Castle Island can be found in South Boston with your Boston car rental. It is a 22-acre recreation site built on a former fort. The island is open to the public all year long. From Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, Fort Independence is open to the public for guided tours on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 3:30 p.m. In June, July, and August, they are also open Thursday nights from 7 p.m. until dusk for visitors to walk the ramparts.

Island history

The island originally houses a fort, Fort William and Mary, for the English, who were fighting the French for control over North America. It was renamed Fort Independence in 1779 and is one of the oldest fortified sites in British North America that you can visit when you are here with your Boston rental car. During the Siege of Boston, it was the main base for British military operations, making it a refuge for the Massachusetts royal administration and some prominent loyalists. By the late 18th century, it was the first state prison in Massachusetts.

Island hopping

When you are here with your car rental Boston, there are many islands in the harbor that you can visit, including the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. Many of the islands are open to the public, but some are very small and suited for wildlife. The islands have hiking trails, beaches, a Civil War-era fort (Fort Warren) on Georges Island, and Boston Light on Little Brewster Island (the oldest lighthouse in the nation).Georges Island and Spectacle Island are served by ferries to and from Boston and Quincy. There is also a shuttle boat that connects to several other islands.

More about Boston Islands State Park

When you are here with your rental car Boston, you will find the park is made up of 13 islands in Boston Harbor, which include Bumpkin Island, Calf Island, Gallops Island, Grape Island, Great Brewster Island, Green Island, Hangman Island, Little Calf Island, Middle Brewster Island, Outer Brewster Island, Raccoon Island, Sheep Island, and Slate Island. To get here, you can take the ferry from Long Wharf at Christopher Columbus Park, which will take you to Georges and Spectacle Islands. There is also free service to additional islands from Georges Island. There are 34 distinct places that you can visit within the park as well, including lighthouses and archaeological sites. You can also come here to hike or walk around the island, or plan a picnic for lunch.

Walking along the harbor

If you prefer to stay on land with your Boston car rental, you can take a tour of the Harbor. The HarborWalk will take you through the waterfront neighborhoods and downtown district. It will take you through Chelsea Creek, East Boston, Charlestown, North End, Downtown, South Boston, Dorchester, and the Neponset River. This walk will also give you an opportunity to connect to the new and existing networks of island trails. There are audio tours available as well in the area, so you can explore at your own pace. There are audio tours available for Four Point Channel and Downtown.

When you are in Boston with your car rental, you will find there is a lot to do along the water. Castle Island is a former fort and current recreation site. There are also the islands of the Boston Islands State Park, where you can explore more forts, lighthouses, archaeological sites, and much more. If you prefer to stay on dry land, there is still plenty to do along the harbor. Try taking a tour of the harborfront to learn about the city. >