Unique Experiences

Item Description

Bring the entire family for a day at the Public Garden!  See Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings, enjoy a walk around the beautiful gardens and finish with a ride on the Swan Boats.  

Hours

2019 Season
Saturday, April 13 to Labor Day

Spring (April to June 20)

10am to 4 pm

Summer (starting June 21)
10am to 5 pm

The Swan Boats are open every day, weather permitting. We cannot operate in rain, high winds or extreme heat.

Tickets
The Swan Boat ride lasts about 12-15 minutes while the driver pedals you around the Public Garden lagoon. Tickets should be picked up at the Swan Boat dock prior to boarding the boat. The wait for a ride is typically no more than 5-10 minutes.

How it Began
The Swan Boat story dates back to the 1870's when Robert Paget, whose descendants continue to operate the business, was granted a boat for hire license by the City of Boston.

Rowing a small boat in the Public Garden lagoon was a favorite summer pastime for city residents during the day and evening.

In 1877, Robert and others introduced a new kind of boat to the waters of the lagoon. With the popularity of the bicycle expanding, he developed a catamaran, which housed a paddle wheel arrangement that was foot-propelled. To cover the captain, Robert suggested a swan.

The idea came to him from his familiarity with the opera Lohengrin. The opera is based on a medieval German story in which Lohengrin, a knight of the Grail crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan to defend the innocence of his heroine, Princess Elsa.

From the late 1800’s until the mid 1940’s, the Swan Boats and the row boats operated together in the Public Garden.

Paul Paget and his wife Marilyn began their tenure in the 1950’s and maintained at the helm of the operation for over 50 years.

Two new Swan Boats were constructed under Paul’s direction in the 1950’s and 1990’s.

The fourth generation of the Paget family continues to preserve the tradition that has grown to become a symbol of City of Boston. Paul and Marilyn’s daughter Lyn Paget and her cousin Phil Paget maintain the charm and integrity of a vision that became a reality for a young boat builder and his wife many years ago.

Item Special Note

Tickets may be used for adults or children.

Certificate must be redeemed at the Swan Boat ticket desk prior to boarding the Swan Boat.

Certificate does not expire.