The Best Playgrounds in Boston

Alfond Memorial Spray Deck

In West End near the Science Museum lies this small park on the water with a playground and spray deck. It's the perfect spot if you need somewhere to take your kids in the summer to cool off, as it's close to everything in the middle of historic Boston.

Back Bay Fens

Where Back Bay merges into Fenway, this large green space has a variety of interesting things to do and see. In addition to walking and biking trails, visitors can explore the rose garden and World War II memorial. Also here is an area of community gardens, a playground for the kids, and ball fields.

Boston Common

Boston Common is a famous central park in downtown Boston. It's also the oldest city park in the country, dating back to 1634. The park spans 50 acres and has a botanical garden and a pond where you can enjoy the iconic experience of taking a Swan paddleboat. Visitors can also find a playground and other fun activities for kids. During the winter months, an ice skating rink is set up, and a huge Christmas tree and other decorations adorn the park.

Castle Island Park & Fort Independence

Located in South Boston, this is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. There's a nice white sand beach where you can relax. Fort Independence is a granite fort dating back to 1851. Within the park there are two walking and running trails. For the easiest and shortest option, try the Castle Island Loop. The longer trail is the Pleasure Bay Loop. There are also great areas where you can enjoy a picnic and a nice playground that is perfect for kids who like to climb, jump, and run.

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

At the north end of the Waterfront district and the southern side of North End, this large park is a great place to relax, have a picnic, and enjoy the weather. Here you'll find a ship-themed playground for the kids, a rose garden, a gorgeous trellis, fountains, and some open lawn areas along with benches for lounging. If you're looking for a place to rest or relax before going on a whale watching cruise or into the aquarium, this is a convenient spot.

Constitution Beach

Constitution Beach is a man-made beach in the HarborView part of East Boston. It has a swimming area, bathrooms, and a snack stand. There's also a large playground that's great for the kids as well as tennis courts. It's fun to watch the planes fly overhead from Logan Airport, or look for ships sailing by in the Boston Harbor.

DeFillipo Playground & Ruff Dog Park

In the North End, this smaller park has a dog park where the furry friends can run and play. Also located here is a playground and basketball court.

Fan Pier

The recently revitalized Fan Pier is located just to the southeast of North End and Downtown Boston. Here, visitors can find a number of fun activities as well as shopping and restaurants. Home to the Boston Children's Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and the Boston Tea Party Museum, this area is worth exploring, especially if you're looking for a good meal. A park on the north end has nice views of central Boston and a quiet setting, while the large playground at Martin's Park by the Children's Museum is a fun spot for the kids.

Jackson Square Playground

Right next to the Jackson Square T station, this playground is quite unique. It features a huge open wall that kids can climb up and into with a number of obstacles. Also found here are some ziplines, fitness and exercise equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts, and some benches for relaxing while the kids do their thing. This park is part of the Southwest Corridor Park that runs from the Back Bay and Fenway areas down to Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park and is several miles long. It's a nice spot for a run or bike ride.

Langone Park

At the northern shore of North End in old Boston lies this community oriented park with a playground, ball fields, a public pool, and a basketball court. And with views looking out over the water, it's a nice spot to take a walk and relax, too.

Menino Park

Featuring a terrific, large playground and amazing views over the water to Boston's skyline, this park is wheelchair accessible and has nearby bathrooms, too. The walkway along the waterfront is nice, and is part of the Harborwalk.

Moakley Park and Carson Beach

Located in South Boston, this large park sits on the shore and has a beach and a kids playground, along with ball fields, too. The Dorothy Curran Playground has a terrific nautical theme that can keep your kids entertained for hours (and it also has a spray area in the summer months). Or, stroll over to either Carson Beach, L Street Beach, or M Street Beach on the other side of the field for some fun in the sand. The South Boston Bark Park at the upper end of the park will keep the dogs happy, too. Tennis courts, basketball courts, ball fields, and more can be found here, too. And finally, this is a good spot to hop on the trail that runs along the waterfront for your walk, run, or bike ride.

Rose Kennedy Greenway

This stretch of interconnected parks running through Downtown Boston is a great spot for a walk, run, or even a bike ride - or for just exploring the city. Starting at the north in North End near the Haymarket T station, the connected parks and trails run south through the Waterfront and Downtown areas until they reach Chinatown Park. Along the way, visitors will find smaller parks, interactive fountains, a carousel, gardens, public restrooms, restaurants and cafes, and more. If you're wandering along the path, it's quite easy to make short detours to explore the various attractions and historical spots of Boston.

The Esplanade

The Esplanade is a riverside park in the Back Bay neighborhood. It has a number of charming footbridges including Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. Within the park you'll also find the Hatch Shell bandstand, which is where the Boston Pops Orchestra holds its annual Fourth of July celebration. There are also a number of movies and concerts in the park during the warmer months. The park is a nice place to explore with a number of nice running trails, or you could enjoy a walk beside the river. Also here is the Esplanade Playground for kids which is quite large.

Uncle Frank and Auntie Kay Chin Park

This small playground packs a lot of fun into a small area. Part of the Rose Kennedy Greenway system that weaves through Boston, this spot has a fun climbing and slide structure made of geometric shapes. There's also a stream fountain that you can get in during the summer months. (Located right by the Chinatown Gate.)