Posted in Boston
October 13, 2017
Here Are The 10 Most Incredible Natural Wonders Hiding Around Boston
Tucked away in Boston and its surrounding areas lie hidden pockets of beauty that you’re going to want to explore. These 9 natural wonders create the illusion that you’re far from any metropolitan area. So, the next time you want to unwind, head to these incredible spots in and around Boston.
This 152-acre reservation is all that is left in Boston of the salt marshes that were once abundant along the Massachusetts coastline. This place is awesome, in the traditional sense of the word, because of the quantity of plant and sea life it sustains. Soak it all in as you stroll along the raised boardwalk.
A mere 50-miles from Boston, uncover a surreal landscape created during the last Ice Age. The chasm is only a quarter mile long, but its steep walls are 70-foot high in places. To get the most from a visit to this dramatic spot, you need good balance, good shoes, and a tolerance for tight spaces.
This may look like a normal North Shore beach– albeit a strikingly pretty one – but it’s hiding a secret. This beach can sing. Admittedly, it’s more of a shush-shush noise than an Adele medley. However, if you move your feet over the sand or wait for the wind to blow, you can experience this unusual natural phenomenon for yourself. Check out our previous article about this beach for more info.
This spring-fed pond – technically a lake – is part of the Blue Hills Reservation. It’s a wonderful swimming hole in summer and the changing leaves contrasted against the lake water are a particularly appealing sight in fall.
If the most awe-inspiring mammals to ever grace our oceans aren’t a natural wonder, then I don’t know what is! Several whale watching excursions leave right out of Boston, giving you the opportunity to get close to these magnificent creatures.
Until you’re standing in the middle of this urban oasis, it’s hard to fully appreciate both its scale and its beauty. Our nation’s first city park may have started out as a cow pasture, but it has evolved into the lovely green space you see today.
When in bloom, the adjacent Public Garden explodes with color. This is actually the first public botanic garden in the country. Meandering down its pathways towards the Lagoon is one of the most calming things you can do in the city.
This pine and oak forest covers more than 12,400 acres. Within it lies 16 lakes and ponds. You can swim, fish, and canoe at College Pond or trek along 13 miles of hiking trails through the woods. The forest even contains two working cranberry bogs!
The Boston Harbor Island National Recreation Area includes a whopping 34 islands, just a relaxing ferry ride away from Boston. A haunted fort awaits you on Georges Island, while Little Brewster Island is the site of the country’s oldest lighthouse. Technically, those are man made structures on naturally gorgeous islands, but Spectacle Island and Lovells Island offer appealing beaches, too.
One of Massachusetts's greatest natural wonders might seem a bumper-to-bumper drive away, but thanks to the fast ferry that runs from mid-May to mid-October, you can travel from Boston to P-town in 90 minutes! For more info.
What Boston-area green space fills you with awe?
Massachusetts is brimming with natural beauty. You may also be interested in these 11 natural wonders hiding in plain sight throughout the Bay State. Sure, you might have to drive a little further to reach them, but there’s no hiking required once you get there!
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