Leisure and Recreation

Boston offers exciting recreational experiences and opportunities for great getaways. The city boasts more than 50 bike and walking paths, along with its "Emerald Necklace," a seven-mile string of sparkling parks.

Beaches to the south and north - including Revere Beach, America's first public beach, and the famous shores of Cape Cod - are within easy reach by car or bus. For the hiker or skier, the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont are but a few hours away by car, as are the craggy shores of Maine.

Get a feel for Boston with a stroll along the Charles River Esplanade, 17 miles of riverside paths and parks. In-line skaters will find the Esplanade and Hatch Shell an ideal spot to strut their stuff.

Spend the day hiking, swimming, fishing or bird watching on the 10 islands of Boston Harbor Islands National Park.

Go whale watching at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in nearby Glouchester, America's oldest seaport.

Sail away on the Charles River or Boston Harbor. Boston's many sailing clubs have everything you need for lessons and rentals.

Wade in Boston Common's Frog Pond, or wait until winter, when it's transformed into a dazzling ice-skating rink.

Glide on a Swan Boat through the 24-acre Public Garden, America's first public botanical garden and the setting for the famous children's story, "Make Way for Ducklings."

Fire up the barbecue grill at Larz Anderson Park, and come back in winter for hillside sledding and ice-skating.

Play golf at one of the top public golf clubs in the country, the George Wright Golf Club.

Don't miss the Boston Bowl Family Fun Center, open "24-7." Along with 30 10-pin and 14 candle-pin lanes, you can enjoy 12 pool tables and 80 video games.

If you're a sports fan, Boston has it all, from the world-famous Boston Marathon to teams that are among the most loved in America. Since 1912, the storied Boston Red Sox have played in historic Fenway Park. The Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association play at the Fleet Center. The Bruins were the first American-based professional hockey team, while the Celtics have won 16 world championships - the most in league history. The youngest of the four Boston major sport teams, the NFL's New England Patriots, earned worldwide acclaim by upsetting the St. Louis Rams in the 2002 SuperBowl. The Patriots play at the new Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, also home to Major League Soccer's New England Revolution.

Boston also has college sports at every level, highlighted by the Beanpot Hockey Tournament and the Head of the Charles Regatta.