The 16 Best Beaches in New England for Families

Crane, Good Harbor, Singing, Wingaersheek: those are the iconic beaches that get a lot of love every year, and for good reason. They are beautiful, vast and relaxing, at least if you can get into them. Parking requires a strategy, crowds can be intimidating and green-headed flies are downright painful. What about some other, lesser-known sandy areas? I asked beachgoers to share their family-friendly favorites, and sixteen names came to the top.

As always, do your homework before you head out regarding high tides, parking rules and lifeguard hours.

Cahoon Hollow Beach, Wellfleet: This stretch of sand earns points thanks to The Beachcomber, a family-friendly restaurant right on the water with an extensive kids’ menu (and live music late into the night if you have a sitter). Pay $30 to park on site, hang out on the beach and receive a voucher for food and merchandise. 1120 Cahoon Hollow Road, Wellfleet, www.wellfleet-ma.gov/beaches

Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth, Maine: Minimal crowds, lots of wildlife and tide pools, and easy parking. What’s not to love? (Hungry seagulls, for starters.) Stop for ice cream at nearby Kettle Cove Ice Cream and Shack on the way home. 109 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, www.maine.gov/dacf

Devereux Beach, Marblehead: Regulars appreciate clean facilities, picnic areas and a cozy snack bar in this quiet meeting place. The sand is a bit coarse, but the slides in the playground are smooth. 99 Ocean Avenue, Marblehead, www.marblehead.org/recreation-parks-department

Green Harbor Beach, Marshfield: Fans shout out the Green Harbor General Store within walking distance (grab a deli sandwich before hitting the beach) and Green Harbor Lobster Pound (stop for dinner afterwards), plus the option to walk all the way to Duxbury Beach if you want some steps in – or if you want to escape your children. Beach St., Marshfield, www.marshfieldpolice.org/marshfield-beaches

Jenness State Beach, Rye, NH: Dramatic waves and the Summer Sessions Surf Shop across the street, offering lessons for children and adults, make this an excellent spot for people watching. Well-maintained facilities and reasonably easy street parking ahead add to the allure. Pro tip: Drive a few minutes north on Ocean Boulevard for the best lobster roll of your life (served on a husky burger bun) at Petey’s Summertime Seafood before heading home. 2280 Ocean Boulevard, Rye, NH, www.nhstateparks.org

Lynch Park, Beverly: This one gets raves for its on-street parking, soothing surf, outdoor summer concerts and its own playground and splash pad. 55 Ober St., Beverly, www.bevrec.com/het-park

Mother’s Beach, Kennebunk, Maine: Here you will find me with a trashy novel or a trashy podcast. There is plenty of free parking for non-residents along the windy roads bordering the beach (pretend you own one of the estates nearby); as well as a playground, great waves and plenty of tide pools for crabbing. Visit Bennett’s down the street for a huge to-go sub — really, one sandwich could feed three people — before setting up shop. 263 Beach Ave., Kennebunk, www.kennebunkmaine.us/308/Beaches

Nahant Beach Reservation, Nahant: Quick access from the city makes this “a hidden gem,” says one beachgoer, despite the cheeky seagulls that like to swipe sandwiches. Savvy swimmers arrive at 9am for the easiest parking and leave by noon, before the crowds show up. “Every summer we would go there for several days, leaving around lunch and stopping at Alive and Kicking in Cambridge for lobster sandwiches” before heading home for a nap, another fan advises. Nahantweg, Nahant, https://www.mass.gov/locations/lynn-shore-nahant-beach-reservation

Nantasket Beach Reservation, Hull: Fans appreciate the mild surf and clear water (“you can sit up to your neck and see your toes,” someone regularly says). For maximum nostalgia, the Paragon Carousel is a short walk away. 212 Nantasket Ave., Hull, www.mass.gov/locations/nantasket-beach-reservation

Old Silver Beach, Falmouth: Okay, first things first: the parking lots fill up quickly and are often staffed by beleaguered teenagers, so arrive around 9 a.m. or closer to 4 p.m. But once you get there? Lots of warm tide pools to explore, clean facilities and the on-site Burger Shack, with an extensive menu of snack classics. 296 Quaker Road, Falmouth, www.falmouthma.gov/151/Beach

Rexhame Beach, Marshfield: Go after 5pm for $5 parking and a sunset on the dunes, which fans compare to those in Truro (without the traffic). 325 Standish Street, Marshfield, www.marshfieldpolice.org/marshfield-beaches

Rock Harbor Beach, Orleans: Regular customers appreciate the friendly atmosphere, the free parking (actually unheard of on the Cape) and the miles of walks at low tide. Bayview Drive, Orleans, www.town.orleans.ma.us/544/Natural-Resources

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury: Americana at its best: big waves, soft sand, clean bathrooms and easy street parking (especially if you arrive before 10am). Joe’s Playland focuses on nostalgia, with ice cream, an arcade, mountains of fried seafood and a new carousel. 15 Broadway, Salisbury, www.mass.gov/locations/salisbury-beach-state-reservation

Salty Brine State Beach, Narragansett, RI: This small, toddler-friendly beach has manageable waves, soft sand, off-street parking, and a concession stand. The plentiful boats and ferries passing by add to the atmosphere. Go sooner or later; it fills up quickly. 254 Great Road, Narragansett, RI, riparks.ri.gov/History-HistorySaltyBrine

Skaket Beach, Orleans: This bay beach has warm, shallow water and gentle waves (your humble correspondent learned to swim here); parents also appreciate clean facilities and outdoor showers. Skaket Beach Road, Orleans, www.town.orleans.ma.us/544/Natural-Resources

Winter Island, Salem: Nothing scary here, just affordable parking (also for RVs) and serene waves on Waikiki Beach. Bonus: It’s a Salem Trolley stop, if you’re up for some sightseeing. Willow Salems Arcade and Park is a 10-minute walk away. 50 Winter Island Road, Salem, www.salemma.gov/winter-island-park

Kara Baskin can be reached at [email protected]. follow her @kcbaskin.