New England’s 16 best beaches for families - The Boston Globe (2024)

Crane, Good Harbor, Singing, Wingaersheek: Those are the iconic beaches that get a lot of love each year, and for good reason. They’re gorgeous, expansive, and relaxing — if you can get in, that is. Parking requires a strategy, crowds can be intimidating, and greenhead flies are downright painful. What about a few other, lesser-known sandy expanses? I asked beachgoers to reveal their family-friendly favorites, and 16 names floated to the top.

As always: Do your homework before setting out regarding high and low tides, parking regulations, and lifeguard hours.

Cahoon Hollow Beach, Wellfleet: This sandy stretch earns points thanks to The Beachcomber, a family-friendly restaurant right on the water with a large kids’ menu (and live music late into the night, if you have a baby sitter). Pay $30 to park on-site, hang at the beach, and get a voucher toward food and merch. 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 one thing.) Stop for ice cream at the nearby Kettle Cove Ice Cream and Shack on your way home. 109 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, www.maine.gov/dacf

Devereux Beach, Marblehead: Regulars appreciate clean facilities, picnic areas, and a friendly snack bar at this low-key hangout. The sand is a bit coarse, but the slides at the on-site playground are smooth. 99 Ocean Ave., Marblehead, www.marblehead.org/recreation-parks-department

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

Jenness State Beach, Rye, N.H.: Dramatic waves, and the Summer Sessions Surf Shop right across the street offering kids’ and grown-up lessons, make this a prime spot to people-watch. Well-maintained facilities and fairly easy street parking up the road 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 Blvd., Rye, N.H., www.nhstateparks.org

Lynch Park, Beverly: This one gets raves for ample parking, soothing surf, outdoor summertime concerts, and an on-site playground and splash pad. 55 Ober St., Beverly, www.bevrec.com/the-park

Mother’s Beach, Kennebunk, Maine: This is where you’ll find me with a trashy novel or a trashier podcast. There’s plenty of free, nonresident parking along the windy roads adjacent to the beach (pretend you own one of the estates nearby); as well as a playground, terrific waves, and plenty of tide pools for crabbing. Visit Bennett’s down the road for an enormous to-go sub — truly, one sandwich could feed three people — before you set up shop. 263 Beach Ave., Kennebunk, www.kennebunkmaine.us/308/Beaches

Nahant Beach Reservation, Nahant: Speedy access from the city makes this “a hidden treasure,” raves one beachgoer, despite the bold seagulls who enjoy swiping sandwiches. Savvy swimmers arrive by 9 a.m. for the easiest parking and leave by noon, before the crowds appear. “We’d go there several days each summer, leave around lunch, and stop at Alive and Kicking in Cambridge for lobster sandwiches” before going home to nap, advises another fan. Nahant Road, 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 be up to your neck and see your toes,” raves one regular). For maximum nostalgia, the Paragon Carousel is a short stroll away. 212 Nantasket Ave., Hull, www.mass.gov/locations/nantasket-beach-reservation

Old Silver Beach, Falmouth: OK, first things first: The parking lots fill up quickly and is often staffed by beleaguered teens, so arrive close to 9 a.m. or closer to 4 p.m. But once you’re there? Lots of warm tide pools to explore, clean facilities, and the on-site Burger Shack, with a vast menu of snacky classics. 296 Quaker Road, Falmouth, www.falmouthma.gov/151/Beach

Rexhame Beach, Marshfield: Go after 5 p.m. for $5 parking and a sunset scramble in the dunes, which fans compare to those in Truro (minus the traffic). 325 Standish St., Marshfield, www.marshfieldpolice.org/marshfield-beaches

Rock Harbor Beach, Orleans: Regulars appreciate the mellow vibe, drama-free parking (basically unheard of on the Cape) and mile-long, low-tide strolls. Bayview Drive, Orleans, www.town.orleans.ma.us/544/Natural-Resources

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury: Americana at its finest: big waves, soft sand, clean bathrooms, and easy on-street parking (especially if you arrive before 10 a.m. or so). Joe’s Playland is nostalgia central, 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, R.I.: This smallish, toddler-friendly beach has manageable waves, soft sand, on-street parking, and a concession stand. Plentiful boats and ferries floating past add to the atmosphere. Go early or late; it fills up fast. 254 Great Road, Narragansett, R.I., riparks.ri.gov/History-HistorySaltyBrine

Skaket Beach, Orleans: This bayside 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 frightening here, just affordable parking (including for RVs) and serene waves on Waikiki Beach. Bonus: It’s a Salem Trolley stop, if you’re in the mood for sightseeing. Salem Willows Arcade and Park is a 10-minute walk. 50 Winter Island Road, Salem, www.salemma.gov/winter-island-park

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