| Even though Boston is a waterfront city, its location on | | | | gigantic gas tank, painted with rainbow strips, is also |
| a harbor means that you need to go beyond the | | | | close at hand, reminding you that you're at a city |
| downtown area to find Boston beaches for swimming. | | | | beach. |
| No problem - you'll find a number of terrific sandy | | | | Revere Beach, 5 miles north of Boston, enjoys |
| beaches within a short subway ride away. Three of | | | | sweeping views of Massachusetts Bay. Formed in |
| the best are Carson Beach in South Boston, Savin Hill | | | | 1896 after authorization by the Massachusetts |
| Beach in Dorchester, and Revere Beach just north of | | | | legislature, the 3-mile long crescent soon became filled |
| the city in Revere. | | | | with carousels, roller coasters, amusement parks, and |
| Carson Beach is one of 4 adjacent beaches that look | | | | numerous nearby cottages, hotels, and eateries. |
| out onto beautiful Dorchester Bay. It's part of an | | | | Families flocked to the area for entertainment, |
| uninterrupted swath of shoreline that extends down | | | | amusement, and perhaps even a dip in the water. All |
| from Castle Island at the tip of a lagoon that's been a | | | | of those things are gone now and the beach is back |
| favorite site for Sunday strolls since the 19th century. | | | | to being an uninterrupted swath of sand. On hot |
| Carson Beach has recently been upgraded with new | | | | summer weekends, as many as 100,000 sun-lovers still |
| sand, plenty of benches, good lighting, shade shelters, | | | | pack the beach and swim in the relatively warm |
| and a very nice bathhouse with changing rooms and | | | | (considering that this is New England) water. On |
| restrooms. You'll also find chess tables, bocce courts, a | | | | weekday mornings, though, you can still enjoy having |
| fishing pier, and water fountains nearby. Lifeguards are | | | | this glorious beach almost to yourself. |
| on duty during summer months. | | | | 3 Bonus Tips for Enjoying Boston Beaches: |
| Savin Hill Beach is next to Malibu Beach in Dorchester, | | | | 1) If you love the excitement of big crowds, come on |
| and you'll have a hard time knowing where one ends | | | | summer weekend afternoons and holidays such as |
| and the other begins. Both of them have great | | | | July 4. For a more secluded experience, come during |
| swimming areas and playgrounds for children, and both | | | | the week or early in the morning on weekends. |
| have had significant upgrades in recent years, including | | | | 2) Water quality is generally good to excellent, but be |
| new sand. Malibu beach also has a bathhouse with | | | | sure to check the flags at each beach. Avoid coming |
| changing and restroom facilities. You'll find picnic tables, | | | | right after a heavy rain. |
| a tot lot, and nice lighting. The local gas company's | | | | 3) Remember to bring sunscreen! |