Charles River Reservation

The Charles River, which flows in a broad band between Boston and Cambridge, is shared by both cities. Due to the evenly spaced bridges, there is a green strip on each side with walking and cycling paths that are excellent loops. 20 miles upriver from Boston Harbor, there is a linear park called the Charles River Reservation. It includes the expansive Esplanade on the Boston shore, and on the Cambridge side, it runs past the beautiful campuses of Harvard and MIT. The MIT shore offers the best view of the Boston skyline, with the river and sailboat-dotted foreground.

The trails along the river are joined, split apart, and intersected by numerous neighborhood trail networks. The Charles River Link is a 16-mile trail that connects parks in Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Natick, Dover, and Medfield along one of the most beautiful stretches of the river.

It is a part of the Wellesley Trails network, which follows the Charles River past Longfellow Pond through the Town Forest. The riverside paths near Boston are heavily used by runners, rollerbladers, and cyclists; as a result, walkers must be cautious and keep to the side to avoid bothersome encounters.

Head for the suburban riverside paths if you want to see more nature and less traffic. The Royal Sonesta Boston overlooks the Charles River in Cambridge and is close to the Museum of Science. From there, you have immediate access to the riverside path. Guests are welcome to use the hotel's free bicycles to travel along the river.

Address: 1175A Soldiers Field Rd, Boston, MA 02116