Artesani Playground Wading Pool and Spray Deck

If you’re looking for a free spot to cool off with kids in the summer, this place on the Charles River is hard to beat. The pirate-themed climbing structure keeps the older ones busy while the little ones wade around in the pool or hit the spray deck — it works well for a wide age range, which isn’t always easy to find. Views of the river are a genuine bonus, not just a selling point. Free parking in Boston is basically a miracle, and the restrooms here are actually clean, which locals will tell you matters more than it should. Throw in shaded seating, picnic tables, and a bike track and you’ve got a full afternoon sorted.