The Esplanade in Boston

I live about 10 miles north of Boston and do a fairly good job of taking advantage of the activities and sights the city offers. Some of this year’s highlights include:

• the Chihuly exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts
• a few Red Sox games at historic Fenway Park
• produce shopping at chaotic Haymarket
• an unplanned encounter with the procession for St. Rocco in the Italian North End
• hearing Shawn Mullins at the legendary Club Passim (technically in Harvard Square in Cambridge but close enough)
• and West Side Story at the Colonial Theater.

A new (food) adventure

This past weekend I attended the sold-out Ice Cream Showdown III, produced by a former colleague who now creates unique food experiences like the Boston Bacon & Beer Festival and pop-up restaurants at places like the British Consulate-General or the Taza Chocolate factory. Local culinary purveyors donate their wares and ticket sales in large part go to charity. This event took place on the docks of Community Boating under a beautiful late summer sky against the backdrop of Beacon Hill with Kendall Square in Cambridge on the other side of the Charles River.

Due to my navigational ineptitude, I took the very long way there, walking first in the correct direction then second-guessing myself to take me in the opposite and wrong direction. Considering I was about to eat a mound of ice cream, the long walk was welcome pre-Showdown exercise.

(By the way, if you live or plan to travel to Boston, you should coordinate your plans with an upcoming Eat Boston event. And, look for Batch’s Salted Caramel ice cream in a local grocery store.)

Lots to do, or not

The Esplanade in Boston consists of three-miles of green space along the Charles River, spanning the Museum of Science to Boston University. (Check out this amazing collage of simple scenes posted on YouTube.)

While I’ve attended concerts at the Hatch Shell including one overwhelmingly crowded Fourth of July celebration, I haven’t really spent a lot of time in this part of the city (hence my misdirected walk to the event). Softball teams gathered at the ball fields; runners and cyclists cruised the paved pathways; pedestrians toting everything from strollers and shopping bags to sandwiches and lawn chairs appeared and disappeared over footbridges; those looking for a quiet spot to read or think occupied park benches facing the water.

The Esplanade Association website provides a comprehensive view of the history, upcoming events, and ongoing initiatives to restore and enhance the park.

Where to next?

I’m taking a class in October that gives me the opportunity to explore the Downtown Crossing area of Boston, which borders the Public Garden and Quincy Market – a perfect intersection of eating, shopping and, thankfully, walking.

Where in your city are you off to next?

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