300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 355-6000 BCRP: Restaurants, Night Life, and Waterfront Restaurants and Night Life July 4th fireworks over the Charles Boston is a world-renowned center for ideas and learning with some 65 colleges, universities and other institutions of higher education that attract more than 200,000 students. No other major city has such a high proportion of students. Their youthful energy invigorates the city's restaurants and nightlife, from club hopping on Lansdowne Street to the live music scene in the cafes and coffeehouses. Live music includes Latin, jazz, blues, gospel, folk and classical. Boston is a great restaurant town. There are many outstanding restaurants and enormous variety. The restaurant reviews in the Boston Globe and Zagats are particularly useful. Waterfront Community Boating on the Charles River Downtown Boston is a peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides: the harbor on the east and north, and the Charles River on the west. Unlike many cities, much of the waterfront is recreational space. The harbor offers boating of all kinds, fishing, and a number of community beaches. There is a Harborwalk with many parks and other venues. The Harbor Islands are part of the National Park system and are accessible by ferry for day trips and picnicking. Boston side of the Charles River Esplanade The Charles River side is even more scenic, with a 17 mile Esplanade along the shore, the Hatch Shell for summer concerts, the famous Duck Boat Tours and a Community Boating Program that allows individuals or families to sail any of a fleet of 113 boats in the Charles River Basin for a remarkably low fee and that provides children with sailing instruction and all-summer sailing for $1. Every July 4th, the Esplanade is packed with crowds for a spectacular Boston Pops concert and fireworks show. The Charles River is also known for its rowing and sculling. The famous Head of the Charles regatta, the world's largest 2-day rowing event, is held every year in October. The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.