Adventure Week: Touring Boston Harbor Islands

BOSTON (CBS) - When asked about Boston's landmarks, many will come up with Fenway Park, the Old North Church, the Esplanade or the State House.

But few will tell you to head straight to the Boston Harbor Islands.

It's a place that Jessica Renehan of the Massachusetts Department of Recreation, estimates only about 25-percent of the public knows about. But, she thinks that number is poised to rise.

"Everybody always says I can't believe I haven't come here yet" she told WBZ-TV.

Renehan brought us to one of the peaks of Spectacle Island on a sunny afternoon. Those peaks are otherwise known as drumlins, hills that were created during the last glacial retreat. But there are other secrets beneath your feet here.

"It was known to be the desirable place to conduct less than desirable business," Renehan said.

The past includes a graveyard for Boston's horses, a grease reclamation plant, and starting in 1910, a landfill so large that it required a train to get rubbish to the top.

It's hard to imagine that now, especially after 3.7 million yards of dirt were brought here from the Big Dig to cap it all off.

Now?

You'll find Saturday morning yoga sessions, Sunday night jazz concerts, 5k races along its perimeter path, and views you can only otherwise get via airplane on approach to Logan Airport.

The Harbor Islands system is the largest open space in eastern Massachusetts, featuring 3,000 acres and 34 separate islands, 12 of which are open to the public.

You'll find Graves Light and Boston Light keeping watch, four camping islands, kayaking opportunities, and even a church to get married in throughout the system.

A roadblock to the popularity of the islands is access, according to park superintendent Giles Parker.

"Literally the first question is 'How do I get there?" That's the most important part because people aren't used to it," he told WBZ-TV.

To start, you'll need to get yourself to Long Wharf by train, car, or your own two feet.

From there you can catch a reasonable ferry ride from Boston Harbor Cruises. They run most frequently from the summer solstice through Labor Day. Main hubs include Spectacle, Georges, and Long Wharf itself. But there are a number of inter-island ferries that can shuttle you around the system. And there's certainly plenty to keep you busy.

"There's so much variety out here. Every island feels so different and the experience you have on each one is so unique. So with 34 of them out there to explore, it really is endless" said Renehan, who admits her favorite island is typically the one she's currently standing on.

She also brought us along to Peddocks Island, which was formally home to Fort Andrews. Thousands of soldiers were stationed here through World Wars I and II. But now you'll find yurts for those who like a little extra shelter during their camping experience. And if you don't, there's also a rustic tent-only site across the island.

If you want an insider tip, Renehan said her favorite beach spot is Lovell's, which features the best sand and the largest dunes in the park.

And if you go out after the 4th of July, you'll be able to visit Boston Light again after it was shut down for renovations last year. It's getting ready to celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2016, and it is the country's oldest continually used lighthouse. If you're lucky, you may be able to chat up Sally Snowman, the Keeper (who also happens to have an outstanding weather name for a place that takes the brunt of many storms).

As for the future, Renehan said it's up to those who appreciate the beauty and the opportunities of the system.

Two-hundred thousand people visit the islands every year, but there's room to grow as the harbor water quality continues to rise and visitors return to it once again.

Her prediction for the years ahead?

"Maybe one day big musical festivals or restoring old military buildings. There's so much we could do out here and a lot of it will be shaped by the people who come out here and who love it."

For more information and ferry schedules, visit the Boston Harbor Islands website.