To Do Today: Take a Ride on the Iconic Swan Boats in Boston’s Public Garden
One of the Hub’s most beloved attractions since 1877
The 15-minute pedal-powered Swan Boat ride takes passengers on a leisurely tour around the Boston Public Garden lagoon. Photo by iStock/lawrencetfay
To Do Today: Take a Ride on the Iconic Swan Boats in Boston’s Public Garden
One of the Hub’s most beloved attractions since 1877
What?
The Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden.
When?
Daily, weather permitting, Through June 20, 10 am to 4 pm; from June 21 to September 2, 10 am to 5 pm.
Where?
Boston Public Garden, 4 Charles St., Boston.
How much?
Tickets: $4.50 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2 to 15 years old, and free for children under 2 years old. Purchase tickets at the dock before boarding the boat.
Why should I go?
One of Boston’s most popular tourist attractions, the pedal-powered boats take riders on a leisurely 15-minute tour of the Boston Public Garden lagoon, offering a unique glimpse of its 24 acres of flower beds, specimen trees, and lawns.
The boats have been a Boston summer fixture since 1877. Lore has it that the boats’ founder, Irish immigrant and shipbuilder Robert Paget, was inspired by the Richard Wagner opera Lohengrin, where a knight crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan. The design of the fleet has evolved through the decades, with the oldest boat being 114 years old. The Paget family continues to operate the business.
The Swan Boats were made famous in Robert McCloskey’s beloved classic children’s picture book Make Way for Ducklings. The book has never been out of print since it was first published in 1941, and has sold millions of copies. More recently, the boats have appeared in several films, including the 2021 Netflix film Fatherhood, starring Kevin Hart.
So, hop in line, buy a ticket (no reservations necessary), and enjoy one of Boston’s most popular attractions. And it’s only a four-minute walk from the MBTA’s Green Line Arlington stop, so you don’t have to worry about the hassle of parking.
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