The New England states could also be small, however they boast loads of shoreline and nice seashores. I take pleasure in visiting these sandy seashores for the day or as a part of an extended trip. Though I like the seashore, I often plan for only one or two seashore days throughout a New England trip, with extra actions included.
If you’re visiting New England seashores, there are some important issues to know. The water might be cooler, particularly in case you are used to the hotter seashore water within the south or the Caribbean (even in the summertime). There are additionally shark warnings generally, so you will need to take note of the native data.
Fall is usually a nice time to go to the perfect seashores in New England. There are nonetheless some hotter days within the early fall, and the water is rather less cool because it has been warmed up by the solar all summer season.
Simply take into account that some lifeguards and amenities are solely supplied throughout the conventional summer season season, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. So, whereas it’s quieter, you received’t have the identical facilities.
When selecting a New England seashore, contemplate different points of interest and actions. There are such a lot of seashores, so that you’ll need to contemplate the choices when planning your journey. Listed below are a number of the finest New England seashores to go to on a household trip.
Disclosure: I’ve visited a number of of those areas and lodges at no/discounted value for functions of evaluate. All opinions are my very own. This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks and a purchase order/click on via considered one of these hyperlinks might end in a fee paid to us for free of charge to you.
The Finest Seashores in New England
The tiny city of Little Compton, Rhode Island, is so small that it doesn’t have its personal highschool. Nonetheless, it gives two stunning seashores adjoining to one another. Because the Ocean State, Rhode Island boasts a whole lot of shoreline for a tiny spot.
Little Compton might sound acquainted if you happen to learn Caroline Kepnes’s e book You (though the situation was modified to a special spot for the TV sequence).
Goosewing Seaside & South Shore Seaside, Little Compton, Rhode Island
These two Little Compton seashores share a car parking zone; you’ll must stroll via South Shore to get to Goosewing. Managed by the Nature Conservancy, the Goosewing Seaside protect is a ravishing place to discover. You’ll discover a pond, dunes, and a mountaineering path.
The city manages South Shore and gives paid parking and porta-potties. A number of meals distributors are allowed, or you’ll be able to carry your individual meals. This stunning, quiet a part of Rhode Island is value visiting for the day. These gorgeous seashores are situated proper alongside the Atlantic Ocean.
There aren’t many lodges within the space, however you will discover some trip properties—even some in ideally suited spots close to the seashore. Search right here for out there choices.
You too can contemplate staying in close by Newport Rhode Island, the place you’ll discover a number of issues to do with youngsters.
Easton’s Seaside/First Seaside, Newport, Rhode Island
Newport (and the island it’s situated on – Aquidneck Island), have fairly just a few seashores. Nonetheless, Easton’s Seaside (additionally known as First Seaside), is the solely ocean-front seashore in Newport Rhode Island.
Easton’s Seaside is situated close to the famed Cliff Stroll. It’s additionally house to the small Save the Bay’s Hamilton Household Aquarium, which gives over 40 species native to the Narragansett Bay space, together with a contact tank.
Second Seaside, additionally a preferred vacation spot, is technically situated in Middletown, Rhode Island. Nonetheless, it is rather near Newport.
The Newport space has many lodges, B&Bs, motels, and trip properties. It’s a terrific place to remain, even if you happen to don’t plan to spend a lot time on the seashore. You possibly can search choices right here.
You’ll need to stroll across the downtown space, to do some purchasing, get ice cream, or have a whole meal.
Previous Orchard Seaside, Previous Orchard Seaside Maine
This seven-mile sandy seashore, situated within the city of the identical title, gives a quaint seashore pier and plenty of sunbathing area. The city is the consummate seashore city, with mini-golf, crusing excursions, a zipline park, a close-by amusement park, and extra.
There are loads of lodging choices in and round Previous Orchard Seaside. As well as, the Amtrak Downeaster runs proper via this space.
Ogunquit Seaside
Ogunquit, Maine, is such a bustling little seashore city with retailers, eating places, theaters, artwork galleries, and plenty of lodging choices. For a terrific seashore day, you’ll be able to simply stroll to Ogunquit Seaside from most lodges. I believe it’s one of the stunning seashores in New England.
Regularly rated among the many high seashores in america, Ogunquit Seaside gives paid parking, white sands, public restrooms, altering rooms, and a concession stand. The seashore has a number of sections, and it’s the proper place to take pleasure in a ravishing summer season day. It is among the hottest seashores, so arrive early to get to the perfect spot.
Throughout our go to to Ogunquit Seaside final summer season, we loved our keep on the Meadowmere Resort. This family-friendly resort gives an indoor and outside pool, an on-site restaurant, and household suites, together with different kid-friendly facilities.
Hampton Seaside, Hampton Seaside New Hampshire
You’ll discover the well-known Hampton Seaside State Park in New Hampshire, on the Massachusetts and Maine borders. The Hampton Seaside space contains lodges, eating places, and different household actions like mini-golf and arcades. As a result of New Hampshire doesn’t have a lot Atlantic shoreline, that is your solely choice for a New Hampshire ocean seashore.
You can simply mix a visit to Hampton Seaside with a go to to Kittery Maine, Portsmouth New Hampshire, or the North Shore of Massachusetts.
Crane Seaside, Ipswich, Massachusetts
Crane Seaside is situated on the Crane Property in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and is managed by the Trustees of Reservations. Parking reservations might be made on-line, and parking permits are additionally supplied.
Crane Seaside is among the nesting websites for the threatened shorebird piping plovers. In season, the property gives lifeguards, altering areas, a retailer, picnic tables, bike racks, and outdoors showers.
Good Harbor Seaside, Gloucester, MA
Cape Ann, MA, situated north of Boston, is house to a number of stunning seashores. Our favourite is Good Harbor Seaside, in Gloucester, MA. It’s the perfect spot for a seashore day and might be visited on a day journey from Boston.
The seashore gives a snack bar, altering amenities, and a big car parking zone. The surf is ideal for individuals who need to carry their boogie boards, however the water isn’t too tough. Throughout low tide, you’ll be able to stroll over to the small Salt Island.
Good Harbor does get busy in the summertime, particularly on the weekends. Parking should be bought prematurely on-line. On the best way in, you’ll discover Shaw’s grocery retailer if you happen to’d prefer to cease for picnic meals in your seashore day.
Wingersheek Seaside, Gloucester, MA
Positioned on the opposite aspect of Gloucester is Wingersheek Seaside, one other well-liked spot in Cape Ann. Wingersheek gives restrooms, showers, and a concession stand. Throughout low tide, you’ll discover a enjoyable sandbar to stroll on. Like Good Harbor Seaside, you will need to buy your parking prematurely.
There are a number of motels and lodges in Gloucester. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll need to contemplate renting one of many many trip properties within the space.
Singing Seaside, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
One other well-liked seashore on Cape Ann is Singing Seaside, in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Named for the quiet singing sound the sand makes, this can be a well-liked seashore for households.
This seashore does have non-resident parking on weekdays (when out there), however the Boy Scouts additionally supply an off-property parking. In the event you don’t park in official parking, there’s a walk-in payment to enter the seashore. The Boy Scouts lot just isn’t official, so you’ll have to pay that payment.
Duxbury Seaside
Positioned on Cape Cod Bay, Duxbury MA is a ravishing city on the best way to Cape Cod. There, you’ll discover Duxbury Seaside, which is a good day journey from Boston. This 7.5-mile barrier seashore gives porta-potties, hand-sanitation stations, and Blakeman’s restaurant.
There aren’t many lodges in Duxbury, nevertheless it’s near Plymouth (house to Plimoth Pawtuxet Museums).
Previous Silver Seaside, Falmouth, MA
Certainly one of my favourite seashores on Cape Cod is the attractive Previous Silver Seaside, situated in Falmouth. It gives restrooms, altering amenities, and concessions.
In the event you’d like to remain proper on Previous Silver Seaside, I like to recommend the Sea Crest Seaside Resort. You possibly can stroll proper from the resort to the seashore, the place you’ll discover seashore attendants, chairs, and umbrellas for resort friends.
Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore, varied cities
The Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore contains six well-liked Cape Cod seashores. These embrace Nauset Mild Seaside in Orleans, Marconi Seaside in Wellfleet, Coast Guard Seaside in Eastham, Herring Cove Seaside in Provincetown, Race Level Seaside in Provincetown, and Head of Meadow Seaside in North Truro. I typically advocate that you simply resolve which city in Cape Cod you need to go to first, after which choose the closest seashore.
Smugglers Seaside, South Yarmouth
Certainly one of my favourite seashores on Cape Cod is Smugglers Seaside, which is also called Bass River Seaside. It’s situated in South Yarmouth, alongside the Nantucket Sound. Yarmouth is situated within the mid-Cape space and gives many nice seashores. Smugglers Seaside has a big car parking zone (though it does replenish on scorching days), a snack shack, a restroom, and a fishing pier.
If you are in South Yarmouth, make sure to play mini golf, get some scrumptious seafood, and revel in some Cape Cod Creamery ice cream. It’s a terrific city for a household trip.
