Review: Charles River Esplanade

Let’s start big picture. What’s the deal?
A narrow paradise along both sides of the Charles River, the Esplanade stretches for three miles from the Longfellow Bridge to the Boston University bridge. Over 1,500 trees, charming bridges, playgrounds, ponds, and gardens bring a lyrical quality to this meandering landscape, all of which has been cultivated over the last century to create a calming waterfront retreat. When the green trees brighten into sparkling reds and oranges in autumn, the Esplanade shows its true colors.

What should we put on our must-see or must-do list?
The Hatch Shell is a half-shell performance space that serves as home base for all things at the Esplanade. Friends meet here to go for walks and enjoy countless free activities, from Zumba classes to concerts. (The venue is most famous for featuring Boston Pops on the Fourth of July.)

Boston is fantastic when seen by the water, and the Community Boathouse (the first public boating program in the country) is the perfect jumping-off point for a river paddle. On a nice day, hop in a kayak and explore the inlets that curve through the Esplanade before floating down to the Massachusetts Avenue bridge. The less adventurous can settle on a dock with a sandwich, which is equally rewarding and doesn’t require a life preserver.

Anything tricky about getting here?
Divided from Back Bay by harrowing Storrow Drive, the Esplanade requires crossing over perpetual traffic on one of eight pedestrian footbridges. Be aware that only some of these bridges are handicapped-friendly; the Arthur Fiedler footbridge at Arlington Street is wheelchair accessible and an ideal starting point.

All said and done, what's the best path to take?
If you’re exploring Boston for the day, take a walk up through Back Bay from Massachusetts Avenue and loop back down along the Esplanade. If at any point you need a break, you can pop back out to Beacon Street or relax along the water. If you’re feeling ambitious or want the best city views of Boston, cross the Harvard Bridge on Massachusetts Avenue and continue east along the Cambridge side of the Esplanade, crossing back to Boston at the Longfellow Bridge.