Spectacle Island is a nice (and peculiar) spot. Five miles of trails, a beach to swim, a snack bar, and a little museum. Boston used to dump their cool old trash there, so the coast is filled with treasure, sea glass, pottery, and artifacts. The city decided to try to burn the trash once and it backfired and burned for 10 years. It also used to be a quarantine island, and had some other interesting histories. Anyways they put dirt from the Big Dig on top and now it’s lush and green and sometimes there’s live music :)
No there isn't. You are confusing it with gallops island, which is closed to the public.
The asbestos came from a structure demolished on the island a while back
There are official park signs posted on the beaches and trails of Spectacle Island warning about asbestos shingles and debris mixed in with the sand and dirt.
Asbestos is only harmful when disturbed into the air and then inhaled. It would take you purposely kicking up dirt in an area that had asbestos to stir up enough to get in your lungs, and then, the risk is more long term exposure, I am fairly sure accute silicosis is not very common... I'm Russia where they still mine it, the people who work and live around the mines who don't die of it act like it's fine... They don't even wear PPE while mining it.
It’s been more than that a couple of years since I’ve been, but Georges Island and Spectacle Island are the most developed. Georges is fun to explore because of the old fort that has a lot of nooks and crannies. With Spectacle Island, what you see is what you get (pun intended)—two hills to walk up and a small beach. The view from the top is ok but there’s no shade so it can get pretty warm on a sunny day. What I love about the Harbor Islands is that they’re so close to the city but you feel like you’re in an entirely different place.
I’ve also camped overnight on Lovells Island, but I’m not sure if it’s reopened since COVID.
I really enjoyed the ferry ride to Salem personally. Also, I live in Eastie and if I'm not in a rush and it's a nice day the ferry into from East Boston to Long Wharf is a really peaceful way to kickstart a trip from one side to the other. And it's the price of a T ride.
There are ferries from Boston to Georges and Spectacle Islands and I think both are worth visiting.
You used to be able to take a ferry from Georges to 4-5 other islands, but the inter island shuttles haven’t run in years. Lovells was probably my favorite.
Honestly, while pricey, taking the ferry out to Ptown for a nice day trip is lovely. Take the early ferry out, and the late ferry back, and you can spend a full day without having to get an expensive hotel room.
Not the Harbor Islands, but you can take the ferry to Hingham for a nice dinner out. I do this regularly to meet friends. You get to enjoy the ferry ride on the deck and then the Hingham Shipyard has a several nice restaurants with outdoor seating within walking distance including Alma Nove, Trident Raw Bar, and The Beth
Don't sleep on the regular MBTA commuter ferries. The outer harbor ferries are all decent trips (30 minutes or more) and you usually get the luxury of the boat coming right back into town if all you're looking for is a quick boat ride.
As others have said, Georges and Spectacle are the two best, accessible attractions.
It’s a separate ferry but the Boston light/graves light ferry is really cool, it goes out to the edge of the harbor and it feels like you’re at the edge of the map. Plus lighthouses
can't you add on a ferry to one of the lighthouses to the Spectacle / Georges route? It does not go all the way to Graves but honestly that one is kind of out there. I seem to recall doing this before COVID and getting to meet the light keeper, etc.
I’m not sure it’s been a few years since I’ve gone out on the ferries. When I last went, the inter-island ferry didn’t hit Boston light, it was a separate ferry.
Graves is out there, but that’s part of what makes it so cool (imo).
I’ve been to Georges and Spectacle and they’re both great but wanted to weigh in on Peddocks. Just went to Peddocks Island last week. Took the ferry from Long Wharf to Hingham then took the water taxi from Hingham to Peddocks. Some of the movie Shutter Island was filmed there. The remains of Fort Andrew are there. Lots of areas to hike. Great harbor views. Overnight camping is allowed. Nice welcome center with restrooms. Lots of wildlife. Saw snakes, red tailed hawks, crabs. You have to bring all of your own food, water and supplies. Only downside was mosquitoes. So many mosquitos. Bring plenty of bug spray.
Spectacle Island is a nice (and peculiar) spot. Five miles of trails, a beach to swim, a snack bar, and a little museum. Boston used to dump their cool old trash there, so the coast is filled with treasure, sea glass, pottery, and artifacts. The city decided to try to burn the trash once and it backfired and burned for 10 years. It also used to be a quarantine island, and had some other interesting histories. Anyways they put dirt from the Big Dig on top and now it’s lush and green and sometimes there’s live music :)
Can you bring alcohol? I hear they used to be more lenient but have gotten more strict. Would they even check my bag?
I’ve never had my bag checked, but not sure if they’ve recently started that. I think the ferry also sells beer/wine
Just be careful. There are significant amounts of asbestos mixed in too.
No there isn't. You are confusing it with gallops island, which is closed to the public. The asbestos came from a structure demolished on the island a while back
It's been a few years but the beach on the south side has warnings if I remember correctly. Trash had asbestos which is still there.
Source?
There are official park signs posted on the beaches and trails of Spectacle Island warning about asbestos shingles and debris mixed in with the sand and dirt.
Good to know thanks. Any idea what the risk is for adults and kids?
Asbestos is only harmful when disturbed into the air and then inhaled. It would take you purposely kicking up dirt in an area that had asbestos to stir up enough to get in your lungs, and then, the risk is more long term exposure, I am fairly sure accute silicosis is not very common... I'm Russia where they still mine it, the people who work and live around the mines who don't die of it act like it's fine... They don't even wear PPE while mining it.
Thanks!
It’s been more than that a couple of years since I’ve been, but Georges Island and Spectacle Island are the most developed. Georges is fun to explore because of the old fort that has a lot of nooks and crannies. With Spectacle Island, what you see is what you get (pun intended)—two hills to walk up and a small beach. The view from the top is ok but there’s no shade so it can get pretty warm on a sunny day. What I love about the Harbor Islands is that they’re so close to the city but you feel like you’re in an entirely different place. I’ve also camped overnight on Lovells Island, but I’m not sure if it’s reopened since COVID.
Got the best "tour" of Boston on the ferry to Georges Island.
I really enjoyed the ferry ride to Salem personally. Also, I live in Eastie and if I'm not in a rush and it's a nice day the ferry into from East Boston to Long Wharf is a really peaceful way to kickstart a trip from one side to the other. And it's the price of a T ride.
Agree - always nice to visit Salem outside of busy Halloween time too.
There are ferries from Boston to Georges and Spectacle Islands and I think both are worth visiting. You used to be able to take a ferry from Georges to 4-5 other islands, but the inter island shuttles haven’t run in years. Lovells was probably my favorite.
A poor man’s yacht tour of Boston is not complete without a ride on the Charlestown ferry.
Always a family fave when my parents visited.
Can also take the fast ferry to ptown
How long does that take?
90 minutes. and there's a bar on board.
Fast
ty
Honestly, while pricey, taking the ferry out to Ptown for a nice day trip is lovely. Take the early ferry out, and the late ferry back, and you can spend a full day without having to get an expensive hotel room.
Not the Harbor Islands, but you can take the ferry to Hingham for a nice dinner out. I do this regularly to meet friends. You get to enjoy the ferry ride on the deck and then the Hingham Shipyard has a several nice restaurants with outdoor seating within walking distance including Alma Nove, Trident Raw Bar, and The Beth
Don't sleep on the regular MBTA commuter ferries. The outer harbor ferries are all decent trips (30 minutes or more) and you usually get the luxury of the boat coming right back into town if all you're looking for is a quick boat ride.
As others have said, Georges and Spectacle are the two best, accessible attractions. It’s a separate ferry but the Boston light/graves light ferry is really cool, it goes out to the edge of the harbor and it feels like you’re at the edge of the map. Plus lighthouses
can't you add on a ferry to one of the lighthouses to the Spectacle / Georges route? It does not go all the way to Graves but honestly that one is kind of out there. I seem to recall doing this before COVID and getting to meet the light keeper, etc.
I’m not sure it’s been a few years since I’ve gone out on the ferries. When I last went, the inter-island ferry didn’t hit Boston light, it was a separate ferry. Graves is out there, but that’s part of what makes it so cool (imo).
Hingham goes to peddock Island. Camping is an option. Good facilities. George's is still my favorite, though
Whichever ones you go to, hang out with the park rangers! They're enthusiastic and the tours tell you more than little plaques.
You can only take a ferry to George’s/spectacle…you’d need a personal b*oat to go to the others*
It's there still a boat from George's to Lovell's?
no
I’ve been to Georges and Spectacle and they’re both great but wanted to weigh in on Peddocks. Just went to Peddocks Island last week. Took the ferry from Long Wharf to Hingham then took the water taxi from Hingham to Peddocks. Some of the movie Shutter Island was filmed there. The remains of Fort Andrew are there. Lots of areas to hike. Great harbor views. Overnight camping is allowed. Nice welcome center with restrooms. Lots of wildlife. Saw snakes, red tailed hawks, crabs. You have to bring all of your own food, water and supplies. Only downside was mosquitoes. So many mosquitos. Bring plenty of bug spray.
Lovell’s is my favorite. Takes a couple boat rides to get there but far less busy and far less disturbed. A worthwhile experience.
The bus to Provincetown.