Fort Independence Park

 

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25

Hillary M.

Boston, MA

This place it one of the reasons i love living in City Point.  Who knew something so serene could lie so close to Boston's urban center.  I walk the dog around the "sugar bowl" and it is the perfect long walk to energize me in the morning.  Nothing like a brisk ocean breeze to wake you up on a cold day!  Summer through winter you can see kite surfers and people with their dogs or children or sweethearts and it is just very happy. Something about the ocean and the airplanes overhead makes it seem sort of quiet, too.  I realize that doesn't make sense- think quiet like a wind tunnel.  I see lots of other reviewers point out how fun this place is in the summer, but I think it is worth visiting all year long.

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Elite '08

10

74

Rachele K M.

Quincy, MA

Near and dear to my heart, I wish I could give it 100 stars.  

I have great memories of walking the Island with my grandmother when I was growing up in Southie, even through the snow.  My cousins and I were those little brats zooming by you on noisy metal rollerskates (remember those in the 80's?!).  

Take in the sights and relaaaax.  Let the kids play at the play ground, take a load off and  watch the planes land and take off from Logan!
Pack a lunch, snacks, drinks and a blanket to sit on.....you could spend the entire day here.

Don't forget Sullivan's....can't beat the fries!!  Of course you have to top off the day with an icecream.

Now I take my kids here and I hope one day, they appreciate and love  it as much as I do.

My grandmother got a family bench.  I'm not telling you which one....that seat is saved for me  ;)

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8

65

Billy E.

Boston, MA

The park is nice but SULLIVANS is why you should go.  The cheapest and best burgers in the city.   The double cheesburger is $1.50 the onion rings are awesome and they give you about a pound of onion rings..thos were $1.50....and the milkshakes (Frappe's if your a local) are so smooth and very important to complete the heartattack triad.  If you haven't been to Castle Island, you should go just to eat at this cheap summer shack.   The park is okay....big for Boston parks...clean.  I park is great place to just chill out and listen to the waves crash on the rocks.

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0

21

Heidi W.

Somerville, MA

We made our first visit to Castle Island and Fort Independence park after almost 4 years of living in Boston.  It was such a wonderful discovery!  It is so beautiful, peaceful and breath of fresh air (literally and figuratively) in the middle of Boston.

Enjoy a walk around the Island, get some lunch or a cone at Sullivan's, explore the fort, walk your dog, or watch planes land.  There's something for everyone.  We will definitely be returning soon.

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Elite '08

87

132

Tracey N.

Dorchester, MA

Besides having one of the most scenic, fun, and well-maintained playgrounds, around Halloween the fort is open to the public.  Well worth wading through the throngs of small children in costume to see the haunted house (which is not really scary, unless you ignore the person in the freaky mask who suddenly screams at you because you're a grown-up).  They also have storytellers, a magician, and snacks. The fort is also open for historical tours around the 4th of July.

Another great reason to go here is Sullivan's. They could totally jack up the prices, but they don't. While it might look mobbed, the line moves fast. The French fries are classic crinkle cuts done just right. Whoever bagged my fish sandwich ($2.40) also drew a cute little fishie on the wax paper. November is $.75 hot dog month.

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Elite '08

59

58

Katie H.

Vieques, PR

You know how everyone has that place? The place they go to when they need to think, spend time alone, maybe take a sketchbook to, or write in a journal. Castle Island is that place for me. It is the #1 place in Boston I can go to to clear my head and just feel *home*. It's also somewhere I love bringing friends to so I can share how awesome it is out there.

I can spend hours parked on Day Blvd watching the airplanes line up over Quincy to fly into Logan. I can sit on the grass, staring out at the waterfront. Take a walk out to the Fish Bowl and back. Sit on a bench and people watch. Hang out with the totally people friendly squirrels and seagulls.

And I love that its a favorite I share with my dad.  Even though I haven't lived in Southie for over 2 years, when he comes down to visit and picks me up during the summer its always "Hey, how 'bout we head over to Sully's?"  Yea, sure, during summer days, or hell now apparently even late September days of 80 degrees, you're going to have to wait in line at Sullivan's, but you're always moved through in a few minutes. And its worth it for the waterfront fare of soft serve, fried clams and fries.

My favorite part of my last visit? The group of old people, probably all about in their 70s or 80s, all ganged up and loitering while one of the oldies played his accordion. I pointed them out to my friend and said "That's us in 50 years. I can't wait."

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Elite '08

27

78

Billie M.

Boston, MA

I love coming here on a warm spring or summer day, just me, my blanket, my book....and every other person within a 10 mile radius....

Seriously, I love it here.  There is always a piece of grass to stretch out on, a ton of people to watch, and some of the most interesting conversations I've ever had the pleasure of overhearing.  And despite just how many people come here on a nice day, it always stays relatively clean.

Plus, no matter how hot and stagnant the air is at your house (darn you no air conditioning), there always seems to be a nice breeze here.

So pack a picnic lunch (unless you dig hanging out in a 40 min line for fried food, then try Sullivan's)  and head on down to Castle Island, I'll be the girl reading the upside down book, pretending not to eavesdrop on your conversation (honey, he's a jerk, just dump him already!)

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Elite '08

7

49

Lisa H.

Quincy, MA

I love Castle Island but maybe I'm biased.  I used to live in Southie years ago and this has remained one of my favorite locations to visit in Boston. It's where my fiance proposed to me and where we had our first kiss.

It's the place to go to see fireworks on the the 4th and hang and get an ice cream cone on a hot summers day. Even if you don't go in the water- it provides a great place to walk, run, skate, fish, etc. You can see the planes take off and land at the airport, and the boats in the harbor. Families are always welcome and its just a really beautiful place. And its free to visit, free to park.

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Elite '08

101

286

Brian D.

Roxbury, MA

There is absolutely no reason to bitch about never getting to go to the beach because you have no car and live in the city. The Pleasure Bay/Castle Island area is really easy to get to off the T and is really nice these days. First off, there are well maintained walking and jogging paths all the way around the area. Secondly for the most part the beach is clean and the water is perfectly fine for swimming in. You are not supposed to have your dog on the beach but we do it all the time at night during the summer. Third, Sullivans is there - home of cheap ass burgers and shakes. And my favorite, the nature. The breeze off the water on a hot night is worth the trip. Finally, if you are lazy like me and drive you are in luck there is tons of free parking year round.

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Elite '08

85

228

Debra R.

Boston, MA

I love this place for a run or a walk or for a great view of the Sunset.  It's a little oasis away from the city. Sure, the beach isn't great, but it's a beach! We take the dog here and run with him. He gets so excited when we start to near Castle Island that he whimpers with excitement to the point that he nearly hyperventilates. It's hysterical.

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0

18

bob y.

Boston, MA

Beautiful oasis within sight of downtown Boston!
                    Check out the video.
http://www.youtube.com...

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Elite '08

44

259

mike c.

Boston, MA

I need to update this review. Castle Island rocks! The city,state, and federal government have done an amazing job cleaning up Boston Harbor. I actually walked in the water near Castle Island for the first time in over 22 years!!!! Instead of sludge, tampons, and waste one now sees minnows and crabs(not the pubic kind kids). The ocean's creatures are back and healthy.  Also Yelpers please note that on Thursday's at 7pm in the summer Fort Independence is open with a guided tour that includes the grass covered roof. I have yet to go, but heard from others it offers spectacular views of the harbor and the city skyline.

Review on 10/02/2006
Ahhh yes the Irish Rivera. Being a native I am quite familiar with this Southie park all though locals would refer to it as Castle Island. It is pretty urban and bleak. For example, the sites idea of landscape architecture is to have grass going up to the fort. Who ever heard of planting trees, shrubs, or maybe even a perennial garden?On the up note it has great views of the harbor, and its always fun to see the plane traffic from Logan. Plus it offers a  pedestrian jetty that goes in an arc formation out to the bay and lands back somewhere near Carsons Beach. Another plus is that the crowd is diverse, which was unheard of when I was a wee one during that "busing thing".

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Elite '08

16

270

Kymm P.

Boston, MA

Castle Island in the summertime = love.

Always a fun time had :]

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29

53

Matt R.

Somerville, MA

Also known as Castle Island to most Boston natives, Fort Independence is an old war fort that resides on a peninsula at the very end of South Boston, aka "Southie".  22 acres of land that includes biking/running/rollerblading paths, playgrounds, docks for fishing, and a little clam shack for fried bellies and french fries at the end of a day in the sun.  Castle Island boasts unique views of the downtown skyline and is a great place for kids and adults alike.

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Elite '08

195

847

Allix T.

Allston, MA

An absolutely gorgeous place to hang out outside.  There's great room for jogging, taking a walk, or settling down to people watch.

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Elite '08

102

299

Karman L.

Arlington, VA

I don't want to give my little secret away of how cool castle island is in the summer.  But it's a great place for a run/walk afterwork or weekend.  So relaxing.  

It also have a park where you can bring kids to play there!  Awesome!!

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55

187

Pete S.

Somerville, MA

If you want to impress a date (that's never been there, of course), head down to Castle Island on a hot summer night, get a soft-serve cone at Sullivan's, walk around the fort with seemingly every family in Boston that lacks air conditioning, and watch the lights, airplanes, and container cranes that decorate the night sky.

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1

100

crystal w.

Boston, MA

If you're carless in Boston like me, you're always looking for ways to get out of the city that don't require renting a car.  Castle Island serves this purpose for me though you really don't leave the city.  You can take the number 9 bus from Copley all the way to the end and walk over to Castle Island.  It's far enough removed that there isn't much noise (except airplanes) and you have a great view of the harbor.  It's a nice place for a picnic or to sit and read on a warm day.

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Elite '08

54

296

Ashley M.

Boston, MA

In the summer it can be a little noisy and crowded with families but its a fun place to lie out and chill by the water.  Good place to hang out outside and alternative to the Charles/Common.

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