Free Fun for All at Castle Island in South Boston

Posted by: Maureen O'Keefe
Posted on: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 8:34 am
Categories: Parks and Recreation

Hi All,

My name is Maureen O’Keefe. My husband Tom and I both grew up in West Roxbury. We have two (2) sons: Paul age 12 and Sean age 10.  Both of our parents are also Bostonians and they taught us to truly appreciate the benefits of this wonderful city. I will be blogging on free or inexpensive family-friendly field trips in and around Boston. At times members of our extended family or friends may also tag along.

Our first field trip…one of my all time favorite places…Castle Island, South Boston, a 24 acre urban park on the waterfront. There is so much to do there we could never get to it all in one day, therefore we will be taking a few trips over the summer.

We went on Saturday evening of the Memorial Day Weekend.  Having such a busy weekend with chores, yard-work, errands, etc., we weren’t able to do something special for the kids and the guilt was setting in.  So we threw a blanket in the trunk, gave my mother and sister a call and took the short 10 minute drive to Castle Island.  Paul’s friend Joey was around so he joined us.  It was around 6:30 and still brutally hot but there is always a gorgeous sea breeze and we remembered to bring sweat shirts.  First we stopped at Sullivans, a famous fast food place which has been around for as long as I can remember.  The Cost of dinner for two adults and three children: $30. 

We set up our blanket at the top of a grassy hill by the castle and enjoyed the scenery and cool breeze while we ate.  My sister Siobhan, her husband and five kids, Hannah 10, Caroline 9, Emma Jane 8, Patrick 5, Maeve 18 mos, and my mother Marion (who would never pass up an invite to Castle Island) met us there. The younger kids played tag and rolled down the hill while the older ones took a walk around the castle and checked out the fishing pier. They ran back out of breath and excited because a man had caught a giant crab and a ’monster size’ fish. We all enjoyed watching the planes land and take off from nearby Logan Airport. We then walked over to Sullivan’s for ice cream and shakes ($10 for one adult and three kids-I was good and passed on the extra calories, but my husband…). It was a fabulous evening…short ride, short money, and free parking. We arrived home refreshed and in good moods.

Other great things to do at Castle Island include Castle Tours (including a sunset tour which I hear is breath taking) conducted by The Castle Island Association (all volunteers), walking around the Sugar Bowl, swimming in the ocean (yes it’s clean and safe), biking, picnic area, playground area, fishing off the pier, flying kites. There are also special events held in the castle such as a haunted house on Halloween. For more info call the Castle Island Association @ 617-268-5744.

Let me know what you think:)

Maureen

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7 Responses to “Free Fun for All at Castle Island in South Boston”

  1. siobhan on May 29th, 2007 3:49 pm

    Hi Maureen,
    We all had a ball and want in on the next excursion! We never know what to expect next with you O’Keefe’s. Sure to be entertaining and inexpensive—-my favorite combo. Thanks for the invite.
    Siobhan

  2. Mr. Mojo on May 29th, 2007 4:54 pm

    I almost feel like I was there with you. Of course some pictrues would be nice:)

  3. helen coen on May 29th, 2007 6:00 pm

    Maureen,
    Haven’t been in years. We sometimes forget what’s in our own backyards. Thanks for the reminder and for the tip about Sullivan’s.
    Helen

  4. Veronique Mendelson on May 30th, 2007 7:01 am

    I have never been to Castle Island and always wish that I would! Now after reading your description of it, I almost felt like I was there!
    Please, please can I come along next time?

  5. wide*angle on May 30th, 2007 12:44 pm

    It’s always been a great spot. Plenty of room for kids, pets, picnics etc. It’s another of Boston’s treasures. The line-up of the planes arriving in early evening is something to see as well. Sometimes one can count them 10 deep off on the horizon. And for those landlocked most of the time the salt air and salt water cure just about everything. The farrugut House for a drink and a meal doesn’t hurt either.

  6. Marion Connolly on May 30th, 2007 5:09 pm

    Maureen - You forgot to tell everyone about the free sailing lessons at Castle Island in the summer. Call me when you have your next excursion planned.

    Mom

  7. The Swan Boats at the Bostpn Public Gardens : Dahubbub.com on June 29th, 2007 2:00 pm

    […] was (oops, I was about to say my all time favorite, then remembered I already said that about Castle Island !) one of my very favorites–Boston’s own storied Swan Boats.  The truth of it is, I […]

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