About Winthrop, MA Winthrop is a small beautiful oceanside residential community, situated at the entrance to Boston Harbor. A peninsula of approximately 1.6 sq. miles, it has panoramic views of the outer harbor and the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Boston Harbor Islands, the inner harbor and the Boston skyline on the other side. The town has a good transportation system which makes for easy access to Boston by bus, subway, ferry service or auto. Surrounded by water, Winthrop has numerous beaches, three yacht clubs, a golf course and nine parks. There are several business districts, one of which is within walking distance of Cottage Park Yacht Club. Winthrop was established as a town in 1852, but has been settled since the 1600’s. The Deane Winthrop House, which is open to the public, is one of the oldest homes in America dating to 1637. Our cemetery has graves of our founding families dating to the 1700s. The Kennedys summered on Washington Avenue, and we have a historical museum located at the Winthrop Public Library. Things to Do in Winthrop Beaches The largest of the many beaches in town, Winthrop Beach is very quaint. It is a lengthily sandy beach great for swimming, long walks, and people watching. Lifeguards are on duty July through early September. Located along Winthrop Shore Drive with plenty of free parking, it is also accessible from the MBTA Blue Line in Orient Heights in East Boston, and any Winthrop bus (routes 712 & 713). Yirrell Beach, along Shirley Street, is a popular destination for families and small children, as the area by the base of Water tower Hill is shallow for about 100 yards from shore. There is free parking along the street and at the town’s Public Landing, a short walk away. For a more private spot and great views of the Boston skyline, Donovan’s Beach is located on Pleasant Street. Walking Deer Island Walking Deer Island Deer Island is a 210 acre peninsula, connected to Winthrop along Taft’s Avenue in the Point Shirley section of town. The area includes a 60 acre park with walking trails, interpretative signage, memorial benches and a 2.65 mile perimeter pathway with unsurpassed views of Boston Harbor, its islands and lighthouses. The park is within the boundaries of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area and is open to the general public from sunrise to sunset daily for walking, jogging, sightseeing, picnicking and fishing. There is a 26-car visitor parking area on the left as you enter the island from Winthrop. The “island” is operated by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and is home to the state-of-the-art regional wastewater treatment facility. The plant and as well as a host of other large-scale construction projects, known as the Boston Harbor Project, are responsible for the dramatically improved water quality in Boston harbor. For more information on the Boston Harbor Project, the work of MWRA, or the fascinating history of Deer Island check out www.mwra.com. MWRA does offer tours of the plant through advanced arrangements. Please call the Deer Island tour line at 617- 660-7607. Belle Isle Reservation Belle Isle Reservation preserves the 152 acres of the 241 acre Belle Isle Marsh, Boston’s last remaining salt marsh. It is located between East Boston and Winthrop. A unique place for exploring, the reservation exemplifies the type of wetlands that once lined the Massachusetts Bay shore. Centuries of flourishing plant life have made the marsh more fertile than the richest farmland. Its protected waters are nurseries to fish and shellfish and are critical habitat to many salt marsh plants and wildlife rare to the metropolitan area. A favorite get-away for nature walks and bird watching, the marsh is the summer home to snowy egrets, great egrets, great blue heron and many species of ducks and geese. The Reservation includes 28 acres of landscaped park with easy hiking path, boardwalk, benches, picnic tables and an observation tower. There is free parking at the entrance on Bennington street in East Boston, and off Revere Street, the Winthrop Green Way. The Reservation is also accessible from the MTA Suffolk Downs station. It is open all year round from dawn to dusk. Plane Watching Without a doubt, Winthrop has some of the best views of airplanes landing and taking off. At the tip of Point Shirley, Coughlin Park and a walk along Grandview Avenue provide an excellent view of jets coming and going from Logan International Airport as well as commanding views of the city and harbor islands. Dean Winthrop House The Dean Winthrop House is a historic house at 34 Shirley Street. The oldest part of the house was built about 1637 and then rebuilt to its current size between 1675 and 1690. It belonged to Deane Winthrop; whose father John Winthrop was the second colonial Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. It is currently owned and maintained by the Winthrop Improvement and Historical Association and is open to visitors by appointment. (617- 846-8606) This building is one of the oldest wood frame houses in the country and is the oldest continuously lived in home in the United States. The house was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1990. In 2009, an addition was made to the adjacent barn to store Winthrop Improvement and Historical Association artifacts and documents. Sunsets Over Boston The Boston Harbor side of Winthrop offers some of the most beauful sunsets that can be found. Historic Boston Winthrop is just minutes away from downtown Boston, easily accessible by both car and public transportation. The city is known for its culture, events, and activities. There is lots to do and see. For more information please visit the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. For more informaon about Winthrop, go to the Winthrop Commerce Chamber of Commerce website: winthropchamber.com .