Boston Light
Boston Light
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Lighthouse located on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
21 reviews
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CHILL617
Boston, MA1,265 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
I took the Boston Light and Graves
Lighthouse through the National Parks. Bostonharborislands.org. The tour guide was very informative. Sally Snowman, the woman Boston Lightkeeper for the Boston Light, retired after 19 years. She and her husband were on the boat. She told us about the lighthouses - very informative.
Lighthouse through the National Parks. Bostonharborislands.org. The tour guide was very informative. Sally Snowman, the woman Boston Lightkeeper for the Boston Light, retired after 19 years. She and her husband were on the boat. She told us about the lighthouses - very informative.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulfromboston
boston, ma29 contributions
Aug 2012 • Solo
On Friday afternoon I boarded a boat to go visit Boston Light. Though I had been by it hundreds of times, I had never visited Little Brewster Island. This site offers colonial history, beautiful scenery, one of a kind views, and some wonderfully committed people. The lighthouse offered full access, meaning, after climbing 76 steps and two ladders (with the assistance of national park rangers), you end up inches from a spectacular lens and a priceless view of Boston Harbor. If you are visiting Boston, put this on the must see list. If you live in New England, put this on your must see list. I know, redundant. I cannot wait to go back out and see her again.
Written August 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ckmclements
ckmclements67 contributions
This is a great tour to take! The Boston Light is the oldest lighthouse site in America, as well as the only manned lighthouse site. In residence in a small house on Little Brewster Island are the lighthouse keeper (Sally) and her husband, as well as 2 members of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. (The Coast Guard is there because this site is also under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security, who has put some cameras on top of the lighthouse, apparently.) They are all very knowledgable and friendly, as are the park service rangers who take the tour out. Be sure, if you are physically able, to go up into the lighthouse. It's 76 steps up a spiral staircase, an 8-10-foot ladder to the gear room, and then another ladder up to the top of the lighthouse. Tiring? Yes. Hot? Yes. But the view is outstanding, and getting to see the 150-year-old Fresnel light from about a foot away is just awesome. Very much worth the time and the cost of the tickets.
Written July 1, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon_Smith610
Allentown, PA79 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
You have to love lighthouses and boat rides or this is not the attraction for you. This lighthouse location has history.
The first lighthouse to be built on the site dates back to 1716, and was the first lighthouse to be built in what is now the United States. The current lighthouse dates from 1783, is the second oldest working lighthouse in the US. Enough said.
The first lighthouse to be built on the site dates back to 1716, and was the first lighthouse to be built in what is now the United States. The current lighthouse dates from 1783, is the second oldest working lighthouse in the US. Enough said.
Written June 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camille G
24 contributions
Jul 2017
This is an awesome lighthouse to visit. It is not too tall (about 70 steps) and though a little tight going up the stairs and ladder, you are rewarded with a fantastic view of Boston Harbor with Boston's skyscrappers in the background. Keeper Sally Snowman is the only paid Coast Guard Lighthouse Keeper in the country, She dresses in period clothing and is extremely knowledgeable about the history and workings of Boston Light. Wonderful visit, would recommend to anyone interested in lighthouses or would enjoy a tour of Boston Harbor Islands.
Written March 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigFoodFan
Delray Beach, FL91 contributions
Aug 2011 • Friends
This is the first light house in America and is the only one that is still manned. I've been here many times and it's always a thrill to go to the top of it and look out for miles in all directions. You can get there by water shuttle.
Look for me-- I might just be fishing from my boat just below the light house.
Look for me-- I might just be fishing from my boat just below the light house.
Written January 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luv2TravelNEGirl
Quincy, MA431 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
I can't believe this is at the bottom of best things to do in Boston list?! Crazy! Visiting here was one of the most picturesque and serene things I have seen in my life. Every angle and view here is beautiful. You can see the Boston skyline and boats out in the harbor and neighboring islands. Going to the top of the lighthouse was amazing! Seeing the 360 view up there was breathtaking and seeing the inner workings of the lighthouse was fascinating. All the staff there are so nice and very knowledgeable! One caution would be that to go up the lighthouse you will want to be in fairly good health as it is a bit of a climb up and there are two parts with ladders too. It also gets pretty hot up there. This is not to be missed if you are touring the Boston area! So beautiful!
Written September 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KCworldexplorer
Olathe, KS70 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
The Boston Light tour was one of the highlights in our recent trip to Boston. Register and pay online and then show up a few minutes before your tour. We really enjoyed our boat ride out to the Island. We were not packed on like other tour boats that I saw in the harbor. The crew was great! Note - There is no bathroom on the island, but there is one on the boat. We were reminded of this during the trip as well and it wasn't a problem. We were greeted by the Auxiliary Coastguard members that care for the island/lighthouse. They welcomed questions and were very knowledgeable. My husband and I packed a lunch and ate a picnic while we were on the island, which was about an hour. Our group was divided into three smaller groups to climb the lighthouse. When booking the trip, you can pay to climb the lighthouse or you can pay just to go to the island. It is quite a climb to get to the top of the lighthouse and is pretty small so if climbing is problem, stairs, including 2 ladders or you are claustrophobic, you might want to just plan on being a rider. It still is a great trip! Note - if you climb, you must have shoes with back. No flip-flop type sandals. The entire tour was a little over 3 hours. We felt that is was a bargain! No other groups are on the island. A great day!
Written July 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana A
Bronx, NY52 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
The National Park Service & the US Coast Guard provide the tour for this wonderful 3 1/2 hours trip. The light keeper, Dr. Sally Snowman, dresses in period clothes to distinguish herself from the visitors and NP Rangers and she is very funny and full of information. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway (across from the Marriott) and everyone boards the ferry to Little Brewster Island which is only 2 acres in size. I was wonderfully surprised to see how clean & clear the water of Boston Harbor is surrounding this small island. Of course I had to climb the 76 steps to the Fresnel lens; the last 2 ladders were scary but worth the climb. If you're afraid of heights, the climb to the top is not for you, but you can enjoy walking around the tiny island. I am proud to say that I visited at the time the lighthouse was celebrating its 300 year anniversary. You must visit!!!
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hosea63
Bar Harbor, ME109 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
Perfect trio out to see one of our national treasures. The staff on the boat and also on the island were so well organized and everything went smoothly and we learned a lot! Of course it didn't hurt that we had the perfect day!
Written June 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What tour did you take that took you to the lighthouse? It seems like most just cruise around in the water.
Written June 13, 2018
How long are you on the island itself?
Written April 4, 2018
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