It has often been said the beauty of any city lies in its natural wonders. And parks are a great example of this statement. When it comes to visiting Boston, Massachusetts, one of the first things any visitor must do is pay a visit to the Boston Public Garden and spend a leisurely evening just walking around and enjoying the scintillating beauty of nature.

The Boston Public Garden was founded in the year 1837 and finds mention in both the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and the U.S. National Historic Landmark District.

The Boston Public Garden

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Garden_(Boston)

Spread over a land area of 24 acres the Boston Public Garden lies next to the Boston Common. The garden is known for its four-acre pond and beautifully crafted plantings. The pond plays home to a few swans during the summer months and is known for its Swan Boats which is one of the most well known tourist attractions of the city. The Swan Boats allow tourists to enjoy a ride across the lake in swan shaped boats.

Swan Boats at the Boston Public Garden

http://www.swanboats.com/

The plants that are nurtured at the garden are grown at greenhouses of the Recreation Department and various Boston Parks. The Boston Public Garden is looked after by the non-profit organization The Friends of the Public Garden and Common.

More about the Garden

http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/emerald/public_garden.asp

Visit Boston Public Garden

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Massachusetts/Boston-794476/Things_To_Do-Boston-Boston_Public_Garden-BR-1.html

Boston Public Library, as one of the largest public libraries in the United States, is the first public library that allows people to borrow books and take them home in the country. Thus Boston Public Library contributes a lot to the rich culture of Boston.

There are over 6.1 million books in Boston Public Library, including many rare books and manuscripts. Some important holdings such as early editions of William Shakespeare, a major collection of Daniel Defoe, the archives of the Handel and Haydn Society and more can also be found at Boston Public Library. Today Boston Public Library has grown into a large library system with a central library and 26 branches spreading in Boston and the city's neighborhoods.

Want to know more about Boston Public Library? Please visit:

Boston Public Library

http://www.bpl.org/

Now you bookworms are eager to find some good books in Boston Public Library? Before setting out, you might need to know the hours information of Boston Public Library in advance.

Central Library: The Central Library is located in Copley Square, including the Johnson Building and the McKim Building. The buildings are grand with sculpture, paintings and roman-style details. The accurate address is 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square, Boston, MA 02116. As for the hours of Central Library, different rooms and sections may have various operating times.

Through Monday to Thursday, the operation hour of Central Library General, Research and Kirstein Business Library is 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and Children's and Teen Rooms is 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Friday and Saturday, both of them are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Sunday (October 17 through May), General, Research and Kirstein Business Library and Children's and Teen Rooms will be open form 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

If you are interested in arts, you should notice that the Music and Fine Arts room is closed on weekends. So you have to go there on weekdays. It will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, it will be closed 2 hours later. The operating hours of argent Gallery, Wiggin Gallery, and Cheverus Room are exactly the same with the Music and Fine Arts room.

As for the Print Department and Rare Books & Manuscripts, they will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm through Monday to Friday. And they are closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Don't worry if you are getting hungry at Central Library. The Courtyard Restaurant is open for lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm from Monday to Friday. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, it will be open for tea from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You can call 617-859-2251 for reservations. Besides, there is The Map Room Cafe which is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Saturday.

Downtown Boston Branches: There are three branches of Boston Public Library in downtown area, respectively North End Branch, South End Branch and West End Branch.

The North End Branch is on Parmenter Street. It is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The operating hour of North End Branch on Wednesday is from noon to 8:00 pm. On Friday, it is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Saturday, it is open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. You can call 617-227-8135 for more information.

The South End Branch is on Tremont Street. It is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The operating hour of South End Branch on Tuesday is from noon to 8:00 pm. On Friday, it is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Saturday, it is open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. You can call 617-536-8241 for more information.

The West End Branch is on Cambridge Street. It is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The operating hour of West End Branch on Thursday is from noon to 8:00 pm. On Friday, it is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Saturday, it is open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. You can call 617-782-6032 for more information.

Operating hours of branches in other cities can be found in:

Hours of Boston Public Library

http://www.bpl.org/general/hours.htm

The Boston Public Library is more than a library. It also brings you some of the most unique dining and event opportunities in the city. Imagine hosting your wedding at this unique and beautiful historic site. You'll be making memories that last for a lifetime.

What makes the Boston Public Library a perfect wedding venue? If you have ever imagined taking your marriage vows in a romantic hall, or walking up the grand staircase and greeting guests with champagne in the beautiful setting, Boston Public Library can realize your dream. With a variety of beautiful venues, the library can make any wedding, large or small, memorable.

The Entrance Hall - Most women want a romantic wedding. Of Roman design, the Entrance Hall is divided into three aisles by heavy piers of Iowa sandstone. The ceiling is vaulted and overlaid with a marble mosaic. Featuring white Georgia marble, the floor is embedded in the center aisle with brass inscriptions and symbols of the zodiac. All these make the hall a romantic venue for wedding.

The Main Staircase - Today, more and more girls dream of walking down the staircase to her bridegroom. Marrying at the Boston Public Library can help you realize this expectation. The Boston Public Library boasts the grand staircase. The marble of the stairs is mottled with fossil shells in ivory grey Echaillon. There are also the two stone lions, couchant at the turn of the stairs. A deep triumphal connects the Entrance Hall and the grand staircase. Imagine that you and your groom walk down the stairs and pass the arch hands-in-hands. How romantic!

The Courtyard - If you prefer a simple and peaceful wedding, celebrate your marriage at the quiet yet grandeur Courtyard at Boston Public Library. The Courtyard is next to the Main Staircase. It is an Italian-style courtyard with its famous bacchante statue and fountain. It is really a heaven of peace and beauty.

The Courtyard Restaurant and The Map Room Cafe - These two restaurants, managed by the Catered Affair, showcase the library as one of Boston's most inviting destinations. They are located on the first floor of the Boston Public Library's McKim building. Offering a unique dining experience, the restaurants are really great places to hold wedding banquettes.

Can't you just picture it? All this, the marble entrance hall, grand staircase, peaceful courtyard, and the gallery lobbies, are so wonderfully romantic and charming. Appreciate some pictures of wedding at Boston Public Library from these pages:

Boston Public Library Wedding Photography

http://www.personkillianblog.com/person-killian-photographers/2010/9/13/boston-public-library-wedding-photography-becky-ari.html

Evening Wedding at the Boston Public Library

http://www.tiradophotography.com/wordpress/an-elegant-evening-wedding-at-the-boston-public-library/

Boston Public Library Wedding Pictures

http://www.brianphillipsblog.com/boston-public-library/

If you are planning on holding a wedding at the Boston Public Library, there is something you should know. The library hosts a wealth of weddings throughout the year. Wedding ceremonies performed together with a reception are allowed. You can contact the Programming and Events Department for more details and information.

Set-up in public areas of the library is not allowed until after the library has closed. However, there are some places available during regular hours. Rental fees are charged upon a four-hour event and the charges for additional hours are calculated by reference to an hourly rate.

Boston Public Library Hours Information

http://www.bpl.org/general/hours.htm

The Courtyard is an ideal place for holding a wedding during the warmer months. However, it needs to be rented along with another place in the library, only available after the library has closed to the public.

If you are looking for an event planning company to help you plan an ideal wedding at Boston Public Library, consider the Catered Affair. The Catered Affair is a full-service event planning company owning offices at the library. It has combined the BPL to bring you a unique wedding with the beauty and setting of a fabulous landmark in the United States.

Wedding at Boston Public Library by the Catered Affair

http://www.thecateredaffair.com/bpl/weddings/

As a municipal public library in Boston, Boston Public Library is the first large library open to the public and also the first one to lend people books for home reading and use in America. The architecture of the BPL itself is an attraction as well. You will be impressed by the grand staircase, paradisal courtyard and more.

How to get to the Boston Public Library? If you are planning on a visit to the Boston Public Library, get to know its location first. Located at 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square, Boston, the library is within easy reach by public transportation or your own car.

Subway is just an environment-friendly and economical option. There are two lines of the subway to get to the library: Green Line and Orange Line. Green Line makes a stop at the Copley Station. If you take the Orange Line, get off at Back Bay or South End Station. Then walk down Dartmouth Street to Copley Square.

If you would like to drive to the library, you might need to know the driving routes. This page gives detailed driving directions to the Boston Public Library. To get the info, click this:

http://www.bpl.org/general/hours.htm

Knowing where to park your car is also very important if you drive by yourself. The Library does not own designated parking. However, there is a wealth of parking garages in a close proximity to the library.

1) Prudential Center Parking Garage - Boston's largest parking garage is a premier option. You can get access to the garage from Ring Road, Huntington Avenue, Belvidere Street, Dalton Street and Exeter Street. The accepted forms of payment include cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and traveler's checks. For more details and info, check the pages:

Prudential Center Parking Rates

http://www.prudentialcenter.com/parking/rates.php

Prudential Center Parking Map

http://www.prudentialcenter.com/parking/parking_map.php

2) You also can take advantage of Copley Place parking facilities. Copley Place is adjacent to the Boston Public Library, providing 1,400 parking spaces. It has seven levels of well lit and on-site garage parking with a maximum daily rate of $35. The detailed charging standards are $9 for 1 hour, $18 for 2 hours, $25 for 3 hours, $30 for 3 to 10 hours, $34 for 10 to 20 hours and $35 for 20 to 24 hours.

3) Another option is Garage @ 100 Clarendon. This garage is located at 100 Clarendon Street with 2000 total parking spaces. It is the only garage in the city with Mass Pike access. So if you drive from Mass Pike, the parking deck is an ideal option for you.

Garage @ 100 Clarendon Information

http://www.100clarendon.com/

4) Discount Parking is also available near the library. Central Parking System offers guaranteed discount coupon rates. There are two parking lots by Central Parking System near the Boston Public Library. One is located at 500 Boylston Street, just 0.25 miles from the library. It is an indoor parking lot, open for 24 hours. The maximum daily rates are $35. Early Birds entering by 9am and exiting after $4 are changed $25.

The other one is also an indoor parking garage, located on 800 Boylston Street, just 0.22 miles from the Boston Public Library. The parking lot is open for 24 hours, with a daily fee of $39. The forms of payment for these two parking garages are Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Take advantage of its printable coupons and you can get discount parking.

Central Parking System Discount Coupons

http://boston.centralparking.com/Destinations/Boston-Public-Library-Parking.html

Boston Public Garden Swan boat was started in 1837, it is one of the first botanical gardens in the United States of America. It stands on a 24 acres piece of land located next to Arlington. The Garden features a lush flower garden, park seats for people to watch or read magazines and designed alleyway.

http://www.visitingnewengland.com/swanboat.html

Entry fee and schedules

Boston Public Garden Swan Boat is open daily depending on the weather conditions. The garden is normally closed when it's raining, windy or on exceptionally hot days. The tickets are sold at Swan Boat dock; you don't need to book in advance. The schedule is planned based on seasons, for instance, spring starts from April to June 20; time: 10 am - 4 pm, summer starts from June 21 to Labor Day: time; 10 am - 5 pm, Fall starts after Labor Day: time; 12 pm - 4 pm on Weekends. Children aged between 2 to 15 years are charged $1.50, seniors charged $2.00 and the adults are charged $2.75.

http://www.swanboats.com/schedules.php

Parking and transportation

You can park at Boston common underground parking garage which is located along Charles Street at low fee. You can get parking from Boston hotel reservations and other parking garages.

http://www.swanboats.com/schedules.php

You will find that there are numerous sights to see in the great old city of Boston. Besides all the games you can catch at the Stadium and all the historic places you have to visit, why don't you try visiting from your hotels Boston the very famous Boston Public Garden.

- Why is the Boston Public garden famous?

The garden is a twenty four acre landscape which is located in the heart of the city of Boston. It is a beautiful garden open to use for the public with its most important element being the large lake. The lake even has a small island long way away from the land which is the lovers-getaway. With statues and beautiful plants, the garden is perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Garden_(Boston)

- Where is the Garden located?

The Garden is located on Charles Street Boston

- What are the activities in the Boston public Garden?

What the garden is best known for as already mentioned is the lake, and the funnest activity seems to be the Swan Boat rides, it's a must for all tourists in the city. The Swan Boats are a traditional symbol of Boston as a city and they grace the waters of the lake every spring. For most visitors the ride is the most peaceful part of the entire city.

http://www.swanboats.com/schedules.php

- Where can you stay near the garden?

There are hotels such as the:

- Taj Boston

- Boston Park Plaza

- Hilton Hotels and Resorts

These are all located very close to the Boston Public Garden.