Category: Boston

  • 5 Best Cycling Routes in Boston

    What better way to experience all the historical sites that Boston has to offer than biking through the city. These cycling routes in Boston should definitely be on your list of things to do while in town. And if you don’t have a bike with you, no problem there are plenty of rental shops in the city!

    1. Minuteman Bikeway

    This historic bike route takes you through Lexington and Arlington and is approximated to be the same route as Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride. The trail is 11 miles start to finish and runs along an old railroad.minuteman bikeway 5 best cycling routes in boston

    2. Arnold Arboretum

    As the oldest arboretum in the U.S., the Arnold Arboretum is a must see. There is a 4.6 mile loop that goes around the arboretum, however, you can also choose from any of the paved main path. While you’re here make sure you head to Peters Hill which features a beautiful view of Boston!arnold arboretum 5 best cycling routes in boston

    3. Southwest Corridor Park

    The Southwest Corridor Park route is great for those looking to take a leisurely summer ride. This path is often times used as a commuter route for locals so it can get crowded during rush hour. One of the reasons it’s so great is that there are a ton of activity centers along the route including seven basketball courts, two spray pools, five tennis courts, an amphitheater and two hockey street rinks.southwest corridor 5 best cycling routes in boston

    4. Stony Brook Reservation

    Stony Brook Reservation consists of 475 acres of ponds, parks, and 12 miles of hiking and bike trails. This is a great spot for an all day adventure as there are also picnic grounds and tennis courts to check out after your bike ride.stony brook reservation 5 best cycling routes in boston

    5. Charlestown Waterfront Bike Path

    The Charlestown Waterfront Bike Path is a good option for those looking to really see some of Boston’s historic sites. This route is about one mile long and takes you along the ocean past Charleston Navy Yard and the USS Constitution. To get the most out of your ride, take a short detour to the Bunker Hill Monument and stop at the City Square Park at then end.charlestown waterfront bike path 5 best cycling routes in boston

  • Top 5 Ski Resorts Near Boston

    So you’re in the Boston area in the middle of ski season and need a place to escape to for some good runs without the long travel time…where do you go? Well luckily you’re in the Northeast which is home to some great ski resorts. This list is your one-stop shop for the best ski resorts near Boston.

    1. Blue Hills Ski Area

    The Blue Hills Ski Area is a part of the Blue Hills Reservation in Canton, Massachusetts and is situated on the western face of Great Blue Hill. This family-friendly ski spot is the closest to the Boston Metro Area and features twelve trails that cover a vertical drop of 309 ft. and 60 acres of skiable terrain.

    top 5 ski resorts near boston blue hills ski area

    2. Wachusett Mountain

    Located in Worcester County, Wachusett Mountain features a summit elevation of 2,006 ft. with a vertical drop of 1,000 ft. The mountain covers 110 skiable acres with 22 trails 30% of which are great for beginners, 40% intermediate and another 30% advanced. Balance Rock is 1.5 miles long making it the longest trail on the mountain. This ski area also offers a number of food and beverage facilities to treat yourself after a long day on the slopes.

    3. Nashoba Valley Ski Area

    Nashoba Valley is a small ski area that has been in operation since the 1960’s. This ski area features 17 trails of varying terrain for all levels of experience. Another cool feature Nashoba has to offer is their snowtubing park, which happens to be the largest in New England!

    nashoba valley ski area top 5 ski resorts near boston

    4. Waterville Valley Resort

    Located in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, this resort is about two hours from Boston. If you’re looking for a classic resort experience, Waterville Valley is the place to go. The resort offers 220 acres of varied skiable terrain for all levels of experience. There are a total of 50 trails with the longest being 1.9 miles as well as all levels of glades and moguls.

    5. Ski Bradford

    Ski Bradford is a small ski area located just minutes outside of Boston. The ski area consists of 13 trails over 48 acres of skiable terrain. Ski Bradford features an awesome terrain park which differs year to year. This is a great spot to learn how to ski!

    top 5 ski resorts near boston ski brandford

  • 5 Best Mountain Biking Trails Near Boston

    The surrounding areas of Boston provide a wonderful mixture of terrain. Whether you’re looking for a technical downhill ride or something a little more scenic, the Boston area is an awesome location to explore. This list is a great starting point for your next mountain biking trip!

    1. Blue Hills

    The substantial amount of trails and varied terrain make the Blue Hills Reservation one of the most popular locations for mountain biking in Massachusetts. The reservation offers 7,000 acres of land that offer a multitude of routes to suite whatever you’re in the mood for whether its a 12-20 mile ride or a brief run through the woods, the Blue Hills  provide fire roads and singletrack with rocky and sandy sections.

    2. Callahan State Park

    This area offers 6.5 miles of single and doubletrack gravel and dirt trails with plenty of roots and rocky sections throughout the rolling park hills. Most of the park is considered moderately difficult, however, there are some sections of very technical terrain.

    callahan state park 5 best mountain biking trails near boston

    3. Catamount Ski Area

    For a primarily downhill experience, the Catamount Ski Area offers great top to bottom singletrack with varying degress of difficulty ranging from intermediate to expert. The singletrack trails offer some natural and man-made obstacles like bridging ride-overs, step-ups, down-ladder bridges, table-tops and launches of varying depths.

    4. Mount Snow

    Considered the mountain bike capital of the East, Mount Snow provides 45 miles of singletrack terrain down old town roads and ski trails. Here there are plenty of rocks, roots and drop-offs to keep you occupied on your way down the mountain. There are a number of trails good for beginners such as “Newby Road” as well as expert trails like the famous “Pucker Alley”.

    5 best mountain biking trails near boston mount snow

    5. Circle Boston

    This 8.7 mile loop takes you throughout historic Boston where you will have the chance to take in many of the landmarks in the area. The trail is considered easy and doesn’t require any special skill, however, it’s still a fun and interesting ride. Terrain includes a mixture of streets, back alleys, dirt, in-line skating trails, stairs and wide brick.

    5 best mountain bike trails near boston boston circle

  • Top 5 Places to Rock Climb Near Boston

    Massachusetts was graced with some great little climbing areas which happen to be not too far from the Boston area. Although the tallest climb is only around 150 ft., this area tends to be considered a training area for most locals. However if you’re looking to experience some of the historic rock climbs that have been around since the early 1900’s this list will be a great starting point!

    1. Quincy Quarries

    Quincy Quarries is a great rock climbing spot. With multiple top rope routes and bouldering problems at varying difficulty, climbers of all experience levels can enjoy! The area is about a half a mile in length with the different wall offerings.

    2. Hammond Pond

    Another popular rock climbing area, Hammond Pond is located near Boston by the Chestnut Hill shopping center. Climbing here dates all the way back to the early 1900’s and consists of about 14 crags with some great bouldering in the Alcove. There is also a cave called Hermit’s Cave which features some good underclings that you must try!

    hammond pond top 5 rock climbs near boston

    3. Crow Hill

    Located an hour west of Boston in Leominster State Forest, features a variety of 32 routes that include trad, sport and top rope. Many of Crow Hill’s cracks and faces are east-southeast facing and situated on a hillside, causing the grainy rocks to seep and hold moisture longer than other areas in New England. The season here varies and can begin in either March or June depending on how wet the previous winter was.

    4. Cape Ann

    Cape Ann features 641 total routes with some routes speckled with touch granite. It is composed of mainly boulders and short cliffs which are great for trad, sport and top rope climbs. One of the most popular crags called Redrock is often times hard to find but definitely a must.

    5. Dogtown

    Dogtown Park’s 3600 acres hold an interesting history dating back to the 1600’s. What began as an early settlement was eventually abandoned opening the area to witches and vagabonds. During the Great Depression, founder of Babson College had stonecutters engrave inspirational sayings into the various boulders in the area (pictured below) The park features many glacial erratics good for bouldering and 79 total routes. Spiritual Power is a popular climb in the area.

    top 5 places to rock climb near boston dogtown

  • 5 Best Day Hikes Near Boston

    For those days when you just want to slow down and get away from the fast-paced city, escape into nature by checking out some of these beautiful hiking areas surrounding Boston.

    1. Middlesex Fells Skyline Trail

    This 6.9 mile loop takes about 1-3 hours to complete. The trail takes you around the perimeter of the Middlesex Fells Reservation primarily through woods with several rocky viewpoints of the city. The Middlesex Fells Skyline Trail is considered the most difficult on the western side of the reservation and is designated only for hikers. Feel free to bring your dog!

    5 best day hikes near boston middlesex fells skyline trail

    2. Breakheart Reservation Trail

    Only 8.8 miles from Boston, the trails here at Breakheart Reservation are generally pretty easy. The trials criss-cross and connect in a 4.3 mile loop around the 640 acre reservation. There is also a beach nearby where the whole family can hang out and relax after a fun hike through the woods.  5 best day hikes near boston breakheart reservation trail

    3. Blue Hills Skyline Loop

    The Blue Hills Reservation is located in Milton, just 20 minutes outside Boston and covers 7,000 acres of land. The Skyline Loop is a 2.6 mile route with fairly steep sections mixed in with some flat parts.  When you reach Eliot Tower you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the city skyline. 5 best day hikes near boston blue hills skyline trail

    4. Waconah Falls State Park

    This one is 137 miles from Boston but well worth the drive. The Waconah Falls State Park is named after the breathtaking 140 ft. waterfall situated in the center of the park. There is a moderately difficult half mile long trail that takes you right to the waterfall. This is a great day trip to walk around and have a picnic or even go fishing. 5 best day hikes near boston waconah falls state park

    5. Reformatory Branch Trail

    This 4 mile trail takes you through Elm Brook Conservation Area, the Mary Putnam Webber Wildlife Preserve and Great Meadows Natural Wildlife Refuge. Reformatory Branch Trail has a variety of rugged terrain but is a nice route to see all the wildlife in the area. 5 best day hikes near boston reformatory branch trail