Boston Harbor Islands

The Boston Harbor Islands had been on my list of “must-dos” for quite a while, but it wasn’t until my parents came for a visit over Memorial Day weekend that we made a firm plan to visit the islands for a day. I had heard that they are a hidden gem and a nice break from the typical Boston-area attractions – perfect for Dave and I, and my parents who have visited Boston more than a few times now.

The Islands (30 in total) are a National Park Area, right smack in the middle of Boston Harbor. In addition to a Civil War-era fort and plenty of hiking and swimming opportunities, a few of the islands also allow camping – all within sight of the Boston skyline.

Although the Friday before Memorial Day was unseasonably warm at 90+ degrees, we still thought it would be a nice day to catch a ferry out to the islands and do some exploring of our own. So, picnic lunch in tow, we headed down to Boston’s Long Wharf to begin our adventure. After a bit of confusion about where the ferries depart from (tip: if you park at the aquarium or take the T, walk past the T sign through the Marriott lobby, and you can buy tickets for the ferry at the kiosk on your right), we settled in to enjoy our lunch while we waited for the next boat.

We ventured to Georges Island first, with a plan to stop at Spectacle Island on the way back to the city.  The 7-mile  ferry ride out was fast and scenic, with beautiful views of the downtown skyline.

We arrived at Georges Island eager to explore Fort Warren. Acquired by the US government in 1825, Fort Warren served as a Civil War training ground, patrol point, and Confederate prison. Of course, it is also rumored to be haunted.  The “Lady in Black”, the ghost of a prisoner’s wife who was sentenced to death for aiding in an escape, is said to roam the fort’s dark tunnels and corridors. Though we didn’t encounter the Lady in Black, look closely and you can see the Lady in Green.

Ok, fine, that’s my mom.

We had a great time dipping into every nook and cranny of the fort. And the cool, dark tunnels provided a respite from the heat. Plus, it’s always nice to feel like you learned something new. Did you know that the rooms where they stored gun powder had wooden walls instead of brick, in case someone’s sword caused a spark? Someone had to learn that the hard way.

We hopped back on the ferry for the short trip to Spectacle Island. This island boasts a storied past – archaeological evidence suggests it was a Native American hunting and clamming spot.  It was also a dumping ground and horse rendering plant at points along the way. Today, Spectacle Island is quite pretty, with lots of relatively new vegetation, and offers 4 miles of hiking trails and a swimming beach. This renovation is, in part, thanks to dirt from the Big Dig, which they used to cover the old dump and reshape the island.

After a hike around the island, it was time for us to catch the last ferry and head back to Boston. Next time, I’d like to spend some time exploring Spectacle’s tide pools.

The Boston Harbor Islands proved to be a fantastic day trip and are every bit the hidden gem I had heard they were.  We only scratched the surface – 2 down, 28 to go – and hope to plan another trip this summer to explore some of the smaller, less-traveled islands.

The Harbor Islands ferry departs Boston’s Long Wharf every hour, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, through Labor Day.

For more information, visit www.bostonharborislands.org.