Go on a hike

When you're looking for a cheap activity and a major dose of nature, consider taking a hike. Although Boston has a compact downtown of winding old streets, it has an astonishing wealth of open space and parkland where you can walk or hike and enjoy the urban landscapes framed by trees and grass.

The best hikes near Boston are not far from downtown and will require only the cost of gas and park entry fees, which are nominal. Honestly, spending an afternoon in the great outdoors and getting just far away enough from the city lights will seem positively priceless.

The wide Charles River runs within blocks of busy downtown, bordered by a broad esplanade park, and from its busiest hub at Park Street and the Boston Common stretches a green swath known as the Emerald Necklace, connecting parks, fens, ponds, public gardens, and an arboretum in a continuous 1,100-acre chain, linked by seven miles of walking paths.

All around the city are leafy suburbs with vast parks and reserves of public lands that include gentle hills to climb for views back at the city skyline, and miles of trails along the rivers and bay. Many of the walking routes pass close to Boston's tourist attractions, including historic sights and world-class museums and universities. Hiking in the city also takes you to some of the most iconic places to visit in Boston.

Prices Ranges: Only $1 - $3