Very impressed with Castle Island. There's just one thing.... It's not *really* an island! This is still a great place to check out if you have a bike and a few hours of free time! The fort on (near?) the island is historic and beautiful, and the beach is replete with youngsters playing in the sand and dogs chasing tennis balls. It's also a great place to set up a picnic or barbecue! If you go, make sure walk across the bridge. You'll get a beautiful view of some of the islands and the little bitty bay that is enclosed by the bridges. Just when you think you've almost hit nirvana, a plane flies overhead and snaps you back into reality. read more

Worth it to visit on less busy weekdays. I can't imagine how crazy it is when it's packed with tourists. Great 360 views of the city with lots of benches and grassy areas to enjoy the sun and sights. Lots of places to skip stones, put your feet in the water (wouldn't recommend swimming though it is allowed). Bathrooms are DISGUSTING, even on a very slow day. Does anyone maintain them? Parking is free but probably tough to find during the busy season. A shack near the entrance sells fast food for a couple of bucks (decent hot dogs, yummy soft serve). They accept credit/debit cards. Great for history buffs, day-tripping tourists, etc. Take a picnic and pee before you leave home. read more

Castle Island Beach - Beaches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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You know how sometimes it's really nice out but you're not sure what to do? Well, if you want to enjoy the weather and you can't think of anything else, go to castle island. Bring rollerblades or a bike if you have one. if not, sneakers are fine. there's a nice loop that goes out into the water for you to walk/run/bike/blade on. you'll even see some fishermen casting lines out. There's a playground for kids. There's a dock where more fishermen fish. There's a giant fuckin' castle-fort you can learn about. History is cool, yo. There's a convenient restaurant named Sullivan's where you can get ice cream, fried clams, chowder, soda/water, burgers, fries, and hotdogs. There are benches everywhere. Some people bring blankets and/or chairs and find a nice spot in the grass. Read a book or just relax and watch the planes land and leave Logan Airport. Parking is free. There's a lot at the end by Sullivan's but there are also spots all along the beach. What more can you ask for if you just want to relax and enjoy the weather? read more

Castle Island Beach - sunset - Beaches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I enjoy walking at Castle Island Beach. There are paved sidewalks and boardwalks, often with people walking dogs. (One of the highlights of a walk for me is seeing some dogs.) You can also see some history, while walking around Fort Independence. Kids often fly kites around the fort when the weather is right. The path is easy, so I can speed walk if I want to to work on my minutes per mile pace. If you get hungry, stop at Sullivan's for some typical beach fare (burgers, hot dogs, and fries.) read more

I have been going here since I was a kid. Located minutes from the Seaport District, it is a perfect place to relieve stress. The walk around is about two miles, and it is all along water. A great place to watch tankers, cruise ships and commuter boats come and go. Once out on the causeway the temperature can dip 15 degrees. Plenty of parking, water fountains during the season and Sullivan's to grab a great cheap lunch. No dogs allowed during the season on the beach. read more

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Incredible From the beautiful scenic view of the sunrise to the perfect fishing waters and peaceful environment

I defiantly come for long walks !! And the hotdogs at Sullivan's are not bad either !! There always something going on !! You can tour ,,,,the castle which I have several times !! Walk out and around the island so cool it's a must to visit for all you tourist !! Never a dull moment ppl from all walks come and walk the island makes for a fun day they don't mind if you walk your dogs !! BUT pick up after them plz!!! read more

Castle Island Beach - Beaches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I visited here on Friday of Memorial Day weekend during covid 19. Frankly I was not expecting to encounter so much sand on this beach. Almost ruined my new nike off-white shoes (They retail for around $600 USD). Also saw people doing disgusting things. There was a huge UNH tailgate group peeing in the water--and some were engaging in lascivious acts. Overall this was a horrible experience. Will not be back! read more

Wow, what a fantastic plan to go on a summer weekend in Boston! Castle Island not actually an island but rather surrounds a bay. The trail around the bay is a great place to take a stroll or jog while enjoying the beautiful scenery! Also located on the "island" is a fort. I believe they do tours from 12-3:30 on weekends so you can go inside and up on the walls for a better view. This park is an escape from the city and very family-friendly. I recommend bringing food up here for a picnic (the only restaurant close by is Sullivan's) and spending a peaceful afternoon enjoying the glorious Boston summer. read more

Castle Island Beach - Tiny beach with kinda awful sand - other parts of the area are nice though! - Beaches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A nice little spot to get away from the buzz of the city. I love going here for long walks or picnics. There is a beach like area but the sand is rocky and water is not very swimmable. I do bring a towel sometimes to lay down and watch the sunsets. If your headed over here, definitely try Sully's! It's a must for your first time at castle island. Overall, great place to spend the day outside and enjoy some nature that's not too far away from the city! read more

So nice here! Plenty of benches and bathrooms. It was fun to see the wind surfers and the kite surfers!

Maybe I am on cloud 9 right now, Castle Island is a magical place for a romantic walk as the moon reflects on the ocean. When you have great company (insert school girl giggle) Just a romantic place to get to know someone or maybe steal a kiss or two. Last night was just perfect and we didn't want to leave, but even the sun sets in paradise. read more

Yes they're open and I love Castle my daughter has so much funhuge beach with a lot of sitting parking can be hard but people tend to pull in and out quickly read more

Loved it! Had the fried whole clams with the bellies. Tasted great! Although there were 1 or 2 that were chewy, the rest, and there were plenty were plump meaty and tasty. Can't wait to get more. read more

Castle Island, though highly visible from your harbor cruise to Spectacle Island and from google maps, is quite remote.. You need a car, a cab, or perhaps local bus transit to get yourself out here as there are no other MBTA-y ways to visit this local gem. Don't confuse the name of the Island for the name of the FORT. The big stone monolith is not a castle, it's Fort Independence and its historic charm is up-kept by a local group of volunteers bringing you free tours of the Fort (about 1.5 hr, but you get to stand on top of the fort where the views and breezes are unique to the city), halloween events, and maybe some other good events in the community. DCR takes care of the grounds of the park surrounding the Fort and they do a great job! I got here by bike from Cambridge; and although it's a bit of a ride, it's really not too shabby. I like taking Summer Street (where South Station is) all the way past Harborside Southie.. hang a left on East 1st Street, hang a right on Farragut until you can get over to Day Blvd (beach).. coz you'll need to stay left and take this road to the end where limited parking is available for motor-vehicle visitors. The grounds are packed with people, mostly local families who literally bring the whole family .. some BBQs (brought by visitors), chairs, yard games, you name it.. there is a lot of decent space to hole up and spend a wonderful sunny day in a well shaded, well maintained, and amenable park. But if you didn't pack your BBQ or hibachi, don't worry .. there are snacks at Sullivan's. Bring a frisbee, a kite, a football, a volleyball set (?!) ... you can entertain yourself here for hours (for free). And if you're looking to work off a sweat, there is a paved loop that takes you past the Fort on the Island and along a well maintained, and wide-enough paved break-wall path that goes all around the protected beach along Day Blvd. The loop is probably shy of 2 miles all around, complete with beach-y breezes and a place to take a dip (right by the fort seems like a good spot). Last bit of advice, park outside the parking area along Day Blvd because the lot gets a bit jenky when it's a gorgeous day at prime PM time.. so plan ahead if you want to bring the whole family circus (gate opens at 6 AM..?). Or of course you could skip bringing the vehicle altogether and you'll be a lot better off. OK ... have fun! read more

Revere WHAT?!? This is one of the nicest beaches that you can get to on public transportation within a short train ride from downtown. I usually drive, but that's a different story all together. This beach is lovely year round and perfect for getting out and taking a walk in the fall or winter, as long as you're bundled up. It's dog friendly during the off season, which is also when it's less populated by the rest of society. It's pretty, the waves are are calm, and there's a decent playground (I often take my friend's kids here if I take them for a day because it's one of their favorite places to run around at). During the summer the grass is green and the park is kept up really well, and it's clean even in the wintertime. Definitely my go to city beach. read more

First time at castle beach and I had a really great day sitting in the sand and taking an occasional dip in the water once it got too hot. Since it was Bostons first time feeling the heat after our cold/chilly couple of months the water was a bit too cold to swim in but it still felt great after sitting outside in the heat. The beach is not that big and I would say the sand is more rocky than sandy so it did hurt to walk around some parts barefooted. All in all it was a pleasant first time experience and I would definitely recommend going their with family and friends to walk, ride a bike, have a picnic or just lounge at the beach! read more

Ok, I should really be embarrassed that I've lived in Boston for almost 14 years and only came to Castle Island for the first time this past Spring. Since then I've come down here about 4 or 5 more times during our 3 weeks of Summer that we had this year. What a beautiful place! I even brought my Mother down here on Labor Day weekend and her reaction was the same to my initial visit: "This has been here all these years and you JUST discovered it now!?!" Yup, after all these years of saying I'd never step foot onto a skanky local beach I moved to Dorchester/Southie and here we are. It really is lovely at Castle Island. The Sugar Bowl for walking, Sullivan's for good, cheap fried seafood and watching the planes come down so low you can vividly read the craft number! While Carson Beach (see my review) is also nice and a 10 minute walk from my place, Castle Island is a must for all locals...there's even free parking! Check it out ;) read more

Years ago, before I went to bed at old person times, I used to ride bikes out here at night with friends. We'd stop at a convenience store by the Channel on the way out and buy cans of Budweiser, which we'd drink on the benches that face Logan Airport. Watching planes take off is less uncool at night than it is during the day. If we'd been in Iowa instead we probably would have been out cow-tipping or something. I took some friends from New York out there once during the day. There were dozens of skate skeletons on the small beach that forms on the harbor side when the tide goes way out. Another time I was there with a friend from Virginia. We'd both done a small amount of sailing, and one of the instructors at the sailing school let us take a boat out for free because the kids she was going to teach weren't there yet. It turned out we hadn't done enough sailing. We looked like assholes, but the teacher was really nice about it. She helped us back in then took us out for a ride. I thought about asking her out but I also thought that she might have a sailing litmus test for prospective boyfriends so I didn't go through with it. My father moved to Boston over forty years ago. Until we took him last summer he'd never been out there. Forty years ago was probably a good time to not go there, at least via the in-town route I like to take there. We had a lot of fun last summer though--Dad kept asking me what the names of the islands and the various birds were. I had to make up some of the answers, but I don't think it really mattered. If you go during the summer, bring a hat and sunglasses. read more

Very nostalgic place for me to visit. My dad used to swim here when he was a boy. I love that it goes around in a circle so that when you go for a walk, you end up back where you started. It's a very unique view and kind of unbelievable in that it is located just south of Logan airport. We put our feet in, walked around, ate fabulous fried shrimp at the snack bar and relaxed on one of the many benches around the park. Next time I want to rent one of the sailboats. read more

This is probably one of the best parks of the Boston area. For those visiting Boston, this is a great place to visit if you're looking to relax and enjoy a nice day off the beaten tourist paths. Naturally, it gets VERY busy during the spring and summer months. But if you're looking for a place to relax, catch some sun, go for a long walk, run, or take your dog out, this is it. My pooch, Flower, and I love to come here as much as we can. There is ample parking around the Castle Island lot and along Day Blvd. The park is located very close to a Mass State Police building, the park is also watched by Boston Police. I've always felt safe walking around with my dog, a Rottweiler/Doberman mix. Most of the other dog-walkers are very friendly and there is a puppy park/area fenced in available closer toward the Columbia Road rotary. If you're an aspiring photographer, bring your camera and climb to the top of the hill and get some great shots of the skyline. If you walk around the causeway, around the fort, and back toward the Columbia Road rotary, you can easily put in 6-7 miles. There are a lot of joggers, lots of kids, and room to play. Plus, on a clear day, the planes are constantly either landing just over the fort. In the spring and summer, Sullivan's is open and it's a great place to grab a quick snack. There can be a lot of people here on the weekends, so if your dog is skittish or if you want to get a good run in without a lot of people in the way, your best bet is to visit on a weeknight. read more

A good beach in the South Boston area. One of the main attractions of Castle Island for me is the free parking along the causeway and at the beach itself - typically plentiful if you arrive early enough. The beach isn't the cleanest and the water is cloudy, but a check on the MA state website for water quality showed that the water at Castle Island is actually much cleaner than many South Shore beaches. You can walk along the causeway path for a 2-mile loop, and grab a bite to eat at Sullivan's - a popular counter service restaurant serving fried seafood, lobster rolls, ice cream and more. All in all, a great option for an inexpensive day at the beach. read more

I can't believe I lived in Boston for 4 years without going to Castle Island. What is my life even! My boyfriend, a Braintree native, took me there for the first time last year. I fell in love immediately. Great view of the ocean, Boston Harbor Islands, and also Fort Independence. There is a path, essentially a very large circle, that goes around the fort and the...inlet? I'm not sure what that body of water is called. You can walk, run, bike, rollerblade...it's up to you. Every few years there is something new to see. It doesn't get redundant! I could go every weekend and not get tired. There is a lot of parking. Closer to Sullivans (a fast-food and ice cream stand) is a lot, which fills up fast, but all along the boardwalk and there are also spots. If you plan on walking the whole thing, it doesn't really matter where you park. Sullivans is perfect on a hot day, we always grab ice cream and fries. My parents and I took a tour of Fort Independence. It was really interesting, our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, and the fort itself is fantastic. Lots of history there! Favorite memory: We headed to Castle Island during Hurricane Irene. We weren't the only ones! It was so cool to see the ocean and how rocky it was. We saw some boats washed ashore, as well. read more

So I've been doing some triathlons and the associated training. I like to try to get in some open-water swims rather than just in a pool, so my friend and I, who both live in downtown Boston, did a couple of very early morning trips to Walden to get in a mile swim and back into the city before traffic. Like VERY early... We were planning to get up pre-dawn again this Tuesday and drive out. I whined, "why do we have to drive ALL the way there? We live next to the ocean. Can't we just go jump in?" Her reaction, like so many other comments on here, was to the effect of, "seriously? I don't think that's healthy." So, I investigated. The water quality there is actually great and totally healthy for swimming. I repeat, TOTALLY HEALTHY FOR SWIMMING. In fact, it's often better than many other places where people swim all the time! We don't dump poo in the harbor anymore, folks. And the water is tested weekly by the Department of Public Health. Check this out: http://mass.digitalhealthdepartment.com/public_21/index.cfm. As I look today, the bacteria levels at Castle Island are lower than those at some cape beaches where people wouldn't think twice about taking a dip... More general info here, including "Because the bay is fully enclosed by the man-made Head Island Causeway, water and sediment quality are consistently high.": http://www.bostonharborwalk.com/placestogo/location.php?nid=6&sid=44 And more on water quality and testing here: http://www.mwra.com/harbor/html/bhbeaches.htm So jump in. I did for a good 45 minutes yesterday morning and it was beautiful. read more

A GEM!! room for everyone! Plenty of free parking, wide open spaces to run or walk or visit the castle and wonderful restaurant. Say NO to snooty $30 to park tourist trap or resident only beaches!!! read more

Wow a beautiful place for jogging .. the scenery is breath taking I drive 45 min just to Jog here and it's worth it . Along the trail theirs rest stop with nice views read more

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A nice 2 mile walk on a sidewalk with a pleasant view of a bay with wind surfers and you might get to see cargo ships being loaded. Bathrooms are available. read more

LOVE this beach. absolutely a hidden gem. the views here are beautiful. kids like to come here to watch airplanes because they come in really low when landing in Logan. very nicely developed area. you can go running, swimming (if you dare to tempt your fates with the boston harbor), sunning yourself at the beach, sunning yourself on the grassy hills, enjoying a bit of history, fishing, playing in the playground, or just grabbing a bite to eat at Sullivans! There's a little bit of everything to do here for everyone. read more

Fun place to go, and somewhat T-accessible.... There's a fort you can explore, grassy lawns, huge playground for the kids, and tons of ships to watch sailing by... ginormous barges and teensy little rafts. I can hardly believe it's so close to Boston. Parking is tricky. MBTA: Castle Island, M St. Beach - Red Line to Broadway Station, then take City Point buses #9 or #11. Walk to the right across Marine Park to the beach to the entrance of the fort. Carson Beach - Red Line to JFK/UMass. By Car: Castle Island - Rte. 3 to JFK Exit, follow beach along William J. Day Boulevard, Castle Island is at the end of the Causeway. read more

Are you looking for a new place to run, or rollerblade with out the worry of getting jacked up by a car hitting you? Then this is the place to go! I personally like this b/c it is a safe place to run or blade in the early evenings without feeling like your taking your life in your hands. Hopefully we have no psycho's reading this. Ha Ha! What I like about it is the 2.1mile loop is wide open and on the ocean. It's very safe especially if you are on your own. The loop will take you through the tourist area the amoury/playground/beach to a walkway over the water and around to another beach. If nothing else you get a nice run with the smell of the ocean and if you are lucky a few hotties to check out as you run. Single? Get some kicks and go for a run (or attempt to anyway.) Ha Ha! It's located in South Boston on Day Blvd. Now it is tricky to park if you go on a Saturday or Sunday during the summer days, but most week nights after 5pm you should be able to find something. Another bonus - Kelly's! Great burgers, dogs and soft serve icecream. So when you are huffin after that run and at a loss for energy, you can pump yourself up with some treats! Now isn't that a reason in itself to go running? read more

When I lived in Boston and needed a place to zone out, Castle Island was my hideaway. I would sit at the top of the hill just along the walls of the castle, far enough away from the bustle of the other people and lay in the grass. The grass here is like a plush carpet. I have no idea what they use for fertilizer but the grass is always green and lush here-hence the naps! The walking trails around Castle Island are well lit so walking at night was never a problem for me. There are always Statey's in the parking lot or "working" while closing the eyes but I never felt unsafe here. I also loved the playground and adult sized swings so we could play too! I don't understand why they call it an island as it isn't really an island. I never had any interest in the tours they offer but I didn't care, I was there for the grass, to people watch and play with my dog. I would often bring my dog and while she preferred to eat the pieces of leftover hot dogs on the ground, letting her off the leash to play in the water was heaven. read more

Beautiful beach! My boyfriend and I came here with our dog (no dogs allowed on the beach) and walked the circular path around the beach to the fort and back. It was a beautiful day and a nice long walk. We ate at Sullivan's and chilled on the lawn. Perfect day. Definitely a place you have to experience at least once. read more

This is a good place to take a walk, bring your kids for a picnic, or eat from Sullivan's, bring you dogs for some exercise (probably better off season, than on...) and some cool air off the water during the summer month(s). The beach itself is not all that. It's got sand, sure, and some water, but there is usually a bunch of junk riding in on the waves and it's not the sort of beach that people would, how do you say... swim in or at. But the park that surrounds it is really nice. There is tons of grass for kids to run around and play in, there is the old fort thing (so techinical, I know!) and you can even set up and bbq. Check it out. read more

This review is for all of Castle Island. Definitely one of my favorite places in Massachusetts, if not the world. It is a little slice of Heaven in Southie. Since Southie is pretty much untapped by tourists, you'll find all locals here. It is very community and family-centric. Great space to walk, run, take the dog, lay out, tan, picnic, swing, maybe get your toes wet, fish, etc. etc. etc. The views are beautiful and it's a great space for kids because of the beach, playground and proximity to the airport (what 5 year old doesn't love watching planes fly directly overhead?). Sullivan's is perfect to grab an ice cream cone and then head for a walk around the Sugarbowl. Truly one of the things I miss most about living in MA and I make it a point to come as much as I can when I'm home. read more

Castle Island Beach - Beaches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We found ourselves in Boston early for a dinner reservation. Drove around the streets of Boston and then I remembered an old favorites from my childhood Castle Island or as my parents would've said Southpoint.. this surprising little gem so close to downtown Boston... after so many years to think that I bring my grandchild, today....with all the new places and new buildings all over Boston it's nice to know it hasn't really changed all that much.....Argentine cowboys Boston mass....... read more

Castle Island Beach - Beaches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Wow, I didn't know that Boston was able to compete with California in the realm of beaches. This place is amazing. Nature unspoiled: wonderful sand, beautiful water, pretty birds. Each time I come here, I leave so relaxed and rejuvenated. Easy to get to by car, but you can even get here by bus (!) Best kept secret of Boston, for sure. read more

It's part beach, part park, part historic site, part walking/running trail, all with spectacular views of the Boston Harbor, and the clutch fast-food dining spot Sullivans on site - what a mix. They also have ample parking, but you know that gets taken fast. We soaked up some rays here in the sand while enjoying a good book and some cold coffee. And with the old fort looming over you with its massive size, it's unique as ambiance gets for a beach. It gets bumping but not uncomfortably so, given the size of the place. If the rays get too hot, there are tons of trees around providing shade in the grass. Lots of benches, too. The best part, it is a short drive from downtown or any of the main Boston neighborhoods, so it will not cost you an entire day. Solid summer spot. read more

This three lined park out on the peninsula is great for a picnic if you enjoy watching boats come and go from Boston Harbor. Parking is generally easy to come by, but it is bikable from Boston if you're okay with the distance. A very wide (~10') paved path loops around an artificial lake that affords swimming. The path is great for rollerblading since it is fairly smooth, and also sees walkers, runners, and strollers. read more

We've been here twice now, and only in the off season. Came in February and April. I took my boyfriend on a date because he's a pilot, and thought it would be super romantic to pack a picnic, walk around and watch the planes. I was right! Plenty of parking, we had no trouble and were able to drive and park all the way at the end. The island does a big loop so more recently in nicer weather we walked the whole thing. Sunset was gorgeous! If you want to get even closer to the planes we left Castle Island and drove to the end of Black Falcon pier, all the way down from the design center. At the very end you can park and watch the planes SUPER up close. It was so worth it. Only a couple other people came by at the same time so it was also very private. We plan to come back and would love to try Sullivan's one day. read more

It is truly amazing to be able to escape the hecticness of the city in just a few minutes. My boyfriend and I are regulars. For us Southie residents, we get in our car and arrive at a place like Castle Island in about 5 minutes. We also have taken our visiting family and friends here with us. Both of us find peace in the ocean breeze on our faces. Along with this love, we find it important to stay active. A walk, jog, bike ride on the paths along this area is such a mood lifter after a long day at work. Also the ocean also brings us entertainment if we choose to sit on one of the benches.Planes take off over us from Logan Airport and boats constantly pass us by. Another important detail: they have public restrooms in an outdoor building. No port-o-potties. An extra bonus is the awesome nonfat frozen yogurt at Sullivan's. So good! They also have many different food options. Sullivan's is located in the main parking lot. Check it out. read more