Boston Common is Where It’s At, Kids

Editor’s Note: Boston Common is anything but common – a huge public park in the middle of a great New England city. Come up north with us on the final day of our week-long celebration of “Summer in Our City Dads Group Cities.”

Mistakenly called the Commons or the Boston Commons by this dad and other natives to the region, Boston Common is the oldest park in the country and a refuge for families, nature lovers and nearby office workers. For my family it has provided guaranteed quality time for our small but growing brood time and time again.

Nearly 50 acres in size, Boston Common lays out all it’s cards: the Public Garden, the swan boats, wading in the Frog Pond, the carousel, the popular bronze ducklings, the pedestrian bridge and statues … and invites locals and tourists alike to come play or recharge, see and be seen. And what dad or family couldn’t use more fun or relaxation?

Kids and adults can escape the busy city, roam free and stretch out, find solitude or fun, or occasionally a little freedom to be loud — great if you’re a toddler who’s tired of being hushed all day while taking in the city with boring adults. There are public restrooms, metered parking above ground and garage parking underneath. Don’t feel like reading a map while wrangling a toddler or two? Try the guided iPod tour of the park or Freedom Trail smartphone app.

What makes this expansive retreat even better is it’s direct access to public transportation, a diverse offering of food along its perimeter and special attractions such as The Freedom Trail, the Cheers bar of sitcom fame and, quite spectacularly, an inviting wink from another local gem: the Charles River at the corner of Beacon Street and Arlington Street.  It’s really everything you and your family could want all wrapped up into one neat, sizable package. The Boston Common open for you — all day, all year.