Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Vacation in the Islands
Finds
Majestic ocean views, hiking trails, historic sites, rocky beaches, nature
walks, campsites, and picnic areas abound in New England. To find them all
together, head east (yes, east) of Boston to the
Boston Harbor Islands
(
&
617/223-8666;
www.bostonislands.com). The national park area's
unspoiled beauty is a welcome break from the urban landscape, and the
islands are not well known, even to many longtime Bostonians. Thirty-four
islands dot the Outer Harbor, and at least a half dozen are open for explor-
ing, camping, swimming, and more. Bring a sweater or jacket. Plan a day
trip or even an overnight trip, but note that only Georges Island has fresh
water, and management strongly suggests bringing your own.
Ferries run to
Georges Island,
home of Fort Warren (1833), which held
Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. You can investigate on your
own or take a ranger-led tour. The island has a visitor center, refreshment
area, fishing pier, picnic area, and wonderful view of Boston's skyline. Allow
at least half a day, longer if you plan to take the free water taxi to
Lovell,
Peddocks, Bumpkin,
or
Grape Island,
all of which have picnic areas and
campsites. Lovell Island also has the remains of a fort (Fort Standish).
Spec-
tacle Island,
which opened to the public in 2006, holds more than 3 million
cubic yards of material dug up during the Big Dig—then sealed, covered
with topsoil, and landscaped to allow recreational use.
Harbor Express
(
&
617/222-6999;
www.harborexpress.com) serves
Georges Island (30 min. or less) and Spectacle Island (15 min.) from Long
Wharf. Round-trip tickets cost $14 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children
3 to 11; the island-to-island fare is $5. Cruises depart daily on the hour from
9am to 5pm in the summer, more often on weekends, less frequently in the
spring and fall. In the off season, check ahead for winter wildlife excursions
(scheduled occasionally). Water taxis and admission to the islands are free.
A public-private National Park Partnership administers the Boston Harbor
Islands National Recreation Area (www.nps.gov/boha). For more informa-
tion, visit the website, consult the staff at the
kiosk on Long Wharf,
or con-
tact the
Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands
(
&
617/740-4290;
www.fbhi.
org). The Friends coordinate a variety of cruises on and around the harbor
throughout the summer and fall; check ahead for details.
Kendall Square Community Skating,
300 Athenaeum St., East Cambridge
(
&
617/492-0941;
www.paddleboston.com), is an open rink in a courtyard not far
from MIT. It charges $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and students, $1 for children under
11; skate rentals are $5. Validated discounted parking is available.
A favorite spot for in-line skaters is the
Esplanade,
between the Back Bay and the
Charles River. It continues onto the bike path that runs to Watertown and back
(p. 181), but after you leave the Esplanade, the pavement isn't totally smooth, which
can lead to mishaps. Your best bet is to wait for a Sunday in the summer, when
Memorial Drive
near Harvard Square in Cambridge closes to traffic from 11am to
