On Deck Sports

Forget first-run films and check out what you've been missing at the Independent Film Festival Boston. This festival offers the opportunity for you to see excellent films that may not have had a wide-release, serving to remind the public that just because the film didn't have a huge budget, doesn't mean it isn't a masterpiece. International films, short films, documentaries and more are all screened at the event.

Head to the Back Bay Fens and hang out next to a beautiful freshwater marsh. Along with the marsh, this link in the Emerald Necklace park system is home to ball fields, a wartime “Victory Garden” that was established in 1941, and the popular Kelleher Rose Garden, among other outdoor attractions. While you're exploring the park, be sure to pay respects at the World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War memorials that reside in the park.

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.

The history of Massachusetts is explored at The Commonwealth Museum. Exhibits here explore everything that has happened in the state from the Colonial Period to the American Revolution, Civil War and beyond. Important events and people are presented through artifacts and documentation, serving as an effective lesson of American history.