Boston is packed with cool outdoor spaces, but this nearly 1½-mile-long series of parks and gardens offers more than most. The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway was established to link Boston's diverse neighborhoods through a series of lawns, parks and walkways that occupy a former highway tunnel. Since opening in 2008, visitors have flocked to this sprawling green space to enjoy temporary public art displays, bubbling fountains, numerous food vendors and a carousel. Plus, the park offers free weekly events, including food and art festivals, summer concert performances and seasonal fitness classes. 

Many previous visitors said the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway not only offers a much-needed respite from the city, but also an easy way to explore Boston with kids during the warmer months. And, in many sections of the Greenway, you're never more than a few steps away from the Freedom Trail. 

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway is anchored by Haymarket Square in the North End and Kneeland Street in Chinatown. Three downtown "T" stations – South Station, Aquarium and Haymarket – are located within a block of the parks, as well as several bus stops and parking garages. You can visit the parks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on any day of the year. The Greenway developed a handy interactive self-guided map, which can be downloaded from their website. Additional fees apply for rides on the Greenway Carousel. Food trucks operate along the greenway seasonally, and public restrooms are available in Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Find out more about the Greenway's parks, events and tours on the Rose Fitzgerald Greenway Conservancy website.