Don’t let the word island fool you. Castle Island in South Boston isn’t a secluded getaway; it’s a centrally located park with miles of oceanside walkways, beaches, an historic fort with real cannon, great views of the Boston skyline, and the best location for watching planes take off from Logan Airport. It’s the perfect place to talk a long walk by the shore, breath in some sea air, and get away from city traffic while in Boston.
Castle Island attractions include Fort Independence - a five-sided structure with cannon situated on top - which is a National Historic Landmark. The first fort was built in on the site in 1643, and its present structure was built between 1834 and 1851, according to the Massachusetts Historical Society. The story goes that writer Edgar Allen Poe found inspiration for his short story The Cask of Amontillado - a tale of a soldier being buried alive - from a tale he heard while stationed at Fort Independence in 1927. Poe was serving in the U.S. Army at the time.
Also on Castle Island are two Boston beaches - Carson and M Street. Both are located along William J. Day Boulevard, which has plenty of street parking and a few small lots, and both are accessible by public transportation (the Red Line and buses).
Sullivan’s, an iconic a hotdog and burger stand located near Fort Independence, is popular among locals. The park also includes a play area for children, restroom facilities, and a dock for fishing. The boardwalk is part of the Boston HarborWalk and is a great place for a bike ride, a run, or an afternoon of rollerblading.
There’s no boat ride necessary to approach the 22-acre state-run park. Although once an island, the area was connected to the mainland in the 1930s. It is a short distance off Exit 15 on Route 93 and is near the Broadway and JFK/UMass T stations.
Nearby:
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Boston Harborwalk page on Pleasure Island/Castle Island
Day Boulevard
South Boston, MA
617-727-5290
