Boston's Charles River Esplanade
A riverfront park for everyone
64 acres of green and blue space along the Charles. Free programs, year-round care, and a brand-new gateway — the Smith Family Pavilion & Charlesbank Campus.
- 64 acres of riverfront park
- 4M+ visitors every year
- 100+ free programs annually
- 25 years caring for the Esplanade
Start where you are
Pick the path that fits your visit to the Charles River Esplanade.
Spring on the Esplanade
The river wakes up.
Magnolias and cherry blossoms along the lagoon, the first guided tours of the season, and the park greening after winter.
Around the bend: Look for the cherry blossoms near the Lagoon — peak bloom is usually late April. The first GroundBeat rehearsals begin — the Hatch Shell is coming back to life. Spring cleanups are underway. Volunteer days fill up fast.
On the calendar
Featured events
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Event
Annual Summer Dock Party
Working in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Event
Frozen In Life
Over 3,500 visitors celebrated the first days of Spring at the Esplanade Association’s public art installation: Frozen i…
Opening late 2026
The Smith Family Pavilion & Charlesbank Campus
A new 9,000 sq ft visitor center and 1.9-acre campus on the historic Olmsted-designed Charlesbank site — a year-round gateway with a café, meeting rooms, an event plaza, courts, and reservable spaces for the whole community.
Free for everyone
Featured programs
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Program
Boston Landmarks Orchestra Concerts
Longwood Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra of Boston’s medical community, opens Landmarks’ 2025 concert series at the Ha…
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Find your way
Explore the park, point by point
A clickable map of the Charles River Esplanade — playgrounds, recreational areas, the Hatch Shell, dock landings, and the new Smith Family Pavilion & Charlesbank Campus. Pan, zoom, and tap any marker for details.
Full map & directions