01
Building / Landmark · 1987
Make Way for Ducklings
Nancy Schön’s bronze of Mrs.
What does Make Way for Ducklings reveal about the city?
Make Way for Ducklings becomes legible through Boston Public Garden and Cheers (Bull & Finch), then opens into Granary Burying Ground. Every step is a real civic connection.
A real civic connectionWhy?
Why this follows
America’s first public botanical garden (1837) — swan boats, the lagoon, and the Make Way for Ducklings statues.
92% confidence · 2 sources3 min walk on footWhy?
Why this follows
The 1969 Beacon Hill pub whose exterior framed America’s favorite bar for eleven seasons — inside looks nothing like the show, and everybody still comes.
92% confidence · 2 sourcesThe wider civic frameWhy?
Why this follows
Gas-lit, brick-sidewalked neighborhood beneath the State House dome; home of the 19th-century free Black community on its north slope.
92% confidence · 3 sourcesThe visible layerWhy?
Why this follows
Charles Bulfinch’s 1798 capitol crowned with a dome gilded in 23-karat gold; built on John Hancock’s former cow pasture.
92% confidence · 2 sourcesA human storyWhy?
Why this follows
John Hancock extends the story from Massachusetts State House: built on his pasture.
92% confidence · 2 sourcesThe visible layerWhy?
Why this follows
Granary Burying Ground extends the story from John Hancock: buried here.
92% confidence · 5 sourcesRead the city asFood loverLet restaurants, cafes, markets, and neighborhood rituals lead.VisitorStart with what makes the place legible fast.StudentFollow campus rhythms, libraries, food, and late-night edges.LocalSurface the everyday rituals and quieter second looks.HistorianPrioritize older layers, people, and civic memory.ParentFavor safe, walkable, campus-adjacent understanding.ArchitectTrace buildings, campuses, edges, and visible civic form.RunnerRead the city through parks, paths, bridges, and distance.FounderFollow institutions, labs, companies, and invention spillover.
Open the connections
Why each step follows
02
Park / Public space · 1837Boston Public Garden
America’s first public botanical garden (1837) — swan boats, the lagoon, and the Make Way for Ducklings statues.
A real civic connection · 2 min walk03
Restaurant / Café · 1969Cheers (Bull & Finch)
The 1969 Beacon Hill pub whose exterior framed America’s favorite bar for eleven seasons — inside looks nothing like the show, and everybody still comes.
3 min walk on foot · 3 min walk04
NeighborhoodBeacon Hill
Gas-lit, brick-sidewalked neighborhood beneath the State House dome; home of the 19th-century free Black community on its north slope.
The wider civic frame · 4 min walk05
Building / Landmark · 1798Massachusetts State House
Charles Bulfinch’s 1798 capitol crowned with a dome gilded in 23-karat gold; built on John Hancock’s former cow pasture.
The visible layer · 7 min walk06
Person · 1737John Hancock
John Hancock extends the story from Massachusetts State House: built on his pasture.
A human story · 3 min walk07
Building / Landmark · 1660Granary Burying Ground
Granary Burying Ground extends the story from John Hancock: buried here.
The visible layer · 1 min walkMake it walkable
The story on foot
Make Way for DucklingsBuilding / LandmarkBoston Public Garden2 min walk from Make Way for DucklingsCheers (Bull & Finch)3 min walk from Boston Public GardenBeacon Hill4 min walk from Cheers (Bull & Finch)Massachusetts State House7 min walk from Beacon HillGranary Burying Ground3 min walk from Massachusetts State House
Jump back in time
The older layer
1660 · Granary Burying GroundThe 1660 burying ground holding Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and the victims of the Boston Massacre — roughly 5,000 burials beneath 2,300 markers.1686 · King's ChapelFounded in 1686 as the first Anglican church in New England; the granite building of 1754 holds the oldest pulpit in continuous use in the United States.1722 · Samuel AdamsBrewer, agitator and master political organizer (1722–1803) — architect of the Sons of Liberty, the committees of correspondence, and the meetings that became the Tea Party.1723 · Crispus AttucksSailor of African and Wampanoag descent (c.1735 · Paul RevereNorth End silversmith, engraver and revolutionary courier (1735–1818), immortalized by Longfellow’s 1860 poem about his midnight ride.
Ask who shaped this
The human story
John HancockBoston’s richest merchant and the Revolution’s banker (1737–1793); president of the Continental Congress, first signer of the Declaration, first governor of Massachusetts.Paul RevereNorth End silversmith, engraver and revolutionary courier (1735–1818), immortalized by Longfellow’s 1860 poem about his midnight ride.Samuel AdamsBrewer, agitator and master political organizer (1722–1803) — architect of the Sons of Liberty, the committees of correspondence, and the meetings that became the Tea Party.Crispus AttucksSailor of African and Wampanoag descent (c.