Charles River Esplanade
The Charles River Esplanade is a personal favorite of mine when visiting Boston. When my friend studied at Northeastern, we would take strolls here and The Commons after a night on the town. Nowadays, I find myself at the Esplanade in the spring and summer for fundraising.
At the end of the spring, my company hosts the Walk for Boston Children’s Hospital and at the end of the summer they always host the Mass General Cancer Center Walk and 5K. Before I had the kiddos, I used to be a jogger in the 5K race. Now, I find myself (attempting) to push the kids in the stroller for 6 miles on the course that stretches both the Boston and Cambridge side of the river.
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When I am not raising money for charity, I visit the Night Shift Beer Garden in the summers to cool off from a hot stroll. I have also caught some summer concerts at the Hatch Shell. It is always a relaxing time to stroll along the Charles River and watch the sailboats go by. Whether you are in town for a Red Sox game, business trip, or any other function, be sure to take a moment to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and take a walk along the beautiful waterfront.
About the Charles River Esplanade
First off, what is an esplanade? As frequently as I have been here, it was not until recently that I looked up the definition (stubborn, I know). It is just a narrow strip of land, typically level, that follows along the water.
The Charles River Esplanade is a 64 acre park that boasts miles of running trails, riverfront access, and a music oval concert venue. There are multiple pedestrian bridges that take you out onto the island over Storrow Lagoon to be at the edge of the river. All in the heart of downtown Boston!
The Esplanade is a great public park to watch sailboats or even practice yourself! It is home to the oldest and first public boating program in the United States, known as Community Boating, Inc. You can find the boathouse between the Hatch Shell and Longfellow Bridge.
There is also a play space for the kids to make new friends. Many enjoy sunbathing along the banks of the Charles River basin on Fiedler Dock. Get a brew at the Night Shift beer garden.
How to Get to the Esplanade
The majority of the time that I go to the Esplanade, I park at the Boston Common Garage on Charles Street. When I do my fundraising events, they comp the parking which makes this an easy choice. Otherwise, when I come in and pay, the rates are reasonable for downtown Boston.
Just note, it is very tight in the garage, so, take your roof Thules off in advance! I almost learned this the hard way! Also, when you surface, remember which entrance you arrived in. And lastly, be sure to bring your ticket. The doors into the garage are locked and only open with your ticket!
I enjoy parking at The Commons because it allows me to take a relaxing stroll through the Public Garden as you work your way to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. Follow the Public Garden out to the corner of Beacon Street and Arlington Street. Just across Beacon Street you will briefly walk on David Mugar Way before seeing the pedestrian bridge.
The Fiedler Footbridge to the Esplanade allows pedestrians to easily cross the busy Storrow Drive. Plus, as a gradual ramp, it is handicap friendly. You will pop out near the Hatch Shell.
If you are coming in via train, there are several convenient T locations to go to. To those unfamiliar with the terminology, the ‘T’ is Boston’s commuter rail. I personally like to get off at Back Bay, which is right next to Copley Place and the Prudential Center.
Back Bay serves as a train station (if you are coming via Amtrak) but also serves as a rail station. If you are in need of some last-minute shopping, this station puts you right in the center of a premier shopping location!
To those that want an easier time navigating the city, you can also get off of the T at Arlington. Follow Arlington north across Beacon St will put you right where you need to be to cross the footbridge.
Things to Do at the Esplanade
If you are up for a walk, I strongly suggest taking the Esplanade from Boston over the river to Cambridge for some iconic Boston landmarks. You can do this by either taking the Mass Ave Bridge, Boston University Bridge, or Longfellow Bridge.
My personal preference, as featured in this picture, is to go over Massachusetts Avenue (Harvard Bridge). When you get to Cambridge, there is an excellent place to the right of the bridge that has your best viewing of the iconic Boston skyline.
Otherwise, if you are more of a Red Sox person, the Citgo sign and Red Sox Fields have a better view if you follow the trail down to the Boston University Bridge. Between there and Mass Ave Bridge will give you your best shots of BU and Fenway.
If running and walking are not your thing, there are plenty of other things to do. Like to skate? The Esplanade is skate friendly? Are you a bicyclist? Bring your bike and take in the river breeze.
Feel free to stop by the Esplanade Outdoor Gym to get an extra workout in. You can also bring the kids to a playground within the park!
Next 4th of July, join the annual summer tradition and get comfy somewhere in the Esplanade to see a concert and fireworks display at Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks Spectacular. The barge gets moored in the river off MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology); so the beer garden and elsewhere within the Esplanade are some of the best places to catch the show!
Why Visit the Charles River Esplanade
No matter the occasion, be sure to give the Esplanade a visit. Take a break from the stress of the city and blow off some steam enjoying a run along the esplanade. Or, catch some UVs and work on that tan relaxing on the docks.
You can also check out the schedule at the Hatch Shell and catch a concert. Plus, you can visit some of Boston’s other great offerings within walking distance of the park.
FAQs
It’s about three miles one way along the Charles River on the Boston side of the river.
There’s no public parking at the park. When I go, I typically park at the Boston Common Garage on Charles Street. Any of the parking areas in Boston Common are a great option. Another garage you can park in is the Hynes Auditorium Parking Garage.
