Boston Harbor Islands in a Day: Fort Warren and Seafood

The day at a glance: harbor islands and the waterfront

34 islands and peninsulas in Boston Harbor form a national and state park. From May to October, ferries run from Long Wharf to Spectacle Island or Georges Island. This post follows a day on Georges Island: see Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort, walk the island trails, then head back to the city for a seafood dinner.

The flow is simple: ferry from Long Wharf → Fort Warren and the trails on Georges Island → ferry back → clam chowder, lobster rolls or a raw bar for dinner. For a second waterfront day, we added USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard and the weekday Harbor Loop ferry.

First-timer sights such as the Freedom Trail, Harvard Yard and Back Bay are covered day by day in the 3-night, 4-day route. This post expands that route's Day 4 option, the harbor islands, into a full day.

• Full Boston travel guide →
• How Many Days in Boston? A 3-Night, 4-Day Route →
• Seoul Incheon → Boston flights →

When to go: island ferries run May to October

Island ferries run from May to October, which is also Boston's busiest visiting season. Of these months, June to September is warm, with average highs of 22-27°C, good for walking and harbor island trips, and October is cool. The Head of the Charles rowing regatta is held on the Charles River every October.

The figures below are 1981–2010 normals for Boston (WMO city data) from the WMO World Weather Information Service — National Weather Service (USA) (average high/low and monthly rainfall). Rain falls evenly all year, at 83-110 mm a month, so pack an umbrella for the islands too.

Temperatures are shown in Fahrenheit (°F). To convert to Celsius, subtract 32 and divide by 1.8.

• May: 19/10°C, 89 mm
• June: 24/15°C, 94 mm
• July: 27/19°C, 87 mm
• August: 26/18°C, 85 mm
• September: 22/14°C, 87 mm
• October: 16/8°C, 100 mm

Taking the ferry from Long Wharf

Island ferries leave from Long Wharf for Spectacle Island or Georges Island. To see Fort Warren, choose the ferry to Georges Island. Check ferry tickets and schedules in the official information before you go.

Around the city, use the MBTA subway and buses, known locally as the 'T'. A subway ride is USD 2.40, and children 11 and under ride free. You need a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket, sold at vending machines in most subway stations. Check your way from your hotel to Long Wharf on a map in advance.

• Season: May to October
• Departs from: Long Wharf
• Destinations: Spectacle Island or Georges Island
• Ferry tickets and schedules: check the official information before you go

Georges Island: Fort Warren and the island trails

On Georges Island you can see Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort and National Historic Landmark. The 34 islands and peninsulas of Boston Harbor together form a national and state park, so the fort and the island scenery make one outing.

After the fort, walk the island trails. They give views of the city and the other islands in the harbor.

Boston's historic sites change their hours with the seasons. Check each site's official information in advance, especially in the busy May-October season.

Back from the islands: a seafood dinner

Once the ferry brings you back to the city, make dinner a Boston seafood meal. Clam chowder is Boston's classic seafood dish; try a cup at an oyster house or seafood restaurant.

The lobster roll, lobster meat in a roll, is a Boston favorite; some places serve it hot with butter, others cold with mayo. Many raw bars serve oysters, clams and shrimp cocktail from New England waters, and fried clams are another New England staple.

If you'd rather have Italian food, head to the North End, Boston's oldest residential neighborhood, for homemade pasta or cannoli.

One more waterfront day: USS Constitution and the Harbor Loop ferry

For another day by the water, visit USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Launched in Boston in 1797, it is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world and still has an active-duty U.S. Navy crew. The Navy Yard grounds are open 24 hours, and USS Constitution, the Bunker Hill Monument and the Bunker Hill Museum are all free.

Visitors 18 and over boarding USS Constitution may be asked for a photo ID; check officially which IDs are accepted. Charlestown is also where the Freedom Trail ends, so for a day that combines the two, see Day 2 of the 3-night, 4-day route.

On weekdays there is also the MBTA Harbor Loop ferry, which links Lovejoy Wharf (North Station), Central Wharf and the Seaport. Check fares and schedules in the official information before you go.

Budget and final checks

The main costs of this day are the ferry ticket and food. Check ferry tickets in the official information before you go, and hotels and food on booking sites. A subway ride is USD 2.40 (children 11 and under free), and some sights, such as USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument, are free.

For getting in from the airport, see the airport post; for a full Boston itinerary, see the 3-night, 4-day route.

• Island ferries run May to October from Long Wharf — check tickets and schedules officially
• Rain falls evenly all year, so carry an umbrella
• Temperatures are shown in Fahrenheit (°F) — subtract 32 and divide by 1.8 for Celsius
• Bring a photo ID if you are 18 or over and plan to board USS Constitution
• Check the U.S. government's official information on entry requirements (visa, travel authorization, etc.) before you travel

• Full Boston travel guide →
• Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to the City →

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