New England is home to some of the finest beaches in the world. A summer getaway to a New England beach should be on everyone’s bucket list, thanks to stunning sunsets, whale watching, delectable seafood and historic lighthouses. Here are the best beaches in New England.
1. Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA
Crane Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in New England. The scenic 7-mile (11-kilometer) stretch of white sand beach is ideal for swimming. Crane Beach is famous for the wide variety of bird species that can be found there.
In fact, Crane Beach is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for piping plovers, a threatened bird. To protect threatened shorebirds, please avoid the fenced nesting areas and the wrack, the line of washed-up organic debris where the birds feed and hide. Binoculars are a good idea to have on hand.
Crane Beach Address: 310 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA
2. Old Silver Beach, Falmouth, MA
Old Silver Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in New England. It is a popular swimming beach in Cape Cod. In the summer months the waves are gentle and the water is warm making it ideal for children.
A portion of the beach is restricted to Falmouth residents, but there is a section of the beach that is open to non-residents. Stay for the sunset because Old Silver Beach, which overlooks Buzzards Bay, is known for having the most picture perfect sunsets in New England.
Old Silver Beach address: Old Silver Beach, Falmouth, MA
3. Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, MA
Coast Guard Beach is one of New England’s best beaches. It is widely regarded as the best swimming beach on Cape Cod. It is also popular for boogie boarding and surfing.
Coast Guard Beach is located at the start of the 30 mile (48 km) Cape Cod National Seashore. Meander towards Nauset Spit in the summer to observe shorebirds in the summer and seals in the winter.
Parking for Coast Guard Beach is located at Little Creek Parking lot. There is a shuttle from Little Creek that will take you to Coast Guard beach.
Coast Guard Beach address: Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, MA (Parking at Little Creek Parking lot)
4. Race Point Beach, Provincetown, MA
Race Point Beach is one of New England’s most spectacular beaches. Known for its stunning sunsets and miles and miles of soft sand, Race Point Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in Cape Cod. Pack a binocular, you might be able to get a glimpse of humpback whales! And don’t forget to check out the historic lighthouse at Race Point Beach.
Race Point Beach address: Race Point Road, Provincetown, MA
5. Herring Cove Beach, Provincetown, MA
Herring Cove Beach is a beautiful beach in New England. With miles of soft sand, it’s a popular beach on Cape Cod. The water is calmer and gentler at Herring Cove Beach because it faces Cape Cod Bay, making it ideal for families. Children will enjoy building sand castles and then stopping by the snack bar for a snack. Stay for the spectacular sunset.
Herring Cove Beach address: Route 6, Provincetown, MA
6. Aquinnah Public Beach (Moshup Beach), Aquinnah, MA
One of New England’s best beaches is Aquinnah Public Beach (Moshup Beach) on Martha’s Vineyard. The striated red clay Gay Head Cliffs make for a stunning backdrop for beachgoers. When visiting the beach with children, keep in mind that it is a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the beach.
Aquinnah Public Beach address: 53 Moshup Trail, Aquinnah, MA
7. Salty Brine State Beach, Narragansett, RI
Salty Brine Beach is one of New England’s best beaches. It is a kid-friendly beach in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Although it is only 100 yards long, beachgoers are drawn to the gentle surf that is ideal for children. Kids will also enjoy watching the fishing boats and ferries arrive and depart. Foodies will enjoy Salty Brine Beach because it is close to some of New England’s best seafood restaurants.
Salty Brine State Beach Address: 254 Great Road, Narragansett, RI
8. Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly, RI
Misquamicut is a popular family beach in New England. It is situated on a half-mile stretch of white sand beach in Westerly, Rhode Island. Kids will enjoy building sandcastles, boogie boarding, and swimming in the ocean. There is also a playground and a concession stand right on the beach. Carousel rides are popular at the nearby amusement park, which is a short walk from Misquamicut beach.
Misquamicut Beach address: 257 Atlantic Avenue, Westerly, RI
9. Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard ME
Old Orchard Beach is regarded as one of New England’s best beaches. At Old Orchard Beach, there’s plenty to do. Swimming is ideal on the three mile long (5 km) sandy beach because of the gentle surf.
There is so much to do at Old Orchard Beach, from lounging on the beach to kite flying. If you need a break from the beach, head over to the amusement park for rides and games. Grab a bite at the pier, check out the lively bar scene. There will never be a dull moment at Old Orchard Beach.
Old Orchard Beach address: Old Orchard Beach Pier, Old Orchard Beach, ME
10. Reid State Park, Georgetown, ME
Reid State Park has one of the best beaches in New England. It’s one of New England’s best surfing beaches. And it’s well-known for its sandy beaches (a rarity in rocky Maine)!
Mile Beach and Half Mile Beach have lifeguards, a concession stand, and restrooms. There are sheltered stretches of beach where you can swim safely and exposed sections of beach for surfing.
Reid State Park address: 375 Seguinland Road, Georgetown, ME
11. Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit, ME
Ogunquit Beach is regarded as one of the best beaches in New England. Beachgoers enjoy the beautiful three miles of soft sandy beach. A kite festival and sand castle competition are held annually during the summer months.
During the summer, Ogunquit is a bustling beach town. Ogunquit beach is conveniently located within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of charming Perkins Cove.
Ogunquit Beach address: Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit, ME
12. Hampton Beach, Hampton NH
One of New England’s nicest beaches is Hampton Beach. Hampton Beach is a fun beach to visit since there’s usually something happening, from outdoor concerts to sand castle competitions to fireworks. Plus, there are many restaurants and souvenir shops in Hampton Beach.
Don’t be surprised if you hear people speaking French in Hampton Beach because it is a popular summer resort for Quebec residents. Swimming in Hampton Beach might be challenging at times due to the surf.
Hampton Beach address: 160 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH
13. Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Connecticut
Sherwood Island State Park is one of the best beaches in New England. Located in Westport, Connecticut, it is Connecticut’s first state park.
Sherwood Island State Park is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach. Enjoy a picnic while relaxing on the sandy beach. Don’t forget to visit the Sherwood Island Nature Center.
Sherwood Island Beach address: Sherwood Island Connector, Westport, CT
14. Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, CT
Hammonasset Beach State Park is one of the best beaches in New England. Located in Madison, Connecticut, Hammonasset Park boasts one of the largest shoreline parks in Connecticut with over 2 miles of beach.
Spend the day relaxing on the sandy beach. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Long Island Sound as you take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk. Don’t forget to check out the Nature Center at Meigs point.
Hammonasset Beach State Park address: 1288 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT.
15. Lighthouse Point Park Beach in New Haven, Connecticut
Lighthouse Point Park is one of the nicest beaches in New England. It is located in the eastern point of Connecticut’s New Haven Harbor and home to one of the few places in Connecticut where you can actually get up close to a historic lighthouse (Five Mile Point Lighthouse)!
Relax on the beautiful beach and grab a bite from the concession stand. If you kids need a break from the beach, take them to the splash pad or take them on a carousel ride. Bring your binoculars since Lighthouse Point Park is one of the most popular places for bird watching along the East Coast.
Lighthouse Point Park Beach Address: 2 Lighthouse Road, New Haven, CT 06512
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