Finding the Good Will Hunting Bench on Boston Public Garden

Affiliate Disclosure:

This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tours and experiences I genuinely believe are helpful for visitors to Boston. If you’re visiting Boston and you’re a fan of Good Will Hunting, one of the most meaningful stops you can make is at the iconic bench where Robin Williams and Matt Damon filmed one of the movie’s most memorable scenes.

As a lover of all things Boston, one of my favorite movies is Good Will Hunting.

Include visiting the Good Will Hunting bench it as part of your itinerary while visiting the Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, and Beacon Hill.

READ BLOG POST: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of The Departed Filming Locations

I love pointing first-time Boston visitors to this iconic bench directly across from the Duck Pond on the Boston Public Garden. It is a spot to reflect on not only the movie, but what the scene represents.

Where Can I Find The Bench?

The bench is NOT on Boston Common. It's in the Boston Public Garden, which sits directly next to the Boston Common. The two parks connect and flow into each other, so it's easy to mix them up.

A tranquil view of the iconic bench at Boston Public Garden, famously featured in Good Will Hunting, overlooking the serene pond and lush greenery.

Here's how to find the bench:

• Enter the Boston Public Garden from the corner of Arlington Street & Beacon Street

• Walk straight towards the wide pathway that runs parallel to Beacon Street

• Look for the small lagoon (pond) to your right

• The Good Will Hunting bench is along the paved path facing the water - a quiet spot tucked away from the busier spots in the park.

There is no marker near or on the bench. Use the picture above to identify the location of the bench, which is across from the island in the small lagoon (pond).

The bench appears in one of the most emotional scenes in Good Will Hunting. Sean (Robin Williams) sits with Will (Matt Damon) and tells him, "You don't know about real loss...because that only occurs when you love someone more than you love yourself." The scene in the movie was filmed in late spring. It quickly became one of the most recognized locations from the movie.

Good Will Hunting scene on Boston Public Garden

After Robin Williams passed away in 2014, fans flocked to this bench and paid tribute with flowers, handwritten messages, candles, drawings, quotes, and even apples ("How do you like them apples?"). There is public support, particularly from Matt Damon himself, that they should create a public memorial on the bench for Robin Williams.

This area can become very popular, especially during summer tourist season. You may need to wait your turn to visit the bench and grab an iconic picture.

The last time I visited the bench I noticed someone had carved into the wood "Your Move Chief". A parting message from Sean to Will at the end of that scene. While it was an emotional message to see, I do NOT recommend or condone defacing public property.

Famous "Your Move Chief" carving on the Good Will Hunting bench in Boston Public Garden.