14-02-2025
Your pick for Boston's most romantic spot: Public Garden bridge
The Public Garden bridge is the most romantic spot in Boston.
That's according to Axios Boston readers who took part in our week-long bracket to narrow down Boston's most love-inducing vista.
Flashback: Properly called the Boston Public Garden Foot Bridge, the 50-foot iron span was designed by William Preston for the park in 1867.
It was the world's shortest functional suspension bridge until it was converted to a girder style in 1921.
For 158 years, the bridge has crossed over the Public Garden lagoon.
The Swan Boats, which beat out Fenway Park in the first round of our tournament, pass under the bridge.
Those iconic swans were ejected from the competition by the Arnold Arboretum, the second-place finisher.
Harvard's 281-acre botanical park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted as part of the Emerald Necklace.
Our winning bridge beat out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the second round, but readers still have fond memories of the mansion-turned-art mecca.
"The most lush scenery you can find for half of the year," reader Dylan H. said, adding, "I proposed to my wife here so I have a soft spot. I find the garden inspires awe and wonder as soon as folks walk in."
Readers chose the Esplanade and boating in the Charles River as the other two semi-final finishers.
Several honorable mentions, like the BPL courtyard and the Customs House tower observation deck, didn't make it to the final 16 bracket.
What you're saying: "On a summer night, the city glistens and you can hear sounds from down below. It's rare and romantic like nothing else," reader Drik D. told us of the Customs House tower.
