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Swan Boats

Tourist attraction

👍👍 Very cute touristy thing to do in Boston! Walking around the public garden is beautiful and it’s only $4.50/adult to take a ride on these across the pond. It’s about a 15 minute slow ride, kids love it! Great, inexpensive activity! People often mention ride, Boston, boats, swan, pond, boat, kids, beautiful, experience, park,


Address

4 Charles St, Boston, MA 02116

Website

www.swanboats.com

Contact

(617) 522-1966

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (696 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: ride (38) Boston (30) boats (17) swan (15) pond (14) boat (14) kids (11) beautiful (10) experience (10) park (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Amanda M. 2 months ago on Google • 150 reviews New
    Very cute touristy thing to do in Boston! Walking around the public garden is beautiful and it’s only $4.50/adult to take a ride on these across the pond. It’s about a 15 minute slow ride, kids love it! Great, inexpensive activity!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 MO 1 year ago on Google • 744 reviews
    Inexpensive, no wait. The 10 minute boat ride was almost laughably boring. Hamster in a hamster wheel. Very commendable that the swan boat is operated by man power. Ours bumped into the little duck island because the peddlers were joking and not paying attention. Not very professional but was fun that they convinced us all to sing a song at the end. That was the highlight.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hilary K. 1 year ago on Google
    I hadn't been for a ride on the swan boats since I was a girl in the 1950's, and it was as magical for me as it was then. The boats glide silently through the water as they run by pedal power. The pond is in the center of the Public Garden surrounded by beautiful trees and the modern and elegant old architecture of Boston.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eliaris D. 1 year ago on Google
    The Swan Boats at the Boston Commons is the perfect day trip for families. The overall experience is memorable for all ages. My children wanted to go for a second ride immediately after completing our first ride. There was no wait time to ride when we arrived and the ride itself is about 15 mins. Tickets 🎟 = $3 per child, $4 per adult I would recommend bringing out a blanket and spending the day within the garden its ideal for family picnics. Across the street from the garden there is a splash pad and there is also lemonade and sausage/hot dog stands all over the place.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Koldo T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Quiet ride on a small boat through downtown Boston Public Garden ... Boats look slick and go very slowly ... especially if you are young with children, have fun, have fun (Original) Paseo lasaia txalupa txiki batean Boston Public Garden erdialdetik... Txalupek beltxarga itxura dute, eta oso poliki doaz... bereziki ume txikiekin bazoaz interesgarria, ondo pasatzen dute
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Barry G. 6 months ago on Google • 404 reviews
    Quintessential Boston thing to do. However, I believe they close after Labor Day for the fall/winter and reopen in April. A good place to access the Pulic Gardens is the Arlington St station on Green Line, but Park St also works with a short walk. Nice place to visit even if boats are closed for the season.

  • 5/5 alejandro r. 10 months ago on Google • 33 reviews
    This was a really cool thing to do at the Boston Common. Nice, relaxed ride. Nice activity around. Pets, kids playing, plenty of pictures opportunities. Loved it! Not enough time to fully enjoy it. Will be back for more.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mackenzie S. 1 year ago on Google
    The swan boats are very reasonably priced, but even if you don’t choose to take a short ride on the boats you must walk around the pond! It is gorgeous, and provides a great backdrop of the city. There are benches to rest on, and ducks and geese to watch.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Edward J. 4 years ago on Google
    A 5 star family experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tania H. 2 years ago on Google
    An iconic, “must-do” attraction in Boston! Worth it at $4.50 per adult and $3 per child. Boston Commons is a beautiful park and you get a great view of it from the pond. I only wish it was a longer ride.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ken K. 1 year ago on Google
    The grandkids saw the Swan Boats and immediately decided we all needed a ride, $4 for adults and $3 for kids. A nice peaceful time and very beautiful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jennifer W. 1 year ago on Google
    Fun little tourist stop in the Boston Public Garden. It was a busy Saturday afternoon but the line went quick, and it was a nice, affordable way to rest our feet for about 15 minutes. It’s worth checking it out, especially if you have kids.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yulia B. 2 years ago on Google
    Swan boats are a must, if you are in Boston in the summer! A simple ride, but full of charm! The surrounding views of the park are stunningly beautiful. I take this ride every summer and it has become a beautiful tradition.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 srikanth gargatte S. 2 years ago on Google
    The iconic swan boats of Boston common. Perfect way to spend a warm summer afternoon in Boston downtown. They take card and cash a very nominal fee for both adults and kids. The ride itself is a 12 min thing and is perfect. There isn't a big line usually but even if there is it moves pretty quick. Overall a very nice way to top off a lazy afternoon in the park
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karein M. 1 year ago on Google
    Always a fun thing to do, especially with children. Quick trip around the pond. Reasonable price. Below questions asked about buying tickets in advance, I'm not sure if they offer this service.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ndstorment 2 years ago on Google
    My 3 friends and I loved riding these swan boats! It was so peaceful, relaxing, and beautiful! And a great price as well: $4.50. I would definitely recommend the swan boats!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lacey M. 10 months ago on Google
    Super cute way to spend half an hour. We are from the UK and like the history behind the swan boats and that they’ve been going so long. Lake is beautiful and the ducklings were a lovely bonus!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Pascal S. 5 months ago on Google • 308 reviews
    The lake is very beautifully landscaped. Unfortunately, a boat trip was no longer possible at the end of September. Certainly an experience that we enjoyed. The skyline and the weeping willows on the lake are impressive.

  • 4/5 RoadTrip N. 9 months ago on Google • 268 reviews
    The Swan Boats, if you are visiting Boston in the Summer make sure to put it on your “to do” list. Even if you live in the city, it’s nice to go around the pond now and again. Still pretty inexpensive, the ride is under about 10 minutes. In the Public Garden if you walk from here towards Beacon Street you’ll run into the Make Way for Duckling statues- if there’s a holiday or special event now and again you’ll see them in costume.

  • 5/5 Wendy G. 4 months ago on Google • 129 reviews
    Such a peaceful ride along the perimeter of the lagoon. It costs $4.50 and lasts about 10 minutes. You see ducks and turtles too. It was really hot outside when we went and the young men working there were sweating but they never once complained how hot they were. It's a fun tourist attraction that I recommend!

  • 5/5 Kirsty G. 1 year ago on Google • 71 reviews
    Such a cute and fun thing to do whilst in Boston. The tickets were only $4.50 each and the ride around the lake lasted about 15 minutes. I would recommend planning this on a sunny day as is weather dependant, and only runs during the summer months.

  • 4/5 Nilesh V. 7 months ago on Google • 60 reviews
    Nice park with a lake and lot of swans 😊 Good place to spend time with family and loved ones just sitting and enjoying the calm lake side chatting.

  • 5/5 Mikey B. 5 months ago on Google • 48 reviews
    Affordable fun quick and cute. 12 minute boat ride for 5 bucks.

  • 5/5 Terri W. 1 year ago on Google • 27 reviews
    The swan boats is a laid back 10 min ride around the public garden pond. The ride is relaxing for the adults and fun for the children as they usually get excited about seeing the ducks, bridges etc. Pros: fun for children 2-10, inexpensive, scenic, lines move fast as there are multiple boats picking customers up, boat can sit upto about 15 ppl. Cons: hours of operation. Daily hours are from 10-5 pm but I wished they opened earlier and closed later during summer hours. It was hard scheduling the swan boat visit bc of the other activities we had planned and extended summer hours would of made it a bit easier.

  • 4/5 Tammy L. 6 months ago on Google • 23 reviews
    It's a cute swan ride. Would have been better if the employee could talk about the pond a bit. But I'm sure they were focused on peddling the swam boat more.

  • 5/5 George Y. 7 months ago on Google • 22 reviews
    Great experience for kids and adults to spend some time in the park on some swan boats. Lots of nostalgia for this long established place. Relatively quick to get through the line and around the lake at a very reasonable price. If you're looking for an activity in this neighborhood, I highly recommend it, especially on a nice sunny day.

  • 5/5 Teresa H. 4 years ago on Google
    ducklings. Little boat ride. Small price under 5 dollars per person. Enjoyable.

  • 5/5 Ajay P. 2 years ago on Google
    Swan boat at Boston park is fantastic experience and specially kids gonna love this ride and memorable & historical park in Boston and lots of fun there , you can go with family, friends or big groups and enjoy your food and can play games over there too. Hard to get Parking but there's many public parking available within few steps so.

  • 5/5 vishal i. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice boat ride. It manually operated by person at the back. Good for children and views are nice. We also saw a turtle on the small island at the center. 4.50$ for Adults and 3$ for children

  • 5/5 Elio N. 2 years ago on Google
    Ride was 15 mins in total give or take. It was great. We wish it was longer.

  • 5/5 Angel D. 4 years ago on Google
    Always love the swan boats. It's a classic Boston experience!

  • 5/5 Blue J. 4 years ago on Google
    Love it

  • 5/5 Jeffrey K. 2 years ago on Google
    My wife's favorite book growing up was Make Way for Ducklings. Touring around the park and taking a ride on the Swan Boats was just as much fun for a 40 year old as it would be for the kids.

  • 5/5 Ruben S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great for families or anybody who wants a quiet few minutes on the water. The price is good for the experience. It-s a historic location and worth the trip.

  • 5/5 Aditya N. 1 year ago on Google
    Inexpensive and a short wait of about 5 minutes. A nice treat after a morning of walking the Freedom Trail in the July heat! I would definitely recommend it.

  • 5/5 Dave R. 1 year ago on Google
    A nice relaxing, quick, scenic trip to take with family or friends. Great views of the city and gardens. Very reasonably priced.

  • 5/5 emi c. 9 months ago on Google
    There’s nothing more unique and iconic when visiting Boston. A 10-15 minute ride will bring back memories when you was a kid. Nostalgic🙂🤙

  • 5/5 Elliott C. 10 months ago on Google
    What a great ride around the pond! Well worth the price to ride!

  • 5/5 Michele M. 8 months ago on Google
    So many wonderful and cool things to do and see in Boston and this was definitely one of them! Loved it!

  • 5/5 Charles S. 6 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    Great ride and great people

  • 5/5 Bob M. 6 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    Annual event . Always great

  • 5/5 AD24 3 years ago on Google
    Perfect Furious Power Fist! Didn't have to upgrade it. But the Swan got killed(

  • 3/5 Katja G. 4 years ago on Google
    It takes 5 minutes to go around a small pond... Not worth the money.

  • 5/5 Alex K. 4 years ago on Google
    A beautiful place

  • 5/5 Richard E. 4 years ago on Google
    Boston classic

  • 5/5 Mari T. 4 years ago on Google
    I love Boston!!!

  • 5/5 Монолитовец 4 years ago on Google
    Fallout 4 goog

  • 5/5 Hxh Adi A. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice place

  • 5/5 Whitney J. 4 years ago on Google
    Pond was frozen over, but the girls enjoyed it!

  • 5/5 Bobby C. 4 years ago on Google
    Always worth the time spent on the swan boats.

  • 5/5 susan r. 4 years ago on Google
    Been going here since a child and now my grandkids experienced it.

  • 1/5 H W. 4 years ago on Google
    Drove into Boston just for this, says its open BUT IT'S NOT! NOT HAPPY, I live very far away, probably won't be back to Boston this was very disappointing

  • 5/5 Yocheved D. 5 years ago on Google
    A cute, slow ride around the water.

  • 5/5 Kia T. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice serene ride, my family enjoyed the lovely view.

  • 5/5 Asia K. 4 years ago on Google
    Very adorable, an authentic Bostonian experience. These boats have been going on since 1877. Not the most thrilling of the rides, but for $4 you might as well experience Boston's cultural icon and have a break from running down the Freedom Trail. (They also sell some nice Swan Boat-specific souvenirs!)

  • 5/5 susan c. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a family tradition. My mom use to take me, I took my daughters, and now my daughter's and I take my grandchildren. So peaceful, relaxing. Something inexpensive to o!

  • 5/5 Deniz B. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a great opportunity to spend a relaxing moment with your kids and take a serene break. I think it will leave you with precious memories with your family and by enjoying the great scenery of Public Garden. Even there may be lines, they move fast and you do not wait for long. The duration of the tour is just right, not too long to be boring for little kids or too short to enjoy the pond.

  • 4/5 Yoli L. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice time to just take a minute to relax.

  • 5/5 alicia m. 4 years ago on Google
    $4 isnt bad for a stroll around the pond

  • 5/5 Stacy L. 4 years ago on Google
    if you are in Boston in the summer - you need to go here to get away from the rush of everything else

  • 5/5 Deborah M. 4 years ago on Google
    Wonderful classic Boston swan boats! Don't miss going for a ride around the duck pond.

  • 5/5 Ronald B. 4 years ago on Google
    A real Boston Public Gardens Treasure. We took our daughter on the Swan Boats almost as a rite of passage. So very peaceful and old fashioned serenity, in the heart of downtown Boston. Wonderful experience.

  • 5/5 Chris H. 4 years ago on Google
    Fun and not to expensive like so many things in Boston.

  • 4/5 D P R. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice slow boat ride. Lots of ducks

  • 3/5 Gregory R. 4 years ago on Google
    Ok short boat ride, the pond is easy enough to walk around for any views of the park so it doesn't offer anything unique.

  • 5/5 Gina M. 4 years ago on Google
    Loved It

  • 4/5 Jessica V. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The trip by boat Nornalito .... It's 4 $ (Original) El viaje en barquito Nornalito.... Son 4$

  • 5/5 Muzdelife Busra I. 4 years ago on Google
    So much fun and peace..

  • 5/5 Caitlin S. 4 years ago on Google
    A must if you're in Boston.

  • 5/5 Jodi W. 4 years ago on Google
    So peaceful

  • 5/5 Kevin F. 4 years ago on Google
    A classic piece of affordable peaceful quiet in the middle of our hustle and bustle.

  • 4/5 Mrs G. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely relaxing ride. Too short for my kids. We caught them on the final day. Great picture opportunity.

  • 5/5 Alice C. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to get away

  • 4/5 Jennifer H. 4 years ago on Google
    Tourist stop

  • 5/5 Corey C. 4 years ago on Google
    Workers didnt seem too excited, but the tour was fun! Lots of ducks and swans in the water.

  • 4/5 Joseph M. 4 years ago on Google
    Traditional seasonal landmark

  • 5/5 Evelyn M. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful

  • 5/5 jo reinaldo o. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great park, good for walking under its leafy trees, surrounded by birds and a beautiful lake where you can walk in the "swan" and admire the landscape (Original) Ótimo parque, bom para caminhada sob suas frondosas árvores, rodeado pelos pássaros e um lindo lago onde poderá passear no "cisne" e admirar a paisagem

  • 5/5 Zac C. 4 years ago on Google
    Great fifteen minute ride with family. Price is very reasonable


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