Sports in Boston

Baseball

Boston Red Sox. Hide your Yankees cap and practice pronouncing "Fenway Pahk." Boston is a baseball town, where the crucible of media scrutiny burns hot, fans regard myth and superstition as seriously as player statistics, and grudges are never forgotten. The Boston Red Sox made history in 2004, crushing the Yankees in the American League Championship after a three-game deficit and then sweeping the Cardinals in the World Series for the team's first title since 1918; they did it again in 2007, this time sweeping the Colorado Rockies. The Red Sox ownership has committed to staying in the once-threatened Fenway Park for the long haul, so you can still watch a game in the country's oldest active ballpark where you can see (or, for a premium price, get a seat on top of) the fabled "Green Monster" (the park's 37-foot-high left-field wall) and one of the last hand-operated scoreboards in the major leagues. Baseball season runs from early April to early October. The playoffs continue several more weeks, and postseason buzz about contracts, trades, and injuries lasts all winter long. Fenway Park, The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02215. 877/733-7699 tickets; 617/226-6666 tours. www.bostonredsox.com.

Basketball

Boston Celtics. The Boston Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in the National Basketball Association, have won the NBA championship 17 times since 1957, more than any other team in the league. The last title came in 2008, after a solid defeat of longtime rivals the LA Lakers ended an 18-year championship dry spell. Basketball season runs from late October to April, and playoffs last until mid-June. TD Garden, Old West End, Boston, MA, 02114. 866/423-5849; 617/931-2222 Ticketmaster. www.celtics.com.

Bicycling

Department of Conservation & Recreation. For other path locations, consult the Department of Conservation & Recreation Web site. www.mass.gov/dcr.

Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path. The Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path, about 17 mi long, follows both banks of the Charles River as it winds from Watertown Square to the Museum of Science.

Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition. The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition, an advocacy group working to improve conditions for area cyclists, has information on organized rides and sells good bike maps of Boston and the state. Thanks to MassBike's lobbying efforts, the MBTA now allows bicycles on subway and commuter-rail trains during nonpeak hours. 171 Milk St., Suite 33, Downtown, Boston, MA, 02109. 617/542-2453. www.massbike.org.

Boston may be dubbed America's Walking City, but it's a fine place for pedal-pushing, too.

Urban AdvenTours. Urban AdvenTours offers a variety of themed excursions on weekends from spring through fall. Most outings cover about 10 to 12 mi. The main tours cost $50 per person, and tickets are available for purchase through the Web site. Tours leave from their Atlantic Avenue headquarters and are offered daily from July through August, and weekends and holidays from mid-April through June and September through October. You bring the adrenaline, they bring the bikes, helmets, and water. 103 Atlantic Ave., 02110. 617/670-0637. www.urbanadventours.com.

Bicycle Rentals

Back Bay Bicycles. Back Bay Bicycles has road bikes for $65 per day and full-suspension mountain bikes for $100 per day (weekly rates are also available). Staff members also lead group mountain-bike rides on nearby trails. 362 Commonwealth Ave., Back Bay, Boston, MA, 02115. 617/247-2336. www.backbaybicycles.com.

Community Bicycle Supply. Community Bicycle Supply rents cycles from April through October. 496 Tremont St., at E. Berkeley St., South End, Boston, MA, 02116. 617/542-8623. www.communitybicycle.com.

Boating

Except when frozen over, the waterways coursing through the city serve as a playground for boaters of all stripes. All types of pleasure craft, with the exception of inflatables, are allowed from the Charles River and Inner Harbor to North Washington Street on the waters of Boston Harbor, Dorchester inner and outer bays, and the Neponset River from the Granite Avenue Bridge to Dorchester Bay.

Boat Drop Sites. There are several boat drop sites along the Charles.

Clarendon Street. Back Bay, Boston, MA, 02116.

Hatch Shell. Embankment Rd., Back Bay, Boston, MA, 02114.

Pinckney Street Landing. Back Bay, Boston, MA, 02114.

Brooks Street. Nonantum Rd., Brighton, Boston, MA.

Richard T. Artesani Playground. Off Soldiers Field Rd., Brighton, Boston, MA, 02135.

Charles River Dam, Museum of Science. Cambridge, MA, 02114.

Watertown Square. Charles River Rd., Watertown, MA, 02472.

Charles River Watershed Association. The Charles River Watershed Association publishes detailed boating information on its Web site. 781/788-0007. www.charlesriver.org.

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. Sailboats can be rented from one of the many boathouses or docks along the Charles. Downtown, public landings and float docks are available at the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park with a permit from the Boston harbormaster. Commercial St., Boston Harbor, North End, Boston, MA, 02109. 617/635-4505.

Lessons and Equipment

Boston University. From May to October Boston University offers beginner to advanced rowing and sailing programs. Soldier's Field Rd., Boston, MA, 02134. 617/353-9307 boathouse. www.bu.edu/fitrec.

Charles River Canoe & Kayak Center. From May through mid-November you can rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboat, rowboat, or rowing shell from Charles River Canoe & Kayak Center. There are a variety of canoeing and kayaking classes for all skill levels, as well as organized group outings and tours. 2401 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA, 02466. 617/965-5110. www.paddleboston.com.

Canoe & Kayak Center's kiosk. The Canoe & Kayak Center's kiosk rents canoes and kayaks and is open Thursday evening, Friday afternoon, and weekends from early May through mid-October. It's open weekdays only for group appointments. Soldiers' Field Rd. near Eliot Bridge, Allston, Boston, 02134.

Community Boating. Community Boating, near the Charles Street footbridge on the Esplanade, is the host of America's oldest public sailing program. From April through October $99 nets you a 30-day introductory membership, beginner-level classes, and use of sailboats and kayaks. Full memberships grant unlimited use of all facilities; splash around for 60 days for $185 or all season long for $259. Experienced sailors short on time can opt for a one-day sailboat rental for $75. 21 David Mugar Way, Beacon Hill, Boston, MA, 02114. 617/523-1038. www.community-boating.org.

Community Rowing. Community Rowing teaches introductory to competitive adult and youth rowing courses. Private lessons are also available. Daly Memorial Skating Rink, 20 Nonantum Rd., MA, 02135. 617/779-8267. www.communityrowing.org.

Jamaica Pond Boat House. From April to October the Jamaica Pond Boat House provides lessons and equipment for rowing and sailing on its namesake pond. Jamaica Way and Pond St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, 02130. 617/522-5061.

Events

Head of the Charles Regatta. In mid-October about 300,000 spectators turn out to cheer the more than 7,500 male and female athletes who come from all over the world to compete in the annual Head of the Charles Regatta. Crowds line the banks of the Charles River with blankets and beer (although the police disapprove of the latter), cheering on their favorite teams and generally using the weekend as an excuse to party. Limited free parking is available, but the chances of finding an open space close to the race route are slim; take public transportation if you can. During the event, free shuttles run between the start and end point of the race route on both sides of the river. 617/868-6200. www.hocr.org.

Fishing

Efforts to clean up the city's waterways have heightened the popularity of recreational fishing in and around Boston. For saltwater fishing, locals cast their lines from the John J. McCorkle Fishing Pier on Castle Island off Day Boulevard in South Boston and Tenean Beach and Victory Road Park off Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester.

Blue Hills Reservation. Houghton's Pond in Blue Hills Reservation is an excellent place to freshwater fish. Off Rte. 128, Milton, Boston, MA, 02186.

Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. The Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area is also known for great fishing, although no public piers are available. 617/223-8666. www.bostonislands.com.

Jamaica Pond. You can freshwater fish in Jamaica Pond. Jamaica Way and Pond St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, 02130. www.jamaicapond.com.

MassWildlife Boston Office. Nonresidents can purchase a three-day Massachusetts fishing license for $23.50 at the MassWildlife Boston Office, Brookline Town Hall, and some sporting-goods stores around the city. No license is required for recreational ocean angling. 251 Causeway St., North End, Boston, MA, 02114. www.mass.gov/dfwele.

Middlesex Fells Reservation. You can fish at Quarter Mile Pond and Dark Hollow Pond in Middlesex Fells Reservation. Off Rte. 93, Woodland Rd., MA, 02180.

Stony Brook Reservation. Turtle Pond in Stony Brook Reservation has excellent fishing. Turtle Pond Pkwy., Hyde Park, Boston, MA, 02136.

Football

The New England Patriots, formerly the Boston Patriots, played in Fenway Park from 1963 to 1968 before moving to Foxborough.

Boston College Eagles. With the only Division 1A football program in town, the Boston College Eagles play against some of the top teams in the country. Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Boston, MA, 02467. 617/552-4622. www.bceagles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/bc-m-footbl-body.html.

Harvard University Crimson. Built in 1903, Harvard Stadium is the oldest concrete stadium in the country and the home of the Harvard University Crimson. The tongue-in-cheek halftime shows of the Harvard band make any game worth the trip. Harvard Stadium, N. Harvard St. and Soldiers Field Rd., Allston, Boston, MA, 02163. 617/495-2211. www.gocrimson.com.

New England Patriots. Boston has been building a football dynasty over the past decade, starting with the New England Patriots come-from-behind victory against the favored St. Louis Rams in the 2002 Super Bowl. Coach Bill Belichick and heartthrob quarterback Tom Brady then brought the team two more championship rings in 2004 and 2005, and have made Patriots fans as zealous as their baseball counterparts. Exhibition football games begin in August, and the season runs through the playoffs in January. The state-of-the-art Gillette Stadium is in Foxborough, 30 mi southwest of Boston. Gillette Stadium, Rte. 1, off I-95 Exit 9, Foxborough, MA, 02035. 800/745-3000 Ticketmaster. www.patriots.com.

Golf

Although you'll need to know someone who knows someone who is someone to play at Chestnut Hill's Country Club, one of the nation's top-rated private courses, anyone can use the public courses in Boston, which are among the best in the country.

George Wright Golf Course. The hilly George Wright Golf Course is more challenging than the other Donald Ross-designed course at Franklin Park. The par-70, 6,096-yard course is open for the season starting in April each year. Weekend 18-hole greens fees are $45 ($40 for residents); weekday fees are $39 ($35 for residents). Tee times are necessary on weekends. 420 West St., Hyde Park, Boston, MA, 02136. 617/364-2300. www.cityofbostongolf.com.

William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park. Donald Ross crafted the 6,009-yard, par-70 William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park

in the early 1896. It's open year-round, weather permitting. Greens fees without a cart are $25 for 9 holes and $40 for 18 holes on weekdays, and $29 and $45, respectively, on weekends. (You can play 9 holes only after 1 pm on weekends.) Charges for a golf cart tend to run about $11 to $20 more. Club rentals run $11 for 9 holes and $20 for 18 holes. The course is part of delightful Franklin Park, which also has picnic facilities and jogging courses. Festivals and other outdoor activities take place all year. 1 Circuit Dr., Dorchester, Boston, MA, 02121. 617/265-4084.

Massachusetts Golf Association. The Massachusetts Golf Association represents 400 clubs in the state, and has information on courses that are open to the public. 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA, 02766. 774/430-9100. www.mgalinks.org.

Hiking

With the Appalachian Trail just two hours' drive from Downtown and thousands of acres of parkland and trails encircling the city, hikers will not lack for options in and around Boston.

Blue Hills Reservation. A 20-minute drive south of Boston, the Blue Hills Reservation encompasses 7,000 acres of woodland with about 125 mi of trails, some ideal for cross-country skiing in winter, some designated for mountain biking the rest of the year. Although only 635 feet high, Great Blue Hill, the tallest hill in the reservation, has a spectacular view of the entire Boston metro area. It's open daily, and maps are available for purchase at the reservation headquarters or the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. To get there, take Route 93 South to Exit 3, Houghton's Pond. 695 Hillside St., Milton, Boston, MA, 02186. 617/698-1802. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/blue.htm.

Blue Hills Trailside Museum. The Blue Hills Trailside Museum, which is managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, organizes hikes and nature walks. Open Thursday through Sunday and Monday holidays 10 to 5, the museum has natural-history exhibits and live animals. Admission is $3. Take Route 93 South to Exit 2B and Route 138 North. 1904 Canton Ave., Milton, Boston, MA, 02186. 617/333-0690. www.massaudubon.org.

Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Easily accessible from downtown Boston, the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area is seldom crowded. The park maintains walking trails through diverse terrain and ecosystems.

Boston Parks & Recreation Department. Rangers with the Boston Parks & Recreation Department lead walks through the Emerald Necklace parks. 1010 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA, 02118. 617/635-4505. www.cityofboston.gov/parks/parkrangers.

Middlesex Fells Reservation. Just a few miles north of Boston, the 2,575-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation has well-maintained hiking trails that pass over rocky hills, across meadows, and through wetland areas. Trails range from the quarter-mile Bear Hill Trail to the 6.9-mi Skyline Trail. Mountain bikers can ride along the reservation's fire roads and on a designated loop trail. This sprawling reservation covers area in Malden, Medford, Stoneham, Melrose, and Winchester. To get to the western side of the reservation from Boston, take Route 93 North to Exit 33, and then take South Border Road off the rotary. 617/727-5380. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/fells.htm.

Stony Brook Reservation. Excellent hiking footpaths crisscross the 475-acre Stony Brook Reservation, which spans Hyde Park and West Roxbury. Turtle Pond Pkwy., Boston, MA, 02132. 617/333-7404. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/stony.htm.

Hockey

Boston hockey fans are informed, vocal, and extremely loyal. Despite frequent trades of star players, disappointing losses, and high ticket prices, the stands are still packed at Bruins games (especially after a playoff run in 2009). That said, local college hockey teams tend to give spectators plenty to celebrate at a much more reasonable price.

Beanpot Hockey Tournament. Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, and Northeastern teams face off every February in the Beanpot Hockey Tournament at the TD Garden. The colleges in this fiercely contested tournament traditionally yield some of the finest squads in the country. www.beanpothockey.com.

Boston Bruins. The Boston Bruins are on the ice from September until April, frequently on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Playoffs last through early June. TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Old West End, Boston, MA, 02114. 617/624-2327. www.bostonbruins.com.

Ice Skating

Boston Common Frog Pond. Thanks to a refrigerated surface, the Boston Common Frog Pond transforms into a skating park from November to mid-March, complete with a warming hut and concession stand. Admission is $4 for adults; kids 13 and under skate free. Skate rentals cost $9, and lockers are $2. Frog Pond hours are Monday 10 to 4, Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday 10 to 9, and Friday and Saturday 10 to 10. Beacon Hill, Boston, MA, 02108. 617/635-2120. www.bostonfrogpond.com.

Boston Public Garden. Skaters flock to the frozen waters of the lagoon at Boston Public Garden. Ice on one side of the bridge is theoretically reserved for figure skating and the other for faster-paced ice hockey, though most ignore the rule during slow times.

Larz Anderson Park. Outside the city, try the skating rink in Larz Anderson Park, at the top of a wooded hill. Admission for Brookline residents is $5; nonresidents pay $8. Skate rentals are $6. The rink is open from December through early March. 23 Newton St., Brookline, MA, 02446. 617/739-7518.

Public Ice-skating Rinks. The Department of Conservation & Recreation operates more than 20 public ice-skating rinks; hours and season vary by location. Call for a complete list of rinks and their hours of operation. 617/626-1250. www.mass.gov/dcr.

Skate Rentals

Beacon Hill Skate Shop. Beacon Hill Skate Shop rents skates for use in the Frog Pond and Public Garden. A credit card is required; call in advance and they'll have the skates sharpened and ready for you. 135 Charles St., off Tremont St., near Citi Performing Arts Center, South End, Boston, MA, 02116. 617/482-7400.

Running and Jogging

Boston's parks and riverside pathways almost never lack for joggers, even in the worst weather. Paths on both sides of the Charles River are the most crowded and best maintained, particularly along the Esplanade. Watch out for in-line skaters and bikers. At Castle Island in South Boston, skaters and joggers zip past strolling lovebirds and parents pushing jogging strollers. The tranquil, wooded 1½-mi-long loop around idyllic Jamaica Pond is a slightly less crowded option.

Bill Rodgers Running Center. For equipment and information on local running routes, contact the Bill Rodgers Running Center. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Government Center, Boston, MA, 02109. 617/723-5612. www.billrodgers.com.

Events

Boston Marathon. Every Patriots' Day (the third Monday in April), fans gather along the Hopkinton-to-Boston route of the Boston Marathon to cheer on more than 25,000 runners from all over the world. The race ends near Copley Square in the Back Bay.

Boston Athletic Association. For information, call the Boston Athletic Association. 617/236-1652. www.bostonmarathon.org.

Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women. In October, women runners take the spotlight on Columbus Day for the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women, which attracts 7,000 participants and 20,000 spectators. Four American records have been set at this race since it began in 1977. 888/767-7223 Registration. www.tufts-healthplan.com/tufts10k.

Skiing

Cross-Country

Weston Ski Track. From mid-December to March, the Weston Ski Track provides cross-country skiers and snowshoers with 15 mi of groomed, natural trails and a snowmaking area with a lighted 2-mi ski track. Rentals and basic instruction are available. 200 Park Rd., Weston, MA, 02493. 781/891-6575. www.skiboston.com.

Downhill

Berkshires. The Berkshires region in western Massachusetts offers a little bit of Aspen on the East Coast, with tony ski resorts, fine dining, and an upscale atmosphere for those able to take a daylong or weekend ski trip. For details on the various resorts in the Berkshires, go to www.berkshireskiing.com. 135 mi west of Boston along I-90 and Rte. 2, Adams, MA. www.berkshires.org.

Tennis

Department of Conservation & Recreation. The Department of Conservation & Recreation maintains more than 25 public tennis courts throughout the greater Boston area. These operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Lighted courts are open from dawn to 10 pm; other courts are open from dawn to dusk. 617/626-1250. www.mass.gov/dcr.

Charlesbank Park. Some of Boston's most popular lighted courts are those at Charlesbank Park. Storrow Dr. opposite Charles St., Beacon Hill, Boston, MA, 02114.

Marine Park. A popular place to play tennis, Marine Park has lighted courts. Day Blvd., South Boston, Boston, MA, 02125.

Weider Playground. Weider Playground also has lighted courts. Dale St., Hyde Park, Boston, MA, 02136.