Castle Island

Nice outing on a sunny day. I'm not from Boston, so it gave my family and I something to do. I liked learning about the history of the fort and seeing how well maintained the grounds are. There is a playground and scenic view of the bay. The only downside: The water doesn't look good for swimming- but if that's not your intention, it's a great place to visit for a few hours.

We passed by on a sunny day and headed for Fort independence. The views around Castle Island were quite nice - roads were sufficiently large enough with sufficient seating by the islands. Many people were jogging around - there should be a divider for faster people

An amazing half a day trip. Can walk from Downtown and it took me 1.5 hours. Tried soft serve at the Sullivan’s and it was simply amazing. A lot of sight seeing historical places there ans with a good weather, it’s an amazing picnic spot. It was not very crowded. But 9, 11 serve the locations. Lot of parking spots available as well.

Saw a guy wearing a Minutemen uniform saying a settlement needs our help. Jokes aside, I went there on a relatively hot summer day for a walk, and the cool air coming from the ocean is refreshing. The walk around the castle and seeing the planes landing and taking off from a distance is engaging.

Castle Island has something for everyone. Great place to enjoy the outdoors. There is lots of parking but I am sure on a nice sunny day the parking might be more difficult. There are lots of sidewalks and different trails to explore. The park is dog friendly, kid friendly, and has a playground as well. Absolutely gorgeous views of the water. I can't wait to go back on a sunny day and read a book.

Great place to visit, multiple historic markers and tributes. Great views and locations for embracing history and quality time for family and friends. Great for adults and children.

This is a great place to take family photos. There is beach, grass, trees, beautiful castle, and sunset! Highly recommend if you want to take your next photo session here.

There's an informative tour that walks around the fort and talks about the history. There's several cannons, some that have been fired. There's great views of Boston from on top!

We noticed Castle Island in Google Maps and became intrigued with the idea of visiting. The weather was perfect for outdoor activities with temperatures in the low 70s and beautiful sunny skies, so we decided to take a 2 mile walk over from our hotel in the Seaport District. Upon arrival, we found Castle Island buzzing with activity. The island attracts a diverse crowd, including joggers, families out for a leisurely stroll, beach goers, picnickers, dog walkers enjoying the wide open spaces, fishermen and some simply relaxing on the benches watching the boats go by. It's definitely a bustling place. One of the main sights on Castle Island is Fort Independence, am imposing, historic fortress that serves as the island's centerpiece. Unfortunately, during our visit, we were disappointed to find that the fort was closed, preventing us from exploring its interiors and walking along the towering walls. It would have been amazing to learn more about the history and heritage of the site first hand, so we were a bit disappointed that we couldn't get in. Despite the missed opportunity to explore Fort Independence, Castle Island left a lasting impression on us. The scenic beauty of the surroundings, combined with the amazing level of activities that were available, made it an ideal destination for a family outing. I highly recommend Castle Island. It's a must visit attraction for anyone spending time in Boston, especially those seeking a scenic getaway with a touch of history. If I were a resident of the area I wouid come here all the time. It's really that great.

Great place for the summer holidays and kids playing with friends. The parking is always stress free.

It is a nice beach. I bluebiked around the bay. It took around 10 minutes. I like watching planes, so it was fun looking at planes taking off, but for plane watching, from Deer Island is better.

Nice place to walk through! Next to the sea to smell the salty breeze and fish. People jog around the whole circle. A children's playground is near the Sullivan's and a fort. The fort had tours on weekends from 12-3, but i guess I went there earlier than the tour guides to show up. There's multiple Beaches you can drive to and some lifeguards in specific areas. Quaint place to visit and get some exercise in!

Not a big beach/summer gal honestly, but Castle Island is a relaxing weekend getaway spot for sure - STUNNING walk around the boardwalk (make sure to wear good running/walking shoes), lots of families & pets too. It's nice and breezy so good place to come during a nice summer day. Great spots for picnic, lots of trees/tables/benches if you want to eat out - lots of people gravitate towards Sullivan's but we brought our own food. Fort Independence also has free tours run by volunteers, if you're into that. It was a bit too long for me though. Main things that deducted the final star were it gets hectic at noon - STRONGLY suggest going in the morning, and also the bathrooms were NASTYYYYYY. But what can you expect at a public beach I guess?

This is a pretty park to walk around in, but the restrooms are deplorable and detract from what would otherwise be a lovely afternoon strolling by the water. They look like they haven't been cleaned in over two years and I actually vomited twice after standing in line in the women's room for a few minutes because there was a gas like odor/fume in there that made me sick. One woman coming out of the restroom said there were bloody tampons in the stalls, no toilet paper and no soap! Sad to say, there is a reason parking is free at Castle Island. I would rather pay for admission at a private beach than have my day ruined by using a restroom! You get what you pay for. The State needs to do a better job of maintaining facilities in public spaces.

This place on a foggy day with the planes flying over BLEW OUR MINDS tbh. Good for dogs even though it was quite packed. Nice loop around an area of MA we've never explored. Highly recommend

The thing about moving back to the general area (greater Boston) after being gone for most of my adulthood is the delight in discovering places I had no idea existed until now. I actually saw Castle Island Beach on my main Yelp page out of all places! And then I got curious and decided to trek down after seeing it on the map. What a great area. Castle Island is connected to Pleasure Bay, and you can see all the way to the JFK Museum. It's a great place to walk around next to the water--as lots of folks do. There's quite a bit of street parking lining the whole area, too. There was also Sullivan's at Castle Island, which appears to be the only refreshment stand in the immediate area, but it was good--I grabbed a lobster roll, and it hit the spot. All in all, a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Hidden gem right in the heart of Boston! So glad I found this beach. It is clean and not too crowded. Plenty of parking around.

If you wanna enjoy ocean and watch the harbor, islands and planes, and dont wanna drive too far, this is your place. It is so peaceful up here. Great walk/run. There are swings facing the ocean. It is a fairy tale. From what I can tell, you can go inside castle island but you can walk around. Definitely worth seeing at least once and if you live in boston, great trail for a weekend walk

Another great Boston park and a neat place to visit! I really enjoy the walking area around the bay and pleasure beach. It's a nice place to take a walk and get some exercise and fresh air. The park affords great views of the skyline and the surrounding waterfront and bay as well. There are plenty of benches, trash cans, and restrooms available near the castle itself if needed. Parking is available all over but is metered as expected.

I was visiting some family in Boston and they recommended I check out the Castle Island Beach, so I did. It's located around 15 minutes from downtown Boston by car and there's a large parking lot towards the front. Once you're on Castle Island Beach, you have multiple trails you can walk on. One goes around the large castle while others are shorter, but takes you around the perimeter of the entire park. Around the trail that takes you around the park's perimeter are different areas that you can stop off at including a small beach, a playground, certain war memorials, a pier with some fishermen and a small restaurant. Altogether, Castle Island Beach is a nice plan to swim or to take a walk or run.

Be castle what you wish for. As it turned out this was a pretty safe place to sleep. I thought I heard gunshots as I was falling asleep and it freaked me out but everything was fine and it's a beautiful beach to wake up to - that's for sure. Nobody bothered me and I think I would sleep here again even though it says resident permit parking only. I probably prefer Revere, though, for many reasons, including because the planes are right over your head. Like the neighbouring Carter, about which I said - An absolutely spectacular beach on the South Shore and actually pretty safe as well - which is surprising because it's not the greatest area - but I've slept here and nothing happened to me so that was good. Definitely a nice place to park for the night even when it's pouring with rain, like it was the one most recent night I was here. Love the beach in the morning when the weather is good... absolutely dreamy place to hang out in warmer weather. Never in the bad weather though, ew. But that used to be my thing and maybe it's yours. There are a few weird characters coming by in the middle of the night but the same could be said about your mother's bedroom.

A nice beach in Boston. You can easily reach castle island from downtown by taking the local bus (T) towards City Point. From what I could tell, there was a parking lot near Sullivan's for those who choose to drive here. When I visited on Friday afternoon, most people were just sunbathing or lounging in their beach chairs rather than swimming or being in the water. If you're into photography like myself, this is a great location for a photoshoot, especially during golden hour and for sunset.

The Castle Island beach / boardwalk gives me fun memories of my recent trip to Boston. For one, Sharon and I got to see the "AT-AT"'s by Logan Airport (insert reference between Bill Belichick and Emperor Palpatine) :), while taking in a beautiful early summer sunset of various colorful hues. Since we went close tondusk, we only saw the outisde of Fort Independence, with a statue honoring our veterans (appropriate for a July 4th weekend!) standing majestically over the bay. Castle Beach has a nice, long boardwalk that allows you to get your pedometer steps while admiring the view and being lulled by the lapping waves on the boardwalk. There are also plenty of opportunities for people and pup watching. (yes, Crazy Dog Parent us saw like 3 other families with furry children!) One of the more special parts of the people watching is that people sit and fish by one of the pier while listening to music. Salsa from someone's entertainment system gave Sharon and I the soundtrack to groove while enjoying the fireworks from across the bay! There's a nice amount of parking along the length of the boardwalk, though the staties close it by 10pm. We'll try Sully's next trip!

Love the landscape! Nice to come here around sunset time! Amazing view! A lot of parking spaces

I really love this place! It can get pretty crowded on weekends especially in the summer so go really early or if your a night owl like me then go really late to get a spot. Love to people watch here and especially love watching all the dogs enjoying it here. And of course watching all the low flying planes go in and out of Logan. Sunsets are out of this world!!! Sullivan's is here and opened in the summer to get your scrumptious burgers, fried food and Raspberry lime Rickey's. Line moves fast. You can walk or run around the peninsula here but you can't bike. :-( dropped a star for that cause I love my bike. The views are amazing and Fort Independence is open for tours on the weekends. You have to go with a tour guide though. Tons of picnic tables and cookout areas. There are bathrooms here too but go at your own risk. They were pretty gross the last few times I was there. I make sure not to drink to much water. Did I mention the unbelievable amount of poke-stops and Pokemón . It's where I caught Pikachu!

I love the feeling of a beach day. I love the sun, I love the water, I love the pure and utter exhaustion it brings to my children. You know what I don't love? The schlep. I hate spending 45 minutes to an hour in the car to get covered in sand, sweat, and sunscreen and then schlep all the way back home. Want to pee? Ten minute walk to dingy bathrooms, if they're there. Want to eat? I hope you brought something with you! This is why I love the Castle Island Beach. For a 20 minute ride from my home in Jamaica Plain, I get easy, free parking (we got there before 10 am on a weekend and there were plenty of spots), a quick walk to the beach, access to bathrooms, a playground, a fort, beautiful grounds, and the magic of a large lobster roll and enormous soft-serve at Sullivan's. Is this the white pristine beach of Good Harbor or Singing Beach on the North Shore? No. This is the gritty, rocky beach of Boston. Bring a blanket or chair and get over it. You like the roar of the ocean? Great, we've got a sheltered cove under the Logan flight path. I promise you, the kids will still be able to dig holes and build castles. Your tan will be just as glorious.

beautiful place went here as a kid with my dad a lot , i loved the park lol good times

Great area for a long walk a long the water . Plenty of playgrounds for kids . If you get hungry there is sullivans . Would like to go in the fort someday Small beach there nice views all around: Fun to watch planes taking off

Castle Island is one of my most favorite places in Boston. It's visually stunning any season you go. Located right on the water it is the best place to take a stroll. Perfect date location for a picnic. Parking can be a pain once spring hits.

What a wonderful place to hang out, relax or read a book. This place is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! My Auntie and I went for a morning stroll.....omg I wish that I could bottle Castle Island beach and take it back home with me. The entire scenery was gorgeous. This place just screamed out serenity in every inch of its surrounding area. I love the fact that history facts enlightened me as I strolled around Castle Island. I was taken aback by such beauty and peacefulness. Some Bostonians were very nice and said Hello or Good Morning as we strolled by. There is also a picnic area for barbecuing. I really enjoyed this area so much that I didn't want to leave. I would definitely come back here on my next visit to Boston.

I like this area in the winter as much as the other seasons. Sullivan's takeout closed until late February. Plenty of parking. Runners, walkers, dogs and strollers. Clean up after your pet. No latrines out here in the winter. Sun is low and bright in winter months with leafless trees for a different view and experience.

I have been here too many times to list and it is just as good each time. First. I highly recommended Sullivan's for a bite since it's right there and it truly is all about the experience. Historic! You can get an inexpensive Hot dog or Burger or go for the Lobster Roll. Expect to wait in line but also be surprised by how fast it can go. They have a system worked out well. Order on the right, wait on the left. Wait for your number to be called. Find a picnic table. Enjoy. So many options here for free fun. Relax hillside and watch the boats pass by or planes landing and taking off. Walk the pier over the water and check out all the fishing going on. I personally enjoy flying my kite and taking a picnic with me as I usually end up there all day long. I am a big fan of relaxing with family and friends and as you will see, this location is filled with Family BBQs and Parties all summer long. Very cute beach for swimming if you need to cool off as well. If you haven't before, take a tour of the actual Castle. You learn a lot about the History and surrounding Islands and how to get there. Fun for all ages. I highly recommended!

Castle Island is a must visit spot for those visiting Boston as it provides an easy escape from the city. I recommend driving here but there is also plenty of bus stops that drop you off basically in front of the park. Castle Island is best visited during a weekday or early as it can get quite busy during peak weekend hours or any afternoon during the summer months. Highly recommend visiting Sullivan's for lunch and eating it on one of the wooden tables by the grounds farther away from Sullivan for more peace and quiet and some shade. Their fish and chips is not to be missed - always cooked perfectly. We also did one of the tours of the fortress once and it was pretty long but worth doing if you have a couple hours to waste. If not, enjoying the grounds on the grass with a beach blanket is highly enjoyable.

I used to live down the street from this beach and would go running on it everyday, usually after classes. The boardwalk reminds me of summers with lots of memories with friends and a special someone at the time. I used to sit and watch the sun set and watch the planes fly over us. I loved taking walks and jogging through this beach for several years. I wasn't always a fan of the tricky business some people would do here, but that's a given at any beach. Fast forward to recently, I came here and still felt like it was home to me.

With only a little over a month left living in Boston, I decided to make my way to Castle Island while the weather has been so gorgeous. I took a bus to City Point and walked along the water. I was surprised how many people were out at Castle Island on a Sunday, especially Easter. They have lots of street parking available. I walked around the Fort and found a nice bench to sit in the sun. I brought a book to read, plenty of sunscreen, and packed a lunch. There was a small spot called Sullivan's that served food and ice cream but the line was insanely long so I was glad that I brought my lunch. Not only were the views spectacular but the sun was warm and there was plenty of people watching. The small beach had sand and looked welcoming. They have lots of benches, grassy space, and shade under the trees. So if you are looking for a nice spot to soak up some sun while in Boston, Castle Island is the place to go.

Lovely park with plenty of space to have a picnic. Came here on July 4th. So I am guessing it was at peak capacity. Parking may be limited but if you don't mind a half mile walk or so with street parking all along the water front. You're able to bring your own coal or gas grill. I wouldn't call it a beach but there are beach like activities here. Think of it more of a park with some sand and access to the ocean.

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

Castle Island is beautiful. You can come here and jog, walk the dog, or just chill and watch the boats on the water. There's even a play area for the children. An associate from Boston recommended Castle Island on my trip and this was definitely one of the highlights.

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

Castle Island is quite the playground for all ages. It's the place to go on a beautiful day. There are several paths with grassy hillside picnic areas, along the water, & uphill to Fort Independence, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sullivan's is the oasis @ the entrance. The Picnic Area is a good place to watch inbound planes fly low over the water. Castle Island was originally some distance offshore, but it is now connected to the mainland by pedestrian and vehicle causeways. Today it is a Massachusetts State Park. Beach & swimming access makes it a popular destination all Summer.

A beautiful place for a walk! Came on a Saturday morning. Parking was easy for us- however, it seemed to get more crowded in just an hour or two. I could see parking being quite difficult, especially on nice days. While there is a walking trail that goes about 2 miles around, we decided to walk around the fort instead. The fort was closed when we came around 12:20, although there was a sign that said it was supposed to open at noon. There is also a playground that looked great for kids, and plenty of runners and cyclists enjoying the trails. We didn't eat at Sullivan's, but the food smelled amazing! As other reviewers have said, I probably wouldn't swim in the water, but it is a nice and scenic beach. There is also a sailing pavilion where you can rent sailboats in season. It's also fun to watch planes come and go from Logan Airport. Two thumbs up!

One of my most favorite places in the city. I absolutely love it whenever I am in Castle Island. Can be easily classified as one of the many blessings of living south of Boston (oh no, I am not getting into the North Shore vs South Shore debate - not at all, I love both - but the south slightly more than the north - ;o) !!) What's the best thing about Castle Island? So many things actually. It all comes down to a simple combination of the time of the year and what you are into: - Great for walking / jogging. You cannot beat the scenic views of the harbor while walking along the coast line. The city has done a tremendous job of making clear and wide enough paths for regular walkers and joggers. - Lawns / Parks: Around the main castle itself, there are plenty of green patches where one can have picnics with a small to medium sized group and enjoy nature at it's best. There are not too many trees but quite a few to snag a good spot for some shade from the summer sun. - Water activities: The channel provides a handsome amount of water body for water enthusiasts to try whatever they fancy, without being in any substantial danger (unless of course they dive in without a life vest). Given the seasons, you will find people doing all sorts of fun stuff with the kites that are maneuvered purely by the wind and the skills of the able riders / gliders below and such. - The Beach: While anyone in New England should not expect powder like sand anywhere on the North East coast as a rule of thumb, the semi rocky beach is good enough for those who truly value the importance of outdoors for the amount of time it is possible for us folks to be able to. Rightly so, people make the most of what they have with a very straight forward "beggars cannot be choosers" kind of an attitude. - Fishing: At the back side of the castle itself, you find many a folks religiously standing by the fishing pier / area - lines in the water, hopeful and yet, spending some quality time with themselves and / or their company. An odd dumb seagull gets entangled in the line once in a while. But hey, there are dumb kinds in every species - we all know that - for a fact! - Plane spotting: While the Boston Cruise port is my favorite place for that, Castle Island is not bad at all for watching planes take off or land. Depending on the wind direction, you can witness the airplanes' decent into or take off from Logan - test your eyesight and knowledge of airline logos, closely watch the landing gear opening mechanisms of air-crafts, and if lucky, maybe more... - Finally, nothing beats a good old people watching. Over the years, I have seen the demographics of people frequenting Castle Island change. And why not. That's the only thing that is constant, isn't it? Enjoy!

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!

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!

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.

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.

If you want a relaxing and nerdy day, here's the plan: 1. Bring samosas and have a picnic with someone at Castle Island! 2. Walk around the small "castle" 3. Sit on the beach and try to guess which airplanes are landing- AA! BA! United! Virgin! Woohoo!* FOLLOW THE PLAN! If you eat all the samosas or go there samosa-less, then you'll just be sitting there guessing airplanes. Which is... still good. :D :D :D Note: *Woohoo is not a plane company.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.)

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.

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!!!

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!