*Before you go, call ahead for beach conditions 617-626-4972.

GREATER BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE

Greater Boston

Just outside the city, take a dip at the Wollaston Beach Reservation, which links with Caddy Memorial Park and Moswetuset Hummock, once a campsite of Native Americans. Cool off in the city by wading in the Frog Pond at Boston Common.

Cambridge

Ever wish you could canoe or kayak along the Charles River in Cambridge? You can! The Charles River Canoe and Kayak Center offers seasonal boat rentals from their kiosk at Artesani Park, off Soldiers Field Road.

NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY

North of Boston

The dunes at Crane Beach in Ipswich make it one of the most picturesque swimming beaches in New England.

Greater Merrimack Valley

Experience the serenity of Henry David Thoreau's muse at Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord.

SOUTH OF BOSTON

Southeastern Massachusetts

In Westport, visit Horseneck Beach State Reservation Campground located at the western end of Buzzards Bay. Canoeing, swimming, fishing, and more than 100 campsites.

Plymouth County

Nantasket Beach in Hull is a great place to take a dip or have some old-fashioned family fun at the concert gazebo, carousel, and seaside restaurants. Water Wizz in Wareham is a fun family water park with a lazy river, toddler area, cabanas, tubes, and mini-golf.

CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

Cape Cod

Craigville Beach is a fantastic sandy oasis where you can build sandcastles or just while away the time. It is centrally located in Barnstable, where the warm, gentle swells of Nantucket Sound fill the air with the pleasant sound and scent of the ocean.

Martha's Vineyard

Two miles of wild beach run between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown at the Joseph Sylvia State Beach, better known as the "Bend-in-the-Road" beach.

Nantucket Island

Children's Beach on Harborview Way in Nantucket is an easy walk from town. A park, playground, and bandstand make it ideal for small children.

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS

Splash down at Breezy Picnic Grounds Waterslides in Douglas. Crystal-clear watery family fun awaits at Whitins Reservoir with three 300-foot waterslides, tables by the water and lake swimming with a beach.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Greater Springfield

Six Flags New England, New England's largest theme park, features Hurricane Harbor water park with two 500,000-gallon wave pools, 12 water slides, a children's area, and the Typhoon water coaster.

Franklin County/Mohawk Trail

Whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Deerfield River is all the rage for paddlers aged seven and up. Many outfitters dot the Mohawk Trail - just don't miss the excitement of the Zoar Gap.

The Berkshires/Mohawk Trail

Pittsfield State Forest, abounding with streams, waterfalls, and an earthen dam at Lulu Brook. Looking for a waterfall? Then take some time to visit Bash Bish Falls State Park, located in Mt. Washington this park is noted for their spectacular scenery and breathtaking views. Sunbathers looking for a nice beach to relax, picnic and catch up on summer reading can find their little bit of heaven at town beaches such as Lenox Beach, Monterey Beach, and Onota and Pontoosuc Lakes.

Adventurous types naturally gravitate to whitewater rafting. In the Berkshires, Crab Apple Whitewater gives you the choice of five different rafting adventures, from mild to wild, in rafts or inflatable kayaks. Looking for something a bit tamer? Berkshire Canoe Tours offers guided canoe trips on the Housatonic River.

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