Boston on the Water

Hi and thanks for reading,

We (girlfriend and I) are coming into Boston in a couple of weeks for a week. We%26#39;ll be in the actual city about four days and will have a car, but will be using public transit mostly while in the city.

Living in Arizona (she%26#39;s a native), we really appreciate water and I was hoping to spend quite a bit of time near it. I%26#39;ve found that we both prefer spending time just sitting next to water (even a little creek) than to tramping around an over-air-conditioned museum for an hour.

Anyway, a friend of mine who college-d there sent me a link to a beach in Ipswich which looks like the most gorgeous place on earth, and I had planned to visit it. I%26#39;ve also read about sitting along the Charles River, which sounds nice and would be convenient. And, of course, being a Thoreau fan, I had wanted to go to Walden Pond for at least a bit.

Any other suggestions? Places on the harbor Downtown? I would LOVE to watch ships come in/go by. Other beach areas?

Thanks in advance,

Colin

Boston on the Water

DEFINITELY head out to the Harbor Islands for a daytrip.

http://www.bostonislands.org/

Boston on the Water

There are harbor cruises that leave from the Aquarium that are a lot of fun. You don%26#39;t have to actually go anywhere, just cruise around the harbor.

You might enjoy an evening at Boston Harbor Hotel.

They have outdoor movies and concerts on the harbor%26#39;s waterfront.

http://www.bhh.com/index.htm

bhh.com/summerseriespdf/鈥?008.FINAL.FINAL.pdf

I third the Harbor Islands.

Revere Beach is T-accessible via the Blue Line. Not exactly the most pristine beach, but you can grab something to eat a Kelly%26#39;s, a local institution, and see some local color.

Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea is a nice beach and easy to get to via the commuter rail, but be forewarned--the water will still be very cold, probably too cold to swim in.

Revere Beach actually isn%26#39;t so bad. They%26#39;ve done a great job cleaning it up and refurbishing the area over the past few years. It%26#39;s just not as pretty as some of the other NE beaches.

The Harbor Islands is a great choice. Cruise around the harbor and look at the scenery or choose one or two of the islands to spend the day on.

A few other local beaches to look into: Nahant, Nantasket, Wollaston and Carsons Beach. Since you will have a car, if you wanted to use it for a day trip outside of Boston to visit some really nice seaside areas there are some places in NH and ME. York Beach and Ogunquit in Maine and Hampton Beach in NH. All are a pretty easy drive from Boston.

the Charles River is certainly nice and it%26#39;s convenient but since you coming from AZ to visit NE, you should take advantage of the proximity of the ocean and enjoy it....even if it is too cold to swim. Just sitting on the sand, soaking up the sun and watching the waves roll in can be so enjoyable.

Thanks for the responses, guys!

Yes, I forgot to ask about the islands in the previous post. The ranger-led thing is a little too expensive and doesn%26#39;t sound like it%26#39;s really up our alley, but which one of just the boat tours is better, the regular or the sunset? The sunset sounds nice, but, being that the ocean is to the east, is it worth the extra $5? Are the other islands that the boats hit worth the extra $3?

Also, Kelly%26#39;s was mentioned. Would that potentially be a good place to get crab?

Thanks again.

Cranes Beach (Ipswich) is a great beach -- but as another poster said -- It%26#39;ll be cold! It%26#39;s also a hike. But if you go, then Gloucester and Rockport could be part of your day -- and that would be a great day trip -- you can do it without a car. See mbta.com for train service.

I too am a Thoreau reader, but I%26#39;d recommend against Walden Pond. I%26#39;ve not been there for some time, but it%26#39;s no more than another nice state park. You don%26#39;t get a ';whoa'; moment sitting there... well, I didn%26#39;t.

I%26#39;ll agree with others that the harbor islands are a great way to be in town and on the water. You can also take the commuter boats from downtown to either Hingham or Quincy -- $6.00 and I do not think they charge you when you just stay on for the round-trip.

When you%26#39;re on the water, bring a jacket -- yep, it%26#39;s chilly! Finally, I think the view of Boston from the Cambridge side of the river is one of the prettiest views of Boston you%26#39;ll find. And you can visit Harvard the same day.

Kelly%26#39;s is the self-proclaimed ';World-Famous'; place for roast beef. I know no one who would challenge that assertion.

Crab is not a local catch. Lobster would be the shellfish of choice -- and of course steamed clams.

Oh! Woodman%26#39;s Fried Clams in Ipswich. Essex County clams have a great reputation (yeah, world famous';). They%26#39;re not health food -- but they%26#39;re good! Woodman%26#39;s claims to be the home of the fried clam. I think the inventor was ';Tubby Woodman';... a name that testifies to their addictiveness.

Cranes Beach in Ipswich is amazing. One other word of warning though. Parking is expensive. You might be better off going to Gloucester.

If you would like warmer water and don%26#39;t mind a day trip, head down to Horseneck Beach in Westport, MA. It%26#39;s just under two hours driving, but is very nice and you can stay in the water for more than a few mintues without catching hypothermia.

Once again, another vote for the Harbor Islands. They are fantastic, and best yet, Uncrowded as most Bostonians still do not know about them.

The Harbor Islands are also cheap. The Ferry from the Aquarium is cheap, about $10 (round trip) and takes you to Spectacle Island and George%26#39;s Island (where there is an old Fort). From there, ferries will take you to other islands, and they are FREE. Also, if you are adventurous, bring a tent and camp on the islands.

Regardless, enjoy your stay in Boston and MA.

If you want to look at Boston skyline from the Cambridge side, you%26#39;ll actually see it if you go to MIT. If you go to Harvard all you%26#39;ll see would be the Harvard Business School. Nevertheless, both colleges are worth visiting for the river view.

the bees