Boston’s Public Garden was America’s first public botanical garden. One of the highlights of this Victorian-era garden are the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues. Guests can also take a 15-minute trip around the lagoon on a Swan Boat during the warmer months, a fun summer activity that has been around since 1877 and still delights garden visitors today. There are also several fountains, monuments, and unusual plants to admire in the Public Garden. More than eighty plant species are cultivated in greenhouses by the Parks and Recreation Department of Boston for the Public Garden and other city locations.