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One of my favorite things about living in Connecticut is the beautiful shoreline. For some locals it has a bad rep because our beaches are not considered as pristine as those of New Jersey (like Cape May) or Rhode Island, but that is because Connecticut beaches line the Long Island Sound. The Long Island Sound is an estuary, a partly enclosed body of water where the tide meets the ocean current. This is an amazing natural wonder because it provides an incredible and protective environment for ocean life and acts as a sanctuary for birds. It also creates the perfect environment for humans to explore and children to swim, as the waves are kept calm by the estuary borders. These beaches are not “dirty,” they are natural, not manicured, and full of beautiful wildlife. In fact, there are over 56 beaches along the Connecticut shoreline!
It is not a rare occurrence to see horseshoe crabs, sand sharks, or large white clams. This summer we even had a great white shark visitor! Still, there are actually many hidden gems along the shoreline for soft white sandy beaches. Too many New Englanders write off Connecticut beaches without ever knowing just how many sandy white beaches there really are. There are boardwalks, steam trains, outdoor movies on the beach, and the United State’s oldest running trolley. You can find museums, ice cream stands, outdoor movies and dance parties on the beach, galleries, restaurants, and New England lobster shacks. I have compiled a list of every shoreline town, beach, and the best attractions along the shoreline and I am always on the lookout for more.
I have divided my list of shoreline towns into the four counties that line the shore. They are listed in order as you would drive through them coming from Stonington near the Rhode Island border all the way to Greenwich at the New York border. I have researched and covered every shoreline town and beach I could find to help you discover new places for your next summer adventure. It is a long post, but full of links and suggestions for the best beaches and activities along the Connecticut shoreline.
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New London County
Stonington and Stonington Borough Beautiful Stonington, you are a gem. This New England dream town has it all. You can rent a kayak at the Stonington Marina, kayak through Wequetuquock (meaning “water of many ducks”) cove, and sun bath on Dubois Beach. Southington’s downtown is referred to as “the Borough” and in the cute village you can find The Velvet Mill, an old factory building that now houses numerous shops, galleries, and the Beer “Nano” Brewery. Stop by Yali, a Turkish towel and linen shop in town, and have lunch or lodge at the Inn at Stonington. Visit the Captain Palmer House, the Old Lighthouse Museum, or stroll through one of their fine vineyards.
Stonington is home to some of Connecticut’s most beautiful vineyards: Saltwater Farm Vineyards, Stonington Vineyard, and Jonathan Edwards Winery. They also double as incredible wedding venues. You can see my first impressions of Stonington on my blog with this link.
Mystic Mystic is one of my favorite Connecticut shoreline towns. In the summer high season it is a hopping place. Mystic is wonderful for families because it has an amazing Aquarium, the Old Mystic Seaport, and Old Mystic Village. The main village is built around the water and the bridge is lifted often for passing boats. Downtown is a romantic getaway for couples as well as families. If you’re in the area you cannot miss the Mystic Aquarium.
If you’re a foodie, you will be very happy with the selection. My favorites include Mystic Pizza, The Engine Room, SP Oyster Co., and Treehouse Oysters (where you can get $1 oysters during happy hour).
Downtown Mystic has wonderful shops and boutiques including Bank Square Books, The Mystic Spice & Tea Exchange, and Drawbridge Ice Cream. It is a favorite place of mine for kayaking or paddle boarding and you can also stop by the little beach at Williams Beach Park.
Noank Noank is known as a little subtown of Mystic and located directly next to Groton. It is a tiny place, but there are numerous places to find a good seafood dish. From Noank you can easily get to Mason’s Island or Sixpenny Island, both of which are small residential islands along the sound.
Groton Groton is best known for building the United States military submarines. The area is blocked from public access, however, you can visit the Submarine Force Museum. Groton typically is not a big destination for locals, yet you may find some hidden gems in the town such as The Branford House at Avery Point Lighthouse and , Esker Point Beach, and Eastern Point Beach.
New London I always knew New London for it’s high speed ferry boat to Block Island. This seaside city was not a destination for me in the past, but that is quickly changing. I have been amazed by how much art overflows the city. The street art here is amazing, especially the “whaling wall.” You can see more street art at the Hygienic Art Park & Gallery. The Lyman Allyn Art Musuem is a true Connecticut treasure.
Visit the historic Nathan Hale school house, New London Ledge Lighthouse, Fort Trumbull State Park, and soak up adventure at Ocean Beach Park where you can also find a public pool right on the beach! I had no idea that New London had so much to offer!
Waterford This quiet town is very special to me now because we were just married there June of last year at Harkness Memorial State Park. This amazing state park features beautiful gardens, a stunning beach, and Eolia Mansion. The beach here is not a great swimming location because of the many rocks, but wonderful for lounging on a lovely day. You can find Waterford Beach Park very close by. Visitors may also enjoy fishing with the sunbeam fleet or catching a car race at the Waterford Speedbowl.
East Lyme and Old Lyme (Niantic) This fun shoreline town is a true experience. I love East Lyme for Rocky Neck State Park (and beaches), and it’s creative little subtown, Old Lyme (Niantic). My favorite beach in Niantic is Hole In The Wall Beach. The name makes me laugh, but the views are lovely, there is a gorgeous park overlooking the water, a wooden boardwalk lines the beach, and you can also watch the train go by. You will often find me at this park with a book in hand from the local Book Barn.
Old Lyme is a part of East Lyme and it is an incredible town to visit. Old Lyme boasts the Florence Griswold Musuem, the Connecticut Impressionist art trail, Soundview Brewing Co., and Goose Island.
Get your fill of beaches at Goose Island, Ferry Landing Park, Hole-in-the-wall Beach, the Niantic Bay Boardwalk, and McCook Point Park Beach. You will love the selection of pizza places, ice cream stands, and seafood restaurants. My personal favorite is Gumdrops & Lollipops, a cute fudge shop and ice cream place turned 1950s diner. I call this my happy place. The Main Street Grille is the place to find an amazing lobster roll. You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard at Black Hall Outfitters.
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Middlesex County
Old Saybrook This small town is known for it’s antique shops. However, you can stroll by Lynde Point Lighthouse, visit the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center or spend the day at Harvey’s Beach. The Old Saybrook Inn and Spa is a beautiful hotel right on the water. It is placed right between the North Cove and South Cove where you can watch boats go past the marina as you have a nice dinner or play mini golf next door.
Essex Essex is not known as a Connecticut shoreline town because it is technically one town away from the shore. I had to put it on the list because the Connecticut River flows through this lovely little town and empties into the sound and it is a short drive to get to the shoreline. Essex is where you can find the Essex Steam Train (used in movies like the latest Indiana Jones) and Riverboat tours, the Connecticut river museum, and a town full of creative places to shop and eat.
Stop by the Glass Basket Christmas Barn for unique gifts, take a gander in the Cooper & Smith art gallery, and have a meal at the Black Seal Bar. If you love yoga on the beach consider going out with Fitness On The water.
During the War of 1812, the British infiltrated Essex and burned most of the fleet. It was the largest maritime loss of the War. Every year that moment in history is remembered with “Burning of the Ships Day,” which is commemorated with a parade and military reenactments every May.
Westbrook Westbrook has two beaches: West Beach and Middle Beach. Here you will find the Westbrook Outlets, the McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, the Seaview Bistro, and Joyride Charters, LLC. Consider taking a tour on a chartered boat.
Clinton Clinton is a cute shoreline town. The entire town is vibrant with Connecticut charm from the Adam Stanton House & General Store, the Henry Charter Hull Library, and the Clinton Art Gallery.
You can find the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets in this little town and numerous places to discover along the water. Rent a paddle board with Paddleworks CT, and have an outdoor lunch at Cedar Island Marina or Indian River Marina. Spend an afternoon at the Clinton Town Beach and before you go home, sample a glass of wine at Chamard Vineyards. This is also the ideal town for seafood and lobster rolls as there are several great seafood shacks and restaurants nearby like the popular Lobster Landing.
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New Haven County
Madison Hammonasset Beach State Park has put Madison on the map. This amazing park has three beaches with beautiful white sand and a bird sanctuary for my bird lovers out there. There is also plenty of camping space near the beach. On the way into town stop by the Blue Highway Cafe in Higganum for lunch and don’t forget to explore the numerous shops in town. RJ Julia Booksellers is a personal favorite of mine and it is “a great place to meet books.” The town has numerous restaurants, cute fairs on the town green, an ice cream shop, the Audubon Shop, and another beach called East Wharf Beach. The Madison Beach Hotel is not only a stunning luxury hotel, but also the best place to watch the 4th of July Fireworks over the water.
On our last visit we had lunch at The Clam Castle and stopped at The Fish Tail for ice cream at Lenny & Joe’s Ice Cream. To the right of The Fish Tail they have a small “magical carousal” and all the proceeds go to local charities. So far they have raised over a million dollars for charities by giving children rides!
Guilford If you’re from out of state you may have heard of Guilford because of Nick Frandiani from American Idol. Guilford has one of my favorite Connecticut town squares. The center of town is a lovely green space where concerts and activities take place throughout the year including Shakespeare on the Shoreline. There is a small local book shop, an ice cream parlor, and plenty of great places to pick up lunch on your way to Jacob’s Beach. Jacob’s Beach is a beautiful public beach which has been called one of Connecticut’s best kept secrets.
Branford (and the Thimble Islands) Branford CT has a large collection of small beaches including Stony Creek Beach (The best in town for swimming), Branford Point (also known as Parker Point), Hotchkiss Grove Beach (Private), Limewood Beach, Short Beach, Front Beach, and Sunset Beach. The Thimble Islands are a series of 100-365 (depending on the tide) small islands and larger rocks that dot the shoreline near Branford. Some have private homes while others are left vacant. This is a great spot for water cruises and sailing tours. Last summer I sailed from Branford to Charles Island. The Thimble Islands is also rumored to be the resting place of Pirate Captain Kidd’s buried treasure. Captain Kidd frequented the area, but his treasure has never been found. How is that for a local legend?
East Haven The East Haven Town Beach is a lovely little public beach that has a playground for kids and covered gazebos for large outdoor picnics. Between East Haven, New Haven, and West Haven there are many great beaches to choose from.
New Haven Lighthouse Point Park is without a doubt one of the most popular beaches in the summertime and for good reason. This large park has a lovely lighthouse and a carousel that is open for rides in the summer months. Dover Beach Park is not known for its swimming, but it does have a great playground for kids with a waterfront view. While you’re in the area you can drive into New Haven and enjoy some thin crust New Haven styled pizza as well as take a walk through the picturesque Yale Campus.
West Haven Oak street beach is a great beach for lounging and swimming. There is also a pier that goes the length of the beach that is open for strolls all year long.
Milford Silver Sands State Park was my family’s beach of choice when I was a kid. This beach has changed so much over the past twenty years or so. It used to be a very natural beach and I remember seeing large horseshoe crabs everywhere. Sadly, human activity had really damaged the area for wildlife. A new pier was been build which helps protect the dunes so I’m hoping one day soon we will be seeing the large and peaceful crabs again. Walnut Beach is another beach that is great for swimming, although a little smaller than Silver Sands. Walnut Beach Creamery is the place to go when you’re in the area.
Milford is also where you will find great seafood restaurants like The Lazy Lobster and the Milford Oyster festival, also known as “oyster fest.” A walk through town is the perfect afternoon destination, especially if you’re looking for a great restaurant to eat at like Archie Moore’s and Eli’s Tavern. You will find some great outdoor dining destinations in Milford.
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Fairfield County
Stratford Long Beach Park is a really great beach (and it lives up to its name). Although it does not have facilities on site, it is very popular during the summer months. Short Beach Park has more activities for the family. Besides a beach there are playgrounds and trails for walking.
Bridgeport Bridgeport is not known as a Connecticut travel destination, but during bright summer months you should really give Seaside Park a chance. This lovely park is located a short walk away from the private University of Bridgeport. There are fields for playing, a Long Beach for relaxing and swimming, a beautiful lighthouse, and waterfront trails that are wonderful for bike rides. Many locals claim this to be their favorite spot in Bridgeport. Pleasure Beach is another great beach complete with a boardwalk and water taxis that take you from the beach to a local pier. Seabright Beach on Black Rock Harbor is a quiet tiny little beach that offers peaceful sunbathing and a great place to kayak. However, to park on the street you will need a City of Bridgeport sticker. While you are in town, check out the Barnum Museum and learn about the Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Fairfield Jennings Beach is the largest of Fairfield’s beaches with 27 acres of seaside to explore. It is also free and open to the public. Sasco Beach has been hailed as the most beautiful beach in Fairfield county and the Connecticut shoreline. It is the a small beach that has less visitors than the other Fairfield Beaches with limited parking during the high season. Penfield Beach is another small local beach that has lovely views for walking and is less crowded than other beaches in the area. Southport Beach is also free to the public except for Memorial Day and Labor Day (like most of Fairfield’s beaches) when you will need a town sticker to park. South Pine Creek Beach is the smallest of Fairfield’s beaches, but there are bathroom facilities at the beach.
Westport A popular shopping destination, Westport also has plenty of great places to eat and activities to do around the shore. Compo Beach has it all; it is handicap accessible, great for swimming, has a boardwalk, and multiple volleyball courts that are open to the public, a skate park, basketball courts, and a baseball field, however it does come with a hefty parking fee per car from May through September ($40 on weekdays and $65 on weekends) and only 100 vehicles are allowed per day. Other beaches with less cost include Burying Hill Beach and Old Mill Beach. You can read all about Westport’s beaches here. Sherwood Island State Park also has a beautiful beach and a 9-11 Memorial. Cockenoe Island is a rare fiend here in Connecticut. This quiet little island is great to sail or boat to. Grass-root efforts saved it from being a nuclear power plant located many years ago and conservation efforts have brought it a long way.
The Levitt Pavilion For The Performing Arts is located in downtown Westport. Close to the water near great shopping and restaurants, the pavilion offers concerts and performances all summer long.
Norwalk Calf Pasture Beach beats its name from the early settlers in the 17th century where they would let their livestock roam and graze. It is also a site where soldiers camped during the Revolutionary War in 1779. Today it is a beautiful public beach with a fishing pier. Shady Beach Park is another lovely beach with a shady picnic area and a playground. The Norwalk Beach Pier runs along the shoreline and is a great place for biking and fishing. Norwalk itself is a lovely adventure and you should take a day to explore. For families, I highly recommend the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium.
Rowayton The small town of Rowayton has the picturesque Bayley Beach is great for outdoor sports including volleyball, basketball, and Tennis. It is a very adorable town full of sea food places, which is actually a part of Norwalk.
Darien I love the adorable shops and places to eat in downtown Darien. Weed Beach has 22 acres of beach and park for Tennis, Volleyball, and picnicking. There is also a wind surfing area. The small and lovely Pear Tree Point Beach is a great beach for viewing boats as they pass through the Sound.
Stamford West Beach in Stamford is simply cute year round. There is a large playground right on the sound and the beach borders a park with cherry blossom trees that bloom in Spring. Cummings Park has 79 acres of shoreline park to explore. There are parking fees, but you can easily spend an entire weekend exploring the park from the beaches to the recreational sports area. There are tennis courts, a basketball court, and four baseball fields. A great park for the entire family to enjoy on a nice day. Cove Island is a real little island in Stamford that is great for camping and biking too. I love Connecticut’s little islands. This one might just become your next favorite for your day trips.
If you’re looking for a great modern city with a waterfront hang out you must visit Harbor Point. This great spot boasts a couple nice parks, a boardwalk, a fake beach on the boardwalk, and wonderful places to shop and eat.
Greenwich To access Greenwich Point Beach, you need a seasonal pass from May through September like all of the beaches in Greenwich, which is one of the reasons why this town is one of my least favorite for beaches along the Connecticut shoreline. You may purchase a Greenwich Park Pass if you’re looking to enjoy the parks and their exclusivity for $7 per visitor or $25 per vehicle. However, there are great restaurants, museums, and high end shops in town for a lovely day trip. It is not the most picturesque shoreline town in Connecticut and it happens to be one of the busiest towns on this list, but it does has a wide selection of things to do. Hawthorne Beach, Byrum Beach (which also has a public pool) and Island Beach are also covered with the Greenwich pass. Great Captain Island can be reached via ferry boat from June to September. There you will find beaches, hiking trails, and a light house.
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Share this post with your friends who love the beach. If I am missing an important Connecticut Shoreline place or activity, please tell me about it in the comments below.
