ROAD TRIP: Castle Island – Boston, MA
http://www.sullivanscastleisland.com/
OK Ok so I know I said I loved exploring life SOUTH of Boston, not SOUTH BOSTON. But Hey, every now and then, it is good to break out of your neighborhood and neighboring towns. Castle Island is a great place to visit for an afternoon of outdoor fun. Complete with a beach, playground, boardwalk, beautiful views, cafe AND a castle! What more could you want?
As you drive towards Castle Island, you pass M Street Beach and Carson Beach. These beaches both offer magnificent views as well as a long walkway which allows one to walk, bike, or run along the shoreline. I’m not sure I would bring the family for a day at the beach/play in the sand/swim kinda day here but to walk beside, it is gorgeous.
If you drive all the way to the end of the road, you will get to a large parking lot right at the foot of Castle Island (or Fort Independence.) Fort Independence is open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, at varying times, and they give tours during the summer months. We have never actually taken the tour but the kids think the large fortress looks really cool from the outside, including cannons on top! Surrounding the castle are wide open spaces of greenery surrounded by the ocean on three sides. The area is a popular area for dog walkers, kite flyers, frisbees and picnics.
The kids love hanging out at the playground and then taking a long walk down the boardwalk best. They also love to watch the kite surfers in the water zooming past. My son loves sitting on the far side of the castle and watching the planes take off from Logan Airport. It is also a great place to watch boats go by. The place is always packed with people enjoying the great outdoors.
There are restrooms located near the Castle and a cafe Sullivan’s which always has quite the line offering items such as fried clam bellies, lobster rolls, hot dogs, ice cream and more!
All in all, a great way to relax and take in the beauty of Boston.
Things to note:
- it is not actually an island
- it can get pretty cold/windy out there
- It is a magnificent place to take photos with the family
- parking gets crowded later in the day
How to get there:
2010 Day Boulevard
South Boston 02127
