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Boston's great weather: Where to enjoy it right now downtown

By Tom Acitelli Updated
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By Tom Acitelli Updated
1 comment / new

Boston is the midst of a spell of fantastic weather. Where to take it all in amid the hustle and bustle of a workday?

We've curated 11 spots that are within or very near Boston's various commercial hubs, including the Financial District, Government Center, and Copley. If we're missing any particularly easy workday getaways, do let us know in the comments section.

This map will be updated as the weather turns even nicer.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Boston Common

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This one's a no-brainer. America's oldest public park is smack-dab in the center of town, with the Public Garden right there, too.
Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 635-4505
(617) 635-4505
Friends of the Public Garden.

Also featured in:

The Esplanade

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The river-hugging park offers fabulous views and plenty of bench seating. Hop over the bridges to Cambridge for more of the same.
The Esplanade, Boston, MA 02114
Wikipedia Commons.

Copley Square

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Another no-brainer: the bustling plaza sits near the main hub of the Boston Public Library and amid one of the city's main commercial clusters. Get some lunch and sit outside.
Boylston St, Boston, MA 02130
Wgreaves via Wikipedia.

Rose Kennedy Greenway

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Pick any point along the ribbon of parkland born of the Big Dig and get strolling (or sitting or jogging). We picked the part containing the Rings Fountain.
Boston, MA
Afar.

Back Bay Fens

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Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park sits at the nexus of several neighborhoods and commercial hubs, including Northeastern University, the Isabella Stuart Gardner, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Back Bay Fens, Boston, MA 02215
D.L. via Flickr.

City Hall Plaza

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It's the ugliest building in America (or the finest example of Brutalist architecture yet devised), but it's got a plaza outside that bleeds into the bustle of downtown. And that plaza may or may not soon have a Ferris wheel and ice rink.
1 City Hall Sq., Boston, MA 02201-1001
(617) 635-4500
(617) 635-4500

Also featured in:

Charlestown Navy Yard

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Gorgeous views and lots of history greet visitors to this public open space. Plus! It's a short stroll to Charlestown's historic gaslight area.
1st Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129
617 242 3821
617 242 3821
Openreads.com via Flickr.

Also featured in:

Thoreau Path

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Get on out and meander this 20-foot-wide connective path. Or just have a seat.
West End, Boston, MA 02114
Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Norman B. Leventhal Park/Post Office Square

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Benches, lawn, fountains, trees. Yes, the makings of a serene-y public park right in the heart of the go-go Financial District.
Post Office Sq, Boston, MA 02109
Sultry/sulky/silly via Flickr.

Paul Revere Mall

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The strand of parkland has plenty of bench seating and shade as well as an equestrian statue of its namesake.
416 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
Jamie via Flickr.

South Boston Maritime Park

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This park includes a lawn, a three-season cafe with outdoor seating, and a pair of pergolas. The expanse is also right across D Street from Eastport Park.
Boston, MA 02210

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Boston Common

Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
This one's a no-brainer. America's oldest public park is smack-dab in the center of town, with the Public Garden right there, too.
Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 635-4505
(617) 635-4505
Friends of the Public Garden.

The Esplanade

The Esplanade, Boston, MA 02114
The river-hugging park offers fabulous views and plenty of bench seating. Hop over the bridges to Cambridge for more of the same.
The Esplanade, Boston, MA 02114
Wikipedia Commons.

Copley Square

Boylston St, Boston, MA 02130
Another no-brainer: the bustling plaza sits near the main hub of the Boston Public Library and amid one of the city's main commercial clusters. Get some lunch and sit outside.
Boylston St, Boston, MA 02130
Wgreaves via Wikipedia.

Rose Kennedy Greenway

Boston, MA
Pick any point along the ribbon of parkland born of the Big Dig and get strolling (or sitting or jogging). We picked the part containing the Rings Fountain.
Boston, MA
Afar.

Back Bay Fens

Back Bay Fens, Boston, MA 02215
Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park sits at the nexus of several neighborhoods and commercial hubs, including Northeastern University, the Isabella Stuart Gardner, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Back Bay Fens, Boston, MA 02215
D.L. via Flickr.

City Hall Plaza

1 City Hall Sq., Boston, MA 02201-1001
It's the ugliest building in America (or the finest example of Brutalist architecture yet devised), but it's got a plaza outside that bleeds into the bustle of downtown. And that plaza may or may not soon have a Ferris wheel and ice rink.
1 City Hall Sq., Boston, MA 02201-1001
(617) 635-4500
(617) 635-4500

Charlestown Navy Yard

1st Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129
Gorgeous views and lots of history greet visitors to this public open space. Plus! It's a short stroll to Charlestown's historic gaslight area.
1st Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129
617 242 3821
617 242 3821
Openreads.com via Flickr.

Thoreau Path

West End, Boston, MA 02114
Get on out and meander this 20-foot-wide connective path. Or just have a seat.
West End, Boston, MA 02114
Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Norman B. Leventhal Park/Post Office Square

Post Office Sq, Boston, MA 02109
Benches, lawn, fountains, trees. Yes, the makings of a serene-y public park right in the heart of the go-go Financial District.
Post Office Sq, Boston, MA 02109
Sultry/sulky/silly via Flickr.

Paul Revere Mall

416 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
The strand of parkland has plenty of bench seating and shade as well as an equestrian statue of its namesake.
416 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
Jamie via Flickr.

South Boston Maritime Park

Boston, MA 02210
This park includes a lawn, a three-season cafe with outdoor seating, and a pair of pergolas. The expanse is also right across D Street from Eastport Park.
Boston, MA 02210