Our Top 5 Ways to Have Socially Distant Fun
With Fenway closed and many of the city’s most beloved bars still shuttered, it’s the perfect time to breathe some of that fresh New England air and explore Boston’s outdoorsy side. Below, check out some of The Revolution Hotel staff’s favorite safe and socially distant activities in B eantown right now.
Image from @paddleboston on Instagram
When the weather’s warm, there’s no be tter spot to soak up that much- needed vitamin D than on the Charles River. Be sure to check in at Charles River Canoe & Kayak first, wh ere you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes. They have several location s throughout the city. You’ll have a very special view of Boston from the water, and you’ll get an amazing upper-body and core workout!
If water isn’t your thing, grab a bike rental, hop on the T and take a ride out to Alewife Station, where you can pick up the Minuteman Bike Path. This award-winning, 10-mile “rails to trails” bike path takes riders through the towns of Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington and Bedford, and passes through the historic area where the American Revolution began in 1775. You’ll find several bike shops and cafés along the path; we like Ride Studio Café, which is the perfect blend of high-end bike shop and trendy urban café.
Image from @sullivanscastleisland on Instagram
Looking for a more laid- back way to spend your day ? Head out to Castle Island to enjoy the sea breeze and some of the best views of Boston. Located on a peninsula in historic South Boston, you’ll find this gorgeous park right on the harbor’s edge. Featuring a sandy beach, a playground, walking paths, vast grassy picnic areas and Fort Independence (a more-than-350 year old English fortress that offers tours every 30 minutes), Castle Island has plenty to offer for a leisurely day by the sea. If you don’t feel like packing a lunch, stop by the famous Sully’s Snack Shack for fried clams and ice cream, a Boston institution since 1951.
Image from @ghostsandgravestones on Instagram
Everyone knows that Boston has had its fair share of honored and celebrated names walk ing its hallowed streets. What many don’t know is that some never left. With five prominent cemeteries located in Boston proper, we suggest visiting a few and taking a stroll back in time through the headstones — we think you might recognize a few names. In d owntown, you’ll find Granary Burial Ground, King’s Chapel Burial Ground, and Central Burial Ground; notable head stones include Sam Adams and Paul Revere. Over in the North End, you’ll find Copp’s Hill Burying Ground; with its sweeping harbor views, it’s a fitting final resting place for Boston’s first lighthouse keeper, George Worthylake. A bit further outside the city, in Jamaica Plain, check out lovely Forest Hills Cemetery, designed to be a garden and arbore tum. Here you’ll find famous poets E.E.C u mmings and Anne Sexton. If you’re looking to get really spooked, we suggest checking out Ghosts & Gravestones Boston for a spine-chilling tour of the city’s best cemeteries.
Image from @arnold_arboretum on Instagram
When we want to keep our distance from others, we can’t think of a better place to go than 281 acres of protected greenery. The Arnold Arboretum, sprawled across parts of Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, is the oldest public arboretum in North America. With nearly 17 ,000 different types of trees and plants, the Arnold is basically a living natural museum to explore. Take a guided or self-guided tour, take a virtual open-air yoga class, admire the nature-inspired digital art shows, relax by the lake, jog on the paths, and bring your (leashed) dog to enjoy some exercise.