Seasonal & Holidays

Swan Boats Readying for 141st Year

Spring officially arrives in Boston on April 15, when the first Swan Boat takes a ride.

Spring is technically here, says the calendar, but is it officially in Boston? That's not until April at 11:30 a.m.

That Saturday is when Mayor Martin Walsh and students from Boston Public Schools will take the first Swan Boat ride of the season at the Public Garden lagoon.

“This will be the 141st year the Swan Boats have entertained residents and visitors in the Boston Public Garden,” said Walsh. “Boston is ready for spring, and it’s a wonderful tradition to join the Paget family and Boston students for the first springtime ride around the Public Garden lagoon.”

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The Paget family owns and operates the Swan Boats, first launched by Irish immigrant Robert Paget.

While the rides are 141 years old, the oldest and smallest boat of the fleet just celebrated its 106th birthday, while the newest boat was in 1993.

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Each fully loaded Swan Boat weighs three tons and carries up to twenty passengers.

For more information, please visit the Swan Boats of Boston online at www.swanboats.com or call (617) 522-1966.

Photo by David Ohmer via Flickr


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