You don't have to travel far to spend a nice day on the beach. Head to one of these great spots in/near Boston:
1. Carson Beach
"With tons of new sand and brilliant downtown views, Carson Beach (pictured) is arguably both the city-est and the beachiest of Boston’s city beaches. The bathhouse has new showers and changing rooms, and the old-school bocce courts and chess tables bump up the nostalgia quotient. Peckish after a swim? The South Boston location of Tasty Burger makes beach deliveries."
2. Castle Island
"Actually part of the mainland, Castle Island is home to Fort Independence, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and to the beloved hot-dog shack Sullivan’s, which ought to be. The grassy park surrounding the fort is one of the city’s best kite-flying and picnicking spots, and adjacent Pleasure Bay Beach boasts clean sand and a calm lagoon. No wonder Whitey Bulger loved hanging out here"
3. Spectacle Island
"So what if this 105-acre Boston Harbor Island was once the site of a horse-rendering plant and a city dump? It sure cleaned up nice! Accessible by ferry (from Long Wharf) from May through October, modern-day Spectacle offers 5 miles"
4. Virrell Beach
"So what if this 105-acre Boston Harbor Island was once the site of a horse-rendering plant and a city dump? It sure cleaned up nice! Accessible by ferry (from Long Wharf) from May through October, modern-day Spectacle offers 5 miles"
5. Charles River Esplanade
"The erstwhile dirty water off the banks of this riverside park is now swimmable. Well, on special occasions, anyway. On July 12 and July 26, three local organizations will cohost the second annual Charles River Community Swims, allowing 30 people at a time, for 30 minutes at a time, to brave the caramel-hued surf off the dock near the Hatch Shell."
