Botanical Gardens
The Public Garden, established in 1837, is the first public botanical garden in the United States. Today, with its plant material chosen for ornamental excellence as well as its botanical diversity, it forms a green and flowering oasis in the heart of a great metropolis.

Boston Harbor Islands
Ferries run to the Boston Harbor Islands from May through October and activities include tours, concerts, camping, water sports and more.

Emerald Necklace
The Back Bay Fens, Riverway, Olmsted Park, Jamaica Park, Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park stretch five miles from the Charles River to Dorchester and make up over 1,000 acres of parkland.

Frog Pond
In the summer, the Boston Common's Frog Pond features a spray pool for children and in the winter a skating rink.

Swan Boats
The Swan Boats in the Public Garden are a Boston tradition.

Franklin Park Zoo
This "country park" is the largest park (527 acres) and crowning jewel of Olmsted's work here. Named for Benjamin Franklin, the park brings together rural scenery, a woodland preserve and areas for active recreation and sports. Franklin Park also has six miles of roads and fifteen miles of pedestrian and bridle paths to explore.

Scarboro Pond, Ellicot Arch and the Wilderness (part of the Necklace's historic forests) are special places to visit. The eighteen-hole William J. Devine golf-course (the second oldest public course in the nation) and the Franklin Park Zoo (added in 1911) are also favorite destinations. Schoolmaster Hill offers a spectacular view of the Blue Hills.

Historic Burying Grounds
The Historic Burying Grounds Initiative manages sixteen different burying grounds located in the City of Boston. These sites range in date from 1630 to 1841. Gravestones, tomb markers and monuments honor the many founding members of the community including Revolutionary heroes, and men and women of national and international fame.