Boston or Cambridge for outdoor activities? (Lowell, Concord: swimming, estimate, bike)

[FXNT]

Which one has better access to/the most variety of outdoors activities?

[DreamworksSKG]

Which kind of outdoor activities are you thinking of?

There's lot, kayaking, sailing, hiking, skiing, running, swimming, canoeing, snow-shoeing, dog mushing, walking, tennis, basketball, hockey, street hockey, soccer, rugby, rollerblading, and more


what would you be interested in doing?

[FXNT]

Kayaking, caving, hiking, biking.

[dognh]

Definitely more caving in Boston

[TheWereRabbit]

Originally Posted by FXNT

Kayaking, caving, hiking, biking.

Wellll,

For a lot of these you are going to be travelling a decent way outside the city so it doesn't matter a whole lot. Boston and Cambridge are very close and this also depends a lot on where in Boston you are looking at.

Boston and Cambridge both have kayaking in the Charles and Boston itself has ocean kayaking. However, most river kayaking and ocean kayaking will be a little ways outside the city. The Concord, Sudbury, Assabet are nice kayaking NW of the city (so slightly closer to Cambridge.) They're real calm but the Concord has some class 3 in Lowell. As far as ocean kayaking, there are tons of spots on the north and south shore depending on what you want but overall, Boston would be slightly closer.

Caving is pretty lame in MA in general in my opinion. I have done most of my caving in New Mexico so im no expert in the area but I know Upstate Ny has some caves (Which I guess would be closer to Cambridge but does 10 minutes matter when you're driving 4 hours?) I think the Spelelological Society for the area is based in Cambridge but I am noooot at all sure about that, i'd check caves.org .

IMO, Cambridge is closer to better 'hiking' although both cities have nice parks for casual strolls. Cambridge is very close to the Middlesex Fells Reservation but some parts of Boston are even closer to the Blue Hills Reservation. (one is north, one is south). I gave Cambridge the edge in this just because I think there is better hiking overall to the north of us in NH, VT, and ME. Although, don't underestimate hiking trails on the cape or south shore.

The Boston area is great for biking although a lot of people will disagree. It is hard to ride in the Boston area compared to some places because of traffic and narrow streets. I gotta give this one to Cambridge too simply because of the Minuteman Bike Trail. However, I think both cities have some streets with bike lanes.

Overall, if you are serious about these activities you are going to want to make trips of at least a half hour outside the urban areas so it doesn't matter a whole lot. Buuuut If I had to pick an answer I would say Cambridge.