A great variety of local attractions

Boston's skyline and the beauty of Boston Harbor and its islands are revealed in a walk along the water, in this case at a state park in Weymouth. (Erik Jacobs for The Boston Globe-file)

NOW IS also the perfect time for residents to explore all of Boston's attractions in their own backyard. Our "Visit the Pin" campaign is about just that - reminding families that they can vacation right here in our city.

Boston is full of beautiful attractions, like the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden in the Back Bay Fens and the historic Public Garden. But some of my favorite places in the city are in our neighborhoods. The Mattapan Nature Center, for instance, on Walk Hill Street, is a true urban sanctuary and Boston's first green building. The center has environmental programs for all ages and miles of trails through meadows and wetlands.

Franklin Park, a gem of Frederick Law Olmsted and a great family recreation center, has a challenging, 18-hole public golf course, is home to Franklin Park Zoo with exotic animal species from around the world, and the White Stadium Sports Center. There's always something happening at Franklin Park.

And since I can only pick three, I urge any visitor to tour the Boston Harbor Islands. Spectacle Island welcomes visitors with 5 miles of walking paths, a cafe, a swimming beach, and more. Georges Island hosts guided tours of Fort Warren, a national historic landmark that was used by the government as coastal defense as early as 1825. Any tour of the islands will pass through our historic harbor.

These places combine Boston's rich history with its promising future.

Thomas M. Menino is mayor of Boston.