Dorchester YMCA

Dig your toes into the sand at Crane Beach, one of the East Coast's premier beaches. Swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, hiking and more, are a few outdoor activities you can enjoy while hanging out on the seashore. This is the perfect destination for those who like to explore, as there are over five miles of trails that venture into the dunes and North Shore forestry.

From the classics to contemporary theater entertainment, the Huntington Theatre Co. brings stories to life through the productions on its stage. Since the theater was founded in the 1980s, it has hosted performances of Prelude to a Kiss, Love's Labour's Lost, The Glass Menagerie, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Raisin in the Sun, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Arms and the Man.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy recreation at the Noanet Woodlands. The park features over 17 miles of recreation trials that meander through the 600-acre area. As you enjoy activities like hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and biking, you'll see a variety of birds like hawks and warblers, animals like bullfrogs and turtles, and a large amount of wildflowers, including marigolds and pink lady's slipper.

Learn about the important contributions made to Boston and our nation by the African American community at The Museum of African American History. This institution offers insight to the struggles, the triumphs and the stories of African Americans from the Colonial Period and throughout the 19th century. Exhibits feature important African American figures like Colin Powell, Barack Obama, and Nelson Mandela, and also showcase art works and artifacts.