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Daytime

Charles River Afternoon

Start your afternoon with a quick bite, then head straight to the water's edge as the light begins to fade.

Best time: 15 JanAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 14:30

    The Sevens Ale House

    Grab a pint at The Sevens Ale House. It is a casual neighborhood bar just a short walk from the anchor. With drinks around $8-16, it is a low-pressure spot to settle in before the main event.

  2. 15:06

    Community Boating

    Walk over to Community Boating. The grounds open at 1 PM on weekdays, so you have plenty of time to arrive. Watch the sailors on the Charles River as the afternoon light holds steady. You can rent a kayak or sailboat for the day if you want to get on the water, or just enjoy the view from the shore.

  3. 16:00

    The Boston Public Garden

    Head to The Boston Public Garden. It is an eleven minute walk from Community Boating. Stroll through the oldest botanical garden in the United States. The paths are well maintained and offer a peaceful contrast to the activity on the river.

  4. 16:36

    The Boston Public Garden

    Find a bench facing west in the Public Garden. The sun sets toward the WSW at 16:36. This is the perfect vantage point to watch the light fade over the city skyline and the river beyond.

Local tip

Community Boating is open until sunset, so your timing is flexible. If you want to extend the day, The Sevens Ale House is open until 1 AM daily.

Check before you go

  • Community Boating hours are Mon–Fri 1PM–sunset. On 15 January, sunset is 16:36, so the facility closes at that time.
  • The Sevens Ale House is open Mo-Sa 11:30-01:00 and Su 12:00-01:00.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Boston (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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