When I first moved to Boston to get my M.Div. at the CSTM, I was obviously very excited to learn from renowned faculty, experience the famously strong community as well as grow in innumerable ways. If I am being honest, though, I was almost more excited to explore New England and all the amazing places that are within reach: six different states within 5 hours north and south of the city! It was unlike anything I had experienced before. Making time to explore these areas has been one of my favorite parts about my time at the CSTM and has, I am confident, made me a better student, colleague, friend, and all-around person.
As a very proud Minnesotan, I am someone who loves all weather and never misses an opportunity to get outside. I live by the classic Norwegian/Minnesotan phrase, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation!” Whether you like hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, or nature walks and whether you are commuting by public transportation, car, or bike there is plenty to do around the CSTM for everyone. I’m no expert travel agent, nor a born-and-raised New Englander, but I am a Midwest transplant who can happily report that there is an endless variety of outdoor adventures that are ready for you through every season outside the classrooms of the CSTM.
Getting there by public transportation
Hiking
Getting to a trailhead while relying on public transit is easy in Boston because of Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, MA and Middlesex Fells Reservation Stoneham, MA. Both offer lots of trails and great picnic spots. These two have been my go-to for winter hiking especially, as they are lovely places close by and significantly less busy in the colder months.
Bonus: Blue Hills has a great view of the Boston skyline!
Water activities
My Minnesotan-ness is probably most obvious in my love of water; finding a body of water I could enjoy was a priority from the moment I moved to Boston. Renting kayaks on the Charles River makes for a great summer afternoon activity. And if you’re eager to find a reprieve from the summer heat and cool off, Walden Pond is a great little watering hole for swimming, kayaking, and even fishing (of course, you can also check out Henry David Thoreau’s famous cabin while at the beach)!
Biking
One of my pandemic commitments was to get out on my bike more and I was happy I lived in Boston when I made this goal because it is an extremely bikeable city, both for commuting and for pleasure. My favorite trail is along the Charles River – it is a 17-mile paved path that is perfect for a quick ride. Bonus points if you grab an CSTM friend and stop at a tasty bakery along the way!
Getting there by car
One of my pandemic commitments was to get out on my bike more and I was happy I lived in Boston when I made this goal because it is an extremely bikeable city, both for commuting and for pleasure. My favorite trail is along the Charles River – it is a 17-mile paved path that is perfect for a quick ride. Bonus points if you grab an CSTM friend and stop at a tasty bakery along the way!
Camping/Hiking
Camping/hiking I have gone on more camping/hiking trips while getting my master’s degree than maybe any other time in my life and I feel super grateful to have the best CSTM camping crew imaginable. We have made innumerable weekend trips to New Hampshire (great in the fall for leaf-peeping!), Cape Cod (who doesn’t love to climb into a sleeping bag full of sand after a long day on the beach?), Vermont, and Western Mass.
Don’t have all the gear for camping? Don’t worry! I have found that plenty of CSTM’ers are happy to loan theirs out, and BC Campus Rec rents it out, too.
A few places I recommend to everyone:
Pawtuckaway State Park, NH (at just one hour away by car, this is a perfect weekend getaway)
Littleton, NH (right in the White Mountains and the home of my favorite brewery – Schilling Beer Co.; Hancock Campground is my favorite place to pitch a tent in the area)
Portland, ME (go for the seafood, stay for the iconic lighthouses)
If you have a long weekend free, I cannot recommend highly enough Acadia National Park. It is absolutely worth the drive – and getting up at 4 am to be the first in the United States to see the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain!
Winter Activities
There is nothing quite like bundling up and going for a winter hike – or testing your downhill skiing skills. Both are easily accessible from Boston. Just make sure you go prepared. I learned this the hard way: a few friends and I left Boston late spring to head to the White Mountains in New Hampshire for, what we thought, was going to be a pleasant and warm spring hike. When we finally reached our destination the temperature had dropped 40 degrees and the trail looked like a frozen lake! We made the most of it – spent a good portion of the downhill part of the trail sliding on our bums – and learned to never leave the house without an extra layer and hiking spikes.
Whatever your favorite sport, activity or way to adventure – and whether you are going by car or bus – I can (almost) guarantee you will find an incredible place to enjoy it in/around Boston! Exploring the area, especially with my CSTM friends, has been the best experience during my time in graduate school. Once again, we Minnesotans have a great Norwegian phrase that succinctly describes my love of the outdoors: “open-air living is the best living.”Happy adventuring, CSTM Community!