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    Jamaica Pond

    4.6 (115 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Jamaica Pond Photos

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    John H.

    Wow, I love this park. You feel away from it all unless you walk along the perimeter with the busy traffic especially during rush hour. Wouldn't go out of your way for this, but if you are in JP dining it is a great for a pre or post stroll. Lots of people come after work hours with numerous joggers because the circuit around the two ponds. 2+ miles?

    Sail boats on Jamaica pond

    Gorgeous retreat in the middle of the city! The best kept secrete of the Emerald Necklace. If you walk around (about 1.9 miles around the pond), you will see sleeping swans and mallard ducks. The path around the ponds are beautiful as well. A great picnic spot. There are also interesting million dollar houses and condos and Mayor Curley's house across the street. You can get a nice take out meal from center street or Whole Foods near by and walk to the pond for a lovely picnic. In addition to jogging or walking, it is also a great spot for dog watching - adorable pups walking all around with friendly owners. It's our favorite park in Boston!

    Alexandra A.

    They have free street parking . You can sit on a bench or bring a blanket and sit on the grass. To relax and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the pond. The view is priceless.

    Pond
    Joyce K.

    Jamaica Pond is one of my favorite places to go running in Boston! The area feels incredibly safe and the views of the pond and wildlife are lovely. I routinely see lots of water birds like ducks and swans. My favorite time to visit is around autumn when the leaves turn. The entire loop is about 1.5 miles I'd guesstimate, so it's great for jogging and generally getting your steps in while enjoying a serene environment.

    Jamaica Pond
    Aya R.

    How does one rate a pond? Well first I'll tell the [rather brief] story of how my housemate and I got here. We were on our way to the Arnold Arboretum when my housemate looked out the window, pointed at the glistening pond, and asked, "can we go there instead?". The answer was "yes" and we were very proud of that decision. With regard to parking, be prepared to do some u-turns when searching for a spot, which you will find either along the perimeter of the pond or on an adjacent side street. The perfect amount of tree cover and sunlight made for a very pleasant jaunt around the paved pond path. It seems larger than the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, for reference, and significantly more interesting. There are exercise stations along the path to get in some sets and reps. Of note is the Jamaica Pond Bench, a design prank that I will NOT ruin for you, but rather you should find. There are also some lounge chairs overlooking the pond on one side, a boat dock, and a cute little island in the middle of the pond. Lots of adorable dogs made J Pond a full five stars. Fabulous location for a Hot Girl Walk. Must visit.

    Bea T.

    Beautiful neighborhood gem to walk around the most beautiful city pond and see beautiful scenery. People like to fish and go boating here. I think it's absolutely gorgeous. On weekends, there is an occasional jazz band. Very ideal for both residents and visitors.

    My dog in a boat!
    Theresa A.

    Love this place! You can come here to run, walk and it's beautiful! There is a 1.5 mile loop around the pond and you can see almost all the way around. The path is mostly covered in trees and there is a small path if you don't want to run on the cement. They are always hosting activities, etc to build community. You can rent a boat and just relax. They are currently doing more renovations and park improvements which is wonderful!

    Alexandra N.

    i walk or run here almost every single day. this is a great spot for getting some outdoor time in. the loop around the pond itself is exactly 1.5 miles, which makes things easy if you are measuring distance. around the pond are several other trails composing the emerald necklace, which can bring you back into boston, further into jp, or further into brookline. you will likely be able to pretend, for a moment, that you are not in the middle of the city. there are trashcans available everywhere and the boat house is open occasionally for questions and facts about the pond. for the most part, the trail is kept very clean and is relatively safe. the bathrooms have been closed at least since covid restrictions began, which makes things a little hard if you are hanging around for awhile. the "rules" are also unclear. bikes frequently are on the pedestrian only path, and despite signs and park rangers attempting to enforce a one-way loop, it's about 50/50 with direction. not a huge deal to me, and definitely worth the view. in all weather, this is a beautiful view and a great spot to exercise or enjoy the outdoors.

    Corey S.

    Beautiful for events, great atmosphere especially in the fall. I have bumped into so many people here and they all seem to be down to earth, will give the shirt off their back type of people Jamaica plain as a whole is just a wonderful place! Went here last week for a 5k Family Fun Run/walk and had a great time. There was a dance performance, food, snacks, activities, and more. Just a wonderful experience

    Robyn L.

    This is my favorite place to run in the entire Boston area -- maybe with the exception of the Charles River. I lived nearby the pond for almost five years and never got tired of circling it in almost any weather. It's 1.4 miles around and makes a decent training location if you're preparing for long road races. On really nice days it will get crowded by noon, so it's best to go out early in the morning if you are looking to do some serious, uninterrupted running. The pond itself was incorporated into Boston Emerald's Necklace park system in the late 1800s, and a boathouse was later added. If you're not into walking, running or biking, you can always take a row boat out to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The pond is surrounded by trees and green fields, as well as some big historic houses to peek at. Here's a good resource if you're interested in general J.P. history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_Plain

    Emily D.

    I don't run.. I barely like to walk.. but I like watching other people do it. This is one of the best running and walking spots in Boston and if you get tired in 5 minutes like I do.. there's plenty of benches to just chill and look at the pond. We usually drive to the pond and parking can be a little tricky at times. It can get packed during the summer. We've even rented row boats and rowed across the pond. (Is that how you say it? row across the pond? *shrug*) I think it was $5 the last time we rented them. Good times. :)

    Kevin L.

    I've been coming to Jamaica Pond for a few years for my runs and it's easily my favorite running destination and path. The pond itself is about 1.5 miles (hardly considered a "pond") and it has a very scenic and nature-y route. The pond is always a great destination to just chill, walk, run, bike, go on a date and anything else you can think of outdoors! I absolutely love it there and it's a nice getaway from the busyness of the city. Enjoy the fresh air and hope to see you there! :)

    Emily T.

    Biked here from Harvard Square on a Saturday evening. The 30-40 minute bike ride there was a lil tiring but beautiful! The pond itself is great! You can rent out boats and kayaks. Definitely the perfect place for a date. There are bathrooms and water fountains available. There were bird droppings everywhere but we eventually found a clean picnic spot.

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    not the best pond to go to in my opinion. the water is nice scenery but there is nowhere to park on a busy day if you're from out of town.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Jamaica Pond

    Review Highlights - Jamaica Pond

    It is one of the nicest, most scenic spots in boston and of course near the arboretum so you could do both.

    Mentioned in 24 reviews

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    Paddle Boston: Cambridge at Kendall Sq.

    Paddle Boston: Cambridge at Kendall Sq.

    4.3(144 reviews)
    3.7 miKendall Square/MIT, East Cambridge

    I booked a kayak at the Kendall Square location and landed here. I should have gone the other…read moredirection - the most difficult part was near this location, and I was paddling against the wind and current most of the way. Other than that, it was a great trip! It's a nice mix of peaceful trees and city views. I also paddled through a sailing team practice, which was cool. The boats were in great shape. The life jackets were showing their age, but I guess that's what you get with rentals. They estimated 1.5 - 2 hours for this trip, and it took me about an hour. I docked a star from this location, because the workers didn't really seem to know what was going on when I returned the boat. I needed to let them know I came from the other location and the responses were "that's cool" and "okay" and "I don't know what to do with that". Turns out you have to check out in a trailer at the end of the dock and tell them, but no one seemed to know. Still a great trip!

    TL;DR - Paddle Boston at Kendall Square is my go-to for kayaking on the Charles. The staff is…read morealways friendly, prices are fair, and the views of Boston and Cambridge are unbeatable. Their season passes and Fourth of July rentals make the experience even better--highly recommend! _______________________________ I love being outdoors, especially on the water, and Paddle Boston has become one of my favorite spots in the city. I discovered them shortly after moving to Boston and working in Cambridge, and it has been a go-to ever since. Their kayak rentals are fairly priced and offer an amazing way to enjoy the Charles River with unbeatable views of both the Boston and Cambridge skylines. The staff is always friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Their kayaks are perfect for the calm waters of the Charles, not overly advanced but not basic either, just right for a relaxing paddle. I also love that they offer season passes for frequent paddlers and special rentals for the Fourth of July Boston Pops Fireworks, which is truly the best way to experience the show. While I typically take the T to get there, parking nearby on Main Street has never been an issue. If you are looking for a fun and easy outdoor activity in the city, I highly recommend Paddle Boston at Kendall Square.

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    Paddle Boston: Cambridge at Kendall Sq.
    Paddle Boston: Cambridge at Kendall Sq.
    Paddle Boston: Cambridge at Kendall Sq.

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    Charles Riverboat - An intimate surprise engagement aboard Happy in Boston Harbor.
 @jasoncoreyphoto

    Charles Riverboat

    4.4(151 reviews)
    4.2 miEast Cambridge

    We had a good experience with charles river cruise in our recent trip to Boston. The boat dock was…read morenext to a shopping mall with access to restroom, dining options and various shops. The receptionist was friendly. The tour guide was phenomenal. Bearing a great, easygoing and a bit sarcastic personality, she was engaging, knowledgeable, funny and honest about her delivery. I learned a few things about the city and the famous schools from her personal opinion. Very steady and peaceful ride. Clean and well-maintained boat with a bar. Be mindful it's hot inside the boat with the scorching sun in PM so bring water, sun screen and hat, dress lightly. It was our second day in town our bodies still adjusted humidity and heat, I felt I was about to get a heat stroke. It'd be nice if they consider AC operated boat in the future.

    We took the 90-minute Charles River Tour Cruise on Friday, August 1st--our first time using Charles…read moreRiver Boat Company. The views were nice, but the experience turned sour quickly due to a lack of passenger care and extremely poor customer service. Halfway through the ride, we were filming the scenery at the front of the boat when, without warning, the captain blasted an incredibly loud horn as a "greeting" to another boat far in the distance. It was completely unnecessary, and the sudden, deafening sound startled everyone around us. I almost dropped my phone into the water. We went inside for the rest of the trip because we no longer felt safe or relaxed. Later that day, we emailed the company with our concerns and offered to send them the video showing exactly what happened. They didn't care. Instead, the Director of Operations, Gibson Cushman, dismissed our complaint, quoted Coast Guard rules (irrelevant in this case), and refused a refund. He offered a credit for another cruise, which felt like a cop-out since we're not local. His response made everything worse--tone-deaf, defensive, and full of excuses. He even tried to blame us, saying passengers should expect loud horns at any time. I had ringing in my ear for 48 hours--if we'd known something like this might happen, we could've worn ear protection. Overall, it was a stressful and disappointing experience. Their focus clearly isn't on guest satisfaction or safety--only on covering themselves. We won't be returning and wouldn't recommend them to others.

    Photos
    Charles Riverboat - An unforgettable engagement on the Esplanade, followed by a private celebration aboard our riverboat with friends and family.

    An unforgettable engagement on the Esplanade, followed by a private celebration aboard our riverboat with friends and family.

    Charles Riverboat - A waterfront wedding ceremony aboard Valiant with Rowes Wharf as the backdrop.
 @byjessherrera

    A waterfront wedding ceremony aboard Valiant with Rowes Wharf as the backdrop. @byjessherrera

    Charles Riverboat - Celebrating a little one on the way with a "Shell Be Here Soon" brunch baby shower aboard Valiant.

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    Celebrating a little one on the way with a "Shell Be Here Soon" brunch baby shower aboard Valiant.

    Boston Duck Tours - The Captain giving his speech

    Boston Duck Tours

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    2.9 miBack Bay

    We enjoyed our Boston Duck Tour earlier this month and the tour itself was amazing. Our narrator…read more(The detective?) and the driver were fantastic and our whole family was laughing the entire time. When I took my kids on the tour in 2019, I was so impressed with the professionalism of the attendants who help out beforehand. They were all wearing khakis, had their shirts tucked in, and there were no phones in sight. I remember one lovely young man who was wearing a Vineyard Vines belt and my son was obsessed with it, and he graciously told me what the print was called and I was able to purchase it for him for Christmas that year. This time around, it was shocking to me how opposite our experience was pre-tour. I recall in 2019 receiving a warm welcome walking up to the boarding location, but not this time. They were all huddled in a pile by the umbrella, and no one greeted us. I approached an employee who identified himself as a driver and instead pointed me to an attendant who could "better assist". When I asked which boat to board, we were rudely told to "Just wait here until we announce it", which felt like a big departure from the friendliness of a few years ago. The attendants themselves just looked messy, and it seems the standards went down significantly. We had so much fun on the tour itself, but the end to end of an experience is really what makes or breaks it, and the bad customer service before boarding left a sour taste in our mouths.

    Loved, loved, loved this tour! What made the tour was our announcer. Max Marshall Arch provided…read morehistorical information while entertaining us with his humor! If you plan on taking this tour, try to get on his boat - he will not disappoint! Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend if you are visiting Boston.

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    Boston Duck Tours - The original map of Boston

    The original map of Boston

    Boston Duck Tours - Inside the trolley/bus

    Inside the trolley/bus

    Boston Duck Tours - Get ready!

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    Get ready!

    Cycleboat Boston - Bar area of the boat

    Cycleboat Boston

    4.6(41 reviews)
    5.2 miCharlestown

    a BYOB Brews Cruise around Boston Harbor?! Yes, please!…read more Cycleboat Boston, based in Charlestown, is a family-owned company providing both public tours and private charters for up to 20-26 guests. Each boat has a central table with ice-filled coolers that is surrounded by 12 bike seats for passengers to pedal to power the boat but don't worry! You don't have to pedal, there is an outboard motor. And if pedaling isn't your thing at all or there's more than 12 of passengers, each boat has a comfy lounge area in the back that is set up for conversation, sipping on your drink and drinking in the views! All cruises are BYOB (cans only and no hard alcohol - a craft beer lovers dream) and you can also bring food/snacks on board! For our cruise, we enjoyed charcuterie cones from Kured.co and Scuba & I obviously had to bring along some on-theme beers including Cushnoc Brewing's 'Can't Buy Backbone' IPA, Wormtown Brewing's Summer Ale and a pounder of Montauk Brewing's Summer Ale (all purchased at Dion's in Waltham). As someone who is happiest in/on/near the water with a beer in hand and has so much pride in my city; this was a dream! I am actively looking for any excuse to get back out on a Cycleboat!

    What an AWESOME experience we had with Cycleboat Boston!!! We did an afternoon cruise on "Rosie the…read moreRiveter" and it was a blast! Our captain and his daughter were great hosts and tour guides for this group of 10 celebrating a bachelorette. BYOB and of course someone from your group gets to be DJ! Highly recommend for a large group outing on the harbor!

    Photos
    Cycleboat Boston - Pedal as much as you'd like, or sit back and relax and let the motor do the work. A Cycleboat cruise is about enjoying time on the water.

    Pedal as much as you'd like, or sit back and relax and let the motor do the work. A Cycleboat cruise is about enjoying time on the water.

    Cycleboat Boston - Cycleboat Boston owners Ed and Rosie Cardinali make every trip the best of Boston.

    Cycleboat Boston owners Ed and Rosie Cardinali make every trip the best of Boston.

    Cycleboat Boston - Whether with friends and family, or visiting the city, Cycleboat Boston is plenty of fun. All cruises BYOB - we provide ice & coolers.

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    Whether with friends and family, or visiting the city, Cycleboat Boston is plenty of fun. All cruises BYOB - we provide ice & coolers.

    Arnold Arboretum

    Arnold Arboretum

    4.8(418 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Arnold Arboretum - Fall time

    Fall time

    Arnold Arboretum
    Arnold Arboretum

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    Jamaica Pond - parks - Updated July 2026

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