Many have heard of the famous Maho Beach in St. Maarten, where planes fly so low over the beach that it’s become a popular attraction for thrill seekers from around the world. These crazy folks are willing to stand in the path of powerful jet blasts just to get an up-close view of incoming planes as they land.

If you’re looking for a safer and more tranquil experience, East Boston’s Constitution Beach has you covered. In addition to being one of the top beaches in the world for plane spotting, Constitution Beach offers swimming, tennis, baseball, handball, basketball, and a playground. Lifeguards staff the beach June through Labor Day — and yes, it is considered safe to swim in the water here!

Constitution Beach is a short walk from the Orient Heights T Station and offers a large and free parking lot. There are bathrooms and concessions, and covered pavilions provide great meeting spaces for celebrations of all kinds. Every weekend of the summer I see some sort of birthday party, family reunion, or other gathering going on here. East Boston’s Neighborhood of Affordable Housing also offers free kayaking here for a portion of the summer.

My favorite time to visit Constitution Beach is at sunset, when the Boston skyline becomes bathed in beautiful pink and orange light. It’s a great time to have a picnic and catch some nice pictures of the skyline as the planes take off!