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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The area
How to get there
  • Kendall/MIT • 5 min walk
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles802 reviews
Excellent
505
Very good
248
Average
43
Poor
4
Terrible
2

dbinhou7511
Houston, TX1,652 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

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CHARLES RIVER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Charles River

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