If you want to watch the sun come up over the flat uninterrupted horizon, with nothing but ocean between you and Portugal, there's Deer Island. Technically open "sunrise to sunset", I'm guessing that you could get in just before sunrise, but I haven't tried that myself. It's possible that the gate at the parking area is locked until someone comes and opens it in the morning.. If you want to watch the sun come up with land and buildings in the foreground, try the Navy Yard in Charlestown.
In Arlington Heights, near the Brackett Elementary School. Large hill that gives a clear view of downtown Boston and the sunrise coming up behind it. Sample photo (from a few years ago): https://www.flickr.com/photos/timjarrett/2981342780/
I was considering posting this, too. It is a great view, but it's hard to see the sun itself, as it rises a bit to the left of the city, behind some trees, as you can see in the picture. Still a wonderful place to be at sunrise, from personal experience, just know what to expect.
By reluctant minivan owner on Tue, 08/15/2023 - 1:46pm.
The sun rises pretty far north of due east in early summer, pretty far south of due east in early winter. That photo was taken pretty close to the autumnal equinox, when the sun rises almost due east. Seems like winter would be the time to visit that hill if you want to see the sun rising over the city.
This time of year, and particularly in a couple of weeks, the end of the Black Falcon cruise terminal has a great sunrise. Would also endorse Deer Island and City Point (slightly further from Downtown). I bet some of the harbor islands have great sunrises if you can get a campsite (and get out there).
Further afield Nantasket and Nahant, Marblehead Neck, Rockport, etc (but good luck finding a public-access beach) and if you really want to get out there, the beaches on the outer Cape in Wellfleet, Truro and PTown (the latter of which, if you hike across the Dunes, you'll have to yourself).
Lotsa places -
Peters Hill in the Arboretum
Lars Anderson Park in Brookline
Millennium Park in West Roxbury
Fort Sewall in Marblehead
Kings Beach in Swampscott
Once a fortnight Magoo will watch in awe at the rising sun. Magoo imagines that Magoo is a Pegasus soaring among the clouds and the rising light of dawn. Magoo.
Fort Sewall or Chandler Hovey Park, where Marblehead Light is, are probably excellent places. Or, if the tide is low and the bar is exposed: Gerry Island.
My vote is Revere Beach. At sunrise there are a bazillion parking spots to choose from and you can access it from the MBTA blue line. There's also Winthrop near the five sisters (if you pop five sisters into Google maps it will take you there.) Also fairly easy to park there. You get the added texture of the structures in the water without blocking your view.
I would say the second floor dining area at Finagle A Bagel on Copley Square, with a toasted everything bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and capers. But de gustibus.
Comments
Nahant
Short Beach in Nahant. If you are using the T you can watch from Revere Beach as it rises over Nahant. Beautiful sunrises from there.
Turn it into ...
A sunrise bike ride around Nahant, you won't regret it. Just park in the Lynn commuter rail station and it's a quick ride
Depends what you want
If you want to watch the sun come up over the flat uninterrupted horizon, with nothing but ocean between you and Portugal, there's Deer Island. Technically open "sunrise to sunset", I'm guessing that you could get in just before sunrise, but I haven't tried that myself. It's possible that the gate at the parking area is locked until someone comes and opens it in the morning.. If you want to watch the sun come up with land and buildings in the foreground, try the Navy Yard in Charlestown.
Robbins Farm Park
In Arlington Heights, near the Brackett Elementary School. Large hill that gives a clear view of downtown Boston and the sunrise coming up behind it. Sample photo (from a few years ago): https://www.flickr.com/photos/timjarrett/2981342780/
I was considering posting
I was considering posting this, too. It is a great view, but it's hard to see the sun itself, as it rises a bit to the left of the city, behind some trees, as you can see in the picture. Still a wonderful place to be at sunrise, from personal experience, just know what to expect.
Depends on the time of year!
The sun rises pretty far north of due east in early summer, pretty far south of due east in early winter. That photo was taken pretty close to the autumnal equinox, when the sun rises almost due east. Seems like winter would be the time to visit that hill if you want to see the sun rising over the city.
Castle Island, City Point, South Boston is
a nice spot.
I used to work at Harpoon in
I used to work at Harpoon in the seaport.
Top of the big tanks was the best place to watch the sunrise, although that might not help you out.
Depends on the time of year
Since the sun comes up in very different places!
This time of year, and particularly in a couple of weeks, the end of the Black Falcon cruise terminal has a great sunrise. Would also endorse Deer Island and City Point (slightly further from Downtown). I bet some of the harbor islands have great sunrises if you can get a campsite (and get out there).
Further afield Nantasket and Nahant, Marblehead Neck, Rockport, etc (but good luck finding a public-access beach) and if you really want to get out there, the beaches on the outer Cape in Wellfleet, Truro and PTown (the latter of which, if you hike across the Dunes, you'll have to yourself).
Lotsa places -
Lotsa places -
Peters Hill in the Arboretum
Lars Anderson Park in Brookline
Millennium Park in West Roxbury
Fort Sewall in Marblehead
Kings Beach in Swampscott
Magoo sez
Once a fortnight Magoo will watch in awe at the rising sun. Magoo imagines that Magoo is a Pegasus soaring among the clouds and the rising light of dawn. Magoo.
The sky.
The sky.
Best place to watch the sun rise?
Boston Light at Brewster Island. Try it this Saturday at the start of the Boston Light Swim.... https://www.massowsa.org/history
I pondered it for quite a while,,,
... then dawn broke on Marblehead.
Fort Sewall or Chandler Hovey Park, where Marblehead Light is, are probably excellent places. Or, if the tide is low and the bar is exposed: Gerry Island.
My vote is Revere Beach. At
My vote is Revere Beach. At sunrise there are a bazillion parking spots to choose from and you can access it from the MBTA blue line. There's also Winthrop near the five sisters (if you pop five sisters into Google maps it will take you there.) Also fairly easy to park there. You get the added texture of the structures in the water without blocking your view.
Depends on what factors are most important to you
I would say the second floor dining area at Finagle A Bagel on Copley Square, with a toasted everything bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and capers. But de gustibus.
My faves
-From my suite at the Four Seasons
-On my TV, recorded by my door cam earlier in the day
-Your mother's place
And for sunset ...
Hanging out on the Longfellow bridge is tough to beat
For sunset, Danehy Park in Cambridge
Top of the big artificial hill.
The fishing pier at Castle Island
I used to go there back when I was a college student.
If you live in the
If you live in the neighborhood the view over the hill on Morton Street at the intersection of Norfolk Street and Morton Street is kind of nice.