Summer Fun in Boston’s Parks: Your Guide to Outdoor Adventures

Boston, with its beautiful green spaces and vibrant community events, is the perfect city to enjoy summer fun in the park. From picnics and playgrounds to concerts and outdoor fitness classes, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your guide to making the most of Boston’s parks this summer.

Boston Common

As America’s oldest public park, Boston Common is a hub of activity during the summer months.

Picnics and Relaxation: Spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic under the shade of the park’s historic trees. The Frog Pond Café offers refreshments if you prefer to grab a bite on the go.
Frog Pond: The Frog Pond turns into a wading pool in the summer, providing a perfect spot for kids to cool off.
Shakespeare on the Common: Enjoy free performances by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and experience world-class theater under the stars.

Boston Public Garden

Adjacent to Boston Common, the Public Garden is a serene and picturesque escape.

Swan Boats: A ride on the famous Swan Boats is a must-do. These pedal-powered boats have been a beloved Boston tradition since 1877.
Botanical Beauty: Take a leisurely stroll and admire the beautifully landscaped gardens, vibrant flower beds, and majestic weeping willows.
Make Way for Ducklings: Visit the charming bronze statues inspired by the classic children’s book. It’s a perfect photo opportunity for families.

Charles River Esplanade

The Esplanade is a beautiful park along the Charles River, offering stunning views and a variety of activities.

Biking and Walking: Rent a bike or simply take a stroll along the scenic pathways. The Esplanade’s paths are perfect for an active day out.
Esplanade Playspace: This state-of-the-art playground is a hit with kids, featuring innovative equipment and a splash pad for hot days.
Outdoor Fitness: Join free outdoor fitness classes, including yoga, Zumba, and boot camp sessions, hosted by the Esplanade Association.
Hatch Shell Concerts: Enjoy free concerts and movie nights at the iconic Hatch Shell. The Boston Pops’ Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular is a highlight of the summer season.

Arnold Arboretum

For those looking to immerse themselves in nature, the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain is a must-visit.

Tree and Plant Collections: Explore the vast collection of trees and plants from around the world. The arboretum’s winding paths are perfect for a peaceful walk.
Guided Tours and Events: Participate in guided tours, workshops, and family-friendly events that provide insight into the arboretum’s diverse flora.

Franklin Park Zoo carousel. Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Franklin Park

As the largest park in Boston, Franklin Park offers a wide range of activities and attractions.

Franklin Park Zoo: Spend a day at the zoo and meet animals from around the world. The zoo’s playground and splash pad are perfect for young visitors.
Golfing: Enjoy a round of golf at the William J. Devine Golf Course, one of the oldest public golf courses in the country.
Sports and Recreation: Take advantage of the park’s sports fields, hiking trails, and picnic areas for a day of outdoor fun.

Jamaica Pond

Jamaica Pond in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood is a peaceful oasis perfect for water-based activities.

Boating: Rent a rowboat, sailboat, or kayak and spend the day on the water. The boathouse offers rentals and sailing lessons.
Fishing: Try your hand at fishing. The pond is stocked with fish, making it a popular spot for local anglers.
Walking and Running: The 1.5-mile path around the pond is ideal for a leisurely walk or jog.

Activities for the Elderly

Boston’s parks offer plenty of accessible activities that the elderly can enjoy. Take some time off to bring your elderly loved ones or hire a home caregiver to accompany your loved one.

Accessible Walks: Many parks, like the Boston Public Garden and the Arnold Arboretum, have smooth, paved paths that are perfect for leisurely walks or wheelchair strolls. The beautiful scenery provides a calming environment for relaxation and conversation.
Outdoor Concerts: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy free outdoor concerts at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade. These events are a wonderful way to enjoy live music in a comfortable and welcoming setting.
Picnic Areas: Many parks have shaded picnic areas with accessible tables. Pack a picnic and enjoy a meal outdoors. Parks like Franklin Park and the Boston Common offer plenty of quiet spots for a peaceful lunch.
Gardens and Horticulture: Visit the Boston Public Garden or the Arnold Arboretum to explore beautiful gardens and plant collections. These locations offer a sensory-rich experience with the sights and smells of various flowers and trees.
Boat Rides: The Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden are a gentle and scenic activity that can be enjoyed by all ages, providing a serene way to experience the beauty of the garden from the water.

Tips for a Perfect Park Day

Pack Smart: Bring sunscreen, hats, water bottles, and snacks to stay comfortable and hydrated.
Check Event Schedules: Look up park events and activities ahead of time to make the most of your visit.
Respect the Environment: Follow park rules, clean up after yourself, and respect the natural surroundings to keep Boston’s parks beautiful for everyone.

Boston’s parks offer endless opportunities for summer fun, from relaxing picnics to exciting outdoor activities. Whether you’re exploring historic Boston Common, paddling on Jamaica Pond, or enjoying a concert on the Esplanade, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in this vibrant city. So take time out from work, laundry and other household chores, pack your picnic basket, grab your sunscreen and insect spray, and head out to experience the best of summer in Boston’s parks!

Celebrating Dads and Grads

Whether you’re a city native or a visitor, there’s much to enjoy in the Boston area at any time of the year. But with Father’s Day and graduation around the corner, you’re likely gearing up to celebrate, Boston-style. Here are a few tips to help you plan a happy and memorable Father’s Day or graduation celebration.

Dine at One of Boston’s Many Fine Restaurants

Whether you’re celebrating graduation day or hosting a Father’s Day event, you, your family, and your loved ones will enjoy having a night out and eating a nice dinner. And with many restaurants offering al fresco dining, you may even consider reserve an outside table.

Make it memorable by getting a makeover, dressing up in your favorite dresses and best evening wear, and taking lots of pictures. Before you go, take these fine garments to a Boston dry cleaner to get them cleaned and conditioned. Be sure to dry clean them again afterwards to remove any food stains and keep them in shape for the next wearing.

Enjoy an Outdoor BBQ

Or, instead of going out for dinner, why not stay in and host an outdoor BBQ party for your Grads and Dads celebration? Not only does BBQ make for a quintessential American party, it is also the best way to enjoy the early summer weather. (But if it’s going to be hot, you can always opt for some shade in your backyard or deck, or take your party to the local park picnic shelter.)

And when it comes to BBQ, you might want to invest in a propane grill if you don’t already have one. Propane is a clean fuel and propane grills are easy to start, easy to control the flame, and easy to clean. Just don’t forget to fill your propane tank or get propane delivery from a trustworthy provider.

Because of the warm weather, you can expect to work up a sweat and maybe get food on your clothes. If you are too tired after the party to do laundry, just call your local wash and fold delivery service!

Bonus Tip: Where to Buy Gifts

Every dad and new grad deserves a gift on their special day. If you had been too busy with party preparation and either forget or can’t spare time to shop for a gift, you can find gifts suitable for both dads and grads at the local drug store. For example, you could put together a gift bag of bathing products including bar soap, bath soaks, cologne, aftershaves and more.

If all that great food at the restaurants and BBQ gives you a bad case of indigestion, you can also rely on your local pharmacy for digestive help.

Hope you find these ideas useful and wish you a great Father’s Day or school/college graduation celebration with your family and loved ones.

Free Fun at Capron Park Zoo

Hey Bostonians! The Highland Street Foundation is sponsoring Free Fun Fridays again this year. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit museums and cultural venues across Massachusetts for free!

Among the venues is Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro which is about 50 minutes from Boston. It’s a nice ride out of town to see exotic animals such as the white lion, red panda, emus and pythons. But for us, the main attraction is the splash pad, a fun and exciting zero-depth water playground that thrills children of all ages. For maximum enjoyment, bring bathing suits and beach clothing and sunscreen for your kids. The local pharmacy near me offers a quality selection of sunscreens and other health and beauty aids for the whole family and they provide more individualized care than the national chains. You should try them, if you are not yet a customer.

Source: http://capronparkzoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/LION-AND-BEAR-BEHIND-THE-SCENES-.png

The adults can use some sunscreen too, but take care that it doesn’t stain your clothing. The oil component of these lotions leaves invisible stains that can become visible over time. These stains may not be easily removed in normal washing. I usually take stained clothing to a dry cleaner near me for stain removal.

The park does not allow visitors to bring picnics, but there is a Concession Stand that offers delicious fresh cooked food, ice cream and cold drinks while you rest at shady picnic benches.

The Zoo is a wonderful place to visit at other times of the year too. There are educational classes on animals and how to take care of them, conservation, photography and more. If you have teenage children, you may consider enrolling them into the Zoo Crew program which gives teens the opportunity to volunteer at the Zoo. The Zoo also offers birthday party packages for children – a perfect birthday celebration for the kid who loves animals!