Must-Visit Parks to See During Your Stay in Boston
10 Must-Visit Parks to See During Your Stay in Boston
As Spring approaches, it’s time to start planning all of your outdoor activities while staying in Boston. Boston is touted as a very walkable city, making it easy to visit parks and outdoor spaces. In fact, The Upton’s location in the heart of the South End has a 99% walking score. Whether you’re in town for short visit or an extended stay, there are many places to visit while staying in one of the most beautiful, historic cities in America.
South End Parks to Visit
The South End has many great parks and green spaces to offer. The neighborhood’s charm of brownstone buildings also applies to South End parks and greenspaces. The South End neighborhood is very walkable and bike-friendly. While there are many parks to explore in the area, here are our 5 recommendations for South End parks that are close to The Upton for your temporary stay in Boston:
1. Titus Sparrow Park
One of the most popular parks in the South End, Titus Sparrow Park has something for everyone. There is a playground with a large play area for children. The park also has a basketball court and tennis court. It’s very close to Back Bay and downtown and offers great views of the city skyline. In the winter, there’s a small sledding hill for tots.
2. Peters Park
If you are looking to get active, Peter’s park is a lovely South End park that has a tennis court, an outdoor racquetball court, and 2 full basketball courts. The park is very well-kept and has nice scenery include flower beds. The park also has a fenced-in dog area where you can dog-watch cute South End pups.
3. Southwest Corridor
Southwest Corridor is a linear park that begins in Back Bay and goes through the South End, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain, spanning a total of 4.1 miles. The park is great for those looking for a running or biking route. It’s also a very scenic place to walk in the South End - take it to Back Bay and spend your day on Newbury Street.
4. Underground at Ink Block
One of Boston’s newest parks, Underground at Ink Block is located under I-93 and is an outdoor art installation featuring 21 amazing murals from talented local street artists. The park also the site for many outdoor cycling and fitness events that occur throughout the week. In addition, there is a fenced-in dog park. It’s definitely worth a visit.
5. Carter Playground
Carter Playground park has many sports amenities, including tennis courts, turf soccer fields, and a football field. The park is close to Northeastern University and often has students there play sports and exercises.
5 of the Best Boston Parks for Day Trips
When you stay at The Upton, you’re certainly not limited to just the South End neighborhood. There are plenty of parks in Boston engrained in history and beauty. If you’re looking to get out of the South End and explore here are our top 5 picks for parks to visit.
Neighborhood: Downtown, Beacon Hill
America’s first public arboretum is now one of Boston’s most popular tourist attractions. The scenery of The Public Garden makes it a must-see for out-of-towners. Walking distance from The Upton, It’s a great place to bring a blanket and hang out with a book or have a picnic. We recommend grabbing some cheese and wine from Formaggio and making a picnic day. Make sure to visit the iconic “make way for ducklings” sculpture and the bench from the scene of Good Will Hunting filmed here.
2. Charles River Esplanade
Neighborhood: Downtown, Back Bay
The Charles River Esplanade is another fantastic Boston park that is well frequented by both tourists and locals. The park offers fantastic views of the Charles River and the Cambridge skyline. The Esplanade runs over 3 miles long and has wide paths that are great for biking, rollerskating, running, or walking. Don’t forget to check out Night Shift Owl's Nest Esplanade beer garden.
3. Castle Island
Neighborhood: Southie
A historic site in Massachusetts, Castle Island is the site of Fort Independence, one of the oldest continuously fortified sites of English origin in the United States. The park is a scenic place to take a walk or rollerblade. Don’t forget to go to Sullivan’s to get some beach food and ice cream while you’re there.
4. Herter Park
Neighborhood: Allston
Located in Allston, Herter Park is located next to the Charles River. Kids will love the splash pad and wading pool - one of the best in Boston. The park is ideal for kayaking, with rentals available onsite. When you’re done, visit Night Shift’s Owls Nest location in Allston - the beer garden also has food trucks available at select times. The amphitheater at Herter Park is the site of many live performances.
5. Fan Pier Park
Neighborhood: Seaport
If you’re looking for that iconic shot of Boston’s city skyline, this is the place to go. Fan Pier Park is located in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood and has breath-taking views of the skyline and Boston Harbor. The vibe here is simply unmatched - come to take in a magnificent summer sunset. Seaport is also full of delicious restaurants. Watch the sunset and then enjoy a dinner.