Boston may be famous for its Revolutionary War roots and lobster rolls, but there’s another side of the city I call home that deserves the spotlight: its green spaces. (No offense to our historic sights and crustacean delicacies, of course.)
Time Out recently ranked Boston as the second-greenest city in the world (just behind Medellín, Colombia) thanks to our abundance of parks and access to nature. Easy access to nature drives longevity and stress reduction, health experts say. While I still see plenty of stress in line each morning at my go-to Dunkin—just as much of a Boston icon as its parks—I do take comfort in the fact that 95 percent of Bostonians live within a five-minute walk of a park or open space, according to data from the City of Boston.
Boston’s love of the outdoors isn’t new. Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S., dates to 1634. Its prim neighbor, the Boston Public Garden, introduced the country to botanical beauty in a formally landscaped setting when it was established in 1837.
The city’s crown jewel, the Emerald Necklace, was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and threads together many of Boston’s most iconic parks, including the Arnold Arboretum and the tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue Mall—in total, the Emerald Necklace links 1,100 acres of parklands.
Even our infrastructure misadventures have gone green: the Rose Kennedy Greenway is a 17-acre downtown park born out of the infamous (and wildly over-budget) Big Dig that buried Interstate 93 underground.
Ready to explore more of the green side of Boston? Here’s where to go.
- Arnold Arboretum: Owned by Harvard University, this 281-acre escape in Jamaica Plain blends serious horticultural study with serene parkland. Whaling merchant James Arnold left a part of his estate to Harvard to support the advancement of agriculture and horticulture, while Olmstead was brought in to design the botanic space. Today, the Arnold Arboretum offers everything from guided tours to skyline views atop Peters Hill.
- Boston Common: America’s oldest city park is still very much at the heart of the action, from peaceful morning strolls and seasonal events to political protests and civil rights rallies. This is where Boston’s past and present join those fighting for a better future—all under a tree canopy in the heart of the city.
- Boston Public Garden: An Emerald Necklace cornerstone, the Boston Public Garden is blooming with tulips, roses, and flowering shrubs from 14 city greenhouses. Glide along the lagoon in one of the city’s iconic swan boats or snap a selfie with the George Washington statue. This is Boston at its manicured finest.
- Commonwealth Avenue Mall: A Paris-inspired promenade running through Back Bay, this shaded path is lined with benches, public art, and views of grand brownstones. Dog lovers, take note: some of the seating areas come with carefully concealed tins of treats.
- Charles River Esplanade: If Boston Harbor is Boston’s front stoop, the Charles River Esplanade is its breezy back porch. Floating docks beckon loungers to kick back with a book (and a strong SPF) while leafy running and walking trails are made for all paces.
- Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway: If there’s a benefit to Boston’s Big Dig project going nearly 200 percent over budget, it’s the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. This linear park winds through Chinatown, the Financial District, and the North End, offering a farmers’ market, carousel, and fountains along the way.
- The Harborwalk: Whether you’re out for a morning run, joining a fitness class, or just taking in the breeze with a quiet picnic, the Boston Harborwalk invites you to slow down and appreciate Boston Harbor’s lapping waters and natural beauty from sunrise to sunset.
