Kayaking: A Great Way to Tour a River City Like Boston!

Cities with rivers are better. Even more superior is a city with a river AND ocean combo. That delicious, watery duo is a major reason Boston is #1 on my list of places around the world to live. And what better way to experience this perk of a river-licious city than to take a kayak tour?

Before New England’s autumn got too crispy cold, Colin and I met up with our friends, Shan Shan and Richard to rent kayaks and get our paddle on. Boat rentals are super easy in a city like Boston. We have at least three different companies operating out of this town, and you can choose from a wide assortment of embarkation points along the Charles River.

Once we slipped into the water, peace enveloped us. Between the cobalt of the sky and the sapphire of the river, the glories of Boston encircled us: The Esplanade! The golden dome of the State House! The “Pepper Pot Bridge!” The Citgo Sign! And of course, the #1 prettiest structure in Boston, The Hancock Building! Yum.

At a certain point, my pregnant self got tired, so we tied our kayaks together (not sure if this is sanctioned by the kayak rental company or not, but oh well) and forced Richard and Colin to do the paddling. Bwahaha. Then we all went onto dry land and ate a giant heap of Thai food for dinner. Isn’t part of the fun of outdoor expercise the sensation of going inside afterwards to eat?

So what about you? Have you ever tried city kayaking? What has YOUR experience been, and what tips, questions, or insights do you have about the splendid world of water tourism?

Enjoy scenic waterways? Check out these photos from the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon!