Best Boston Gardens to Visit in the Spring

Photo: Wally Gobetz

While the calendar may say its winter, spring is right around the corner. That means it’s time to start planning some of the best Boston gardens to visit in just a few short months.

Boston Public Garden 

Undoubtedly one of the city’s most popular gardens, Boston Public Garden truly comes alive each spring. That’s when the tulips first start blooming vibrant spring colors and the Swan Boats start operating for the season. First established in the 1800s, the Public Garden was the nation’s very first public botanical garden.

Boston Common

Even older is Boston Common, which sits just adjacent to Boston Public Garden. Created in the 1600s, it holds the distinction of being the nation’s oldest public park. While it’s a great place to stretch out on the lawn for a picnic during the spring and summer, Boston Common is also where you can access the Freedom Trail and has long hosted public assemblies and rallies. As well, Boston Common offers a Frog Pond, a tot lot, and ballfields

Arnold Arboretum

Arnold Arboretum is additionally beautiful in the springtime, especially once the cherry trees start blooming. If you’re able to visit in mid-May, the Arboretum comes alive with the annual Lilac Sunday festivities. The location is home to hundreds of lilacs, and the event offers the rare opportunity for picnicking, plus it includes some hands-on children’s programming and tours. The grounds of the Arboretum are open year-round, and admission is free.

Franklin Park

If you just want to get out and enjoy a natural setting, make time to visit Franklin Park. This is the city’s largest open space and is sometimes called Boston’s “country park”. At well more than 400-acres, the park features trails, fields, a cross-country course, and the zoo. Springtime is an especially fun time to visit the park when some of park begins to bloom.