The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is a collection of islands run by the Boston Harbor Islands Partnerships. The Boston Harbor Islands Partnerships also runs youth programs, visitor services, research, wildlife management, and more. Many of the islands are open for the public to enjoy. You and your Massachusetts rental car will be able to find several attractions including a variety of hiking trails, beaches, the Civil War-era Fort Warren on Georges Island and Boston Light on Little Brewster Island, one of the oldest lighthouses in the nation. By ferry from Boston and Quincy you can get to Georges Island and Spectacle Island. To connect to the other islands (including Hull and Hingham), weekend and summer weekdays shuttle boats are offered.

A little history

When you visit the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area with your Massachusetts rental car you will find that the area has a lot of history. Many of the Boston Harbor Islands contain buildings and structures related to such uses as coastal defense, agriculture, commercial fishing, year-round and summer habitation, resort life, industry, public health, immigration, and social welfare. More than 100 buildings and structures, including sea walls, forts, lighthouses, gun emplacements, concrete bunkers, cottages, and brick military and institutional buildings, reflect the long history and changing character of the Boston Harbor Island. Three national historic landmarks that you must definitely check out with your Massachusetts rental car include Fort Warren, Boston Light, Long Wharf, Graves Light, and Long Island Head Light.

Major Attractions

When you travel with your Massachusetts rental car you will find that the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area are comprised of 34 distinct islands. Walk around a Civil War-era fort, visit historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, swimming and more can all be found at the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. You can reach the Boston Harbor Islands National Park easily with your Massachusetts rental car due to its close location to it's the downtown Boston area.

Getting there

Most people arrive at the Boston Harbor Islands via a brief ferry ride from Long Wharf-North in Boston. Harbor Islands Express offers ferry service from Long Wharf at Christopher Columbus Park to Georges and Spectacle Islands. Free service is available between Georges and Spectacle via Lovells Island. Summer service is also available from Hingham Shipyard and Hull to Georges Island via Grape, Bumpkin, and Lovells Islands. Thompson Island is only open to the public on Sundays during the summer. It is served by a ferry leaving from both Spectacle Island and the EDIC dock on Terminal Street in South Boston,operated by the Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. Private boats can dock at Georges, Spectacle, Grape, Bumpkin, Lovells, and Peddocks Islands. Deer Island, Nut Island, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial are accessible by road from the mainland. Moon Island and Long Island are not open to the public; though they are accessible by road from Quincy, access is controlled by a police guard station at the beginning of the causeway on the Squantum peninsula.

Before you go?

The ferry is for people only, not cars. However, there are four peninsula areas accessible for you and your Massachusetts rental car including Deer Island, Nut Island, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial. Passenger ferry costs for adult start at $14, seniors at $10, and children between the ages of 3 ?11 at $8. For more information on the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area when you travel with your Massachusetts rental car check out the Boston Harbor Island's official website at http://www.bostonislands.org/ or call 617 223 8666.