People visit the beaches in Connecticut all year round but most people visit during spring and the summertime for spring break, romantic weekend getaways, holidays, family vacations, business, extended stays, short breaks from work and more. Many people choose a beach in Connecticut for the perfect wedding or honeymoon destination.
If you’re traveling to Hartford during Memorial Day and Labor Day, then make sure you pay a visit to Harvey’s Beach. This is a great place to soak in the sand and surf. There are also playgrounds, so that the kids can still enjoy themselves, if they get bored of playing in the sand and surf. You can also rest easy about the kids playing in the water, as there are lifeguards on duty. However, there is an entrance fee to use the beach and lifeguards are only available during operating hours. If you are heading to Connecticut on a weekend, there are a number of other beautiful beaches you can check out. For instance, the Misquamicut State Beach stretches for about seven miles, and has clean water and white sand. This beach also has complete wheelchair access, as well as warning signals for the visually and aurally impaired.
To experience one of the area’s finest beaches, just
head over to Ocean Beach Park, which is also a boardwalk. This beach has a
special Splash Park for children under eight. Apart from that, there is an
Olympic-sized swimming pool and triple water slide as well as the natural
ocean, of course! If someone doesn’t feel like getting their feet wet, they
can always play some mini golf, hang out at the arcade, or work out at the
health club. There are also nature walks and an observation deck for those
who would like to soak in some natural beauty. If that isn’t enough, there
is also a restaurant and special entertainment during the evenings.
Boating, Camping And Other Pursuits:
For people who are keen to try a little boating, then there are a number of other beaches you can try. Watch Hill is one of the most popular spots for boating, as well as bird watching. Compared to some of the more developed beaches, this is considered to be much more tranquil. This is mainly due to the fact that there are no extra facilities or eating places on the beach itself. There are also beaches out there that have fishing facilities -- the Sherwood Island State Park and Calf Pasture Beach both have special fishing and swimming areas.
Some beaches also have camping sites available -- the Hammonasset State Park, for instance, has complete camping availability, as well as beach access for an extra fee. So the next time you feel like taking in some water fun and relaxation, but you don’t really feel like hitting the crowded beaches of California, make your way to Connecticut. There is a range of beaches to cater to different tastes, whether you want to sail, sit in the sun, fish, or swim!
List of Popular Beach Resorts
Mystic Seaport
Williams Beach Park - shoreline beach with pavilion, grills, playground but no lifeguard on duty. located off I-95 exit 90. For nearby lodging see Mystic Seaport hotels. For more detailed information see Mystic Seaport tourism and Mystic country.
New London
Ocean Beach park - boardwalk, water slides, playground, picnic areas, hiking trails, mini-golf and more.
For nearby lodging see New London hotels.
CT State Parks - Public Beach Access
State Parks in area not all are beaches.
Bluff Point Coastal Reserve off Rt. 1 on Depot Rd in Groton - camping, hiking trails, picnic areas
Dennis Hill on Rt. 272 near Norfolk
Fort Griswold Battlefield State park off I-95 exit 85 near Groton - Revolutionary War Fort - view of shoreline, picnic areas, hiking
Fort Trumbull off Rt. 213 near New London
Harkness Memorial State Park - located at 275 Great Neck Rd. Rt. 213 Waterford CT.- an old summer estate on the Long Island Sound, good beach to walk or fish but no swimming.
Haley Farm off Rt. 215 near Groton - hiking
Hammonassett State Park in Madison has a campground, old lighthouse and museum. For nearby lodging see Madison hotels.
Haystack Mountain on Rt. 272 in Norfolk - picnic areas, hiking
Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic off Rt. 156 - fishing, picnic areas, scuba diving, . For nearby lodging see Niantic hotels.
Sherwood Island State Park in Westport off I95 Exit 18 at Westport - Scuba diving, swimming, picnic areas, fishing. For nearby lodging see Westport hotels.
Silver Sands State Park in Milford off Rt 162 - picnic areas, swimming. For nearby lodging see Milford hotels.
West Rock Ridge off Rt. 10 near New Haven - boating, fishing, biking, hiking