Boston in Bloom
With the coming of spring, Boston blossoms with spirit-lifting florals throughout the city. No matter what flowers or plants you fancy, it is easy to find a bunch outdoors—if you know where to look! Our expert Concierge team is sharing their top gardens and scenic strolls to enjoy while in town.
Boston Public Garden
Back Bay, Boston
America’s first public botanical garden is a short 10-minute walk from our hotel. This picturesque and treasured park has meandering pathways for strolling decorated by statues, fountains, trees and colorful plants, and a famous six-acre pond with swan boats to ride.
photo credit: Kyle Klein @kylekleinphoto
Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill, Boston
Lucky you if your travels coincide with this one-day-only urban gardening event. Every year, the Beacon Hill Garden Club will showcase 11 beautiful gardens not viewable from the street, an annual tradition since 1928. Tickets here for the self-guided tour in 2025 are not available yet.
photo credit: Kyle Klein @kylekleinphoto
Kelleher Rose Garden
Fenway, Boston
Open May through October, this charming garden contains more than 10 classes and 200 varieties of roses. There are almost 1,500 plants in total! It has a secret garden feeling, despite being located minutes from Fenway Park and Boylston Street.
photo credit: Susan Driscoll @susanedriscoll
Rose Kennedy Greenway
Downtown Boston
This nature walk in downtown Boston is a true urban oasis featuring a rich diversity of trees, shrubs, plants and beautiful blooms that are maintained completely organically—meaning no pollutant run-off into nearby Boston Harbor. While there, don’t miss the Greenway’s public art displays.
photo credit: Chris Rucinski @crucinski_
Arnold Arboretum
Jamaica Plain, Boston
A 281-acre “living museum” of 15,000 plants, free and open to the public daily (and dog-friendly!) This jewel in the Emerald Necklace park system was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and is most popular in early May when the lilacs bloom. Explore their plants here.
Glass Flowers Gallery
Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge
An indoor activity for a rainy day: Harvard’s internationally acclaimed Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, including 4,300 one-of-a-kind glass models. These botanical masterpieces represent 780 plant species and were made by a father and son team of Czech glass artists.
photo credit: Tony Rinaldo
“Rooted” Public Art
Northeastern University, Boston
Cambridge artist Cicely Carew created “Rooted”, a towering giant flower public art installation at Northeastern University’s Boston campus. The heart of “Rooted” features five multi-colored flowers crafted from a mix of garden and construction materials. The steel stems support “blooms” created from mesh, fencing, and various types of chicken wire.
photo credit: Robin Lubbock/WBUR