Niantic is one of the easiest beach towns on the Connecticut shoreline. The beaches are close together, the water is generally calm, and you can walk to ice cream on Main Street afterward. Here is how locals choose.
Hole in the Wall Beach
A favorite with families, Hole in the Wall sits at the end of Niantic Bay, just a short walk from Main Street. You reach the sand through a pedestrian tunnel under the railroad tracks, which kids love. A jetty helps keep the swimming area calm, and there are restrooms and outdoor showers.
McCook Point Park
Right next door, McCook Point Park has a beach below and a grassy bluff above with a playground, a picnic pavilion and great views over the water. It is an easy spot to spend a whole afternoon.
The Niantic Bay Boardwalk
Not a beach, but a must. The Niantic Bay Boardwalk is a waterfront path of just over a mile that runs along the bay between Hole in the Wall Beach and Cini Park. Go early for a quiet walk or at sunset with an ice cream in hand.
Rocky Neck State Park
A few minutes west in East Lyme, Rocky Neck State Park has a long sandy beach on Long Island Sound, a boardwalk across the salt marsh, trails and picnic areas. It is a classic Connecticut family beach day.
Niantic & East Lyme homes
Beach homes and waterfront cottages close to the sand.
A little farther afield
- Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford: formal gardens and wide lawns that run down to the Sound. Better for picnics and kites than swimming.
- Ocean Beach Park in New London: a classic boardwalk beach with summer amenities, about 20 minutes away.
Hours, seasons, passes and event dates change from year to year, so check each venue’s website before you go. Questions about where to stay? Email str@pmisoutheastct.com or call 860-451-9101.