Boston Common Reviews

Unfortunately our experience at Boston Common wasn’t quite what we had expected. We had heard that it was a peaceful, serene park but we encountered a lot of homeless people who were asking for money and became rude when we politely declined. I’m sure at one time it was a beautiful park, but the maintenance is sorely lacking with garbage spread everywhere and the grass was in bad shape in a lot of areas.

Watching a park full of violent homeless drug users attact tourists nightly. Staying in the area. Absolutely disgusting. Stabbing each other at 6 pm yesterday. Not a cop in sight. Good luck. Enjoy Boston

Large open green area in the heart of the city. Entertainers, crafts, music - something always going on.

Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy Boston...we loved the park, the people and the history. Smack in the middle of the city...don't miss out!

An oasis is in the city, love this park and it’s changing with the seasons.

A must see is the “make way for ducklings “ sculpture.

So much to see.

In the Heart of Boston is Boston Common. It’s the oldest city park in the US encompassing about 50 acres and originally established in the 1600s. It’s served many purposes over the years, and is currently a lovely park. Ignoring the immense history, it gives locals and visitors a great place for strolls, places for dogs to run, ponds, wide walkways, people watching and art. I’d highly recommend learning about the history of the park before visiting as it makes it so much more fascinating to understand all that’s happened in the space over the years.

Sumptuous green area with lake, wildlife and well appointed garden right by the centre of the city. Lovely in the fall sunshine.

Boston Common looks so pretty in December and snow frosted.

Ice Skating is popular on the Frog Pond and squirrels run around freely all over the park.

I’m sure there are a million warnings against this and reasons why you shouldn’t but I couldn’t help but to hand feed the inquisitive squirrels my bag of nuts bought from a park vendor. I was amazed at how friendly these little critters are!

Overall we found the park to be bustling with people and felt quite safe but it does appear to be a bit of a hang-out for the drunks/drugs around the centre bench area so just be mindful.

TIP: the original Cheers bar is located just behind the park on beacon street. Also, venue down the lanes behind Beacon St to find streets of picture perfect houses especially in the Christmas/Holiday season.

Boston Common is very iconic. This park, right in the heart of the city, is the perfect place to enjoy a little greenery without leaving downtown. The Common is beautifully maintained, with those classic Boston shade trees and well-kept lawns and gardens. I enjoyed strolling around the paths and watching others enjoying other enjoying a warm spring evening.

Very relaxing place during the day. Enjoyed walking around . Picnics and statues. A few homeless were sleeping but not any different from my home town

This is a nice, relaxing park that provides a great reprieve from all the surrounding buildings. It also has some amazing history tied to it, which is great for history buffs such as myself. There's nothing in particular that stands out and it's certainly not a must-visit location, though it's a nice place to just sit and people watch.
(5/2018)

Lots of history and all the attractions are near by. It was well kept and clean. I would visit again if I have more time.

We saw loads of the statues and spent a good part of our day walking around the common, there’s so much to see and take photos of, and so much history in the surrounding area. You have to make this part of your trip!

The wind was howling and inspired a brisk pace past the Black Friday shoppers. The edges of the pond were freezing, but the bright sun inspired us to cover most of the Common. We enjoyed the dog park and the active ice skating rink.

We visited on a lovely day. We enjoyed a nice walk around the common and took in the city views. Lots of people were enjoying a nice still throughout this park.

The area was ok, if you want to see the state building. The park next to it is more of a dog park. I suggest waking one more block to visit the Boston Public Garden which is very beautiful.

Great place to walk round especially when there are clear blue skies and it’s very cold in the winter. Good views of the surrounding buildings. There is an ice ring for those who like to slip and slide in the winter. Remember to wrap up and keep warm in the open air. Definitely worth a walk when in town. Plse like if this helped.

Took a short break here between the Black Freedom Trail tour and my own wanderings of the Freedom Trail. It's a large park full of artists playing music, food carts, runners, kids playing etc. It was great to grab a bench and just enjoy the ambiance and people watch for a bit.

A great park to spend some time enjoying the greenery. Lovely trees and something going on for everyone. Vendors selling drinks and snacks. A peaceful place in the big city.

The open area was very nice but there were many homeless people throughout the common area which made us feel very comfortable.

Lots going on at different times and very busy at weekends. Some people had music playing and there was a market on at one point. Plenty of grassy areas to sit and relax or just have a stroll around and people watch. Not as pretty as Boston Public Garden but a lot bigger.

Walked around on a beautiful Fall day. Not too crowded around 1pm on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately did see people using drugs by one of the War memorials inside the park. State House is beautiful, Frog pond was drained, food carts awful.

Boston Common is a 50 acre park in size, mostly level with two mounds. The Common is Boston's oldest park.

A partial list of memorials/monuments & sites are:
The Boston Common Tablets.
Declaration of Independence Tablets.
Soldiers and Sailor Monument-probably the tallest structure.
Boston Massacre.
Oneida Football Club Monument.
Parkman Bandstand.
Parkman Plaza-that features three stone statues that represents Industry, Learning & Religion.
Commodore John Barry, Father of the American Navy.
The children's Tagpole Playground.
There is one tennis court and a small baseball diamond.

Squirrels & birds show no fear of humans. If sitting on a bench-there are a lot of benches-eating a meal, don't be surprised if a squirrel/bird drop by for a bite. For a quick meal is McDonalds & MOOYAH Burgers & Fries & Shakes across Tremont Street, from the Boston Common Visitor Center. McDonalds only serves orders , no indoor dining.

The Commons is next to the Public Garden, separated by Charles Street.

Besides the monuments & memorials the park is good for a walk, jog or walking the dog. The walkway is a wide cement path. I watched a man & woman play ball with their dogs.

Howl long a person will visit is difficult to say. My visit lasted about 2 &3/4 hours, which included photography, reading from the memorials & a lunch break.

Parking:
The only parking is the Boston Common Garage off Charles Street , which is one way -North-Between Boyhton St.(south) and Beason(north). The garage is under ground with three levels-Top, Middle & Lower. A visitor must REMEMBER which level they parked on. I walked around for about 15 minutes before locating my vehicle.

There is NO GPS address , only 0 Charles Street. I used P.F Chang's chinese restaurant at 8 Park Plaza (Plz) at the intersection of Park & Boylster Streets. Go through the intersection onto Charles Street, with the garage's entrance on the right.

A visit is highly recommended.

Places to see, places to eat ( many places to eat) places to shop and if you have children there is a little place near the bus drop off for children to play.

Nice area. Lots of room, lots of people. My husband felt the young people sitting along the fence may have been college kids that were stoned. This was observation that was because of their behavior.
It is Boston and although it is full of school children on tours, it is a big city. There were several things that caught our eye, but nothing shocking that I would have felt the need to cover my grandchilds eyes.

Had hoped to see the Common in full Fall colours but we were too early for that (in Boston at least). And it wasn't a particularly bright day when we were there. But it was still a lovely space to walk round - squirrels, willow trees, water, greenery - and have lunch. A lovely old tree in the middle, with the hugest above-ground roots. Like Big Foot. There's something lovely about a quiet space in the middle of a busy city, especially when you can see the tall buildings all around.

The commons allow for travel through Boston without the T. Always a great shortcut to avoid parking and T stops. Allows for some sight seeing also

We cut through here on a walk to find the cheers bar . As it was early evening the people hanging about put us off having a more leisurely stroll . Would prob have been much more appealing in the daytime . The surrounding houses were architecturally beautiful

Nice green space in the middle of a busy city! I ran here in pre-dawn hours and felt completely safe. During the day, it was filled with people enjoying the park, but didn't feel overcrowded. There were several food carts and trucks during lunchtime. It's a lovely park, but not an overwhelming space that you can get lost in.

Very Nice Park city Park. Lots of green open space. Great to walk around with the family. Many of the touristy places are walking distance from the Park. Great way to spend the day

Enjoyed the Freedom Trail from here, though one of the two teens didn’t like all the walking. Pretty area, worth a visit!

I love this place when I am in Boston. It is peaceful and you can just hangout and chill. Bring a blanket, bottle of wine and a few good friends or your girl

My husband and I walked the Freedom Trail and enjoyed the entire walk until we got to Boston Common. I have visited several big cities and have never been afraid during my trips until now. We first saw a guy on the corner entering the Common hollering and harassing people. It wasn’t a big deal, because it was just one guy and we walked past him and ignored him. But, then, we turned the corner and saw what was probably 25-30 homeless who were drunk and high. My husband stopped to take a picture of the plaque explaining the history of Boston Common and I glanced over and there was a guy injecting himself with drugs in his private area!!!! After I saw that, we didn’t make eye contact with anyone and quickly got out of there. It is such a beautiful area that the public could enjoy, but local authorities clearly do not bother with dealing with the issue. If they were hanging out, smoking pot, and not bothering anyone, I wouldn’t care. But using needles and harassing people as tourists walked by, makes me feel uncomfortable and even scared. Avoid this area!!!!

Right at the end of Newbury street theres a oldest American park for Bostonians to hang arround.Families ,couples ,oldies everyone is found there along with squirrels and ducks.One has to visit it to feel it.

Such a beautiful park. A lovely, QUIET, greenspace to feel like you're outside of the city for a few moments. Honestly, one of the prettiest parks I've been to- ever.

The homeless laying all over the park in the subways on the streets. Multiple benches with used needles laying on them. People freaking out on drugs. This was not at all a place I would take my daughter's again.

Easy parking! We were worried our suburban wouldn’t fit but it did with inches to spare. People watching at its finest. Police and ranger presence. Lots of room to spread out. Many homeless people but everyone kept their distance.

So many great things to do here. Our last trip, we were just passing through on our way to the Freedom Trail (which starts here). When we were there, there was a lot of litter in the Common, but that might have been because there was a large demonstration the day before. I hope that was the reason--over all, it is one of my favorite public parks.

No trip to Boston can be complete without a trip to the Common. It is such a beautiful park that is clean and well kept. There are lots of different flowers and statues and its a great place to people watch or take a break. There is a carousel, playground, and food and drink vendors around as well.

Although we visited in winter, Boston Common is still a wonderful place to saunter through and watch all the dogs enjoying chasing the many squirrels! A lovely place to take in the atmosphere of Boston and enjoy some peace and quiet for a while.

While visiting the Back Bay area of Boston we learned a little about the history of Boston Common and that it’s the oldest city park in the US. We like Central Park and how it’s a quiet escape from city life, so we wanted to see if Boston Common was the same and it’s very similar. It’s not as elaborate nor huge as Central Park, but it’s beautiful and has a lake with nice bridges as well as paved trails and even ice skating in the winter. It’s worth coming to visit and spending time walking through!

Started the Freedom Tour here. Park seemed to be pretty safe. Had some locals hanging around but they kept to themselves. Parked seemed very clean.

Always enjoy the common. Even on a busy day a lovely place to walk. Wildlife around - lots of history and new things to see. Currently have a drift of 37,000 flags to commerate Massachusetts losses in war.

A beautiful park in the middle of the city of Boston. Easy to get to and see other historical sites. Would be a great place to take the family.

We enjoyed the beautiful park with the monuments and landscaping. Great place for a picnic while learning a little about history

Really enjoyed America's Oldest Public Park. It began in 1634. We saw the Make Way for Ducklings statues here. It is the jumping off point for the Freedom Trail (although it is possible to begin the trail at any location).
Yes, we did see many homeless while walking thru, and driving by a few times on the HOHO bus tour and Duckboat Tour. They don't seem to bother anyone, but did want to mention it. As far as children "seeing" homeless people-I personally think it is a good chance to have a conversation with your children about respecting other humans. The world could use a little more kindness and empathy.

Beautiful and we'll maintained park. We saw a lot of squirrels and ducks. Think of a small central park. Definitely worth visiting.

I visited the Common probably 10 years ago and remember really being impressed. This visit there was trash everywhere and people laying on most of the benches. There were still people out in the middle with their dogs, playing frisbee, and kicking a soccer ball around, but the trash made it rough to enjoy.

The park is huge and there is usually some sports nearby ,could go for a picnic here and good green spot in city to relax and enjoy nature

Fantastic historically significant public park that leaves a very positive feeling after spending a little time to take a stroll. Wonderfully maintained with lots of little historical points of interest. Lots of people taking advantage of the park and surrounds. Busy little squirrels everywhere and lots of dogs.
Really enjoyable stroll.

Handy subway stop brings you out onto the Common where there is a useful Tourist Information building with good toilet facilities. Shoip sells lots of usual tourist goods and has helpful staff.

Want to find a safe place for a walk/ run in Boston, this is one of the spots. Centrally located and next to the gardens. Also, wonderful to eat lunch on the bench and people watch.

Great park. We visited in November when the frog pond was being set up for ice skating which was a shame but the tadpole park is fab. By far my 3 year old's favourite park in the city.

Boston Common was the first site we visited in this great city. There's a huge underground parking lot (use Parkwhiz for great rates) where we parked our car, and it is the starting point of the famous historic Freedom Trail.
Park is pretty big with many walking trails. few kiosks selling snacks and ice cream, as well many benches to rest and soak the atmosphere.

With its manicured lawns, the Common is a place that seems to be enjoyed by both tourists and residents from throughout the city. Highly recommend it if it’s a nice day and you have some time to kill. Lots of good restaurants and shopping surround it so you can’t go wrong.

A lovely park area in Boston next to the Boston Public Gardens where you can sit down, relax and enjoy the surrounding areas where squirrels are a plenty. The Boston Public Gardens are much better though.

Lovely small park to walk through or to spend some time in. Starting (or finishing) point of historical Boston Freedom Trial. There are many cute friendly squirrels in the park.

As film fans we decided to visit Boston Common to seek out the bench from the film Good Will Hunting starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams. The park was stunning. An amazing place to go with a picnic and to sit and watch the world pass by.

When I visit a place like Common I refuse to see the homeless this is a world issue so you must expect this so for me they move to the background of a visit. I do feel for people who end up in this position.
Now to move onto my Boston Common visit it is a huge green area used obviously well by locals, as a visitor on this day the lawns were overgrown however the very next day they were out cutting the lawns.
The first thing that caught my eye was the busy squirrels omg they were up and down trees and runner from one to the other some allowed you to take their picture because they stopped and looked at you!
I liked the frog pond it would be really beautiful when you can skate on it in winter
there was a monument to the Brave men who went to war for their country
also a band pergola, my only negative was the public toilets I don't think have had an upgrade since they were built or cleaned for several days.

Beautiful to walk through. Carousel and huge splash pad for kids. We took green line in got off at Boston Gardens and lovely path through to Commons. Perfect for walking with kids as carousel and splash pad space out so nice breaks.

Share the space that Spenser loves with beautiful grass, fat happy squirrels, and people and dogs strolling everywhere and enjoying the park.

Famous for multiple reasons, this park is a must-visit. There's an old cemetery, a war memorial, a skating rink, tennis courts,... Plenty to keep one occupied.

In addition to learning something about Boston history, recent and old, it's just a lovely place to stroll.

this was a amazing park with lots to do for anyone, whether sating around and watching things going on or walking the park.

A lovely part of Boston. An area of green and peace within a compact city. It was a glorious November day when I visited which showed the common at it's best.

The park offers many things.... beautiful walkways, lawn for picnicking or reading, the swan boats in summer and the ice skating rink in winter. The statues in the park are fabulous, my favorite the George Washington riding a horse. The red line to park street is a stop that has much to do around the common as well. Great underground parking if you are driving.

Just simply relaxing. Sit on a bench or stroll. Colors were beautiful this weekend. Great place for viewing architecture, nature and history.

We visited Boston back in April and absolutely loved walking around the Common and surroundings with our kids. The flowers were very pretty. It was also amazing how close the squirrels would get to you letting you feed them. Excellent experience. Thank you, Boston.

We had a nice time wandering through the park. Our main goal was to see the Frog Pond, as it had been over 15 years since we last visited (we are from NY). We wanted to show our daughter that she had played in that as a toddler. I just love this little pond. I think it is such a clever multiseason space. The kids were having a ball splashing in the water. The lifeguards are an added bonus. On the day we visited, there was an African Festival taking place and a baseball game, so the park was very busy, but it never felt overly crowded. There are some nice places to sit under the trees and relax. The gazebo and sailor's memorial are definitely worth seeing. It was a nice way to spend a bit of time. It recommend a visit to Boston Common, especially considering its historical significance and for being the oldest public park the US. Once done here, definitely check out the Public Garden across the road. Beautiful in its own right.

Regardless of the time of day or the season, this is a required stop while in Boston. Not only do you have access to all the historical sights, but the space is adjacent to event stages, parks, and public transportation - s forget the parking.

There is a lot to see and a lot happening during an average day or weekend. for the most part its clean and not too many homeless or beggars. the dog area is kind of fun to watch folks training their dogs. the part up by Beacon Hill is the most promising.

A lot of comments about homeless people, we went through this park several times over the course of a week and didn't really see any at all. Nobody harassed us, it felt very safe and welcoming. A really pretty park that is worth going through with some sights and activities. My kids loved the little wading pool at the frog pond

We started our walk along the freedom trail at Boston Common. This worked out great with the access to public bathrooms and helpful people to point out the way. The playground was a great way for the kids to get out their wiggles before lots of history learning on the Freedom trail.

Visited on a warm Sunday , places was a hub of local activities ranging from picnics, singers, people sitting around. Walked around the common , had a snack from cafe ( including a visit from a squirrel) before going to visitor centre to commence audio self guided walking tour of Freedom Trail

Huge green area in the midst of Boston and it could have been great IF all the junkies/dealers etc was somewhere else than close to the entrance from city. Public Gardens are recommended

This is a historical park, and it is in the center of the downtown area. The small lake has duck boats, which add to the fun activities. Many people are sitting on the green lawn and enjoying the sunshine.
On the weekends, especially the summer weekends, the place is packed with people.
If you can find a weekday in the morning, it would be a great place to relax.

Lovely park during this time of the year. Great colors and lost of people around. A good break from walking around

Very nice park with a lot of historical significance. Many little points of interest to explore. Definitely a must see for anyone’s first Boston trip

This is the public space dedicated in 1634. Yes, you read that correct. There is the Public Gardens (across the street to the West) which have only been around since the 1800s. Nice wide open space. Newest piece is the MLK "Embrace" which is really cool. Kind of like the Chicago Bean. Anyways you could wander around the Commons for hours.

We walked from Faneuil Hall to Boston Common and strolled thru this large city park. Frog Lake today had no water but usually has either water or ice for ice skating. This is a large park in the city. Nice and shady which was enjoyable.

Amazing park with lots of history and things to do. This was our second time here so we just took our time walking through the gardens. We rode the carousel and there were several events happening around the park. It was a nice time just enjoying the sights and sounds.

Like everything else in this somewhat small and amazing city, this is a very well maintained park that is rich in history.
You can’t come to Boston without a stop at the Common!

Quiet retreat in the middle of the humdrum of the city. There is “Frog Pond” a large wading pool for young kids also serves as a public
skating rink in the winter months.
It served as a grazing area for cows and horses for early Boston residents
During the British occupation, British soldiers set up an encampment there until they were driven out by General Washington’s occupation of Dorchester Heights.
During their stay, they had chopped down all the trees for firewood. After their departure, John Hancock replaced all the trees at his own expense and regraded the Commons. Most of the trees are still standing there.

The gardens and the commons are restful and fun. Bring nuts to feed the friendly, if fat, squirrels. Plenty of park benches for sitting. Lots going on.

This is the place to sit and people watch. Or, dog watch. It is central to the downtown portion of Boston and is a great place to relax and enjoy a picnic meal.

We enjoyed this beautiful park! We walked around most of it. The statues are wonderful. As a fan of Robert McClosky's children's book "Make Way for Ducklings," I especially enjoyed the duck statue and the swan boat ride- now i feel like I have really experienced Boston :)

Boston Common is a very large park located in central Boston. The Granary Graveyard is located across Beacon St. Chinatown is also within walking distance. There are several confusing subway stops in the Common.
I used the Green Line. Some of the stations do not offer trains in both directions. One station did not have a ticket machine. It maybe easier to walk 1 block to the Chinatown Orange Line stop. There are plenty of benches where to rest. I recommend taking a walk on Boylston St. towards the Public Library where there are plenty of shops and restaurants.

What a great place to walk around and look at the history and beauty of Boston. No matter what time of year you can enjoy a great walk through the Commons.

My girlfriend and I visited during mid October. It was beautiful. The leaves were changing colors. People all about enjoying the area. Music playing. It was a very relaxing scene. If you like to people watch grab a cup of coffee and go on a weekend. You see everything. We loved it.

Enjoy a nice walk around the commons. Ice skate on the outdoor rink during the winter months. Ride the carousel or let the kids enjoy the playground. Beautiful trees and foliage. You can take a walking tour to learn all the history.

Come ride the carousel and splash around in the Frog Pond. Boston Common was a bit less calm and more kid focused than the Public Garden across the street.

Great park in the centre of the city. Well maintained and starting point for the freedom trail guided tours.
It was originally purchased as land for the common use of the city’s people, a concept more common in the UK, and is approx 50 acres.
It certainly felt ‘safe’ and is sometimes used for concerts during the summer.

It's a nice downtown park. Relaxing, comfortable a lot of people enjoying it. Nice place to walk through. Wouldn't make a special trip, but a good walk after lunch or dinner.

We had walked the Garden first and viewed the State House so a trip to the Common was on the cards. Lovely space with a skating rink and numerous historical statues - freedom trail goes through it too

By far one of our favorite places to visit while in Boston. I could see spending hours in this park and just enjoying the scenery. On a sunny day it feels like you're transformed back in time to where you can enjoy the peace and serenity of nature. From the rolling green hills to the lakes and bridges, the scene here is filled with beauty and history. Definitely a must stop and there are many wonderful picture opportunities as well.

This is such a nice green space for locals and visitors alike.
The day we passed through to begin the Freedom Trail there was a car show; very neat experience.

This is a nice city park. Lots of people enjoying the day. Kids playing and dogs running around. People watching.

I reserved parking at the Boston Commons a week before I was there! Glad I did, too. Completely hidden beneath the Commons in an underground garage with several access points (take a picture of where you parked and where you came out!) The Commons is amazing just to walk through the green and see the surrounding building architecture and the Swan Boats!

Beautiful green area in the centre of the city. Nicely maintained with lots of paths and gardens. Nice to be able to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city into a quiet screen area

Boston Common is a good sized park in central Boston that when we visited had an ice rink within it. It was enjoyable to walk through, and it makes for interesting people watching.

Every time we come to Boston we always go to the Commons. Its nice and relaxing to just sit and enjoy watching the ducks and people watching. Great playground for kids and plenty of space to relax as an adult!

We went through the Commons as part of a walking tour of Boston...this makes all the difference...getting the history of it and what it means to the people of Boston.....otherwise just a nice walk....... We were there during COVID and witnessed the police asking the homeless if they had masks and were ok........they were sitting around one of the fountains........fact of life in cities all around...... We could just see people from all walks of life enjoying this refuge in their bustling city.

This is a good spot to start the Freedom Trail and if you need one, there are plenty of tour guides hoping for business. We visited on a really nice day and enjoyed the park area and the pond but sadly no frogs, just some nice exhibits nearby. The Freedom Trail is easy to follow but with a lot of construction going on you need to keep a close eye on the route, we had to back track a couple of times.

Boston Common is an oasis in the middle of the city. Not only can you escape the hustle and bustle in this great greenspace, but you can also visit several historical monuments and sites while here.

My wife, daughter, two friends and I visited Boston Common in November 2021. And I went back two more times by myself. We visited the Boston Common Visitor Center and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. In addition we took photos of the Massachusetts State House and the Park Street Church. We started our exploration of the Freedom Trail from Boston Common. I definitely recommend Boston Common as a very nice place to walk.

It is the oldest city park not only in Boston, but in the United States, as it was inaugurated in 1634 - a beautiful park and also the beginning of the Freedom Trail, a 4 km long sightseeing route across Boston.

Starting at the beginning of the Freedom Trail where it all began many, many, many years ago in 1635.

Sitting on a park bench, closing my eyes, I can imagine hearing the cows mooing in the green pasture field, seeing the early settlers enjoying the common, and hearing the volunteers soldiers vocal commands during their training; and now, hearing the joys of laughter of kids on the playground, seeing the elderly enjoying the beauties of nature, and hearing all folks chattering away in the sunshine

What a wonderful place. I’m glad I started here at the COMMON FOR EVERYONE at the Boston Common.

A perfect place for family, couples or solo. Lovely lush green, great atmosphere with a lido also and place for the little ones to play. Plenty of benches or just laze on the grass and take in the beautiful surroundings. So central also with drink troller carts around the entrances.

This is a relatively large park that is good for strolling but not much else to see. The "frog pond" is in name only, as the water has been drained. The Brewer Fountain at the northeast corner offers some respite but it is overshadowed by unsightly umbrellas for the food vendors.

Boston Common's was nice to begin our Freedom Trail walk and certainly a beautiful park. We took in the sites of the monument, the water and of course those frogs. My husband and I are in our 50's and certainly no strangers to the ways of the world. We travel quite a bit and see the positive in everything. I would only caution one thing with this visit. We walked up to the soldiers/sailors statue and was headfirst into a very strong odor of weed and comments. Many people were sitting around and it was clear it was a mix of possibly homeless/transients/local young folks. I had no fear of the people, but the smell truly made me a bit ill to the stomach. It may have been a fluke on that day, but I wouldn't return to that SPECIFIC area of the park. Otherwise, please go and enjoy, it is a beautiful walk.

Very nice park in the heart of Boston, allowing for a peaceful walk and with excellent views of the city. From there you can go to several interesting destinations on foot, such as the State House, Boston Gardens, Commonwealth Ave or Beacon Hill.

Pretty park at the begining of the freedom trail and near beacon hill.
We went there in winter so there wasnt too much To do (there's an ice ring), but in pretty sure Its gorgeous all the other seasons

There are two parks side by side and the oddest thing is that a street separates the two and man there is a difference. This park, while attractive with flowers, seems to have on the side Tremont Street, folks that are in hardship status for what ever reason. While we were walking we had a tight grip on our purses and I made sure that the kids were walking in front of me after noticing one person who lit up a joint stare at her as we were walking by. You have others sleeping in the park. (it was early in the day about 10 a.m.) The stores doors are broken where it looks like someone was trying to break in. I was approached and asked if I had a light. Just don't let your guard down. How to improve it, I hate to say you need to remove these folks to something more meaningful if possible or amp up police presence and have them move on out.

Well kept. Clean restrooms. Pleasant atmosphere. A good place to just people watch and relax, weather permitting. People generally wearing masks. I came here after breakfast and just sat around sipping on a cup of coffee. I saw dogs on leashes.

Very beautiful landscape I went early in the day and also during the night. both experiences were really nice It was cold, but it was worth it. It was good to take beautiful pictures and walk around

Must do when in Boston. Sit and relax, Jog the park, or just people watch. In the middle of Boston so easy access to the park.

Beautiful Park, exciting with dogs, people, squirrels, etc! Public restrooms and in summer looks like that pond will be a splash park - exciting!

The monument to commemorate Robert Gould and his 54th Regiment is located in a corner of the Boston Commons opposite the Massachusetts State House. It is a huge monument - tall and wide - 11 feet x 14 feet - erected to honor the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts which consisted of black soldiers who voluntarily enlisted to fight in the Union Army under its leader, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who, in 1863, led them to take Fort Wagner in Charleston.

On the side of the monument facing the Mass State House is a bronze 3-D relief showing the marching soldiers in their uniforms and kit following the drummer while their commander, in the forefront, rides his horse. Below the relief is a Latin phrase which means that they left behind everything to save the Republic and several lines of poetry from James Russell Lowell's heartfelt poem "Memoriae Positum": Knowing that Shaw wasn't even 30 years old when this battle took place, makes his effort and unfortunate death even more poignant.

On the side of the monument facing the Boston Commons is a long inscribed statement of praise for Shaw's regiment who didn't get paid, faced enslavement if caught, were brave fighters, encouraged 150,000 blackmen to join the Union Army based on their example, and showed Americans that they too had a love of their country like white soldiers. On the bottom half of that side of the monument the names of the 54th Regiment are listed in alphabetical order. This monument was erected in 1884 after its completion by the American sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Both sides of this sobering monument are fitting obituaries for wartime heroes, not only Shaw who was a Bostonian from a distinguished family. Shaw died in that battle, but he and his valiant men are remembered long after for their fighting prowess and bravery. The 1989 movie, "Glory", is based on that attack against Fort Wagner.

Use the Park Street Train Station to get to the Boston Commons and then follow the diagonal path called, "Freedom Trail", to quickly reach this monument. The shade trees along that path provide relief from the sun.

Wonderful area to walk around, sit and have a coffee, let the kids play and just stroll. Cool bronze statues, especially The Embrace. Dedication to MLK and Mrs. King. Nice little carousel for our 3 year old.

Nice to fing a large green area in centre of Boston and lots of trees and benches to relax in. Vendors selling cold drinks which were needed on a hot day. Lake in course of being renovated which spoilt the look but still nice place to chill in between the sight seeing.

Very clear park. Grounds were neat. Good place to chill for a little bit. Sat on a bench and recharge after walking around the city.

This has always been a major open area in town. We walked all the way across it on a lovely fall day and noted the various structures and recreation facilities. Lots of people around. It is in the middle of the downtown area, served by a subway stop. Plenty of places to sit.

Took my kids to ice skate at the Frog Pond. Although it was crowded everyone was courteous and we had a very good time. The rental skates are not the greatest but you can make do with them. The rest of the Commons is a great place to walk around and then branch out to different places in the city.

I wish we had places like this back home. Its a lovely area to just lay on the grounds or walk through; sit and people watch. Even better on a fall day. Beautiful colors and leaves all around.

We walked across Boston Common every day of our visit. We were entertained by the squirrels which should have been in hibernation by late November. Some of the trees held their New England Fall leaves which was beautiful. one day the bandstand was being used by a group of 16 or so young people with their own Rap music as they danced the day away.

Lovely green expanse in central Boston. In the past a spot to turn your cows out to graze, site of public hangings, protests, speeches (one by Gorbachev), concerts (a big one by Judy Garland), ice skating on the pond in winter, lots of sports facilities, and an annual Christmas tree from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in thanks for prompt and generous help from Boston after the 1917 Halifax explosion.

Had a lovely walk through the common there are so many squirrels, highly recommend getting a coffee from starbucks just on the corner and a walk through to the monument.

The Boston common is a nice place for a relaxing walk there are lots of trees from all around the world. It has a lot of grass to sit on and chill out and people watch. We visited on memorial weekend and there was ceremony with 37,000 flags placed in the ground it was a poignant experience. The start of the freedom trail is in the park.

Boston Common public park is a wonderful public park located in the heart of the city. It can be accessed by getting down at the park street metro station. Many government buildings are located very next to it. The famous freedom trail tour of Boston starts from here. A beautiful lake adds to the glory of the park. It’s the perfect place for a stroll and relaxing day. A must visit if you are in Boston.

I like it as a way to escape traffic but not green or natural enough to compete with many e.g. European counterparts. Still would not want Boston without

In the middle of the park, it was under construction for an event. It was not possible to visit. Though, the park surrounding is nice to visit.

Lovely park in the centre of town. Very well maintained and very clean. The trees in fall are really attractive and it is a lovely place to just relax and have an easy stroll

It is so big that we didn’t get to see everything but we did ride the swan boats which was delightful. The park is very large and has lots of sculpture.

This is one of the oldest public spaces in the United States, and while today we see it as a park, its origins were so much more that makes it quintessential American. Shortly after the Puritans crossed the Charles River to form what would become the Capitol of New England in Boston, they designated the hillside on SW section of the city a "Common" area open to use by all. It was used as a public place for grazing, but soon other activities took place on the grounds.

After centuries of use, cities and the country changed and while it was never designed or designated a park, it became a great urban recreational area. Today, combined with the Public Garden and Olmstead's Emerald Necklace, it is an incredible space in the middle of the city on par with the great parks of America like Central Park, the National Mall and Golden Gate Park.

When we visited you get all the great recreational amenities of trees, plazas and public art surrounded by incredible buildings both historic and modern. Adjacent to the Common are great historic buildings like the Massachusetts State House and the Park Street Church. However, everywhere you can see the skyscrapers of the city like the Prudential Building, Hancock Tower and the Millennium Tower. In addition to baseball fields and tennis courts, the Common has some great art sculptures like "The Embrace" and the monument to the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Mass Regiment and it even has a colonial cemetery.

Again, this is part historic public space and part urban recreational area all rolled into a MUST SEE part of Boston.

We had an extra hour to spend while downtown in Boston. We went for a walk in the park on a chilly winter day. We enjoyed the trees and small hills and stopped by several sculptures in the park. An ice rink had been set up and there were people enjoying the park with their dogs or walking together. The new Martin Luther King Jr sculpture was attracting attention from a number of park goers. Several historical sites and tours are near the park as well. It’s a good place to begin exploring the center of town.

The Boston Commons is full of history - and offers SO much open (and often green) space, so it can be a great place to walk, sit, talk and relax... but not always.

Boston - like most major cities - has not done enough to address issues of homelessness and drug abuse, and in recent years, the Commons has become an increasingly popular place for groups of people facing various levels of mental health challenges and dependency disorders to hang out. I've had some great conversations with people in the Commons who happen to be homeless - or clearly using; I've also had some freaky run-ins, and been glad I didn't have my nephew with me (otherwise I would have had to try to explain why a man was screaming and clawing at imaginary bugs as we made our way through large groups of drunk men to see a fountain). I've also stopped walking through the grass because I've seen too many needles.

I feel bad that so many people have nowhere else to go and so few services, but I don't love not being able to use large parts of the park, or feeling unsafe walking through after dark.

After reading the “beautiful, peaceful place to visit” reviews on Trip Advisor, I was absolutely shocked when we arrived. There was a huge homeless population. They constantly came up to us asking for money, food or a light. When we didn’t have what they were asking for, they became very loud & vocal. Several were openly doing drugs. Two were throwing up. Park rangers were walking around asking the homeless who appeared to be convulsing or those who were asleep and not moving, if they were okay. This is NOT a place tourists should travel half way across the country to see.

I have never written a negative review but I would NOT recommend Boston Common to anyone. We travel frequently and I have never felt so unsafe & disgusted by my surroundings.

The Boston Common is quite large, we went in the Fall so got to see some of the tree being beautiful red. Make sure you see the duck and duckling statues, they seem to be a hit with everyone so it might take a little time if you want to take a photo.

It's a very large park with some historical statues to see. The path around the pond is very pretty. There are plenty of vendors to refreshments if needed. I would highly recommend a little walk around this park.

Absolutely wonderful and peaceful green space in the middle of downtown. Whether strolling the gardens, jogging, biking, or taking in the sun a must for your visit to Boston.

We were on a VERY short visit to Boston, but walked through Boston Common twice, once on our way to their fab Public Library, then on the return walk after dinner in the area around the opera house. Both walks were lovely, we appreciated the wide paved pathways and loved seeing Bostonians enjoying this amazing space, 90% with their cute puppies. Although we had heard about this park, it isn't as well known as Central Park in NYC, and of course, not has big, but still, we loved this big beautiful green space!

The biggest beautiful park in Boston.
Central Park style for walking, walking, getting lost and enjoying this beautiful green lung.

This is the heart of Boston and a unbroken trail from the start of Boston to today. It is beautiful, serene in the middle of urban noise and traffic. A trip to Boston is not complete without a stroll or two through the Common.

The Boston Common is not large but it is the first public park in America! A 48 acre park surrounded by history. This is where you start the Freedom Trail. Go to the visitors center and get a brochure or sign up for tours. The park is full of food vendors so it is somewhat chaotic. Not a peaceful park but an important park never the less.

This was my wife’s choice for things to do in Boston. It was well worth it from the Swan Boats to the “Good Will Hunting” bench it well worthwhile. I’m addition, the Common is close to many more historical sites and restaurants

Boston Common is a great place to just take some time enjoying the scenary, situated in an already beautiful part of the city, this elevates it even further.

Nice park. Squirrels were huge. Walked by a political rally one day and a road race for rare disease another day. Awesome. The make way for ducklings was great!

The trees are all lit up and it’s very pretty. It’s also fun to skate on frog pond although the lines can be pretty big but if it’s not freezing out it’s worth it.

Its no central park in terms of size. And the homless can be a little aggressive. But overall a good excuse to get some fresh air.

We walked around here looking at the statues and just enjoying the park. The only thing that made me a little sad was when I wanted to take a picture of the duck statue there was a young child sitting on it. I asked the mom politely if her child could move so I could take a picture of the ducks. This is after standing and waiting for the child to get off . Anyway, she said sure. The child refused to get off and the Dad said " Our son doesn't want to get off". I just turned and walked away. Why are people so rude? The rest of the park was very enjoyable and beautiful!

Visited during a quick city break to Boston. Nice place to visit at any time of the day. We went in early evening and had a great stroll through the parks, Nice to see the Christmas lights up - added a really nice feel to the whole area.

It's a nice park to start your journey on the Freedom Trail. The Visitor Center is there and people are very nice and helpful. We walked the park a bit and found it relaxing. Lots of people were out on a chilly weekday afternoon enjoying the outdoors. Definitely worth a stop.

Walked the length of the Common on a lovely autumn day. Peaceful and tranquil but popular with locals and visitors.

My favourite was the busy little squirrels.

This basically a very large park. It was a very nice, a good place to walk and relax. Lots of dog walkers some dogs off the leash. There are many trees and squirrels. I recommend checking it out.

Having been here many times, I truly love Boston Common. Perfect for a picnic or a fun walk. When my son was younger, we thoroughly enjoyed the Frog Pond. Fun for parents and children alike.

This is a good place to take kids to run around in big open space and let out energy after walking around the city all day. There is one decent playground, but overall it's just a large park, nothing incredible.

This is such a nice park and in such a nice area in Boston. Easily accessible by car or public transportation. The lawn is well kept and the park is very clean; there are several food spots, a playground, clean restrooms and plenty of space to do a nice picnic with friends. Also, lots of activities to do. Definitely a nice place to hang out when the weather cooperates!

We used Spot Hero to reserve a parking space in the Boston Common underground parking. Everything you've ever heard about Boston traffic is true, it's awful, so we figured this make our life easier. Wrong. We get there, they tell us they are not accepting anything but monthly permits as they were oversold. He told us helpfully let them know, you might get your money back. WTH. We did, after considerable effort, but had to wander in horrible traffic for almost 90 minutes before we found another parking lot that was available, and it was $34 for six hours. We will never use Spot Hero again.

this was such a pretty place to visit. I especially liked the musicians that were playing and that there is a carousel in the middle of the park. the dr king memorial was a nice touch also.

The Boston Common is 40+ acres of land in the center of the city; it's the oldest public park in America. Today it is a popular gathering place for Bostonians. Along with historic and contemporary monuments are plenty of street vendors to relieve you of your hard earned dollar.
During our six days in Boston, we visited at least three times - for sight-seeing as well as people watching. On Memorial Day, 37,000 U.S. flags are placed in the Common, one for each of the service members from the Bay State who died in action in all wars since the Revolutionary War. It was a humbling sight.
The Freedom Trail starts here.

Boston common is the start of the freedom trail or where the state house is situated. It’s a nice big space that’s probably colourful when the trees are in leaf, sadly they’d all dropped so it was a bit bare. I was on my own and would not frequent here at night, there was quite a few unsavoury characters around during the day so not sure on its safety record at night. It’s a nice space to watch the world go by and had an ice rink for skating if you wish. Worth a walk through, probably nicer in summer.

The Boston Common is the start of the Freedom Trail. Unfortunately it isn't much to look at. Nice area in the middle of Boston, but no great gardens or trees.

Okay, so I enjoyed my time walking through this area. I walked through the Gardens to get here, but I preferred this park more. There is so much to see, including people watching.
There are a lot of locals, and there was something happening in almost every corner of the park. It's a nice place to kill an hour, and to stretch your legs. I spent almost a week in Boston, so I had plenty of time to see it all.
If you have limited time, it's worth a quick walk through, but you don't need to see every inch of the park.

It is a nice, clean area. I was very impressed with how safe I felt, even at night time. Go during the Christmas season to see the tree and ice skating rink. You will feel like you are in your own Hallmark Christmas movie!

The commons are great to walk through and go over the bridges and around the lake. Great photo opportunities.

A large area of green in the center of Boston where a lot of historical things happened. The Freedom Trail starts here. Mainly just a public park now.

Great park, very family friendly, good safe vibe. It was clean and great for people watching, and the leaves were changing so beautiful and colorful. No trip to Boston would be complete without walking through the park.

Love Boston Common, which is split into 2.
A brand new sculpture showing an embrace with 2 arms hugging was amazing, Frog pond with its fountain in the Summer and ice skating in the Winter. Lots of open space for sitting amongst the trees.
The second part of the parks, has monuments, lake with the famous Swan boats and bridge. The flowerbeds are in full bloom and very well kept.
This is such a great must to see whether you are a tourist or a local.

There is a lot to say about here, but all I can say is that I can't wait to be there again. I strongly believe that nobody was disappointed yesterday.

We had some time on our hands during a recent visit to Boston and decided to spend a little of it and enjoy the fresh air at Boston Common. Quite a few things to see, do, taste, etc. I'll while enjoying the outdoors.

With a great fenced in playground, a carousel, public bathrooms & frequently events or festivals this is a great place to run off your kids energy & stroll the park! We stumbled upon the Pumpkin Float festival. Kids brought their carved pumpkins & staff helped float them along the water pool on the heart of the commons. Full of locals & kids in costumes.

Such a nice place to walk around and enjoy the day. Plenty of space, interesting things to see. Nice benches to take a break and people watch. Very relaxing and peaceful spot.

One of the most famous outdoor green spaces in the United states. Beautiful grass and trees. Right next to the park street Subway station.

It was a mixed bag. The Boston Tourist Information Building had a helpful lady. Outside, demonstrations were going on. Mostly peaceful but also some violent & we decided to leave quickely.

Boston Common is a cute park that the local dogs and their owners love to use. This place has many statues and park benches that are great a little break from the busy city.

Wonderful green space in the middle of downtown. Well used by locals so dog walkers and sport players everywhere, but you can still find a quiet corner to sit down and watch the world go past.

Just a great place to walk. We started the Freedom Trail from here and so different to be surrounded by urban city and then this gorgeous calm green space. It was our first outing in Boston, set the tone.

I think we walked the entire common twice looking for Cheers. It was quiet and peaceful with lots of trees and benches to rest. A welcome additon on a hot andhumid day.

Lovely open space in the middle of the city, felt really comfortable. Helped that the weather was good, but was really impressed by the dog socialising area

We desperately needed to shade and a cold drink, so a stroll through the park down to the fountain area met our needs well. we sat and drank while a young lady played the piano nearby. it was very welcome respite from the sun and the hurly burly.

The Boston Common is basically attached to the Public Gardens. It is well worth strolling through the Common, and it is also the starting point of the Freedom Trail.

You must visit The commons if you visit Boston. Set in the expansive downtown area the common is beautiful all year round. The splendour of spring to the icy grounds in winter n the beautiful foliage in fall make sure you rake a walk here n enjoy the sights of Boston

My husband and I were here at the end of December, and it was still decorated for the holidays and very beautiful. It seemed a little like a smaller version of Central Park.

So much crazy stuff and many crazy people to see. The subway stops here were convenient and connected well.

A beautiful park, beware of the squirrels though, they are not afraid and will jump on you, as they want food and clearly people feed them.

Nothing like walking through the Commons in the Spring, Summer or Fall. Beautiful and safe place to take a family and spend time with nature in the heart of the city.

Boston Common was founded in 1634. It is a nice space in central Boston, with the Public Garden adjacent. Good to see so much green space in a big city!

This common was created in pilgrim days and has been used continuously for centuries. It is an open green space used by Bostonians for many public purposes. Walking paths, green lawns and great for people watching

Highly suggest that it is taken as part of a walking tour to maximize the experience and get the information.

I was on the Common after attending a parade for Greek Independence Day Celebration. It had been a long time since I had been there. I understand that it's a problem with having seating which might be misused in the evening hours but it just looked as if the area was missing something to make it a Special Green Space for our Historical Boston. It needs some Beautification!! I would have appreciated having some place to sit but it is a difficult situation. In the good weather it is a wonderful place to walk. I haven't been downtown around Christmas to see what lighting is there. Visitors need to definitely take a stroll through.starting at Charles Street and walking thru the center and seeing the old architecture and gorgeous State House and its Gold Dome.

Just your typical park with grassy areas and ball fields. But it is a very old park in the heart of the city so it's worth a quick trip.

A beautiful laid out park, with nice greens, sidewalks and lakes in the heart of Boston. A big "get together" place. Beacon Hill to one side and Newberry Street on the other side.

Lovely park with fountains, plantings, and lots of good people watching. Easy to get to and easy to walk around.

Beautiful Park to enjoy a great afternoon after visiting the Cheers Bar. We got to relax and enjoy the local ambiance while watching people feed the ducks.

Went to Boston for the weekend and really enjoyed it. It was My first time there. Our hotel was a block away from the park. The park had a “Central Park” kind of feel which was cool. Very nice place to walk around and sightsee and read about various historic statues.

Walked in/through here a few times during our long weekend visit. It was lovely weather and we saw a wedding party, people just lounging and enjoying, musicians, ducks... so pretty and very near our hotel.

Boston Common is interesting from a historical perspective, being America's oldest public park, but there's not a lot to see or do here as a tourist. We preferred the nearby Boston Public Garden that's full of beautiful trees and flowers. Boston Common had a lot of trash on the ground and overflowing trash cans. There is a newly unveiled sculpture called The Embrace that's worth seeing if you're in the area, but if you only have time to visit one, I'd go to the gardens instead.

Beautiful gardens. Such a relaxing space to spend some quality time with your kids. Lots of picture opportunities with the ducks and swans. We went on the swan boats which was a short ride but so much fun.

A busy and popular spot with tourists as the freedom trail starts from here. A nice wide open space to rest a while and take in the surroundings.

We loved spending some time here. We sat and walked our way around and enjoyed the history. Everything was clean and well cared for.

walked through the common in the early evening and came back through at around 7.00 p.m. but we felt perfectly safe, pretty area (there wasn't anything going on while we were there).

So many things to see in Boston. The walking tour was great as was the Boston tea party experience. Rode the hop on hop off trolley every where. It took us to everywhere we wanted to go. The guides were very informative and made the ride enjoyable. We would highly recommend a trip to Boston. There was a very noticeable police presence. We felt very safe. The people there were very pleasant and welcoming.

We spent our first couple of hour in Boston exploring this beautiful park and all that it has to offer. There's plenty to see and take in. In the Fall when we were there, the colours are absolutely amazing. The Common is pleasant for a gentle stroll and has a very chilled feel to it. Make sure to visit the Cookie Monstah truck for some of the finest cookies and ice-cream.

What a lovely space to spend a couple of hours. We loved the open air photo exhibition. We loved the diverse characters we met, but mostly we loved the friendly squirrels.

WOW, what a beautiful park in a wonderful area of Boston. It's clean, landscaped beautifully and easily accessible to anyone wanting to take a stroll, jog, run, bike ride or to have a quiet picnic.

Don’t know if it’s still there at the location near the hotels. When saw this statue it was amazing to see then it may have been taken down

Such a beautiful and relaxing park. Love the nature. Great atmosphere and good music. Highly recommended place to visit

The Boston Common is a large park by downtown Boston. When we went, there was a 10k run and seeing the participants celebrate the end of the run, we can feel that the city has a healthy vibe in it.

The park also features the iconic sclupture Embrace, which is often the subject of memes, but I think it added to the city's charatcer for me. The park is also the starting point of the Freedom Trail, and it is accessible by the T, Boston's rapid transit system.

We travel to Boston once a month and always make time to visit the commons to hand feed the squirrels peanuts. The grounds are immaculate and safe.

A very nice park where you can find shade, fountains, statues and a small lake. We saw many people exercising (mostly running). Depending on what you like to do, you can spend a couple of relaxing hours walking around or simply people watching.

Walked through here a few times getting back and forth to other places. It's a great space for a picnic, for kids to play (supervised, obviously) and to just "be". That said, it was nice to see security walking around. Yes, there are homeless people, but none of them ever approached or bothered me. In certain areas, you may get a contact buzz walking by certain groups of people...

Boston Common in the Spring is a beautiful site. Great flowering trees and tulips. Nice pathways to walk on. Ride the Swan boats if you have time. Well worth a visit in the Spring.

A great open space with lots of seating and places to sit and relax and wander through. With Beacon Hill on the top side as well as the State House

I can’t deny it, it’s absolutely beautiful in the fall. There wasn’t much activity when we were there but we mainly came for the trees anyway.

I have visited Boston Common multiple times, and I always love coming back. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful greenery make it a perfect place to relax. The small pond with geese is delightful to watch, and there are plenty of walking trails throughout the park. It is also a great spot for a picnic, especially in the evenings. During the summer, Boston Common hosts Shakespeare in the Park, which is always amazing to watch. The park is conveniently located near AMC and Red and Green Line train stations, making it easily accessible by public transport. Additionally, it is the starting point of the Freedom Trail, which is perfect for exploring more of Boston.

Boston Common was established in 1634 - America's oldest park! Here the Colonial militia mustered for the Revolution. George Washington, John Adams and General Lafayette came here to celebrate our nation's independence. In the 1860's Civil War recruitment and anti-slavery meetings were held in Boston Common. During World War I victory gardens were created. Boston Common continues to be a stage for free speech and public assembly.

The park includes ballfields, a playground for children, the Frog Pond, with ice-skating in winter, a spray pool for children in the summer, historical statues, a bandstand gazebo, and a Visitor's Center that is the point that starts you on Boston's Historic Freedom Trail! Boston Common is a must see when visiting the city.

This fantastic park has been a central meeting ground for many years, and for good reason. It's the oldest city park in the United States and includes a couple of burying grounds dating back to the seventeenth century. This park has been the location of several momentous events, including speeches by political figures and the destination of several protest marches. The Frog Pond is a good place to go ice skating in winter, and there are outdoor events here in warmer weather. It's also a great place to just hang out with friends and family.

A must see and also, a great place to start your tour of Boston by stopping in the Information Center.

It was founded in 1634 and has been the scene of public hangings, militias mustering, and it also was an old burying ground. In 1660, 4 Quakers were hung because they refused to leave the colony. In 1768, Revolutionary militia assembled and drilled here. Gorbachev spoke here. Public demonstrations (free speech is encouraged) took place here.

But on most days, the park plays host to the froggie spray pond and tadpole play yard, a merry-go-round thrills toddlers, and tourists assemble in front of the fountain for Freedom Trail tours. This is a 50-acre park with something for everyone. It was placed on the National Historic Landmark registry in 1987. What took so long?

This is a lovely park to explore. We were blessed with beautiful weather which certainly helped. This is a nice way to experience some nature within the city.

A large park in Boston's Old Town. Along with the Public Garden right next door, it serves as a recreation area for Bostonians. They say the grass is beautiful in summer, but a skating rink opens in winter.

The visitor center was very helpful. Bathrooms too! Learned later on a trolley tour that thousands are buried beneath the commons - commoners, etc. We took the T from there back to our hotel. Food vendors as well.

Beautiful area with tons of street vendors selling the local vibe. The land was beautiful. Not quite sure if it would be a great place to visit at night as we got to see a lady shooting up around lunch time right out in the open.

I simply love Boston Common. Such a nice public garden space in the middle of a big, busy city. Great at anytime of year. See the duckings, frog pond, friendly squirrels everywhere & the gorgeous lake. We sat at the bench made famous in the Good Will Hunting movie. New England is renowned for being even more gorgeous in the fall, the park is no exception at this time of year it really is beautiful. A must visit when in Boston.

Perfect place for a nice walk, resting by the lake, taking a boat or having a snack. Flower beds are stunning and the whole park is extremely well maintained.

A lovely place to stroll or sit. Very historic. Best to learn about this as part of a Freedom Trail tour.

Shocked and saddened by how much the park went down hill.
Yesterday it was full of homeless and other weirdos that were smoking pot and harassing passer-bye’s as they walked the freedom trail (me included). I can’t believe the police just let this happen, it used to be a nice park.
Definitely not family friendly.
Looks like the whole downtown area went downhill really. What a shame.

Boston Common is a central park near Tremont Street. It's historic. It is beautiful, peaceful, has pathways , flowers , Swan boats to take rides on. Benches throughout and a place to bring your entire family. It is right next to Beacon Hill. It's famous in Boston. You can get off at the Park Street subway stop , and there you are. I love it there.

Like Central Park in NYC this is a wonderful place to wander around and enjoy the peace and serenity. A boat or paddle boat ride would be awesome for families or couples.

Beautifully well maintained gardens, very central and walking distance from everything. It has sculptures and places of historic significance. The freedom trail starts here. There’s an information kiosk where they give you a map and help. They sell souvenirs here. Look for plaques and signs if you’re on a self-guided tour

We saw this big park as part of a city tour. I would have liked to stop in, but the tour director did not allow time. This is what I learned about it as we drove by: Boston Common is a large public park in downtown Boston. It is the oldest city park in the United States. Boston Common consists of 50 acres of land bounded by five major Boston streets: Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street, Charles Street, and Boylston Street. I like that there is green space in this busy city that is not blocked out by skyscrapers'
The Common is part of the Emerald Necklace of parks and parkways that extend from the Common south to Franklin Park. The Visitor’s' Center for the city of Boston is located on the Tremont Street.

Busy place especially with an event. So busy that you need a mask for safety. Great open area. Pretty plain. Nothing really special

We checked this park out while in Boston in September. The weather was still beautiful at that point so we had a gorgeous walk around. I really enjoyed it and the beautiful plants, flowers and statues. Just lovely.

Old fashioned fun , beautiful fountain, street food, people sitting enjoying family and friends, relaxed environment

Beautiful area to walk through in all seasons. It's lovely in the summer with the swan boats and during the snow in winter.

Fireworks!! If you are not a nice ght-owl, this is the place to be for an amazing fireworks display at 7pm on New Year’s Eve.

Other “first night” events take place here too duch as ice sculpures and an ice skating performance on Frog Pond.

What a beautiful relaxing place with an interesting history. The adjacent gardens are lovely and allow for rest and reflecting. The swan boats don't operate on the lake after Labor Day unfortunately.

The oldest public park in the United States, Boston Common's impact on Boston is similar to that of Central Park to New York City. i.e., you can't mention their urban landscapes without their significant green spaces coming to mind, too.

The ultimate respite, one can enter Boston Common from a number of entrances along the roads forming her boundaries :  Beacon, Boylston, Charles and Tremont Streets.  There is a also a T stop at Boylston Street.

I come here allot . This is a nice safe open space until it gets dark in my opinion . I really enjoy walking with my dog , friends or alone . It’s also great to know it’s filled with history . This is a must see if you’re visiting Boston ! It’s also free so why not !

Boston Commons is an historic park at the foot of the Massachusetts State House. It is part of the freedom trail and was "common" space for the residents of Boston since the mid-1600s.

Apart from the historical connections, this is a relatively nice urban park centrally located in Boston. We visited on a nice spring day in May and it was pleasant just to walk around.

If you are here you definitely want to cross the street to visit the Boston Public Garden just to the west (they almost look like they are both parts of the same park). Here you can see the Robert McCloskey "Make Way for Ducklings" statues and some extremely nice gardens. The swan boats on the picturesque pond also make great subjects for photos (and you can ride them, too).

Loved walking around and seeing the squirrels. Saw a homeless guy sleeping on a mattress near the visitors center! The park beautiful, lots of statues. The Christmas tree was big and beautiful.

A visit to Boston would not be complete with a walk through the beautiful park. Enjoyed by locals and tourists it takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Relax on a park bench and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Great place to people watch.

Sunny and dry yesterday so why not head into the city and see something new. Walked pretty much every path in the Common and Public Garden. 90% folks were masked, which was nice. Common is kept quite clean, part near the State House is closed, and no amenities open on New Year's Day, but plenty of free parking!

Beautiful park, and clean. Lots of folks enjoying the free, public space. There is a big shortage of both shade and benches. The park across the street has a lot of shade and many benches.

plenty to see, and do. nice park on good weather great place to walk around people watch, dog watch or just exercise.

Didn't see all but did get to the 54th Massachusetts Monument. This was an incredible bronze bas-relief done by Augustus St. Gaudens. The details are very well done, as is all of his works. Across the street, is the Massachusetts State House, a beautiful building from the outside. The Common seemed to be a very nice place to visit.

A large park area, mainly grass and trees sloping up towards the State House. There are a number of gems dotted around, the Embrace, The declaration of Independence amongst others, and don’t miss the frog pond!

Boston Commons is a great place to stretch your wings and spread out a bit. I enjoyed watching the many people who pass through or who bring their dogs to run and play. It’s a great place to meet up with people.

Centuries old park in centre of town. Beautiful for walking around. Lovely gardens with lots of people taking advantage of it.

Great park - larger than you would think since it's in the middle of the North End, but it seems to be a really popular place. Within great walking distance of the Freedom Trail and various attractions on that.

Boston Common is a must visit park while visiting the area. There is a large children's play area, a shallow children's splash pool (the frog pond), Parkman bandstand, monuments and statues galore. Plenty of grassed areas to chill out on as well as many park benches in both the sun and shade. There is a large information centre where you can pick up your FREE map of the Freedom Trail. The trail also starts from the information centre in the park, just follow the red brick path. There are also clean public restrooms here in the park too,

Beautiful spot in the midst of a busy city. People were very friendly in the area. Felt safe-during the day. Can't beat free and beautiful!

Great historical place for a walk. Don't mis the historical signs and explanations .
Don't miss this area

We stayed at a nearby hotel with our dog so I walked to the Common both morning and evening. The space could be beautiful but there’s much trash and the grass isn’t well maintained. There was a large homeless population, some of whom were very aggressive. Many police cars patrolled the park, which is the only reason I felt comfortable there at night. Many people visited in the morning to walk their dogs. I would not visit unless you had a dog. The playground and Frog Pond area was nicer than the end near Tremont Street.

Skating rink in the winter at Frog Pond. Decorated with Christmas lights. Super friendly squirrels. People walking dogs. Just be mindful of the other people around you especially at night. There were quite a few homeless around and a few psych type patients wondering around yelling odd things.

I could have spent a day in Boston Common. I fell in love with the Frog Pond ... loved the sculptures!

This was a nice surprise. During Memorial Day weekend, there is a group the emplaces 37k flags in Memorial of the service people who lost their lives during America’s Wars since the Revolution. Swan Boats, George Washington statue and more. Cheers and Beacon Hill across one of the boundary streets.

Enjoy your stroll through part of Boston that has not changed in almost 400 years. Home to several notable monuments including the 54th Massachusetts and The Embrace.

Nice open air park, with plenty of room for picnics and people watching. It was a really nice day when we were there and not too crowded for a Saturday afternoon. There was some snack vendors, and the fried dough was delicious. The fountain was pretty but not on yet, maybe too early in the season. This is a lovely place for pictures, and full of history if you want to take one of the tours. Trolley tours go by regularly.

Boston Common should not be confused with Boston Public Gardens, which is right next to it. Boston Common is more likely to have homeless hanging around that the gardens and it also has no flower displays. It is more like a city green space than the public gardens beside it.

That being said, you can easily walk around the Commons in 30 minutes, and the Commons/Public garden in an hour. It is centrally located which can make the green space a nice break from the surrounding city. Beneath Boston Common is a parking garage. The red line T also drops you off below the park.

The visitors center is nice and clean with a public restroom and souvenirs you can buy. There is also a playground for kids.

There is also to do surrounding the park so it is a good jumping off point if you want to explore the Freedom trail, walk along Boylston street etc.

The commons also has events, plays are put on here, protests are held, movie nights etc. As mentioned it is utilized best as a gathering/even space with the Gardens next door being the nice, quiet, pretty attraction. That being said, it has a few nice memorials and statues scattered around

One of the oldest parks in the United States, in the center of the city, with more than 20 hectares. At Christmas visit the ice rink. On Boylston Street, touching the park is Boston Central Cemetery

This is a small lung of nature in the middle of a city full of traffic, construction, high prices and some ugly acting people. The place allows citizens to detach from the reality of stress this city offers to them and invites them to enjoy a small moment of piece. If you are in the neighborhood go visit and take some pics, it’s worth about 1-2 hours and that’s it. Very clean and full of souls looking for a relaxing moment.

Huge park
Plenty of people about enjoying the sunshine and open spaces
Plenty of vendors etc
However, really didn’t feel that safe after dark and didn’t really want to walk through it
Might have been fine but was a bit uneasy

A great place to relax in the middle of downtown Boston. Spacious and green, surrounded by historical monuments. It’s the starting point of the freedom trail.

Boston Common is a must when you visit Boston! So peaceful! Serene, beautiful! Be sure and carve out no less than an hour to just stroll, sit, watch the squirrels and other wildlife. Lay on the grass. Watch the Brides take wedding pictures all over the place especially on Saturdays.
You will forget that you're in the middle of an urban city.

On our last day in Boston, we decided to take the T from our hotel to the historic area and happened to walk by this place. Nice place to walk around, plenty of food trucks souvenir stores and restaurants around. Plenty of tourists but a nice place to hangout and enjoy the scenery.

A lovely walk through the park was just what we needed at the end of our Freedom Trail walk. It was nice to see such open space in the middle of Boston. Lots of things to look at and enjoy throughout the park.

Boston Common is a quaint place to hang out in the summer or anytime for that matter. Nice playground for the kinds and always something to watch when sitting on one of the many benches....never mind walking about just to take a look at the many historic things in it.

Yes, this the famous Boston Common, a must visit attraction in Boston. Access is easy with public transportation and park entrance is free. There is a Visitors Center near by the metro station with additional information, maps and booklets. I recommend to read about the history of this park in advance and enjoy.

Maybe this is common (forgive the pun) but we were enjoying the grounds until we stopped to watch a group performing dance and jump moves. It became unpleasant as we were told their performance was worth $20 and if you tried to leave, they tried to publicly call you out and shame you. We gave a smaller donation under pressure and walked away but they shouted, “Is that all you got?”

Lesson learned in Boston Common!

Everyone knows about Boston Common, but its history doesn't really match the reality today. Walking through it on a Saturday morning following along the Freedom Trail, one could see it was a fairly nice green space. There were a few doubtful characters, but also a number of families out and about enjoying themselves. It is a park, albeit with a famous name.

This was not the commons I visited 10 years ago, probably it’s not a good place to visit with young children.

Walked to the common from our hotel after a little shopping. A fun run was taking place so quite busy. It was fun sitting and watching the squirrels and having a cool drink as well as all the activity.

We stayed near the Common, but what a really beautiful park it is to visit. Well maintained with lots of seats in which to relax. Very well laid out area well worth a visit.

Face it, every visitor** to Boston checks out the COMMON. So the usual reason for reading this review, to find out whether it is worthwhile, is absent. OF COURSE you will visit!
So I won’t waste time telling you how fine this spot is – I’ll confine my report to a few facts and tips:

FACTS AND TIPS
- ACCESS is a breeze – immediately EAST of DOWNTOWN BOSTON and with 2 subway stops – PARK ST (NE corner) and BOLYSTON ST (SE corner). There is a PARKING GARAGE midway on CHARLES ST, the western boundary.
- This is a pretty compact area – we are looking at 500mxX400X200. If in a hurry you can cover it in maybe 30 minutes – but the thing is there are so many extras and permanent attractions that on the other hand you could take more than half a day.
_ check online for those extras and permanents: one place easily overlooked is the VISITORS’ CENTER. which is in a bit from ¾ up FREEMONT ST (the eastern boundary).
- there was a bunch of tour guides, most in old colonial dress, leading groups around the COMMON. A long time cheapskate, I was at the time a fan of self-guided tours, but following my later visit to HARVARD++ I reckon expert local knowledge is no bad thing.
- BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN++ is immediately west of the COMMON – across CHARLES ST. I at first though this an extension of the COMMON – nup, but well worth checking.

**not only visitors, the central location and pleasant attractions make it a top destination for locals too.

++ TRIPADVISOR has separate review pages on these.

This is a beautiful open space that dates back to the colonial period. It is big and it resides right in the middle of the city, adjacent to downtown. Lots of recreation activities here, things to see. Or you can just relax in the shade.

Last year we got to Boston too early so this year we planned it two weeks later and the trees in the Boston Commons were at their height for fall colors. Crisp temperatures and no rainforest the six days we were there.

We often meet here because anyone can get to the commons by any means of trabsportation. Always a good spot i t he day

The Boston Common is a great green space in downtown. The Frog Pond is fun and there's a lot to see just walking around. Very convenient to the train and the starting point for the Freedom Trail.

Lovely park in Boston. Great to sit & people watch and get a break from the city. Quite busy with dog walkers and people doing the freedom trail, lots of nice photo opportunities.

The park looked even better than the last time I saw it which was 14 years ago. We just walked through it this time but if we had more time we would have hung out for a few hours and people watch!

If you like a park with lots of squirrels then this is the place for you. They like to pose for photos.

Boston Common is an absolute treasure in the heart of Boston, blending history, natural beauty, and vibrant community spirit. As the oldest public park in America, it’s a place where locals and visitors alike come to spend quality time and soak in the serene atmosphere. The sprawling green lawns, shaded pathways lined with towering trees, and vibrant seasonal flowerbeds make it a perfect spot to connect with nature right in the city. People of all ages can be seen enjoying the park—whether it’s families picnicking, friends tossing frisbees, or individuals reading under a tree, the Common is alive with energy and relaxation.
The iconic Frog Pond is a highlight, offering ice skating in winter and a splash pad for kids in summer, adding to the park’s year-round appeal. I love how well-maintained the grounds are, with clean walkways and plenty of benches to sit and take in the scenery. It’s also a great place for people-watching, as the park buzzes with joggers, dog walkers, and tourists exploring its historic significance. The central location makes it an ideal starting point for a day in Boston, with easy access to nearby attractions like the Public Garden and Beacon Hill. Whether you’re looking to unwind, enjoy a slice of nature, or immerse yourself in the city’s rich history, Boston Common is a must-visit destination that never fails to charm!

There is no Boston without this place! It’s paradise on earth especially on a beautiful sunny day! Don’t think just go!

Such a gorgeous space. Full of wonderful plants, ponds and trees, all of which (the trees) are beautifully identified. I could have stayed here forever.

A lot to see & do, spacious beautiful manicured grounds, easy to walk to from the middle of Quincy market just follow the red brick (small) path.

From my research, I knew that the Freedom Trail started on the Common, near the Visitors center. It would have been helpful to have directional signs for the various destinations in the Common. We had to wander for about an hour until we found the starting point since the Visitors Center wasn't open. Hint, head towards the Capitol Blg, the building with the gold dome, The Freedom Trail starts at the bottom of the steps across the street from the Capitol.

Walked around Boston Common plenty of things to see and so many squirrels running around, apparently the more squirrels the harsher the winter

A lot of the reviews here describe a well-maintained shaded park with ponds. That’s Boston Public Gardens, which is nearby, but isn’t this park. This Commons is a famous Boston location that began in 1634 as literally a common area to graze livestock.

It’s now in the heart of downtown Boston, with all that entails, namely trash strewn everywhere, vagrants and addicts on benches, people smoking different things, and a very unsafe feeling even during the day. It’s historic, it is right in front of the State House and the 54th Massachusetts sculpture, and contains the starting point of the Freedom Trail. So there is reason to come here, but no reason to linger, as it’s not pleasant.

Nice open green space with historical icons peppered throughout. Surrounded by shopping and eateries. Freedom Trail borders the park.

Maybe it was because I visited at Christmastime, I don't know, but my gosh, how charming and beautiful is this park? I spent quite a bit of time here, walking from one end to the other, and again the next day. If I wasn't a Southerner, I'd probably have tried my hand at ice skating on the frog pond...but no need to break an ankle on my trip! Haha. Go sit for a while on "Robin Williams' park bench." You can find it on Google Maps. Nothing on the bench itself, but it's where a scene from "Good Will Hunting" was filmed. I spent about a half hour just enjoying the scenery and the FAT squirrels, who will climb up in your lap!

So many different varieties of flowering trees. I can't wait to visit in a different season so I can see them all in bloom. They're all labeled, too. Kudos to whomever handles the landscaping here!

We had a few hours before we flew home, and the common provided an oasis of green in which to just relax and watch the Bostonians do there things.
Also, I have never seen to many squirrels in one place before.

When in Boston, you need to visit the Boston Commons. It is a beautiful park with rolling hills, a duck pond, a carousel, and many statues. In the summer there are the swan boats to take a ride about the duck pond. Nearby is a brass sculpture of “Make Way for the Ducklings”. The spring and summer the park is filled with multiple colored flower blooms. Near the carousel is the Frog Pond, which in the winter can become a skating rink. In the fall, the leaves on the trees change color creating a picturesque landscape.
The park has restrooms, meadows to sit in as well as park benches. It can be the home for outdoor concerts, fairs and events. It is definitely a place to see when in Boston. Also, there is a visitor center in the park, you can stop in for brochures as to what to do in the city. This is one spot where the Freedom Trail begins. You can even pick up a guide for the trail here. Take the time to enjoy.

Lovely park near the start/finish of the freedom trail. Lots of room to walk and loved seeing all the dogs walking!

Lovely great big open space in the heart of the city. Great to walk around, free and safe. You can get to most touristy places within a few minutes walk too.

Nice for a walk in the afternoon or early evening. All the trees are lit up and you can get to some of the sites, the Freedom Trail and the Trolley bus stop.

It was a perfect start to a great day! We began our freedom walk tour here. Of you’re up for it do the self guided tour. You will see so much more and it’s entirely at your own pace. Also, as you proceed you will be tempted by all the Bostonian food choices which you’ll want to experience. Finally, there is all the historic architecture to see. Tell all the squirrels you see high. They are like local celebrities. You hear a lot about the Boston ducks but you see squirrels everywhere!!!

If you are walking anywhere in downtown Boston, chances are you will run into the Boston Common park! A very gorgeous park that is clean and well kept! Tons of sweet squirrels everywhere! It was a nice place to sit down and relax after walking in Boston all day!

Any time of the year is good for visiting this park. Apart from plants and trees, squirrels are a nice part. These small friends are used to humans and they will come to your side without any problem or fear

This was the start of the freedom trail and very pretty! Lots of people with their dog playing and that was fun to watch! Also they had well kept bathrooms there which was so nice!