Along the Boston side of the Charles River, which separates the city from Cambridge, is a roughly three-mile leafy path known as the Esplanade. To take in its full charm, begin your walk near the Museum of Science (at Monsignor O'Brien Highway and Storrow Drive), which, not incidentally, is a great place to occupy kids for several hours. As you amble west toward the Boston University Bridge, you'll pass playgrounds and marshes and places to rent sail boats and buy lemonade (you are, remember, visiting in good weather). You'll also be swarmed by flocks of wild geese and packs of joggers. More often than not, the joggers will leave you alone, but beware of the geese — they are easily riled and nasty.

• 1. Museum of Science
  1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114 42.36667-71.068057 mos.org
• 2. Boston University Bridge
  Boston, MA 42.3518899-71.1107328