Boston Harbor Islands: unique outdoor recreation at the door of a historic city!
Written: Jan 08 '00 (Updated Jan 12 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful "escape" from the city...2 miles away; cool in summer!
Cons: Requires at least a half day. Deserves a whole day.
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| vickie's Full Review: Boston Harbor Islands State Park |
Boston Harbor Islands are within two to four miles of the mainland (downtown Boston!) and provide a stark contrast between dynamic, city life and the tranquility of natural spaces that are peppered with history and cultural significance. They offer great places to picnic, walk, hike, swim (yes the water is now sufficiently clean for swimming!), see historic structures and incredible views of the Boston sky line….and even camp! Day trips for walking and having a picnic are my personal favorites! Boston Harbor Islands have a lot of history and many legends…even a ghost! There are stories of pirates, shipwrecks, abandoned war prisoners, and other war stories.
Strategy for visiting the islands:
The ferry trip out and back to George's Island takes about 45 minutes each way. If you only have half a day, you're pretty much limited to this island, but it is well worth the trip! If you have a full-day to visit, you can reasonably "fit in" 3 islands by taking the ferry to George's and then hopping one of the water taxis that make circuits of 5 islands. Since the ferries only run between about 10am and 5:30 pm, 3 is just about the maximum you can fit in.
George's Island: Although there is a small "canteen" which serves beverages and sandwiches, the islands are a great place for a picnic and I strongly suggest that you bring your own food and (non-alcoholic) beverage, even if you just pick it up at a city deli and bring with you. There is a great, old fort (Fort Warren) which was used as a prison for captured Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. It is now said to be inhabited by the ghost of a prisoner's wife! This is a wonderful place to walk and tour. The views of Boston and planes taking off and landing at Logan Airport are too impressive to describe. There are shaded picnic tables, fields for playing ball and plenty of space for group "get togethers" on this island. There is no swimming here.
Lovell's Island : You can swim and hike here. The beach is the only one on the islands that is staffed by lifeguards. It is also the site a number of shipwrecks, the most famous of which was the French warship Magnifique in 1782. In 1900, Fort Standish was established here. The remains of it's gun batteries, bunkers and guardhouse still stand and provide and interesting contrast of early 20th century military architecture compared to Fort Warren on nearby George's Island.
Grape Island: This is the site of the Battle of Grape Island, fought during the Revolutionary War. You can also swim here. Unlike many of the other Harbor Islands, Grape was not disturbed by construction of military installations. The island was once used for farming and has salt marshes. It offers walking trails and picnic areas. . Camping is possible here with a permit.
Bumpkin Island: This was once the site of U.S. Naval barracks used to house German prisoners rescued from the harbor during World War I. There is a swimming beach on this island also. There are picnic areas and walking trails. Camping is possible here with a permit.
Peddock's Island: Here a 4,100 year-old skeleton was found in the 1960's. It remains the oldest skeleton ever found in New England. The unique topography and natural beauty of this island combined with its' history make a visit here worthwhile. Wear your walking shoes and get ready to explore! There are sandy trails, a salt marsh and densely wooded areas. There is an old fort (Fort Andrews) which was used as a prison to house Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Most of the fort's buildings are standing, but is some cases, just barely. Water taxis run between this island and others during daylight hours. Camping is possible here with a permit.
Little Brewster Island: This is the site of Boston Light, the first light station established in the U.S. It remains the only staffed lighthouse today.
Gallop's Island: This island quartered the Mass 54th Colored Regiment during the Civil War. Their story was the basis for the movie "Glory." There are picnic areas and hiking trails available here. Water taxis run between this island and others during daylight hours.
Thompson Island: This was a Native American trading post in the early 1600's. A large part of the southern area is a tidal pond and salt marsh. There are baby fish, clams and lots of birds to see.The marshes are feeding and rest stations for resident birds as well as migratory ducks and geese.
Deer Island: Now the site of a landmark water treatment facility, this island was used for internment camps for American Indians during King Philip's Ware in 1675. The waters of the Inner Harbor had become severely polluted over the years. Since the Deer Island treatment facility was activated, dramatic improvements in water quality have occurred. Some people I know have seen seals which have returned to the Harbor in recent years!
Getting there:
You can easily reach these islands via ferry (Boston Harbor Cruises) from Long Warf, adjacent to the New England Aquarium, and within a 5-minute walk from Quincy Market. The islands are part of the National Park Service, which maintains a kiosk next to the ferry. The islands are open dai during the summer from 9am until sunset. During the spring and fall they are open on the weekends. The ferry connects to George's Island where water shuttle take visitors to other islands. A round trip ferry ticket between Long Warf and George's Island is only $8. The water shuttles are free. This is the best bargain in all of Boston!
Weather on the harbor and islands is variable, from clear and crisp to windy and chilly. Water breezes can make the ferry ride cool even on the hottest of days. This is a GREAT way to cool down on a hot summer day, but you should bring a jacket or windbreaker for the ride. Comfortable shoes and sun screen are essentials for the trip.
Camping:
You can get information about camping permits by calling (617) 223-8666. Reserve space early! Because of the ferry schedule and the need to take water taxis, it is very difficult to visit the city of Boston while you are camping on the islands. If you wish to camp and visit Boston, people say that it is better to stay at the Wompatuck State Park campground in Hingham (a suburb south of Boston). From there it is a 15-minute drive to a commuter boat service to downtown Boston and the Boston Harbor Islands. The Wompatuck phone number is (781)749-7160. There is a toll-free number for camping reservations which is (877) 422-6762.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
vickie
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Location: Waltham, MA
Reviews written: 75
Trusted by: 113 members
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