Way to row. It's the quintessential warm-weather scene: crews rowing on the Charles River in the sun, past the backdrop of the city. Visitors can join in the fun by single or double kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard from Charles River Canoe & Kayak's Boston location in Allston/Brighton. The nine-mile stretch of calm water is welcoming to novice and expert alike. paddleboston.com/boston
Not for eggheads only. Even non-geniuses will enjoy a visit to the MIT Museum to view exhibits such as "Gestural Engineering: The Sculpture of Arthur Ganson," "Rivers of Ice: The Vanishing Glaciers of the Himalaya," and "Robots and Beyond: Exploring Artificial Intelligence at MIT," which includes Kismet (pictured), a sociable robot developed by Cynthia Breazeal in the 1990s.
Did you know? The city extends into the water and encompasses the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, including Bumpkin, Grape and Deer islands. Take a ferry about four miles out to the 105-acre Spectacle Island, which has a beach for swimming and five miles of hiking trails.
Beyond beans. Use your taste buds to experience the city via Michelle Topor's Boston Food Tours. Visit the North End for a walking Italian-cooking class, or wander through Chinatown to sample the area's many regional Chinese cuisines and ingredients.
bostonfoodtours.com
Medical bills: One Fund Boston helps families of the victims who were killed and the people who were seriously injured by the Boston Marathon bombings and related incidents. Donate at onefundboston.org.