, which is right next to it) and it's free. Full of photo opportunities! Great for kids and family too. Very easy to walk around and enjoy! For children's books lovers, this is THE place to visit as it is the home of the duck family in " Make Way for Ducklings" - a classic 1941 children's picture book by Robert McCloskey about the Mallard Duck family's search for a home in Boston's Public Garden. The beautiful charcoal illustrations won the Caldecott Medal. In the garden there is a statue of Mrs. Mallard as she raises her eight ducklings (Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack)!

We entered the Boston Public Garden from the Beacon Hill area. You can tell immediately this garden…read moreis well loved. There were people strolling, sitting on benches and lying in the sun. There were also plenty of children run around playing. We passed one you woman taking pictures in a beautiful dress for her quinceañera. They were also setting up for an event, although I don't know which one. We strolled for a little while and enjoyed the green space. This garden is a nice respite in the middle of a busy city.

My daughter recommended us to visit this fantastic arboretum. It was super worthwhile! Just to get…read moreout of the city first a bit into a well-preserved and landscaped beautiful lush green space with evergreens and oaks and gardens. It's free every day! There's a visitor center, where they have clippings of flowers that are labeled for easy identification and appreciation. Also throughout the arboretum are little plaques identifying flora. We went up to see the view of Boston from Peter's Hill and walked alongside the blooming mountain laurel bushes. Walkable paths are asphalt or wood chips. We saw a wild turkey, several robins, and occasional people. Super glad we explored this wondrous place!

It's been quite some time since i stopped by the arboretum. As a kid my grandma and mother used to…read moretake us there and take photos in the summer. I have some very good child memories here. They used to have hedge? Carvings of animals and stuff which was super cool. Didn't see that today but not sure, we didn't have time to check the whole arboretum. I think this place is so cool, there's families walking, roller blading, skating, biking etc dog walking you name it. It's clean in there so please keep it that way if visiting. There are ample signs of the types of trees, plants, and different zones. Porta potty available on the paths, resting chairs, benches and even spreads for a picnic. Friend had his wedding there not long ago. Easy commute from Forrest Hills train station on the orange line and walk up the street. Multiple gates to go in from, but main gate closed to cars at 4pm i think. The arboretum is closed at dusk. Beautiful walk on a beautiful day.

Lovely park offering some lovely views of the Boston Skyline…read more Restrooms in park near the playground area. Two park-dedicated parking lots accessible from Marginal Street ONLY for park visitors. I believe the park parking lot gates are closed when the park closes, so you definitely want to make sure you leave by that time.

Best park in East Boston. Phenomenal views and lots to do. Many benches to sit, lots of paths to…read morewalk, places to sit on the grass, and even playgrounds for the kids. Plus you get to watch the planes fly by! I sat for an hour and watched boats sail along the ocean. Then my boyfriend and I walked around for a little while. He showed me this park as it was his favorite growing up, so I loved being able to come here with him. Free parking lot and street parking as well. Plus, close to public transportation.

This was one of the reasons I moved to Boston. During my interview, I admired how a picturesque it…read morewas to have a greenway with a body of water in the middle of the big city. Part of the Emerelad necklace, a chain of parks. Not necessarily connected but somewhat neighboring. Spread throughout Downtown, JP, Roxbury, Brookline,,,

I really large park in the middle of the city. I had a nice afternoon walk here. Would come againread more

This is the PERFECT time to visit the garden. It's in full bloom, smells and looks amazing! Someone…read morego propose there ASAP!!

I had a lovely visit here! The blooms were great today (June 15). I love that it's totally free and…read moreeven has little benches where you can sit and hang out. It's very picturesque, I'm a little sad it's not friendly but I understand.

Cool spot to hangout if u have a few down hours. Keep an eye out for their Sofar and/or Berklee…read morefree concerts and the monthly beer garden in summer. Clean and parking is a plenty in the garage which is I believe 10 bucks after 5/6pm.

It's a great space to relax, play pickleball on the new court, have dinner, chat with friends, or…read morejust enjoy some fresh air. There's couches, green spaces, activities like pickleball and bean bag toss, plus public grills to use. It's accessible from the red line and is open until 11pm during the summer. It's a nice place to get away while still being in the city. I will say of you come for pickleball, there's only one court--meaning you might have to wait to play. They do have balls and paddles to use, which is nice. Check it out!

Even in the dead of winter ,this is an exciting place to visit,…read moreIts the best air in the city a nice cardio workout in the wind , I just love the views

It can get very busy here but if you get there at a good time its nice. There is a large parking…read morelot and there is a long time resturant where you can get some basic food items. Hot dogs, fries and what not. Picnic tables and benches all around there is also multiple access points to the beach in the area. It's always a very enjoyable day when we come here.

My friend and I came here on a Saturday morning. I didn't realize there were so many parking lots…read morearound, but we parked where the GPS took us. We walked a bit to the right and there were so many dogs - it must be an unofficial dog park, or happy hour for the dogs. They were all so cute. My friend had come before so he recommend we walk to Wright's Tower since it gives a vast view of the neighboring houses and landscape but also Boston in the far distance. It was a perfect hike of about 45 minutes there, and about an hour back since we did trailblaze a bit. We were following a GPS, but there are colors and signs periodically on the trees to guide you through the trails. I wouldn't say its too scenic, but it is relaxing and the terrain is perfect, with some spots being intermediate level but mostly all of it being beginner or easy. We did see some people on bikes, and others jogging. When we got to the tower, we went inside and climbed the stairs to the top. From there, you can look out in all directions to get some really nice views. It is worth the climb. We plan on eventually going back and trying longer or more challenging trails. But overall I think it's a gem that isn't too far from the city.

Wonderful place for a nice stroll. When I went one area was blocked off but they had bright orange…read moreflags to indicate a new path. I do wish that folks that visit will do better to not litter. Found areas where beer/drink cans were discarded near some of the lakes. Overall, I will continue to visit.