# Beautiful Escape

## Boston Harbor Islands

### Taking a ferry to hike.

[Alaina Ann](https://substack.com/@alainaann)  
Jun 03, 2026

A digital getaway on Wednesdays, with a series of photos from specific trails, parks, forests, or towns.

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Boston Harbor | © Alaina Ann

A warm June afternoon in Boston is a lovely time of year to visit the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The harbor is dotted with more than 30 islands and peninsulas, several accessible by car or ferries.

On this particular outing, **[Spectacle Island](https://home.nps.gov/boha/learn/historyculture/facts-spec.htm)** was the destination of choice. A relatively short ferry ride away, lasting about thirty minutes, through the harbor.

Boston Harbor | © Alaina Ann

Various trails were available to hike, easily filling hours of time on the island. Sunbathing seemed to be a popular activity, too.

We opted for a late afternoon picnic lunch with a view of the Boston skyline in the distance, to endcap the visit before hopping back on the ferry.

Spectacle Island | © Alaina Ann

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Thanks for taking the time to be here.

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By Alaina Ann · Launched 4 years ago  
Nature and travel photos captured across North America. Offering you a brief and beautiful escape.