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Exploring
the Boston Harbor Islands |
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Directions |
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| To
Boston Long Wharf by car: |
 From the south, take I-93 to exit 23
(Atlantic Avenue & Northern Avenue) |
Follow signs to Atlantic Avenue and the
New England Aquarium |
| From the north, take I-93 to exit 23
Purchase Street/South Station |
| Take first left on Congress, then immediate
left on to Atlantic Avenue |
| Follow signs to the New England Aquarium |
Parking is not possible at Long Wharf
(passenger drop-off only), and
you will
have to park nearby, at Rowes
Wharf, The Mariott Hotel, The Garage at Post
Office
Square, The Boston Harbor Garage,
or
Quincy Market. Traffic can be
heavy in the area because of the Big Dig, so
arrive early to find a spot without hurrying.
Average
parking fee for a day is about
$25
(off-street parking is free on Sunday,
but
spaces are difficult to find) |
| By Subway: |
| Take the Blue Line to the Aquarium Station
or the Orange Line to Haymarket |
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Good to know in advance |
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Etiquette |
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| No dogs
allowed on the islands |
| Carry out your trash |
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| E-mail this
page to a friend
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| Have
a question about this
destination? |
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| The Boston
Harbor Islands are now a National Park area, but
a very unique one: 30 islands spread across the
Boston harbor, varying in size and shape and rich
in history, which make up an unparalleled playground
for outdoor enthusiasts. If you like open space,
the feeling that the world is far away, and that
special feeling of remoteness that is only found
in islands, then this is the place to be. When
you land on any one of these islands, you will
have hard a time remembering that you are only
40 minutes away from the mainland, and close to
one of the largest cities in the country. Turn
your back on Boston's skyline to the west, and
look east: this is the open ocean, with more than
3,000 miles of emptiness. |
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The Harbor
Islands offer numerous opportunities, from swimming
and walking to paddling and camping. Here are
our suggestions to make the best of your trip
and leverage all these opportunities without
hassle.
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In 2004, four
islands can be reached through water ferry and
shuttle: George's, Lovell's, Grape and Spectacle.
George's Island is the hub for visiting the
islands, as well as a worthwhile destination
in itself. This is also the only island with
a snack bar and water. All the other islands
have no support services (except Rangers on
duty in season) and no water. Always bring ample
water for a full day when you head for the islands.
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Because the
place is so attractive and can be reached only
by boat, our advice is to spend a full day there,
though spending only half a day is possible
if you stay only on George's island
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There are two
great options to enjoy the islands depending
on your mood (shuttle times indicated for weekends
– for weekdays check schedule below):
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1.
The hassle-free day on George's Island:
Take the 9:15 am or 10:10 am ferry from Boston
in the morning – see full schedule below.
After a 40-minute ride, you will spend the day
on the island, exploring Fort Warren's ramparts,
parade ground and numerous stairs and rooms.
This is one of Boston's most attractive destinations
for children, who will spend the day running
across the fort and pretending they are castaways
defending the place against pirates. Views from
the fort on the Boston harbor are impressive,
and there are many places to set up your barbecue
and have lunch, gaze in the distance or play
with your friends. Our tip: after disembarking
on the island, walk on your right as if you
wanted to go around the fort. Follow the trail
to walk along the ramparts until you reach the
last corner of the ramparts, facing the open
ocean. You should be able to find a nice, grassy
area on your left, away from the weekend crowd
that will mostly stay around the dock area.
You can also walk around the island, though
some sections will require you to walk on the
coastline rocks. Restrooms are available near
the visitor center facing the deck.
Come back with the ferry leaving George's at
4:25 pm or 5:00 pm. This is not the last one,
but precisely for this reason you will find
embarking easier and faster.
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2.
Spending a day at the beach on Lovell's island
Lovell's has a real sandy beach, supervised
by lifeguards in season, and a diverse landscape
that includes woods and dunes, the latter not
commonly found on other islands. Here, the atmosphere
is quiet and serene, as most visitors tend to
stay on George's. Several trails will allow
you to explore the island
To get there, take the 9:15 am or 10:10 am ferry
from Boston to George's island - the ride is
about 40 minutes
Disembark at George's and wait for the Lovells
water shuttle at 10 am or 10:30 am
Spend the day on Lovells and take the shuttle
back to George's at 3:45 pm or 5 pm
You will be on George's in time for the ferry
back to Boston at 4:30 pm or 5.45 pm. Avoid
waiting on George's to catch the last boat -
that one is usually quite crowded
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