Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Massachusetts

"Boston Public Garden and Boston Common happen to be a pair of public parks, with the former being at the centre of the city and the latter being the first public park of the United States. While the two are excellent for simply taking a stroll, admiring the wildlife, monuments and fountains or riding the Swan boat, the former is also a botanical garden which showcases a variety of flora. The Victorian touch of the parks provides a romantic feel, which is why they are preferred locations for weddings."

"Adjoining Boston Common, the Public Garden is a 24-acre botanical oasis of Victorian flower beds, verdant grass and weeping willow trees shading a tranquil lagoon. The old-fashioned pedal-powered Swan Boats have been delighting children for generations. The most endearing spot in the Public Garden is the Make Way for Ducklings Statue, depicting Mrs Mallard and her eight ducklings, the main characters in the beloved book by Robert McCloskey."

"Wander around to the Public Gardens, or sit by the Frog Pond. It is a great way to enjoy the city without spending a penny."

"The route starts here in is the oldest public park in the country, and of course, it’s free. Frog Pond, which is in the park, is known for ice skating in the winter. While the skating will cost you about $20 for admission and rentals, watching others glide around the pond is always free."

"Boston Common takes the cake as this city’s most quintessential park. Take some time out to venture through America’s oldest park either by foot or by swan boat!"

"Located at Beacon Street in Back Bay, the park is the highest-rated park in Boston, boasting 4.5 stars out of 453 reviews on Yelp."

"Harvard University Arnold Arboretum is an oasis of green in the middle of Jamaica Plain. Head to the visitor center and grab a Discovery Pack full of hands-on activities that help kiddos explore their natural surroundings. The visitor center is also home to other activities such as wildlife bingo, a photo scavenger hunt, and family walks."

"Arnold Arboretum is spacious arboretum located in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, that includes hiking trails, wildlife, and wonderful scenery. There are a few lookout points that provide excellent skyline views, including Peter Hill. The Arnold Arboretum is truly a scenic escape from the city during all seasons."

"Why you’ve got to go: A superb way to spend a sunny Bostonian day is to walk through the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a vibrant park where there’s always something happening!. What to do: Start at Dewey Park near South Station or at Chinatown and walk all the way to the North End, exploring the many sights and smells along the way. Check out the colorful murals at Dewey Park and the signature red Adirondack chairs."

"The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a green and beautiful linear park that runs above Interstate 93. It is quite a popular destination and regularly attracts large crowds, especially in the summers, when the weather is pleasant and there are numerous events. The kids can have fun at the carousel, while the adults can walk or jog and even take advantage of Trillium’s, the local brewery."

"One of our favorite excursions on a nice sunny day is to walk through the Rose Kennedy Greenway. There is always something going on, and lots of things to see as you meander through one of Boston's most vibrant parks. You can start at Chinatown or Dewey Park near South Station and stroll way all the way up to the North End, or vice versa."

"Franklin Park is Boston's largest open space, located south of Downtown Boston within the Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Roslindale, and Dorchester neighborhoods. Another of Frederick Law Olmstead's green masterpieces, this 485-acre park was designed in the 1890s. Franklin Park's most popular tourist attraction is the Franklin Park Zoo, a 72-acre facility that opened in 1912."

"Come for the natural beauty of this 485-acre Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park, stay for a plethora of playground options sure to please any crowd, even during the colder months. Older kids should head to El Parquecito de Hermandad for rock climbing and a zip line, while younger kids will like the Tiffany Moore playground area."

"The 527-acre Franklin Park is both Boston’s largest park and the home of the Franklin Park Zoo. Spanning Boston’s Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester neighborhoods, this park draws visitors from around the city to its sprawling green spaces. Find Franklin Park at 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121."

"A post shared by Paula (@pjphotos1008) on Oct 16, 2018 at 3:59am PDT. Armenian Heritage Park is a memorial park dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The park is located on the Rose Kennedy Greenway between Faneuil Hall and Christopher Columbus Park."

"Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy GreenwayBoston, MA 02109(617) 803-8785. Why you’ve got to go: Is Boston good for families?. Attractions like this one, packed with family-friendly fun, indicate that it definitely is!"

"Larz Anderson Park is a large park located in Brookline, and is a unique green space that is great to visit year-round. The park is very family-friendly, and offers amenities for youth sports, a playground, picnic tables with BBQ grills, and a covered picnic area. In the Winter months, there is a public ice skating rink and one of Boston’s best sledding spots – a large hill with far-away views of the city skyline."

"The park has a one and half mile path that loops around a large man-made pond. In addition to walking, it’s a great place to run, walk the dog, or just sit, relax and take in the views. In the winter, kids can go to the “sugar bowl” – a large hill that’s great for sledding."

"Jamaica Pond, a park and boating spot in Jamaica Plain, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 103 Yelp reviews. Head over to 507 Jamaicaway to see for yourself."

"Fresh Pond is a reservoir and park in United States that consists of a 155-acre kettle-hole lake and 162 acres of surrounding land. There is also 2.25 mile perimeter which is popular among runners, cyclists and walkers, along with a nine-hole golf course for the golf enthusiasts. For the City of Cambridge, Fresh Pond Reservoir is a vital part of the drinking water supply system."

"Fresh Pond is a wildlife sanctuary and dog-friendly park in North Cambridge. The park has many paths for walking and running. The reservation is one of the few places that allow dogs to go off-leash, and includes an exclusive dog beach."

"The private park features a green oasis in the rough-and-tumble Financial District as well as a music series during the summer."

"A spectacular sight to behold, the Boston Public Library, in its Renaissance Revival style, is an architectural splendor built in 1895. The granite “palace for the people” features cathedral style reading halls and is home to a vast art collection, tapestries and of course, millions of rare books, manuscripts, and musical scores. The library is actually two buildings, the second, more modern one was built in 1972."

"Completely free to enter, there are 3 areas that I’d recommend for photos. Bates Hall: The most iconic space in the library, Bates Hall will give you some real Hogwarts vibes. The oak tables, green reading lanterns, and ornate, curved ceiling make one hell of a photo."

"This venerable institution is a handsome temple to literature and a valuable research library. The Renaissance Revival building was opened…"

"Located in the North End of the city, the Early Republic style St. Stephen’s Catholic Church is made of red bricks on the outside and has a belfry, cupola as well as a clock tower. It opened in the year 1804 and was built almost square. Formerly a Congregational church, it is now Roman Catholic and serves as a key architectural landmark, facing the Paul Revere Mall."

"The Commonwealth Avenue Mall that is part of the Emerald Necklace, is a linear park often frequented by a “posh” crowd. It is an ideal location to seek shade in the hot summer months, owing to its gigantic trees and is great for taking a stroll or for walking pets. Not only was it designed in the French boulevard style, but it also has historical appeal and is the site of many statues, such as that of Abigail Adams, Phyllis Wheatley and Lucy Stone, that attract many visitors."

"A post shared by Allison Beiche (@abeiche17) on Dec 21, 2018 at 1:34pm PST. It’s our number ONE most Instagrammable place in Boston for a reason. Get away from the tourists and go totally local with a stroll down Commonwealth Avenue."

"Chef Michael Serpa’s latest restaurant was only open for about a month last fall when it became clear that its pandemic-survival prospects would be improved by a temporary “hibernation.” Now Serpa and his team are finally back in action at Atlántico, bringing to its airy, aqua-blue South End space and patio a splay of Iberian-inspired seafood, such as saffron- and squid-laden paella, grilled swordfish covered in olives and capers, spicy tapas and super-fresh crudo. The extensive list of Spanish and Portuguese wines is not to be missed—nor, frankly, is Serpa’s other recent opening: Grand Tour, a Back Bay bistro that debuted just before the 2020 shutdown. 600 Harrison Ave., Boston, 857-233-2898, atlanticoboston.com."

"The gist: A seafood-driven tapas bar from Michael Serpa that we couldn’t wait to try—until the damn pandemic delayed that opportunity by a full year. Thankfully, the hibernation is over, which means it’s high time to sample the wonders of Iberian cuisine.The food: What is Iberian cuisine, you say?. Flavorful Spanish and Portuguese nibbles spanning everything from oysters and seasonal crudo to tinned seafood, shrimp, scallops a la plancha, and of course, paella."

"Atlántico is a new South End tapas spot from the team behind Select Oyster Bar and Grand Tour. The Spanish and Portugese-inspired menu is seafood-focused, with a number of options served a la plancha. There’s also a separate Sunday brunch menu, with things like linguiça hash."

"A multi-level seafood restaurant and bar, located on the Boston Waterfront, that comes with a roof deck and rooftop bar with breathtaking views over the water and harbor. Casual all-day dining on the first floor, more celebratory eating and cocktails on second, the Legal Harborside third floor and rooftop deck offers drinks and Sushi bites in a fun and vibrant atmosphere. Equipped with retractable glass walls and ceiling, making it a four-season rooftop."

"Don’t let the stigma of Legal Seafood being a chain deter you from stopping in at Legal Harborside. This is the flagship location. The downstairs is a casual seafood eatery and the second floor is more formal."

"Caffe Dello Sport is where you can go for the North End's most authentic espresso and coffee experience on Hanover Street."

"Famed restaurateurs Frank DePasquale and Nick Varano bring their Southern Italian specialties honoring Boston’s North End to Encore Boston Harbor."