Overview of Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach, and Carson Beach

A visit to Castle Island State Park will give a peek into history and recreation. Tour Fort Independence, take a walk around the Fort or take a longer walk by walking the walkway around Pleasure Bay. Sit on a park bench overlooking the harbor and watch the planes and ships passing by. Go to famous Sully’s and sit on the lawn, enjoy a hotdog or two, bring a cooler full of food, and sit at a shady picnic table with the family and friends. The island has a big new playground for kids to enjoy. Continue the day sunbathing or swimming in one of the nearby beaches. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) maintains these facilities by keeping them clean, safe for everyone, and in excellent condition.

There is ample free parking on weekdays, but on a beautiful sunny weekend, you might have to hunt for a spot. Bike Racks are also available on-site.

The monument pictured above is for Donald McCay, a master shipbuilder who constructed a shipyard in East Boston on Border Street. In the mid-1800s, he was a master of high-speed clipper ships, large three—or four-masted boats. His most famous ship was the Flying Clipper; here, you see a model of the Flying Clipper from MFA in Boston.

Check out my post on the USS Constitution Turnaround. A great place to  visit in Boston is the USS Constitution Museum.