The Frog Pond was originally one of three natural mud ponds in the area that became Boston Common, the nation's first public park established in 1634. As other natural ponds were filled in to accommodate the growing city, the Frog Pond became a popular oasis for Bostonians both young and old. Favorite activities included sailing model boats, wading, and ice skating. The renovated Frog Pond features a 16,000-square-foot ice skating surface operable in temperatures up to 55 degrees. In warm weather the Frog Pond features a 70-foot-high spray fountain and wading. During spring and fall it is used as a shallow reflecting pool.

Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-223-8666

Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area offers a quiet place to relax, explore, camp, swim, fish or picnic. Tours to Boston Light ("The ultimate Lighthouse experience," according to the Boston Globe) operate Thursday-Sunday from June to October. Ranger narrated Discovery Cruises and Sunset Cruises are offered on a frequent basis in the summer. Ranger-led activities and special events are offered on many islands for a variety of audiences. Not only are these islands a source of natural beauty and wonder--they're also rich in history and legends, with tales of pirates, shipwrecks, wars, abandoned prisons, and even ghosts! It's all right in Boston Harbor and accessible by boat or public ferry from Long Wharf downtown or the South Shore... so near, and yet so far away!

Callahan State Park
Millwood Street
Framingham, MA
Phone: 508-653-9641

Set on 819 acres, this park is home to fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The park has nearly 100 acres of open fields.

Castle Island Park
Day Boulevard
South Boston, MA
Phone: 617-727-5250

Fort Independence, built between 1834 and 1851, is the dominating feature of this historic site, surrounded by a small park with fishing and swimming areas, and bike trails.

Cochituate State Park
Route 30
Natick, MA 01760
Phone: 508-653-9641

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Cochituate State Park is a popular day park that offers boating, swimming, windsurfing, and fishing on its three large lakes. Picnicking, swimming, and boat launching are limited to the main area of the park on the middle lake.

Hopkinton State Park
Route 85
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Phone: 508-435-4303

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Hopkinton State Park contains 1450 acres, offering many activities, including swimming. A group area that includes a pavilion, playing field, restrooms, picnic tables, and a large grill is available by reservation during the summer.

Make Way for Ducklings
Boston Public Garden
Boston, MA

The Boston Public Garden features a statue group featuring the duck family from the book Make Way for Ducklings. The statue group is right along the path that Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings followed.

The Swan Boats
Boston Public Garden Lagoon
Boston, MA
Phone: 617-522-1966

The Swan Boats were launched in 1877 by Robert Paget, whose family still runs the boats. There are six Swan Boats in service, the oldest built in 1910.