Summer Fun

So You Wanna…Enjoy the Sun

Go Singing
Let’s be frank: Getting to Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea isn’t easy. Parking is limited, so your best bet is to take the 45-minute commuter-rail trip from Boston, then hoof the final half mile from the station. One benefit of the long journey, though, is that it keeps crowds to a minimum. The other benefit: clear water, dramatic cliffs, restrooms (with showers!), and even a nice snack bar. And did we mention Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream? $5 walk-on fee; Beach Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, 978-526-2040.

Live Like a Character from Entourage
The pool at Newton’s Hotel Indigo may be the only place in Greater Boston that feels like it’s been imported from Hollywood, what with its plush towels, fruity cocktails, and New American menu. And at $20 per person (plus food and drinks), a pass costs a fraction of the flight to L.A. With their chic rattan couches and gauzy curtains, the eight-person cabanas — available for an extra fee — complete the illusion. Hotel Indigo, 399 Grove St., Newton, 617-969-5300, newtonboutiquehotel.com.

Swim at Walden Pond
Take a tip from the area’s triathletes, who have long considered Walden Pond – with its picturesque surroundings and clear, cool water – the region’s best spot for a dip. If you go, know that park officials cap the number of visitors to 1,000 at any one time, so call ahead to see how busy it is. $5 parking fee; Concord, 978-369-3254, mass.gov/dcr.