Charles River Esplanade, Boston: Address, Phone Number, Charles River Esplanade Reviews: 4.5/5
Charles River Esplanade
Charles River Esplanade
4.5
About
A popular path for walkers, joggers, bladers and bicyclists, the Esplanade is also home to the Hatch Shell, where the Boston Pops holds its annual summer concerts.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: West End
How to get there
- Science Park • 1 min walk
- North Station • 7 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,947 within 5 kms

Ma Maison
260
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Scampo
706
0.6 km$$$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

CLINK. and The Liberty Bar
464
0.6 km$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Bambara Cambridge
269
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Whole Foods Market
151
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • American • Deli • Vegetarian Friendly

Harvard Gardens
192
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub

Tip Tap Room
314
0.7 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub

Antonio's
361
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly

ArtBar
201
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

The Helmand
463
0.8 km$$ - $$$ • Middle Eastern • Afghan • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
560 within 10 kms

Museum of Science
3,308
0.2 kmScience Museums

TD Garden
1,394
0.5 kmArenas & Stadiums • Civic Centres

Ether Dome at Mass General Hospital
35
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums

Beacon Hill
2,383
0.6 kmNeighbourhoods

Freedom Trail
17,522
1.3 kmHistoric Walking Areas

Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge
112
0.5 kmBridges

The West End Museum
28
0.4 kmHistory Museums

North Point Park
16
0.4 kmParks

Boston Public Garden
9,885
1.2 kmParks • Gardens

New England Holocaust Memorial
2,529
1.1 kmMonuments & Statues • History Museums
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
741 reviews
Excellent
467
Very good
237
Average
32
Poor
5
Terrible
0
EcoBean
Kennington, UK234 contributions
Apr. 2022
Very easy access to walk along the Charles River, away from the cars and hustle and bustle of the city. Plenty of sculptures and art work to enjoy en route. Thoroughly recommend.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TanyaOkemos
19 contributions
Apr. 2022
Beautiful views of the river and the park itself. Can take different paths. The paths are shared by walkers, runners and bikes.
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Adventure Diva
Manchester, CT1,658 contributions
Aug. 2021 • Friends
This relaxing river esplanade is a calming area to enjoy the natural sites. Home to the Hatch Shell where the Boston Pops performances are held in the summer months, it is also a great location to have a picnic.
Written 29 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michael K
741 contributions
Oct. 2021
This is a very picturesque place along the Charles river. The inner waterway is calm and has nice reflections. Charles River itself is swarmed with sailboats silhouetted against the Cambridge skyline. The Hatch Memorial Shell near the north end of the esplanade is interesting too.
Written 19 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carmelo G
7 contributions
Jul. 2021
Very nice and scenic. Nice to walk and talk. Had a great time strolling by the river and getting another perspective of Boston.
Written 22 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
gabriella glady
Indonesia320 contributions
Mar. 2021
one of my favorite places to go. Do a little walk, run, or just enjoy nature. Such a great spot to relax! highly recommended place to go.
Written 27 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Adventure Diva
Manchester, CT1,658 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
The esplanade attracts anyone looking to take a stroll whether you are a runner, cyclist or walker. This public park is a perfect place to also catch some rays. Along the way there are park benches that you can seek shade if it gets too hot and check out the local scenery.
Written 14 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA1,553 contributions
May 2021
This is a beautiful place to go for a walk or have a picnic, especially in spring when all the trees are in bloom. In addition to walking along the river, there is a kid’s playground, a place to rent boats and a rather beautiful concert hall. As we were walking, we saw a number of geese with goslings and a swan on a nest of eggs.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kathleen R
Midlothian, Virginia, United States95 contributions
Apr. 2021
My daughter & I were visiting BU and really enjoyed the Esplanade. Walking along it, we got great views of the river, Cambridge and the BU campus. It was easy exit an find out lodgings. Plenty of benches and trash cans. Very chilly in April.
Written 26 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jack
2 contributions
Mar. 2021
To get the full experience be sure to enjoy the green, and I of course mean that in the fullest sense of the word.
Written 29 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AnneScarlettPotter
Byron, IL34 contributions
Does anyone know if the Mass Ave bridge opens back up to pedestrian traffic AFTER the fireworks? Looking to watch at MIT but walk back to Copley ...
TVHOST
Myrtle Beach, SC885 contributions
I sadly have no idea- Happy Fourth!
Wina C
Boston, Massachusetts, United States2 contributions
How do you keep out of the sun? I am planning to go this july 4 but they won't let me bring a tent. And the canopies cost atleast 50. Do you end of staying in the sun the whole day?
benthere
Somerville, MA215 contributions
The prime seating area in front of the stage is open and there is no cover from the sun. There are trees around the perimeter and towards the back of the performance area. You would be sacrificing view for comfort, but I would go for the comfort. I'm not sure how early they allow people in to the area, but as soon as it opens, it fills quickly. If you're part of a small group, you can put a blanket or chairs down and hold the space for yourselves. You can all take turns leaving for food, restroom breaks, walk a bit, etc. Good luck! It's been years since I've done the Esplanade on the 4th. I hope you enjoy it.
Sengdao N
Houston, TX1 contribution
Hi Jamal,
Can you advise when your family got in lines for the wristband? Secondly, does all family members have to be in line the whole time? I have a little one and want to know if they to be with me the whole time or only when we are closer to the gate?
jmcjaw2
Boston, MA34 contributions
Bostonians take the Fourth of July serious and have been known to show up as early as 4:00 a.m. since they banned overnight camping. I believe the City now attempts to regulate this at 6:00 a.m. There is limited space and a major Holiday here. We show up after dusk and sit on the river in front of the barge to watch the fireworks. The Pops concert is played from speakers close to the hatch shell if you don't get a seat in front and people bring radios up and down the river. Remember there is limited viewing of the fireworks from the Hatch Shell and little shade during the day. Google what the Hatch Shell looks like as there really are no "gates". They put up barriers around the area of the Shell where the best viewing is, which is a large section of grass with a walkway around it. It is not an enclosed area on a regular day. This will give you a better idea of what your options are. It's a fantastic way to spend the 4th. Boston has a sense of pride and tradition on the Fourth of July that you will not find anywhere else and it's contagious! Even if you don't get a seat in front of the Hatch Shell you'll have a blast.
Jennifer-ann V
Manchester, NH11 contributions
What time should we arrive to be in line for the Pops concert REHEARSAL on 7/3 in order to have the best chance at getting a spot on lawn in front of the hatch shell????
Muralto60
Cambridge, MA138 contributions
I cannot give a specific answer because this is a very subjective question, which depends on what criteria are important for selecting the "best" spot. Typically the events at the hatch shell are extremely popular, drawing large crowds well in advance. Depending on weather conditions and time availability, a 2-3 hour time period before the event is very advisable. This is somewhat comparable to Tanglewood where the gates typically open two hours before an event.
mrshoneybear
Miller Place, NY203 contributions
How do you get there? Is there a place to park?
Food_Snob_tiger
Boston, MA41 contributions
You can park on streets parallel to newbury street or in the garage and then take footbridge to the esplanade. There is no parking there.
Frequently Asked Questions about Charles River Esplanade
- We recommend booking Charles River Esplanade tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 6 Charles River Esplanade tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Charles River Esplanade:
- Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River (From AU$80.74)
- Boston City View Bicycle Tour by Urban AdvenTours (From AU$95.75)
- Boston's Emerald Necklace Guided Bicycle Tour (From AU$125.32)
- Tour de Cambridge Guided Bicycle Tour (From AU$95.75)
- Family Friendly Guided Bike Tour of Boston (From AU$95.75)
- Hotels near Charles River Esplanade:
- (0.17 km) Global Luxury Suites at Emerson Place
- (0.26 km) Global Luxury Suites at West End
- (0.71 km) The Whitney Hotel Boston
- (0.57 km) Kimpton Marlowe Hotel
- (0.56 km) The Boxer Boston
- Restaurants near Charles River Esplanade:
- (0.24 km) J. Pace & Son
- (0.61 km) Ma Maison
- (0.55 km) Scampo
- (0.56 km) CLINK. and The Liberty Bar
- (0.55 km) Bambara Cambridge
- Attractions near Charles River Esplanade:
- (0.25 km) Museum of Science
- (0.20 km) Mugar Omni Theater
- (0.54 km) Boston Foodie Tours
- (0.49 km) TD Garden
- (0.36 km) Ether Dome at Mass General Hospital