We’d been wanting to try something new around Boston for a while, and one of the ideas Chris came up with was visiting Spectacle Island, one of the Boston Harbor Islands.
Spectacle Island looked like one of the easiest Boston Harbor Islands to visit from downtown, which was a big reason we chose it.
We took the commuter rail from Leominster into Boston, made our way to Long Wharf, and caught the ferry from there.
Taking the Ferry to Spectacle Island
Ferry tickets were really easy to buy online through the Boston Harbor Islands website. I just purchased them on my phone and pulled them up when we boarded.
The ferry ride to Spectacle Island is about 30 minutes, which is kind of wild because you leave downtown Boston and suddenly you’re on an island with walking trails, beach areas, picnic tables, and skyline views.
We also quickly learned that other people had planned this day much better than we had. Families were getting off the ferry with backpacks, coolers, water bottles, lunches, sunscreen, and probably emergency survival kits.
Meanwhile, we had a couple granola bars, one bottle of water, and my trusty Lululemon bag. On a very hot summer day. Excellent work by us.
Thankfully, Spectacle Island has a visitor center where you can cool off, and there’s also Zaz Restaurant for food, snacks, drinks, or ice cream. You can bring your own lunch, too, and there are plenty of picnic tables around the island.
Exploring Spectacle Island
Once we got off the ferry, we mostly just wandered, but not before we took some pictures together!
There are several walking and hiking trails around Spectacle Island, plus beach areas and kayaking if that’s more your speed. We weren’t really there for a beach day. We just wanted to explore and see what the island was like.
Our Favorite Part of the Day
At one point, we walked up a pretty big hill and somehow found two empty Adirondack chairs under a tree.
In the shade. On one of the hottest days ever. Jackpot.
We sat there for probably 30 to 60 minutes just looking out over the water. From one side, we could see the Boston skyline in the distance. From the other, we could see more of the Boston Harbor Islands.
That ended up being my favorite part of the whole day.
We kept exploring.
There are also informational signs throughout the island that explain some of Spectacle Island’s history and point out what you’re looking at across the harbor, which made wandering around a little more interesting.
Heading Back to Boston
Getting back to Boston was just as easy. During the summer, ferries run throughout the day, so you don’t necessarily have to decide exactly how long you want to stay before you arrive.
Once we were sufficiently hot and tired, we just checked the ferry schedule and figured out which one we wanted to take back.
Spectacle Island also has a carry-on, carry-off policy, so whatever you bring with you needs to leave with you, too.
Overall, this was such an easy Boston day trip and exactly the kind of thing we had been looking for.
It didn’t require a car. It didn’t require some massive itinerary. And it gave us a completely different view of a city we’ve been to a million times.
If you’re looking for something different to do in Boston, especially during the warmer months, I’d definitely consider taking the ferry out to Spectacle Island.
I would just recommend learning from us and bringing more than one bottle of water and two granola bars.
Planning a Trip to Spectacle Island
For 2026, Boston Harbor Islands lists spring ferry service from May 15 through June 14, summer service from June 15 through September 7, and fall service from September 10 through October 12.
During the summer, the ferry to Spectacle Island runs seven days a week, with departures generally every one to two hours. The ferry ride from Long Wharf in Boston takes about 30 minutes.
Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or in person at Long Wharf North.
What I’d Bring
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Snacks or lunch
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses and a hat
- A bathing suit or towel if you’re planning to spend time at the beach
- MORE WATER
Have you ever been to Spectacle Island or any of the other Boston Harbor Islands? We definitely want to visit another one, so tell me which one we should try next!
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