Charles River

The Esplanade, a 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) green path that runs along the Boston side of the river, is the best option for a relaxing stroll. Simply start near the Museum of Science and continue west to the Boston University Bridge. Along the way, you’ll pass plenty of joggers, wild geese, lemonade stands, and boat rental opportunities. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour of Boston or Cambridge, which includes a ride across and along the river.

• The Charles River is a must for all first-time visitors to Boston and Cambridge, as well as families with small kids and outdoor and exercise enthusiasts.

• Stand-up paddleboard, canoe, and kayak rentals are available on the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river.

• Concerts, movies, and performances take place at the Hatch Shell, located by Massachusetts Avenue near the Esplanade.

• There are pedestrian bridges that cross Storrow Drive in order to reach the river and Esplanade.

• Public bathrooms are located behind the Hatch Shell and at the Dartmouth Street facility.

• The Arthur Fiedler footbridge at Arlington Street, located near the Hatch Shell, is accessible to wheelchair users, as is the Esplanade.

The Charles River runs through a sizable portion of Boston and Cambridge. Via the T, take the green line to the Arlington stop or the red line to the Charles/MGH stop. If driving, free and paid metered parking options are available along the river; there is limited parking along Storrow Drive.

The Charles River area is lovely year-round, but may be at its best for the city’s annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. This is the defining Fourth of July event in New England, drawing more than half a million people to the riverbanks each year. The event is headlined with a performance by the world-famous Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra.

Located in Cambridge, just north of Boston, this Ivy League university boasts a campus filled with historical buildings, monuments, classic architecture, scenic green spaces, and plenty of museums. Free guided tours, as well as a self-guided option, are available. Plus, many guided city tours of Boston include a stop at the school.

Residents and visitors to the Greater Boston area love the Charles River for its connection to the natural world, where cyclists, walkers, kayakers, and joggers can exercise and relax on its banks. The “Lower Charles” is particularly popular, lined with boat houses, concert areas, sports fields, and more.

Yes, you can boat on the Charles River. Both individuals and tours run on the river, including yachts, powerboats, cruise boats, and Duck Tours. There are a few different launch spots to keep things easy for boaters. On the river, there are several locks, especially near the entrance to the harbor.

Yes, but swimmers must obtain a permit from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for safety reasons. The Charles River hasn’t always been fit for swimming, but there is an ongoing conservation and clean-up project so that more humans can enjoy a dip in “The Charles.”

Yes, you can legally fish in the Charles River. Fishermen just need to obtain a state fishing license, which is easy to do online. Hot spots for catching bigger fish are around docks or bridge pilings, where baitfish hang out. Try your luck at snagging a largemouth or striped bass.

Besides all the sporting activities along the Charles River, visitors may also run into local wildlife. Birds like great blue herons and cormorants hang out on “The Charles,” as do muskrats and beavers. In the river, you’ll find golden shiner, bluegill, carp, pumpkinseed, and more fish species.

Several tours can enhance a trip to the Charles River by giving you insider tips on the area. There are family-friendly guided bike tours, self-guided scavenger hunt-type tours, and other walking tours with a live guide. Some tours combine Charles River trips with other spots in Boston, like the MIT Campus.