One of the many benefits of walking is that you see and experience things you would miss using other modes of travel. You’ll see even more using one of WalkBoston’s maps, which feature places that are wonderful to walk, easy to navigate, and convenient to get around. These maps were created by those who know the area best – either local people or experts in the walk’s particular theme. Each self-guided walk has a detailed route as well as distances and descriptions of sights and scenes. Below is an archive of our maps that have been created over the years. At the bottom of this page, we’ve also included other maps that you may find helpful.
Arlington
Walk through American history as you stroll down popular sites like the Minuteman Rail Trail.
Belmont
Belmont is an ideal community for walking, with its varied neighborhoods, hilly terrain and vibrant commercial areas.
Boston: Avenue Of The Arts
Explore Huntington Avenue – the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Museum of Fine Arts, Sculpture Park, and more.
Boston: Beacon Hill North Slope
Explore the section of Beacon Hill bounded by Cambridge, Bowdoin, Myrtle and Charles Streets.
Boston: Beacon Hill South Slope
Admire the architecture as you stroll along the historic houses on Beacon Street.
Boston: BMC/BUMC Neighborhood
These walking routes of the Boston Medical Center/Boston University Medical Center let you leave the hospitals behind and explore the adjacent South End neighborhoods.
Boston: Boston Common & the Public Garden
Stroll through America’s first public park and botanical garden, see the various monuments, and be sure to Make Way for Ducklings.
Boston: Bridges and Esplanades along the Charles
Take in the Charles River’s loveliest and most historic sites, not to mention its incomparable views of the city.
Boston: Cathedral Housing
Visit one of Boston’s liveliest and most walkable areas around the Cathedral Housing neighborhood in the South End.
Boston: Charles River/North Station
The reclaimed Half Mile is the site of a beautiful new walking facility: the North Bank Bridge, a 690-foot pathway that curves under the Zakim Bridge and over the MBTA commuter rails that used to be an impassable barrier. The bridge is one of three that are planned. The second will be a walkway attached to the MBTA rail bridge over the river into North Station. The third, a South Bank Bridge, will connect Charles River walkways along the Boston side of the river to the HarborWalk in a richly historic and highly visited area.
Boston: City Routes and Downtown
This map of the Back Bay, Downtown, Waterfront and South Boston Seaport show that popular destinations are no more than a ten minute walk away.
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Boston: Charlestown
Walk through Boston’s oldest neighborhood that takes you to Bunker Hill and Breeds Hill, where the first battle of the American Revolution took place.
Boston: Children’s Hospital
Within a 20-minute walk of Children’s Hospital are some of Boston’s best sights for kids — a puppet theatre, anatomical museum, Fenway Park, the beautiful Emerald Necklace park, and more.
Boston: Commonwealth Avenue Mall Sculptures
This short walk down Commonwealth Avenue is enlivened by sculptures of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and other American heroes.
Boston: Connect Historic Boston
Connecting to Boston history Over more than 300 years, Downtown Boston and nearby neighborhoods have been the site of many important historical events. Many buildings remain to illustrate that history. In this small area of about one square mile, distances are so short that many find it easy to cross the entire area on foot. There are also buses and subways which crisscross the area and can help you get to where you want to go. To find a special walking route, use this map to plan a visit to specific nationally-recognized historic buildings and sites, and a walk along streets of great character and charm. On your walk you will find a unique city with national and local history visible everywhere. Walk more – see more!
Boston: Connecting Land, Water and Art
Explore Boston’s Seaport District and Downtown waterfront, a perfect interface for cultures and arts of all kinds to meet.
Boston: Convention Centers – Steps to the Heart of Boston
A short walk between the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the Hynes Convention Center takes you through Boston Common, Chinatown, the Prudential Center, and more.
Boston: Convention Center – Forays on Foot
With seven different routes to pick from, this map can take you to museums, the Boston Tea Party site, and much more
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Boston: Disasters, Dirty Deeds, and Debauchery
From 8 Walnut Street to Cocoanut Grove,this walk traces some of Boston’s famously infamous sites.
Boston: Dorchester
This two sided maps gives you walking routes in both North and South Dorchester showing walkers just how walkable Dorchester really is.
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Boston: Downtown Development–Shaping Our Streetscapes -2008
See the changes WalkBoston’s project design advocacy efforts have made at Hayward Place, South Station Air Rights Tower and more.
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Boston: East Boston
Explore East Boston, experience the diversity of its neighborhoods, and incorporate exercise into your day.
Boston: Faneuil Housing
See much of what Brighton has to offer during a manageable and enjoyable stroll in one of Boston’s liveliest neighborhoods.
Boston: Financial District
Meander Boston’s downtown, where you’ll find Old City Hall, the Stock Exchange Building, and much more.
Boston: Harborwalk
Enjoy the views of Boston Harbor up close as you hug the water’s edge along much of the waterfront.
Boston: Hyde Park and Victorian Fairmount
This walk will take you up and down Fairmount’s steep streets on a trip back in time past stunning and fascinating structures.
Boston: Jamaica Plain
Get a sample of the best of Jamaica Plain: quiet residential streets, spectacular mansions, a vibrant commercial district as well as Jamaica Park and Pond.
Boston: Little Lanes
From Downtown Crossing to Haymarket.
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Boston: Massachusetts General Hospital
From downtown’s historic core at Faneuil Hall to Old Ironsides to the Charles River Esplanade, leave the hospital behind to explore neighborhoods and sites near MGH.
Boston: Outer Neighborhoods
Find maps for the communities south of Boston’s urban core — Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Roxbury — here.
Boston: Rose Kennedy Greenway (2005)
Follow WalkBoston’s advocacy interventions, from sidewalk widths to signal timing and much more, as we work to ensure good pedestrian conditions for all.
Boston: Rose Kennedy Greenway (2006)
See the diverse array of changes WalkBoston has helped bring to the Greenway in just one year.
Boston: Roslindale Village
Hills and dales set the scene for this walk through Roslindale Village’s middle-of-the-road community.
Boston: Savin Hill
A delightful jumble of residential architectural styles, views of the sea and Downtown Skyline Overlook all intersect with the serenity of Savin Hill.
Boston: Science Park Walking Map
Enjoy a Charles River walk to the Science Museum. See parks, landmarks and Boston history along the way.
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Boston: South Bay and the Shirley-Eustis House
Explore the South Bay – once a large tidal marsh and now a bustling neighborhood that boasts some of the oldest buildings in America.
Boston: South Bay Harbor Trail
This walk connects Boston’s inland neighborhoods to the expanding amenities of Boston Harbor, such as the New England Aquarium, the Children’s Museum and more.
Boston: South Boston and Dorchester Bay
South Boston is home to beaches, boathouses, and panoramic views of Boston Harbor and Dorchester Bay.
Boston: South End, Hip & Historic
Meander along the diversity of the South End, from the Victorian structures of its “historic district” to the unique array of novelty shops.
Boston: South End Running Route
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Boston: Southwest Corridor Park
Follow this walk to see what happens when a park is built instead of an expressway.
Boston: The Neponset River and Ashmont Hill
This trail along the Neponset River takes you to chocolate mills, historic residential areas, and one of the last remaining wildlife sanctuaries at the edge of Boston Harbor.
Boston: Urban Core
See all of the places in the city of Boston where WalkBoston has mapped here.
Boston: Walk to the Democratic National Convention
The DNC might not be in town, but follow this walk to the TD Garden and pass by some must-see tourist attractions.
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Boston: Washington Street
From Dudley Square to Chinatown, Washington Street brings new life and vitality to a historic part of the city.
Braintree
Discover Braintree’s waterfront in a series of walks or head back to its town center for some small shops and historic attractions.
Brookline: Secret Stairways and Paths
Trace the pedestrian pathways and stairways that link Brookline’s dramatic topography, left behind by a glacier.
Cambridge: East Cambridge and Kendall Square
East Cambridge’s grid of streets is home to residential, employment and recreation areas that boast a diverse array of architecture.
Cambridge: Harvard University – Allston & Cambridge
Harvard gets a lot smaller with this walking map that breaks down Harvard and its surrounding communities into 5-minute increments.
Cambridge: Traffic Calming
From the Cambridgeside Galleria to the Central Square T Station, see how traffic calming has made Cambridge safer for pedestrians.
Cambridge: Urban Core
Five maps to help you enjoy Cambridge.
Cambridge: West Cambridge
Discover the marvels of Cambridge beyond its famous education centers.
Chelsea
Discover the short walking routes in Chelsea. The map also suggests few routes withspectacular views.
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Chelsea: Downtown
This walk covers the ethnic diversity of Chelsea end to end, from Admiral Hill to Powder Horn Hill.Look for the influence of ethnic traditions on the street life, restaurants, and shops in this small gateway to Boston.
Dedham
Stroll through Dedham’s charm and grace as you visit the Church Green and Norfolk House, which has hosted Presidents and political leaders alike.
Everett
Check out the scenic parks and bustling neighborhoods around Everett.
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Franklin
You can go anywhere on foot. Many destinations in Franklin are no more than a 10-minute walk apart – and many are even closer than that. You’ll be surprised how short the walks are – from homes, schools, downtown businesses and shopping centers to all parts of town.
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Gloucester
Local teens helped find walks to take on routes that are not often traveled. They came up with this list that is a challenge for locals of all ages – for the teens as well!
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Hull: The Hull Peninsula
The Hull Peninsula remains one of Boston’s best-kept secrets with its Carousel, Pier and white sandy beaches.
Lawrence and Methuen
Visit District Lawrence Heritage State Park, Lawrence History Center, Downtown Business Pemberton Park and more.
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Lexington
Visit the sites of troop movements, skirmishes, and battles of the American Revolution where the “shots heard ’round the world” were fired.
Lynn and Swampscott
Trace the coastline along Lynn and Swampscott as you are led through the area’s industrial history.
Malden
Walking in Malden is easy and fun with this map that divides routes to the places you have to get to into 5-minute increments. (Available in 3 languages.)
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Middleborough
The Middleborough map includes Historic Residential Walk / South Main St. & Historic Commercial District / Centre Street.
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Milford
Milford has fantastic attributes that make it an ideal community for walking.
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Newton: The Fields of Newton
Explore Newton’s topography, its oldest roads, that 19th-centry architecture to find vestiges of its rolling hills.
Newton: Upper Falls
Explore the quaint architecture, charming streets, and Echo Bridge – a major National Historic Landmark over the Charles River’s Hemlock Gorge.
Northborough
With its bucolic setting along the historic Boston Post Road, Northborough is a great community for walking. This walking map features a variety of parks, historic buildings and community resources in two different parts of town.
Revere
Kickstarter contributions from over 60 individuals and organizations successfully met a challenge grant from the John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation. Special contributions came from: Modell’s Sporting Goods, Revere School Committee member Carol Tye, Karla and Richard Karash and the Massachusetts Port Authority.
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Salem
Take in the scenic harbor views, along with Salem’s rich history, and don’t forget to look for the pineapples – symbols of hospitality – dotting each historic house.
Somerville: Riverpaths of Everett, Somerville, and Medford
Enjoy the parks, wildlife, and greenery that line these scenic landmarks along the Mystic and Malden Rivers.
Somerville: SomervilleParks -2008
From street hockey to swimming pools, this map shows that there’s something for everyone at each of Somerville’s Parks and Playgrounds.
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Somerville: SomervilleParks -2018
Updated in 2018 with Shape Up Somerville.
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Somerville: SomervilleWalks
We’ve labeled the city in 5-minute increments so that you can get healthy while enjoying Somerville by foot. (Available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.)
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Somerville: The Hills of Somerville
Somerville has capitalized on its steep hills to build a vibrant community featuring the Round House, a museum and a former residence of President Obama.
Springfield: Museum Quad
This walk shows two walking routes from Caring Health Center on Main Street to the Museum Quad and back.
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Wakefield
This walk explores the community’s ancient center and winds around the lovely Lake Quannapowitt to return to its beginning.
Walpole
Try these 5 walks through Walpole and learn something new about its cultural and historic sites.
Watertown
Fit a walk into your day perfectly with the timed routes on this map.
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Watertown: The Upper Charles River Reservation
Starting at the Watertown Dam, a walk along the rustic, overgrown Upper Charles River Reservation is the ideal way to spend a lazy afternoon.
Winthrop: Deer Island
Deer Island offers dramatic views of Boston’s skyline, Hull’s windmill, lighthouses and Boston Harbor Islands National Park.
Helpful maps created by others
Bathroom Access
Most city websites include a list of parks, trails, and even water-filling stations, but not restrooms. However, if there are no mentions of restrooms, how inclusive are we being? This website’s goal isequally balanced between helping people find restrooms and advocating for our local communities to acknowledge all biological needs and be welcoming to all who use our public space.
In addition to using the map, we encourage you to submit specific public bathroom locations and have your city/town include this information on the municipal website.
