Enjoying the Boston Harbor Islands

The Boston Harbor Island Ferry Center

If you are vacationing in downtown Boston, youll find that its not very easy to access the shore. Of course, Massachusetts is home to dozens of fabulous beaches, but many of them are quite a distance away and can be hard to access if you dont have a car. For a quieter Boston waterfront adventure without renting a car, consider taking a trip to the Boston Harbor Islands.

There are 30 Boston Harbor Islands 12 that can be visited. Georges and Spectacle Islands are each serviced by their own ferries, while Lovells, Grape, Peddocks, or Bumpkin require a transfer at Georges (or you can catch a ferry on the South Shore). Thompson Island sometimes has its own ferry, or you can catch a connection at Spectacle. There are also four peninsulas that are part of the Boston Harbor Islands Deer Island, Nut Island, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial. To access Little Brewster Island, youll need to sign up for the Lighthouse Tour.

The Boston Harbor Islands all offer different activities including free jazz concerts, yoga, kids tide pool exploration, kayaking, island caching, hiking, and more. On a recent trip to Spectacle Island, we visited the beach (one of the few on the Boston Harbor Islands), collected sea glass, and participated in a tide pool exploration. Check out everything online before heading out so you can decide which island you want to visit, because they are all different.

If you do want to spend time on the Boston Harbor Islands, you may want to stay at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf, which is just a few steps away from the ferry center.

Resorts And Lodges