Boston Harbor Islands

Talk about hiding in plain sight — right in the middle of one of the busiest harbors in the country is an oasis of natural beauty, history and outdoor activities that couldn't be easier to find. Ferries depart from Boston's Long Wharf several times a day to tour a dozen of the 34 islands that make up this historical park. There's Georges Island, complete with ranger-guided tours of a haunted Civil War-era fort; Spectacle Island — rebuilt from landfill dug out of Boston's Big Dig — with beaches, boating docks and hiking trails; Little Brewster Island, home to the oldeset lighthouse in America; and much more to explore.