castle island Archives

Because Boston is so far north a lot of the beaches have freezing cold water, even during the hottest summer months. The water temperature doesn’t really matter if you just want some sandy space to layout in, but ice cold water is a lot less fun when you have young children who want to play in it, yet can hardly stand to keep their toes in the water. Not that I blame them… we went to Revere Beach in late June and the water was so cold it was taking my breath away at calf deep.

Touring Boston - What to Know About Visiting Castle Island

We finally found a beach that works really well for both adults and children. Castle Island (it’s no longer an actual island) is perfect! There is free parking, a long winding beach, delicious food (see my post about Sullivan’s), a cool fort to walk around, lots of green space, a playground, and because the water here is in a bay, by mid summer the water is warm enough to actually get into.

We came enjoyed the fort and playground and ended up playing in the little beach near the playground. It was shallow, warm and my son and I loved it!

Things to Note:

1) Transportation
Parking is free. Castle Island is not super close to the “T” but there are bus lines that go to it. Also once you get there parking runs right along the ocean or if you end up parking in the lot it’s a short walking (minutes) to the fort or playground.

Fort Independence - touring Castle Island with kids

2) Water
The water here is in a big bay and tends to be a fair amount warmer that most of the other beaches in the area. However like most of the other beaches around here the shells and rocks right at the shoreline are super rough and if you actually want to get into the water you and your kids will probably want water shoes. I feel like I have fairly tough feet and I can hardly make it to swimming level. Also there are pretty much no waves here, which is great for kids but lame for body surfing or boogie boarding.

3) Food
The only vendor really close to the water is Sullivan’s. They sell classic American fair, hamburgers, hotdogs and the like at a fair price and they are delicious! Also they are not open during the winter.

4) Fort
Fort Independence is a great big pentagon shaped fort with an awesome walking path around it. It’s open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day for both guided and self guided tours. Note that guided tours are only available on the weekends.

5) Bathrooms
Yes, there are bathrooms on Castle Island with running water and flushing toilets. The first few times I went all I saw were port-a-potties and I was not impressed. Then I realized the actual bathroom are close the playground and they are much nicer and cleaner.

Summary and Rating ★★★★★

Five Stars. I think this is a great beach and it’s half way between a commercial and a rural beach. Castle Island is a state park, but you still have the benefit of being close to the city and having a food option near you. I love that the water is a little bit warmer here and that there are so many things to do in addition to going to the beach (which is my main drive) the park is a blast and walking around the fort is really interesting with a great view. Also you can’t complain about free parking!

Have you been here before? If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below.

Castle Island
Castle Island
Boston, MA 02127

Phone: 617-727-5290
Website: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-boston/castle-island-pleasure-bay-m-street-and-carson-beach.html

Boston, unfortunately, has long and awful winters. Winters that just seem to drag on and on and on, and being stuck indoors for long periods of time with young ones can be enough to drive you mad.

In an attempt to get out of the apartment we’ve been having Stellar Saturdays, where we go exploring. This week my husband took the initiative and planned a trip to Fort Independence, on Castle Island… mostly because he discovered there is a little burger/hotdog joint there, and the locals all go on opening day to welcome in spring, and Saturday, opening day, was suppose to be warm.

Touring Boston - How to Welcome Spring with a Trip to Sullivan

We looked up the trip and we could take the Red Line to within two miles of the place and then taken a bus the rest of the way there… but buses are really stressful with a stroller and the day was warm. So we decided we could walk it. It was a longer walk than I expected and we kept going up and down hill after hill until finally we saw the simmering blue of the ocean.

I must admit this is the first time I’ve been to a beach half covered in snow. Lame. We walked along the ocean around Pleasure Bay (ha) until we came to Sullivan’s. Holy crap there was a million people there. The line was out of the build, across the parking lot and nearly to the ocean. We had a short debate about if we should wait, but we decided we had just walked two miles we get there, we should just make it happen. So my husband waited in line while I took our toddler to explore the fort.

There is a great path that goes around the fort with an amazing view of the ocean, but it was breezy and too cold for me to sit and enjoy it. Also the days have been warming up which means the snow has been melting so there were soggy snow puddles everywhere… which is not the best environment for a toddler to crawl through. As we rounded the fort we also saw that they having some picnic areas and a great playground. I think we’ll have to try adventuring here again come summer when we can use more of the great beach.

Eventually we met back up with my husband as he got into the building, ordered, and our food came quickly, but there was no seating inside, it was too cold to sit around and eat outside, and our boy made it very clear he was done with our adventure. Oh to have a car. This is one of those times when a vehicle would have been magical. *Sigh* Instead, I enjoyed my burger while pushing the stroller and my husband snacked on a few fries while carrying, warming and shielding the baby.

Things to Note:

1) Transportation
There is a big, free parking lot here. If you have a car, drive. If you don’t the Red Line will take you within two miles and there are buses from there. We walked after the Red Line, but if we go back I think it would be worth our time to figure out the buses.

2) Opening Day
First day of spring.

3) Food
Totally fast food. Burgers, fries, milk shakes and the like. Greasy, fresh, artery clogging and delicious. My fries were hot and crispy, my burger was amazing! Ten out of ten for fast food.

4) Seating
There is none. You order your food, then wait by the side while it’s prepared then go on your way. There are few benches out front near the parking lot (none indoors) and if you’re willing to walk a little bit there are even more tables near the playground

5) Beach
In early spring it’s still freezing and the sand is covered in snow. There is also a good chance the wind will be blowing up from the water and you’re going to want some good protection from it.

6) Sullivan’s First Day of Spring Line
The line is forever long, but they move surprisingly fast. If you get there late morning I would expect to wait about 1/2 and hour… maybe less, but still a decent wait especially if you’re going with kids.

Summary and Rating: ★★★★☆

Four Stars. I thought the food was amazing and Castle Island was really pretty. Going the first day of spring might not have been the best call because there were so many people there, the line for food was super long, and it was too cold and wet for our toddler to enjoy the outdoors. However, since our first visit we’ve been back (during the summer) and the food was still amazing, the line was much more manageable, and being able to walk around the fort, play at the playground and splash in the ocean made it wonderful!

Have you been here before? If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below.

Sullivan’s, Castle Island
Castle Island, next to Fort Independence, Pleasure Bay
2080 Day Boulevard, South Boston, Massachusetts

Open 7 Days a Week: August hours are 8:30-9:00 p.m. every day weather permitting. Closed if there are more seagulls than cars in the parking lot. Call ahead before heading out if the weather is bad: 617.268.5685

Phone: 617.268.5685
Website: http://www.sullivanscastleisland.com/

Seasonal Opening: Late February – Sunday after Thanksgiving