Plenty of people are obsessed with getting their steps in, and for good reason. A simple exercise for all to enjoy, walking on a regular basis:
- Improves cardiovascular fitness
- Reduces excess body fat
- Increases muscle power and endurance
- Lowers risk of heart disease and stroke
- Enhances mood, memory, cognition, and sleep
💚 With even more health benefits to come across,🚶walking🚶♀️should be an important part of anyone’s daily routine!
Whether you’re looking to take a leisurely stroll or step up the pace and take a power walk, Boston has many amazing parks to get moving. We’re here to help you discover great places to meet your step counter requirements, so lace up your shoes and let us guide you to the best places to take a walk in Boston.
Our Favorite Places for Walks in Boston
1) Commonwealth Avenue Mall in the Back Bay
Designed in 1856 by Arthur Gilman, Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a French boulevard style walking path lined with mature trees and unique seating. Located in Boston’s Back Bay, this linear park is a fantastic place for a stroll with beautiful statues and impressive architecture to see along the way. Be sure to make some time for the world-class shopping and dining on Newbury Street only a few blocks away, especially if coming from out of town.
2) Back Bay Fens in Fenway
Centrally located in the Fenway area right on the banks of the Muddy River, Back Bay Fens offers walking pathways in a beautiful setting with the city in the background. Along your route, be sure to check out the abundant community garden, one of the largest in the state. You can also reflect at the profound war memorial or relax at the pristine rose garden, a few more stops worth making on your walk.
3) Jamaica Pond in Jamaica Plain
We’ve written about the sledding hill at Jamaica Pond in our “Toboggan Away: The Best Sledding in Boston” blog, but this park is more popular with people looking to take a walk around the pond while enjoying nice scenery. A neighborhood staple for getting steps in, the 1.5-mile-long circular walkway is also a favorite for joggers and dog walkers too. Boost your walk with a workout at the outdoor gym on the south side of the pond.
4) Fresh Pond Reservation in Cambridge
Let’s jump over the Charles River to Cambridge where a common theme presents itself: ponds with a paved pathway around its borders that offer an excellent opportunity to take a walk. This reservoir is a well-known destination for a lovely stroll year-round with a 2.25-mile walking lane and many scenic points to soak in the sights. If you’re bringing your pup along, make sure to stop at the mini pond where satisfying splashes await at the dog beach, a real hidden gem.
5) Millenium Park in West Roxbury
This enormous outdoor space has come a long way from being a landfill back in the day. Whether you’re looking for a short stroll or a long walk, Millenium Park offers multiple loops to accommodate your plans. With a gorgeous natural environment where catching glimpses of rare wildlife is not uncommon, a canoe launch onto the Charles River, multiple sports facilities and athletic fields, and a playground any kid would approve of, getting steps in can be just a small part of the day’s adventure.
6) Skyline Park in Brookline
Another former landfill turned premier spot for a walk, Skyline Park is a terrific place to get some exercise using your own two feet. Burn calories by doing light or intense cardio using multiple levels of nicely paved pathways surrounding a fantastic soccer field. Reward yourself with something delicious (but healthy!) at a picnic table under the spacious gazebo when you’re done.
7) The Riverway in Brookline
Nestled in between Coolidge Corner and Fenway, the Riverway is another outstanding option for a walk in the Boston area. Located just steps away from the Longwood T station, getting here using public transportation is a breeze. Enjoy a peaceful experience walking next to a substantial brook with ample opportunities to pause and appreciate the natural beauty around.
8) Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester
Located at the mouth of the Neponset River, this amazing location on the water’s edge provides gorgeous scenery with a sizable part of the Neponset Trail running through it. One side of the park consists of gentle rolling hills, a couple of perfect picnic spots, and a paved loop, while the other side, separated by a creek, includes another circular walking path, an athletic field, a playground, and multiple covered benches to sit down and enjoy the sunshine.
9) Old Harbor Park in Dorchester
Stretching from Carson Beach to the JFK Presidential Library, this linear park features a lengthy walking path with breathtaking views of the skyline, making it one of our favorite parks for a walk in Boston. As we’ve already written about in our “Get Pumped: Outdoor Gyms in Boston Parks” article, there is plenty of workout equipment running alongside the pathway, ideal for enhancing strides with strength training.
10) Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain
When it comes to the top places for a walk in Boston, it’s hard to beat The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. Enjoy an extensive network of dynamic walking pathways through lush vegetation and magnificent trees. The perfect place to catch the fall foliage or appreciate winter’s snowy landscapes, this park is an incredibly beautiful and remarkable outdoor space throughout the year.
11) Boston Public Garden in Beacon Hill
The Boston Public Garden is an enchanting space in the heart of Boston. Much-loved by locals and tourists alike, this tranquil 19th century urban park comes alive during the summertime with botanical gardens in full bloom and visitors admiring the sights in swan boats floating on the center pond. The intricate web of paved lanes provides a proper surface for walking in between immaculate lawns and mature trees.
12) Charles River Esplanade in the Back Bay
In our opinion, The Charles River Esplanade is the best place for a walk in Boston. Walkers, joggers, and bikers can rejoice while watching sailboats glide by on the water on nicer days. A well-maintained pathway running along the Charles River from Brookline to Beacon Hill lined with benches and playgrounds is the focal point of this superb outdoor space. Enjoy spectacular views of the city in every direction from beginning to end of the extra-long pedestrian thoroughfare designed for healthy pleasure. When the weather warms up, good times are available with concerts at the Hatch Memorial Shell, kayak and paddle boat rentals, and drinks at the Night Shift Brewing beer garden.
Some Final Thoughts to Share
Thanks for letting us guide you through our top walking locations in the Boston metro and, as always, we hope this article proves useful in making healthy strides. There are plenty more excellent parks to get your legs going in our very walkable city, and the Parkscape mobile application, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, can help you explore all of them. Be sure to check it out and connect with the outdoors like never before!
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