With summer just around the corner, I wanted to share some of the best Family Friendly Beaches in New England. This list is a compilation of beaches across all of New England suggested by our readers!
For my family our #1 choice is Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester, MA. With its soft white sand, shallow, warmer water and rocks for climbing it’s at the top of our list!
My top tips for visiting Wingaersheek Beach:
-Go during low tide. The beach extends hundreds of yards out and you’ll find shells, clams and sand dollars all over the place. This also creates small, warm, pools of water that are great for little kids to play in.
-Go early! Parking lots open at 8AM. The lots aren’t big and there’s no other place to park because the beach is completely surrounded by private residences. Parking is $20 on the weekday and $25 on the weekend.
-Pack a lunch. Wingaersheek is the perfect spot for a beach picnic. But if you want there is a concession stand that serves food and snacks.
-Don’t forget to pack your camera! Wingersheek is perfect for picture taking.
Situated in the western part of Gloucester at the end of Atlantic Street off Rte. 133 and Concord Street, this beautiful beach runs along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. At low tide the beach extends out for hundreds of yards and a long sandbar is exposed that makes for a great place to walk.
Lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily.
Food, drinks, beach toys, and other beach necessities are available at the concession. Restrooms and showers are available as well from 9:00am to 6:00pm daily.
Parking is available during the week at a rate of $20 per vehicle, and on the weekends and holidays at $25 per vehicle. After Labor Day, beaches may be open with reduced rates charges, weather permitting.
Wingaersheek Beach
1366 Main Street, Winchendon, MA
Lake Dennison is a section of the Army Corps of Engineers Birch Hill Flood Control Project. The DCR, via Otter River State Park staff, manages 4,221 acres of Corps land for recreational use. Located in Winchendon, the park has 150 campsites. There is a swimming beach on Lake Dennison.
Daily Parking Fee: $8 MA Vehicle, $10 non-MA Vehicle
1095 Ives Road, Warwick, RI
Goddard Memorial State Park is the most popular state park in Rhode Island boasting a nine hole golf course, an equestrian show area, 18 miles of bridle trails, 355 picnic tables, 11 game fields, and a performing arts center for weddings, concerts, fishing, boating, swimming and special events.
Parking fees can be found HERE.
1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT
Connecticut’s largest shoreline park offers over 2 miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk, or just relaxing in the sun and surf.
98 Neptune Avenue, New London, CT
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach Park, located a few minutes south of downtown New London, was rated one of the best beaches by National Geographic.
Dunes Road , Dennis, MA
Mayflower Beach is a gorgeous beach on Cape Cod Bay that’s great for people of all ages. Children will enjoy the many shallow pools created at low tide, while parents will enjoy the serenity of the a calm beach.
Scusset Beach State Reservation
20 Scusset Beach Rd., Sandwich, MA
Scusset Beach
Scusset Beach is located on Cape Cod Bay at the east end of the Cape Cod Canal. It is a popular swimming and camping area. For salt water anglers, the area offers a popular fish pier, a 3000 breakwater and 1.5 miles of frontage along the canal. A picnic area and bicycling along the canal are also available. The Reservation is also a popular spot for watching the variety of boats and ships passing through the canal.
Thatcher Road, Rte 127A, Gloucester, MA
Good Harbor is a beautiful beach with lovely, white sand facing the Atlantic. At low tide, one can walk out to Salt Island while at high tide one can enjoy body surfing or boogie boards.
162 Nantasket Ave, Hull, MA
Nantasket Beach
Surrounded by water on three sides, our peninsula is a haven for boat and sailing enthusiasts from all over the world. Five miles of sandy beach faces easterly towards the Atlantic Ocean, and our quiet harbors and bays make for a beautiful backdrop to your day of boating, fishing or swimming.
Mirror Lake Road, Devens, MA
Mirror Lake is an example of a kettle hole; a deep pond that formed when the last glacier to cover New England slowly melted away. The lake is fed via an aquifer that continually fills the lake with a fresh supply of water.
Visitors are welcome to swim, boat, canoe or fish during the regular season. A boat ramp is located at the end of Mirror Lake Road and electric trolling engines are allowed.
Miles-long stretch of fine beach, clean ocean water and attractions for the whole family, Old Orchard Beach is the perfect getaway. Every Thursday Evening from June 25th – September 3rd you can enjoy a wonderful professional fireworks display.
York Beach
York Beach, York, ME
York Beach offers outdoor fun with miles of long sandy beaches, coastal scenic byways, York’s Wild Kingdom, Brown’s Ice Cream, The Goldenrod, Fun O Rama, Rick’s All Seasons Restaurant, “Nubble Light”, shopping and so much more.
Cape Ann, MA
6 area beaches including Back Beach, Cape Hedge Beach, Front Beach, Long Beach, Old Garden Beach and Pebble Beach.
Bearskin Neck is home to some of the most wonderful art galleries, shops, lodging and restaurants. With it’s breathtaking views and historic charm it is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Want to know more about the area? Visit Bearskinneck.net to get all the details to plan your beach vacation!
Herring Brook Road, Eastham, MA
A lovely freshwater pond, Wiley Park is a fun place for kids as there are platforms form which they can jump into the water. Bathroom within easy walking distance from the water. Small beach area so arrive early.
Samoset Road , Eastham, MA
First Encounter Beach features calm, warm water, a panoramic view of Cape Cod Bay, expansive flats at low tide and low sand dunes.
The beautiful, gently sloping, soft sandy beach, picnic areas, train watching, diverse trail systems and salt marsh viewing platforms make this park ideal for families. Try crabbing or fishing. Look for ospreys, cranes, and herons or other waterfowl. Rocky Neck provides something for all members of the family.
257 Atlantic Avenue, Westerly, RI
One of the state’s most popular beaches with over a half mile of beach front, there are also many local attractions for children. This modern pavilion includes many new features including rails, outside showers, and composting toilets. This beach does fill to capacity during sunny summer weekends.
Plum Island
Plum Island, MA
Plum Island offers miles of public sandy beaches and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, home to over 800 species of birds, plants and animals on 4,662 acres. Sandy Point on the southern tip of Plum Island is a State Park and a wonderful place to swim, sun yourself or go tidepooling.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation
5 John Reed Road, Westport, MA
Spread across nearly 600 acres of barrier beach and salt marsh, Horseneck Beach is one of the most popular facilities in the Massachusetts State Forests and Parks system. Located at the western end of Buzzards Bay, the sandy, southwest-facing, 2-mile long beach is breezy all year round, providing excellent wind surfing and a dependable respite from sweltering inland temperatures every summer.
Quaker Road, Falmouth, MA
Popular Old Silver Beach lies on the western shores of Falmouth and offers a spectacular view of Buzzards Bay.
We’ve gone to Goddard Park beach often – we’ve never had to pay any parking fees. Not sure if that has changed, but just a heads up.
I’m surprised you don’t have the Crane Beach on the list. It’s a beautiful place!
Sunset Beach Inc on Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury is a step back in time. A great place for birthday parties and family fun. They have a discount Teen Admission card.
Call 508 7539206 or visit on sunset beachma.com