Emerald Necklace
Emerald Necklace
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
Our mission is to restore and improve the Emerald Necklace for all. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy connects people and parks and conserves the Emerald Necklace through projects and programs to enrich the visitor experience and restore and renew the landscape, waterways and parkways. To steward the Emerald Necklace’s 1,100 acres of parkland extending from Boston’s Back Bay through Brookline and Jamaica Plain to Franklin Park in Dorchester, the Conservancy works in collaboration with its partners on advocacy, maintenance and restoration, education and access, and promoting park stewardship through volunteer and youth programs.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Fenway / Kenmore
The Curse of the Bambino may have ended years ago, but loyal Red Sox fans will continue to infiltrate this home to historic Fenway Park, where you can find victory banners, people yelling in stereotypical Boston accents, and lots of sports bars. Located within Kenmore Square, the old gas station Citgo sign is another Boston skyline classic seen throughout the city. In addition to a hectic and diehard sports mentality, this neighborhood is also home to some of Boston’s many universities. Move from Boston University territory to that of Northeastern, and spend time at the famous Museum of Fine Arts. For more culture, check out the smaller but equally beautiful Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Continue off the beaten path and check out the green space in the Back Bay Fens, a pretty community garden. This diverse neighborhood has a mix of universities, sports, culture, and more residential green space.
How to get there
- Northeastern University • 4 min walk
- Museum of Fine Arts • 7 min walk
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4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Robert S
Lawrence, KS2,660 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
This is an extensive linear park which stretches from the Boston Common through the Fens on to Jamaica Plain and on to the Arnold Arboretum/Franklin Park area.
This chain of parks was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the late 1800s. Each section of the park has it's own attractions.
You can visit Olmsted's home which is not far from the Necklace.
This chain of parks was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the late 1800s. Each section of the park has it's own attractions.
You can visit Olmsted's home which is not far from the Necklace.
Written 18 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
milisem
0 contributions
This site is now re-opened for visits. On Warren Street in Brookline, the grounds include Olmsted's house and the offices of his landscape business. It's a fascinating microcosm of Olmsted's beliefs and designs. And it's a treasure few people know about. The Park Ranger who gave me a tour was very knowledgeable about Olmsted, the man & his work.
Written 10 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
Salt Lake City, UT357 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Not only a beautiful natural area, but right now featuring an incredible eco-art exhibit that is as spiritual as it is beautiful. Great place for admiration, thoughtful contemplation and discussion.
Written 12 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seanworc
New York City, NY714 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
The Emerald Necklace is a series of connected parks, marches, and gardens in the center of Boston. Creates a very rural feeling in the city center. Designed by the legendary architect Olmsted who created Central Park in New York City. The necklace includes the Boston Common, the Fens in Back Bay among others.
Written 31 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Sept 2019
Frederick Law Olmstead designed New York's Central Park. His imagination and expertise transformed these 7 miles of Boston into a National Treasure. How lucky were we to "get lost" and discover this gem on our own! Good fortune smiled upon us.
The "Necklace" is a chain of parks in what is generally called Brookline. The six parks it encompasses are:
Back Bay Fens
The Riverway
Olmstead Park
Jamaica Pond
Arnold Arboretum
Franklin Park
Although not technically a part of the "necklace," the chain of parks ends at Boston Common (after following Commonwealth Avenue). Distance from Boston Common to Franklin Park (furthest most point) is about 7 miles, by foot, walking through the chain of parks.
The majority of our time exploring the Emerald necklace parks centered around the Muddy River area in the Back Bay Fens. The entirety of Olmstead's design incorporates play areas, natural beauty, play parks, a zoo, golf course, memorials, ponds, rivers, an arboretum, and so much more.
Boston is filled with so much history, beauty, energy and vitality that it is easy to overlook including the Emerald Necklace chain of parks in vacation plans. That is a big mistake.
The "Necklace" is a chain of parks in what is generally called Brookline. The six parks it encompasses are:
Back Bay Fens
The Riverway
Olmstead Park
Jamaica Pond
Arnold Arboretum
Franklin Park
Although not technically a part of the "necklace," the chain of parks ends at Boston Common (after following Commonwealth Avenue). Distance from Boston Common to Franklin Park (furthest most point) is about 7 miles, by foot, walking through the chain of parks.
The majority of our time exploring the Emerald necklace parks centered around the Muddy River area in the Back Bay Fens. The entirety of Olmstead's design incorporates play areas, natural beauty, play parks, a zoo, golf course, memorials, ponds, rivers, an arboretum, and so much more.
Boston is filled with so much history, beauty, energy and vitality that it is easy to overlook including the Emerald Necklace chain of parks in vacation plans. That is a big mistake.
Written 6 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seekingcalm
72 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
We are so fortunate to have this gem in our city. I walked the whole length w a guided National Park Service tour and have revisited parts on my own several times. Use sunscreen and bring water-- its potentially a full day walk. Near several green line T stops when you're ready to wrap up.
Written 16 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dg2014jg
Magnolia, TX1,201 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
I thought that we would need to make an effort to visit the various parts of the Emerald Necklace. Little did I understand how Boston has wonderfully integrated green spaces into the city itself. Hats off to a great job, Boston!
Written 31 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrei
River Ridge, LA1,242 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
Emerald Necklace is an extended walkway going starting in Boston Common in the Beacon Hill neighborhood close to downtown and making its way all the way to Franklin Park in the southernmost parts of Boston. It's a fantastic walk, and once you get south of Huntington Avenue, you will even forget you're in a city it's so peaceful! The path makes its way through several scenic parks and green spaces in Boston and is absolutely worth walking through if you're getting tired of city life.
Highlights include Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, the Fens, Olmsted Park, Jamaica Pond (fantastic views here), and Arnold Arboretum (managed by Harvard). You get the best of both worlds here, since you are mostly away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but never far away from food and amenities since the green spaces are relatively narrow.
Highlights include Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, the Fens, Olmsted Park, Jamaica Pond (fantastic views here), and Arnold Arboretum (managed by Harvard). You get the best of both worlds here, since you are mostly away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but never far away from food and amenities since the green spaces are relatively narrow.
Written 17 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Melbourne, Australia1,161 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
The Emerald Necklace represents a fine piece of park planning from which Bostonians have benefitted for over a century. Olmsted's vision has left a lasting legacy of lakes, walks, cycle paths and remarkable trees. Clearly popular with local joggers, it deserves attention from visitors though there are places where works and development intrude rudely into its calm.
Written 25 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mellie2013
Port Moody, Canada2,944 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
Visited the lovely city of Boston right in time for a brilliant show of fall foliage. I wasn't able to walk all of the Emerald Necklace but stumbled upon the section near Newbury Street by chance. Highly recommend visiting in November.
We were lucky to enjoy the 60*F weather with sunny days and blue skies. The green-way is exactly that. A walkway between the two sides of Commonwealth Ave. It has large growth trees, a paved pathway and statues along the way. Delightful. There were couples being photographed for engagement cards, locals walking their dogs, children riding bikes and all types of people enjoying the fall colours and warmth.
The houses on this section of street are lovely and worth a moment or two. The people of Boston are so lucky to have and enjoy this space. I found it a wonderful retreat from the city...in the city. Please view the photos. Wonderful!
We were lucky to enjoy the 60*F weather with sunny days and blue skies. The green-way is exactly that. A walkway between the two sides of Commonwealth Ave. It has large growth trees, a paved pathway and statues along the way. Delightful. There were couples being photographed for engagement cards, locals walking their dogs, children riding bikes and all types of people enjoying the fall colours and warmth.
The houses on this section of street are lovely and worth a moment or two. The people of Boston are so lucky to have and enjoy this space. I found it a wonderful retreat from the city...in the city. Please view the photos. Wonderful!
Written 30 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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