. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses,
explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while
fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach of downtown Boston. Youth
programs, visitor services, research, wildlife management, and more are
coordinated on the park's 34 islands and peninsulas by the Boston Harbor
Islands Partnership.

. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach of downtown Boston. Youth programs, visitor services, research, wildlife management, and more are coordinated on the park's 34 islands and peninsulas by the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership.

Bird's eye view of the park

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s
country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of
“heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned women” whose ideas and actions
helped to transform thirteen disparate colonies into one united nation.

From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned women” whose ideas and actions helped to transform thirteen disparate colonies into one united nation.

Adams National Historical Park

Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major
battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can
be extended to all.

Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.

Boston National Historical Park

Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of
1800s Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and
injustice. These remarkable men and women, together with their allies, were
leaders in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War,
and the early struggle for equal rights and education.

Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of 1800s Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice. These remarkable men and women, together with their allies, were leaders in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the early struggle for equal rights and education.

Boston African American National Historic Site

Once called, "Quinobequin" by native Indians, Captain John Smith renamed the
area for Charles I of England. The winding river rambles for 80 miles from its
headwaters, covers an area of over 300 square miles and is the most densely
populated river basin in New England. The area provides for wetlands and
wildlife and recreation activities. For up-to-date information, call (508)
278-2511.

Once called, "Quinobequin" by native Indians, Captain John Smith renamed the area for Charles I of England.  The winding river rambles for 80 miles from its headwaters, covers an area of over 300 square miles and is the most densely populated river basin in New England.  The area provides for wetlands and wildlife and recreation activities.  For up-to-date information, call (508) 278-2511.

Charles River

JFK’s parents never expected that their second son would grow up to be
president. Yet in his birthplace home he learned values that inspired a life
in public service. His mother, Rose Kennedy, recreated her family’s first home
to share her memories of those early years with visitors. We commemorate not
only his early life, but the ideas and principles he left behind.

JFK’s parents never expected that their second son would grow up to be president.  Yet in his birthplace home he learned values that inspired a life in public service. His mother, Rose Kennedy, recreated her family’s first home to share her memories of those early years with visitors. We commemorate not only his early life, but the ideas and principles he left behind.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American
landscape architecture and the nation's foremost parkmaker. Olmsted moved his
home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world's first full-scale
professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next
century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted's design ideals,
philosophy, and influence.

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation's foremost parkmaker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world's first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted's design ideals, philosophy, and influence.

Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site preserves a
remarkable Georgian house whose occupants shaped our nation. It was a site of
colonial enslavement and community activism, George Washington’s first long-
term headquarters of the American Revolution, and the place where Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his canon of 19th-century American literature.

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site preserves a remarkable Georgian house whose occupants shaped our nation. It was a site of colonial enslavement and community activism, George Washington’s first long-term headquarters of the American Revolution, and the place where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his canon of 19th-century American literature.

Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

In the 1600's, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary
happened! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special
skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre
National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a
historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.

In the 1600's, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary happened! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a wild ocean place near an urban
world, sits east of Boston, Massachusetts between Cape Ann and Cape Cod.
Historically important as a fishing ground, the sanctuary now reigns as a
premier whale watching destination and continues to support commercial and
recreational fishing. Its shipwrecks serve as time capsules of our nation's
maritime history. Visitors can enjoy this wild ocean near an urban area by
whale watching, bird watching, diving, and fishing.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a wild ocean place near an urban world, sits east of Boston, Massachusetts between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. Historically important as a fishing ground, the sanctuary now reigns as a premier whale watching destination and continues to support commercial and recreational fishing. Its shipwrecks serve as time capsules of our nation's maritime history. Visitors can enjoy this wild ocean near an urban area by whale watching, bird watching, diving, and fishing.

Gulls land on a humpback whale in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Humpback whale in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Established on March 17, 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the
United States, Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres of
land and twelve historic structures along the Salem waterfront, as well as a
downtown visitor center. Located in the urban setting of Salem, the park
preserves and interprets over 600 years of New England's maritime history and
global connections.

Established on March 17, 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the Salem waterfront, as well as a downtown visitor center. Located in the urban setting of Salem, the park preserves and interprets over 600 years of New England's maritime history and global connections.