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Spectacle Island, Boston

4.1
#3 of 7 in Nature in Boston
Island Nature / Park
Spectacle Island is a 105-acre island in Boston Harbor, 4mi offshore of downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It is part of the city of Boston. The island has a varied history, and today is a public park with a marina, visitor center, cafe, lifeguarded swimming beach, and five miles of walking trails, forming part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. It is served all year by ferries from Boston, and on weekends and summer weekdays by a shuttle boat to and from nearby islands.TopographyThe island was initially composed of two small drumlins connected by a spit, with an approximate size of 49acre. The name is believed to derive from its then-resemblance to a pair of spectacles. However, dumping of trash and dirt, together with subsequent landscaping, have resulted in a significantly larger island with a permanent size of 85acre, plus an intertidal zone of a further 28acre.The island is now composed of two artificial earth mounds, terraced with retaining walls, roads and newly planted vegetation. With a height above sea level of 157ft, Spectacle Island is now one of the highest points on Boston Harbor. The island's inner harbor acreage is 114, with 85.5 upland acres and 28.4 intertidal acres.HistoryStarting in the early 19th century, the island was used exclusively for its relative remoteness from Boston. Two hotels were built in 1847, only to be closed by police ten years later when it was discovered they were used for gambling and other illicit activities.
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Reviews
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91 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • August 14, 2017
    This island, originally Boston's junk heap, today natural reservation, is the most beautiful place I visited during my stay in Boston. It is so picturesque and photogenic. I spent there a day and coul...  more »
  • August 11, 2017
    I had the pleasure of chaperoning a 6th grade trip to the "island". Took a ferry from Boston and docked at the pier. There is a very informative center that explains how the island came to be. I recom...  more »
  • August 9, 2017
    Tens of minutes, will jump aboard a cruise ship from the harbour. Just a little excursions, enjoy the great outdoors. There are restaurants and a cottage feel.
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