Charles River
Charles River
4.5
About
A nature reservation covering 950 acres along both sides of the Charles River offers bicycle and jogging paths, 12 tennis courts, six swimming pools and the popular Hatch Memorial Shell with live concerts.
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Top ways to experience Charles River and nearby attractions
The area
How to get there
- Kendall/MIT • 5 min walk
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2,937 within 3 miles
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903 within 6 miles
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4.5
802 reviews
Excellent
505
Very good
248
Average
43
Poor
4
Terrible
2
dbinhou7511
Houston, TX1,652 contributions
Aug 2022
View the buildings and history along the river. Several universities have campuses along the river as well as historical bridges. Best way to see it is a tour along the river.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventure Diva
Manchester, CT2,167 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
From watching the crew teams practice their rhythmic sweep rowing to walking on the esplanade, I enjoy visiting every time I am in town. To enjoy the sights and energy of this area is a New England treat.
Written 16 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cydney04106
Gloucester, Massachusetts312 contributions
May 2022
It's a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. You can just sit and watch the sailboats or run along path.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smertios
New York City, NY478 contributions
Oct 2021
Always a joy to run or walk along the Charles River on my stays in Cambridge. Watching the rowing teams or fellow runners.
Written 23 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YearlyVacationer1
Baltimore, MD218 contributions
Sept 2021
Revisiting the Charles after being away for ~2 years due to COVID restrictions. It's a beautiful river well maintained with biking lanes and walking/jogging lanes. The crew teams were out rowing and it was pleasant to watch from our hotel window. In the rain, you can see the pattern of ripples along the water making for a nice serene quiet time.
Written 29 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gloria L
Austin, TX2,311 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
There were several docks where people relaxed, shared meals, or enjoyed drinks. It was so much fun walking on the esplanade and see the beautiful Charles River.
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamTex
Houston, Texas187 contributions
Aug 2021
We went on a long walk around the Charles River and enjoyed the views. There is more than enough room to walk on the sidewalks,
Written 10 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RitaLyC
Chicago, IL408 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
The river was so large and calm it appeared to be a lake between Cambridge and Boston. We watched the sailboats and kayakers enjoy the river. It made a great setting for MIT and the Boston sky line.
Written 16 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miles Archer
Boca Raton, FL7,616 contributions
Apr 2021 • Solo
I sipped coffee and enjoyed the scenic river, then went for a long walk. The weather was cool but not cold. I saw a few other people on the walking paths and bicycle paths. Pleasant.
Written 20 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evie P
13 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
No words needed! View from our room at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Lovely to walk along the river and over Longfellow Bridge.
Written 1 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mahalakshmi2018
Pondicherry, India
I would like to know how far is the boarding point from the holiday inn Brookline? Are there any afternoon or evening trips scheduled for June 8/9
Quinta V
Nanacamilpa, Mexico13 contributions
There is a train nearby called Saint Paul that can leave you at the airport. It is located crossing the street from the hotel. The mbta (train) closes at midnight.
Is the tour still operating on Oct 15 -17? Was unable to check availability for those dates. Is 4:30 the latest tour. Someone in the reviews had mentioned a sunset tour.
Christian G
Montreal, Canada157 contributions
Sorry i don't have the information
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Claim your listingCHARLES RIVER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Charles River
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Charles River:
- Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River (From £45.17)
- Tour de Cambridge Guided Bicycle Tour (From £53.28)
- Family Friendly Guided Bike Tour of Boston (From £53.28)
- Boston Back Bay self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt (From £29.69)
- Public MIT Campus Guided Walking Tour (From £17.24)
- Hotels near Charles River:
- (0.21 mi) The Kendall Hotel at the Engine 7 Firehouse
- (0.26 mi) Boston Marriott Cambridge
- (0.33 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge
- (0.74 mi) The Eliot Hotel
- (0.69 mi) Newbury Guest House
- Restaurants near Charles River:
- (0.02 mi) The Muddy Charles Pub
- (0.25 mi) Legal Sea Foods - Kendall Square
- (0.23 mi) Black Sheep Cafe
- (0.21 mi) Row 34
- (0.23 mi) Clover Food Lab
- Attractions near Charles River:
- (0.10 mi) MIT List Visual Arts Center
- (0.24 mi) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- (0.22 mi) Trademark Tour of MIT
- (0.25 mi) Stata Center
- (0.24 mi) Kendall Square