Timeline
10:00
Walk through Franklin Park Zoo as it opens. The grounds are spacious and less crowded in the morning, making it easy to take in the historic 72-acre site and the various exhibits without the midday rush.
10:30
Head to Ula Cafe for coffee and popovers. This local coffeeshop in the Sam Adams Brewery Complex serves breakfast and lunch, offering a perfect spot to rest and recharge with free wifi if you wish to check your plans.
11:00
Franklin Park Zoo Old Bear Cages
Walk to the Franklin Park Zoo Old Bear Cages. These historic ruins offer a quiet, reflective moment amidst the greenery. The site is a short walk from the cafe, allowing you to appreciate the history of the zoo's earlier days.
11:40
End your morning with a stroll through Franklin Park. As the crown jewel of Olmsted's Emerald Necklace, the park offers rural scenery and woodland preserves. It is a peaceful place to finish your outing, with easy access back to the zoo or cafe if needed.
Local tip
The zoo opens at 10:00 AM, so arriving right at opening time ensures you have the best light and fewest crowds. Ula Cafe is open from 09:00 on weekends and 07:00 on weekdays, so you can grab breakfast before or after the zoo visit.
Check before you go
- Franklin Park Zoo hours: Summer Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-6PM; Winter 10AM-4PM daily.
- Ula Cafe hours: Mon-Fri 07:00-18:00; Sat-Sun 09:00-16:00.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Boston (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).