People-watching on Boston Common Corralled
by bustling, commercial Tremont Street, stately Beacon Street, and
genteel Charles Street, Boston Common lies at the confluence of three
disparate worlds. Whatever the season, a stroll through the common
yields a veritable cross section of the city’s residents.
People-watching in the Public Garden
Pilgrimage to Revere Beach The first hot day of summer sparks a massive northbound migration via the MBTA blue line to the popular Revere Beach.
Salsa music blares from passing cars on Ocean Avenue, soccer players
stake out their pitches, and sun worshippers jostle for space at the
shore break. Second-guessing the Red Sox As
soon as their baseball team opens spring training in March, Red Sox
fans fill the talk-show airwaves with vehement assaults on the skills
and intelligence of the manager. If the Sox lead the league in October,
the manager is hailed as a genius. If they fall short, there’s no place
to hide. Summer Sundays on Memorial Drive Closed
to vehicular traffic on summer Sundays, Cambridge’s twisting, riverside
Memorial Drive becomes a blur of rollerbladers, bicyclists, and
joggers. Rent a bicycle at ATA Cycle
Rollerblading
Biking the Emerald Necklace Taking in all 6 miles (9.5 km) of the Emerald Necklace is best accomplished on a bicycle. The well-maintained trails lead riders from the wooded environs of Arnold Arboretum to the Back Bay Fens and onward to the Public Garden. Rent wheels from Boston Bike Tours & Rentals
Biking the Emerald Necklace
Boating on the Charles Dawn
on the Charles River Basin sees local rowing crews taking advantage of
the water’s glass-smooth stillness. By late morning, a breeze kicks up,
beckoning fleets of small sailboats. When the wind diminishes toward
sunset, canoeists arrive to enjoy the water’s renewed calm.
Sailboats, Charles River
Skating on the Frog Pond Few scenes capture quintessential Boston better than a snow-covered Boston Common
with figures twirling and sliding on the Frog Pond ice Rent some skates
and partake in the scene, then refuel in the cozy warming hut. Watching Quincy Market Street Performers Even if you’ve had lunch and shopped until your shoe soles are worn out, a trip to Faneuil Hall Marketplace
is worthwhile if only to watch the street performances. Jugglers,
magicians, and other acts are surrounded by crowds of onlookers, all
rapt with amazement and amusement. Tango by Moonlight For five or six summer nights, the Tango Society brings a bit of Buenos Aires to the Weeks Foot Bridge, inviting some 200 couples to summon the passion within and dance the tango from moonrise ‘til midnight. Wedding Gown Shopping at Filene’s Basement While it is closed for renovations, Filene’s Basement
will hold its “Running of the Brides” at other locations. These sales
are usually held once or twice a year. The prospect of getting hold of a
designer gown at a fraction of the cost drives brides into a frenzy.
Top 10 Beaches
Revere Beach An old-fashioned boardwalk, lively crowds, and great Boston views. Duxbury Beach An uncrowded South Shore jewel with soft white sands. Crane Beach Five miles (8 km) of coastline with gentle waves and rolling dunes. Singing Beach Gorgeous blue waters, rocky outcrops, and a picture-perfect beach town. Constitution Beach Family friendly, with clean sand, picnic areas, lifeguards, and great Boston views. Carson Beach Clean facilities, lifeguards, and kayak rentals. L Street Beach Home of the “L Street Brownies,” famous for their Jan 1 plunge at this South Boston landmark. Malibu Beach Hardly a match for its Left Coast namesake, but popular for swimming as well as tennis and basketball courts. Pleasure Bay Beach Enclosed by a man-made causeway; there are no waves, but clean sand, water, and facilities. Wollaston Beach Boston Harbor’s longest beach has clean sand and facilities attracting South Shore families.
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