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Boston and Cambridge are rich with state and local parks with fun activities all year

Boston’s got year-round fun and activity starting with a string of urban parks along the Charles River for walking, biking, paddling, bird watching and boating. The Charles River basin offers bicycling and running paths including a 20-mile loop from Science Park to Watertown Square There are picnic grounds, boat launches, recreation centers, ice skating rinks and swimming pools. Plan a romantic getaway or book a room at one of the city's youthful boutique hotels, then step out to one of these spots to enjoy nature in the city.

Follow these links for : Sightseeing - Urban Walks - Family Activities
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area - Boston, MA
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area

191w Atlantic Avenue Boston, MA, 02109 Phone: 617-223-8666

Islands in Boston Harbor, and easy ferry ride from downtown. Swimming, hiking, picnicking. A fun day trip

Thirty-four islands are located an easy ferry ride from downtown Boston comprise the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Great for day trips, although camping is allowed on four islands (reservations are required). Two islands have great swimming beaches; one is lifeguarded. Wonderful for walking, picnicking, swimming, and fishing. For ferry schedule and ticket information, click the ticket icon below this listing.
Season & Hours: Mid-May to mid-October; see ferry schedule
Cochituate State Park - Natick, MA
Cochituate State Park

43 Commonwealth Road Natick, MA, 01760 Phone: 508-653-9641

This park is located along the three large, north-south lobes of Cochituate Lake. The northern and middle sections of the lake are divided by the east-west Interstate 90 and State Route 30. The middle and southern sections are split by the east-west State Route 9.
Activities include boating, swimming, and fishing on its three large lakes. Picnicking, swimming, and boat launching are limited to the middle lake, where the main body of the park is located. Boaters may gain access to the other lakes through channels under roadways. Jet skis are not allowed. On heavy-use weekends, the parking area can reach capacity, requiring temporary closing of the parking lot. For closure updates, check Twitter @MassDCR.
Hours (Summer): 8am - 8pm, bathrooms locked at 7pm.
Parking Fees (May-October): $8 for MA Residents; $30 for Out-of-State Resident
Biking the Mystic River Reservation - Medford, Somerville and Chelsea, MA
Mystic River Reservation

Series of parks and green spaces along Mystic River; accessible by MBTA trains; walking, biking, picnicking, swimming

The Mystic River Reservation is a string of parks and green spaces along the Mystic River and including the twin Mystic Lakes. The two major lobes of the Reservation are along Mystic Valley Parkway (Route 16) but are divided by one offshoot of the Mystic River and the Fellsway (see map). Activities at these parks include walking and jogging, bicycling, picnicking, and access to water sports at Mary O’Malley Park and the Mystic Lakes.
The Reservation is accessible by commuter trains. Take the MBTA to W. Medford or Wedgemere stations for access to Mystic Lakes. Take the Orange line to Wellington Station for access to Mystic River. Bus lines to Medford Square provide access to the bike path. Open year round, dawn to dusk.
Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach, Carson Beach - Boston, MA - Photo Credit Abusayed Suman
Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach & Carson Beach

2010 Day Blvd. South Boston, MA, 02127 Phone: 617-727-5290

Bayside string of parks and beaches easily accessible to Boston; walking, swimming, fishing

This urban park consists of a three-mile stretch of parks and beaches along Dorchester Bay, easily accessible from Boston. Carson Beach offers some beautiful views and public amenities. Carson Beach also has a walkway for people to walk, bike, or run along the water's edge from Castle Island to the Kennedy Library.
Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset. - Park Mark (PDF)
Charles River Reservation - Greater Boston Area, MA
Charles River Reservation

String of urban parks along Charles River offers walking, biking, paddling, boat ramps

Charles River Reservation is a park extending from Boston Harbor up Charles River for 20 miles. It touches recreational properties and parks in Boston, Cambridge, Watertown, Waltham, Newton, Weston, Needham, Wellesley, and Dover. Recreation in the reservation includes walking, bicycling, bird watching and water sports like rowing and paddling.
The part of the reservation from downtown Boston is the Charles River Basin, which includes the Esplanade on the Boston side. The esplanade is the location of the July Fourth concert. The Upper Charles River section begins at Watertown Square and extends to Riverdale Park in West Roxbury.

Map of Charles River Basin (PDF)