Boston Common's 44 acres of lush green space occupy the heart of the city, a fitting position for the oldest park in America.
The Common, as we call it locally, is the first stop on the Freedom Trail, Boston's signature walking path which takes you to 16 historical sites linked to the United States' fight for freedom, liberty, and human rights.
Want to Tour Boston Common?
Here are 3 popular tours that include Boston Common plus other interesting sites:
- Freedom Trail History Walking Tour - Small-group tour of iconic historical sights
- Movie Mile Walking Tour - Find out how Boston Common transforms into a movie set
- North End to Freedom Trail Food & History Tour - Food tasting along the Freedom Trail
The Common is also where you can enjoy some of the city's most popular activities and events throughout the year such as ice skating on Frog
Sometimes called "The People's Park," the Common offers a little bit of everything, including popular activities and events such as ice skating in the winter, outdoor theater on warm summer nights, tennis courts and baseball fields, significant memorials and monuments, a carousel, running paths, a tourist information center, and even its own graveyard.
Boston Common has also long been the site of protests, rallies, and celebrations. Walk by the "Speakers Corner" near the Park Street T (subway) station, and you may spot someone engaged in voicing an opinion about current topics.
Here are our top suggestions for 16 fun, memorable, and entertaining things to do on Boston Common.
Top photo: Boston Common on a November day, (c) Boston Discovery Guide
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16 Fun Things to Do & See on Boston Common
1. Explore the Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile red path past the city's most historic parts sites starts on Boston Common where the area's first English settler, William Braxton, built his log cabin and fetched his water from a nearby spring back in 1625.
After the Puritans arrived in 1630 and bought the land from Braxton, they used it as a common pasture for grazing their cows for almost two more centuries - although it did double-duty as the place where they also publicly executed heretics, witches, Quakers, criminals, pirates, and other undesirables throughout the 18th century.
After British troops occupied the city in 1768 to quell the troublesome Colonials, they set up camps across the Common. On April 18, 1775, the day before the American Revolution officially began, about 700 Redcoats started their journey to Concord to seize weapons hidden by the Patriots, which triggered Paul Revere's famous ride across the countryside.
If you take one of the popular Freedom Trail tours, the guide will tell you all of these historic events as you walk along the Trail's red path.
Freedom Trail Tours
More about Freedom Trail Tours
2. Ice Skate or Splash in Frog Pond
Frog Pond really did used to be a shallow pond, but it is now lined with concrete and is only a few inches deep. It does triple-duty as an ice-skating rink in winter, a splash pool during the summer, and a tranquil oasis with lovely fountains in spring and fall.
More about ice skating on Frog Pond and other city rinks
3. Enjoy Fall Foliage on the Common
A stroll through the Common between late September and early December gives you an easy way to enjoy fall foliage without leaving the city, thanks to the many different species of trees changing color over a long period.
For even more variety, cross Charles Street on the west edge of the Common and enjoy fall colors and fall-blooming roses in the Public Garden.
More places to see fall foliage in Boston
4. Visit the Garden of Flags on Memorial Day
Every Memorial Day, the Massachusetts Military Heroes organization plants a Garden of Flags in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Boston Common to commemorate each of the Massachusetts service members who have given their lives to defend the United States and our freedom since the Revolutionary War.
The 37,000+ flags usually go up a few days before Memorial Day and remain in place for a day or two after - find exact dates on our May events calendar.
5. Find Fun Activities for Kids
Visiting Boston Common with kids? Here's a short list of kids' activities:
- Ride on the seasonal carousel (tickets cost just a few dollars)
- Play in the Tadpole Playground - a special fenced playground with lots of equipment
- Cool off in the summer splash pool or go ice skating on Frog Pond
- March in the Duckling Day Parade (more about that in a moment) on Mother's Day
- Play with frisbees or balls
- On snowy days, slide down the hills on sleds
- Watch the Park Rangers' horses eat lunch in their temporary corral behind the Visitor Center (seasonal)
Sightseeing Tours of Boston Common & Other Top Attractions
6. Hang Out on the Common - Fun Things to Do
Despite all its layers of history, Boston Common gives you the perfect place right in the middle of the city to:
- Hang out with friends, family, or just a good book - plenty of benches, chairs, and tables make this easy to do. Bring a picnic!
- Lie on the grass - on warm, sunny days, there's nothing better.
- Kick around a soccer ball, or join one of the pick-up games - look for them on the open grassy fields near the Charles Street/Beacon Street corner.
- Play tennis - the courts are near the Boylston/Tremont corner.
- Play baseball, if the ball fields aren't occupied by regularly scheduled games.
7. Check Out All the Monuments & Memorials
Dozens of monuments and memorials scattered around the Common provide a glimpse important important as well as almost-forgotten aspects of Boston history.
See if you can find these four outstanding late 19th and 21st century monuments and memorials (location hints provided):
- The magnificent bronze relief Robert Gould Shaw Memorial by renowned sculpture August Saint-Gaudens depicts the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (featured in the 1989 movie Glory) as they marched down Beacon Street in 1863 on their way to fight for the North in the Civil War (hint: near the Beacon Street/Park Street intersection across from the Massachusetts State House)
- The soaring white granite 38' Soldiers and Sailors Monument erected in the late 1870s to honor Massachusetts soldiers and sailors who died in the Civil War - climb the hill and look at it up close to see the bas-relief carvings and inscriptions (hint: it's very tall and shaped like an obelisk - you really can't miss it)
- The ornate bronze Brewer Fountain, given to the city in 1868 and recently restored (hint: near the Visitors Center)
- The Embrace, representing the love between Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King and their presence in Boston during the 1950s and 1960s, and the 1965 Freedom Plaza, commemorating 69 civil rights and social justice leaders active in the Boston area from 1950 - 1975, installed in January 2023 (hint: look for the Parkman Bandstand)
If you're at Boston Common in May and June, look for a temporary memorial to commemorate the Native Americans who lived here as many as 5,200 years ago: a fishweir made of branches and twigs by local Massachusett and Wampanoag tribe members in collaboration with area students, similar to ancient fishweirs discovered in the area.
Out of all of Boston's numerous monuments and memorials, the temporary fishweir is the only one commemorating the area's first known Native American inhabitants. See our May Events Calendar for fishweir dates and information
More about Boston war monuments and memorials
Two Mistakes to NOT Make about Boston Common
1. Boston Common is always called "Boston Common" or "the Common." Never add an "s" to Common unless you want to make it clear that you're not local.
2. The Public Garden, the beautiful Victorian-era park across Charles Street from Boston Common is NOT part of the Common . It is home to the Make Way for Duckling Statues, beautiful seasonal plantings, its own share of monuments and memorials, and Swan Boat rides on a placid Lagoon, and well worth a visit - just don't call it "Boston Common" - or even more cringe-worthy, "The Boston Commons."
8. Go Sledding on Boston Common
A fresh snowfall, sunshine, and a sled - nothing is better than this in Boston in the winter! Although the Common doesn't have steep hills, the gentle slopes are perfect for a few hours of sledding.
9. Watch Shakespeare on the Common
A sloping area near Parkman Bandstand gets transformed into a theater under the stars when Shakespeare on the Common puts on a special production every summer.
Bring a blanket or low folding chair, and get ready for a magical evening.
10. Say "Hello" to the Horses on the Common
The six horses (and the Park Rangers who ride them) attract happy crowds whenever they pause during their patrols of Boston Common.
There's no doubt that the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit is one of the Common's most appealing sights - but they're also part of what makes this park safe because they give the Rangers a sweeping view high above the crowds. The moment an ice skater on Frog Pond takes a bad fall, or someone faints due to summer heat, you'll see a horse and Ranger gallop over to help.
Want to watch the horses having lunch? During good weather, you'll often see them munching on hay around noon in their special fenced-in space behind the Visitors Information Center.
11. Visit the Dead . . . at Central Burying Ground
Tucked away on a small rise near the Boylston Street side of the Common is the Central Burying Ground, established in 1756 when Boston's other graveyards began to run out of room.
Gilbert Stuart, remembered today for his paintings of George and Martha Washington, is the most famous person interred there.
T he cemetery also contains the remains of Tea Party and Revolutionary War Patriots, as well as British soldiers who died from disease during the British occupation of Boston and from wounds received during the Battle of Bunker Hill.
12. Watch a Parade March Past the Common
The Common's central location makes it the perfect viewing spot for several popular parades and processions. Here are some of the biggest:
- Duckling Day Parade reenacts the journey of the Mallard Family in Make Way for Ducklings and features toddlers wearing adorable yellow duck costumes
- Veterans Day Parade - actually, two parades: the official one, immediately followed by a second one organized by Veterans for Peace
- Every November a procession from Nova Scotia to Boston brings a special gift, a Christmas tree, to the Common where a special ceremony celebrates its arrival before it is erected and transformed by sparkling lights in a tree lighting ceremony marking the official start of Boston's holiday season
- Duck boat parades take place whenever Boston sports teams win national championships, such as the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, and World Series. With four winning sports teams, these parades happen fairly often. Find out more about Boston's sports teams
13. Propose on the Common at the Parkman Bandstand
Getting ready to pop the big question, and looking for a memorable spot?
Head over to the Parkman Band Stand right before twilight when the setting sun bathes it with golden light.
If you get your hoped-for answer, celebrate by having dinner in Chinatown (roughly 2 blocks away). (You'll find some of our favorite Chinatown restaurants here)
If you don't get the answer you wanted, a 10-minute walk will take you to sports bars near TD Garden, where big screens and cold brew may help take your mind off your sorrows.
14. Celebrate New Year's Eve with Ice Sculptures on the Common
Boston Common is the site of several special New Year's Eve celebrations: sparkling ice sculptures, a free ice skating show on Frog Pond, and an evening firework display.
More about First Night New Year's Eve celebrations in Boston
15. Find Out Why The Common May Look Familiar
Does Boston Common look familiar to you but you can't figure out why?
The reason is actually simple: the Common has been (and continues to be) a popular filming location for numerous movies.
To find out more, join a Movie Mile Walking Tour to learn about how movie-makers transformed the Common for films such as "Glory" as well as many others.
You'll also visit a number of other movie locations around the city and learn the fascinating stories about their transformations.
You can also choose a longer, private version of this tour which takes you to additional TV and movie filming locations. Find out more
16. Get Boston Information at the Visitors' Center on the Common
Need a free Boston map or other tourist information? Stop by the Visitor Information Center on the Common near Park Station (opposite West Street).
To get one of the free maps, you'll need to ask for it at the counter. You'll see lots of maps on the racks near the door, but those are not free. The free map shows everything you'll need, including Freedom Trail site locations.
More about where to get free Boston maps.
Where to Stay near Boston Common
You'll enjoy the best of Boston when you stay in a hotel close to Boston Common, such as the stylish Hotel AKA Boston Common:
More top waterfront hotels near Boston Common:
Check out more hotels near Boston Common & the Public Garden
Where to Eat At (& Near) the Common
You can find three tasty places to eat (not counting vendors selling hot pretzels and lemonade) without leaving the Common: Earl of Sandwich (seasonal) not far from Frog Pond and the tennis courts, food trucks from late morning - early afternoon on most weekdays near Park Station, and Frog Pond Café (don't pass up the Belgian waffles if they're available), usually open daily.
For more choices, if you're near the Beacon Street/Park Street corner, head down Beacon Street toward the waterfront. In the first couple of blocks past the intersection, you'll pass several pubs - you'll find very good casual food at all of them. Or, if you like contemporary Italian fare and love out-of the way "insider secret" type places, walk down Bowdoin Street to Grotto (37 Bowdoin; dinner every evening and lunch on Monday-Friday).
From the Tremont Street/Boylston Street corner, walk up Boylston Street and walk a block or two further to Chinatown for a huge number of options (here are a few suggestions).
From the Charles Street/Beacon Street corner, walk down Charles Street into Beacon Hill, where you'll find even more choices.
Boston Freedom Trail Sites
Boston Common | Massachusetts State House | Park Street Church | Granary Burying Ground | King's Chapel | King's Chapel Burying Ground | Benjamin Franklin Statue | Old Corner Bookstore | Old South Meeting House | Old State House | Boston Massacre Memorial | Faneuil Hall | Old North Church | Paul Revere's House | Copp's Hill Burying Ground | Bunker Hill Monument | USS Constitution
More Fun Ways to See Boston near the Freedom Trail
More Articles about Boston's Top Attractions
- New England Aquarium - Next to the whale watching cruise dock, and a top Boston attraction!
- Freedom Trail Tours - Join costumed guides as you explore Boston's walk through history
- Boston Whale Watching Cruises - See whales play in a special sanctuary beyond the Harbor Islands
- Boston Common Garage - The best (and usually the cheapest) parking garage near Boston Common and the start of the Freedom Trail
