Photo courtesy of City of Groton. Up the Mystic River on the Stonington side is the largest maritime museum in the country, dropping you into a working 19th-century seafaring village. Coastline Surf & Paddle at Don't Dock Marina in Stonington Borough provides paddleboard rentals and tours around quiet Stonington Harbor, Lambert's Cove and Quanaduck Cove, as well as lessons if you need to learn the basics. At low tide, a seemingly endless stretch of sand expands to water's edge offering families plenty of space to build sandcastles, comb for shells, and hunt for seaglass alongside theLong Island Sound. The best time to visit Williams Beach Good weather and less crowd: June, July, August, September are the best months to visit Williams Beach and other beaches in Stonington, because that's when the temperatures are warm and there's probably less crowd (not guaranteed). There are plentyof rocks for climbing and your kiddos will love splashing in the shallow waters and hunting for small treasures on this quiet hidden beach on the eastern most edge of the state. Ocean Beach's large, smooth beach provides direct access to Long Island Sound, views of lighthouses, and nature trails. Sandy beaches, boardwalks, seashells, and shore birds dominate the attraction to Silver Sands' beaches in Milford. The Stonington Village Farmers Market sets up here on Saturday mornings from the end of May to the end of October, and then moves under cover for the rest of the year. Make sure you check outRipka'sfor fresh seafood, cold drinks, and deliciousburgers. 17 Connecticut Area Beaches That Are Great for Families - Mommy Poppins Originally published June 4, 2014. Come out for a meal on a summer evening and the sunset over the harbour from Stonington Point may leave you lost for words. North America > USA > Connecticut > Stonington (18), Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. (547) Website. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The sheltered, calm waters at Silver Sands make this seaside park a great spot for families, and for treasure hunters. Icons by Fontawesome. Route 136 - Darien to Westport See what all the raves are about when you visit this sandy beach with gazebo, dock, jetties, 257 Atlantic Avenue What would any list of Connecticut beaches be without including the Granddaddy of them all? There are more than 60 historic buildings at the museum, transported here from across New England and lovingly restored. Budding naturalists will also enjoy the small salt marsh, intertidal mudflats, and prime spots to view water birds. You can read all about it: Not only did the Boston Globe call DuBois Beach in Stonington Borough one of the top 20 best beaches to visit in New England, but Southern Living magazine just recently listed it as one of the Best Secret Beaches in the USA. Youll want to see for yourself what the raves are about when it comes to this sandy beach with gentle surf and shallows for the little ones to splash around in. The first thing youll notice is how light the surf is, just right for children, but theres also a view to bask in, out to Fishers Island in Long Island Sound and across Stonington Harbor to Wamphassuc Point. The Best 10 Beaches near Stonington, CT 06379 - Yelp Updated June 2023. West Haven Clinton, CT East Lyme Stratford Fairfield Bridgeport Norwalk Old Saybrook Waterford, CT Belongs on List? Day passes are $10 per person. Hammonassetoffers a mile-longpristine beach, fishing, camping, concessions, full amenities, and much more. Lets explore the best things to do in and around Stonington: The old core of Stonington is an archetypal New England maritime settlement, but with the extra advantage of almost no road traffic. Enjoyed this guide? The Stonington Historical Society is based inside and displays portraits, navigating equipment, period furniture and other pieces relating to Stoningtons compelling past. A pebbly seashell laden beach stretches out to the right ready for you. Rain and thunderstorms dampened Fourth of July plans across the state for many in the beginning of the week. It's that time of year for the beloved North Stonington Agricultural Fair! Do not miss the opportunity to have lunch, dinner, or both at Paul's Pasta. 244 West Main Street (Route 156) East Lyme, CT, 06357 Phone: 860-739-5471. In addition to the beach at Calf Pasture, visitorscan enjoy a skate park, playgrounds, splash pad, and beach volleyball. These are combined with arts and crafts studios, design shops, antiques dealers, a bike restorer and a whole line-up of alternative health practitioners. Maybe once in a lifetime you'll unearth rare ruby red. Huddled onto a narrow peninsula, and still home to a small commercial fishing fleet, Stonington Borough will win your heart with its clapboard houses, local shops, old lighthouse and a museum at the Victorian home of explorer Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer. Jacobs Lane, Jacobs Ln, Guilford, CT 06437, USA. Children 18 and under access the beach for free. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins. Owned by the Stonington Village Improvement Association and managed by the Stonington Community Center, duBois has long been a darling of the beach-erati for years. Old Lyme, CT 17 on their Top 20 list. The best time to visit DuBois Beach. This beach is just over the border in Rhode Island, and it's worth the trip from anywhere in CT.MisquamicutState Beach sits directly on the Atlantic Ocean, so the waves are often largeand powerful. Best 30 Beaches in North Stonington, CT with Reviews , Inc.manufactured velvets at this grand brick-built factory from the late 19th century until a few decades ago. A daily fee of $10 applies for non-residents. Don't forget to check out their drive-in movies too! Theres also a nature store, open seven days a week and selling birding guides for the region, as well as feeders, nest boxes, hand-crafted jewellery and local specialty foods like hickory maple syrup. Hammonasset State Park Madison Visit the Old Lighthouse Museum and learn about the maritime and agricultural history of Stonington, enjoy a picnic on the family-friendly Dubois Beach and stroll around the Stonington Farmers Market. It had a whaling career that spanned 80 years (up to 1941) and set sail 37 times, each voyage lasting for up to three years. A well-kept summer secret (not anymore! Phone: 860-395-3152, Open Memorial Day - Labor Day; parking fee, 244 West Main Street (Route 156) Season passes are available for individual adults and families. When you book a hotel or tour that we link to, we may earn a commission. slack12/Flickr. Beachfront is 100 yards long and includes a concession stand, playground, changing rooms, bathrooms, shower tower. duBois is the only contestant from Connecticut, and one of only three primo secret beaches to be found in New England. The crowds tend to be small, and so are the waves. Fireworks are displayed at Binney Park. Connecticut's oldest state park is known for its fantastic nature center with some wonderful (and free!) Its a monument that rewards a closer look, as all of the moving parts are on the outside. 21. Parkingis free and day passes are available. Just a bit down the road from the hustle and bustle of Rocky Neck, McCook Point Beach is a local favorite of East Lyme area families. Theres a shaded gazebo, anchored dock and jetties for crabbing as well as grand views of the harbor, the sound and Little Narragansett Bay. Improve this listing All photos (70) Top ways to experience nearby attractions FLESH at Mystic Dark Room 33 Recommended Theater Shows from $112.00 per adult DuBois Beach is a safe and small sandy beach in Stonington. At low tide, the sand never seems to end. Sandy Point Beach and Bird Sanctuary - West Haven Ranked as one of the best beaches in New England, Sandy Point Beach is a sanctuary in West Haven known for rare shorebirds, fishing, and trails. Keep a discerning eye for small glimmering slivers of beach glass alongthe rocky shoreline. 53 reviews #4 of 15 things to do in Stonington Beaches Visit website Write a review About Suggested duration More than 3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. Connecticut: An LGBTQ+ Summer Destination. With a gentle surf, a shaded gazebo, an anchored dock and jetties for crabbing, it's easy to understand how duBois Beach made Boston Globe's top 20 best beaches to visit in New England.It's located at the southernmost tip of Water Street at Stonington Point, where you'll enjoy a magnificent view of Stonington Harbor, Fisher's Island Sound and Little Narragansett Bay. There's a large playgroundin addition to the small but lovely little beach. programming. Keep watch, as McCookis known for seal sightings off in the distance. duBois Beach Stonington 12 Summer Experiences You Just Can't Have in the City, Connecticut Summer at the Museum 2023 - Free Admission for Kids, Outdoor Summer Concert Series & Festivals 2023, Stories > Over a half mile of shoreline and three quarters of a mile of all-weather boardwalk make this a popular four-season waterfront destination. With a mile of pristine white sand beaches, equipped with full amenities from concessions to bathrooms, Hammonasset is a widely popular summer destination in Connecticut. Parking is also free of charge in the public lot adjacent to the beach. Everyone knows that busy I-95 and U.S. Route 1 follow the Connecticut shoreline from Greenwich east out to Stonington, but there are a lot of lesser-known routes that'll give you the flavor of the coast and sometimes take you right down to the water. 4. The museum even has its own working shipyard, restoring a fleet of historic vessels using time-honored techniques. You can go below deck to see how the crew of 35 lived and worked during these long expeditions, and it all helps to bring the Mystic Seaports Whaling exhibit to life. Adventure Mystic also offers guided paddles throughout the summer, as well as SUP yoga and SUP fitness sessions. This 27-acre beach, the largest in Fairfield, offers great views of Long Island Sound, concessions, andbathroom facilities. Mommy Poppins is a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, luxury bedding, and free long-distance calls. The Stonington Historical Society saved his house, a blend of Greek Revival and Italianate, from demolition in the 1990s and opened it up as a museum. 50 well-appointed guest rooms, suites, villas. This granite-built lighthouse at the tip of Stonington Point was only in service for 50 years between 1840 and 1889. Part of Connecticut's state park system, Rocky Neckoffers something for everyone:awide sandy beach, trail system for hiking, and astone jetty for fishing blackfish or flounder. There are picnic areas, bathrooms, showers, and food concessions - making it easy to spend a day here enjoying the summer breeze. This small, family-friendly beachat the mouth of the Thames River is adjacentto the UCONN Avery Point campus. Phone: 401-596-9097, Ocean beach operated by the State of Rhode Island, but close to SE Connecticut; parking fees charged. We have. Mystic River Park, to the south on the east bank has a satisfying view of the bridge from its boardwalk. For fresh, local lobster, take a quick trip into the village of Noank to Abbott's Lobster in the Rough. This property was acquired and/or developed with the assistance of theLand and Water Conservation Fund. Connecticut's oldest state park has a fantastic nature center that features wonderful (and free!) There are restrooms, walkways,and picnic areas. The winery is open for tastings from 11:00 to 16:30, with extended hours in summer on Fridays for an outdoor concert series in July and August. June, July, August, September are the best months to visit Williams Beach and other beaches in Stonington, because that's when the temperatures are warm and there's probably less crowd (not guaranteed). TheMeigs Point Nature Centerhas interesting exhibits on display when it's open. A Stonington establishment was included on a list of the 100 best outdoor dining experiences in the U.S. Chris Rhatigan , Patch Staff Posted Wed, Jul 5, 2023 at 9:01 am ET While this beach is heavily trafficked, you'll have the best opportunity to find washed up sea glass off of Meig's Point at the end of the park. 12 Best Beaches in Connecticut | U.S. News Travel End of Hartford and Swan avenues Connecticuts filled with cool arts and culture events and many are putting their own twist, #summary-spanish { display: none; } Highest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews. The sand is smooth and sugary, and there's a lot of it: seven miles, to be exact. Take a drive through town after the beach and hit Friends & Company for a fabulous, family-friendly dining experience. Exploring Stonington youll be dying to see the inside one of the old properties, and you can do this at the Capt. THE BEST Stonington Beaches (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor As well as hosting a nature pre-school and educational programs for people of all ages, the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center has a natural history museum with interactive displays detailing the woodland, wetland and meadow habitats of South-eastern Connecticut. In the town of Stonington youll need to divide your time between two old maritime settlements, both charming and brimming with history. Ground smooth by the ocean and transformed from transparent to translucent by the sand, thesetiny bits of sea glass are found scattered (scarcely) on the beaches throughout the state. Dubois Beach 5 Surfing Beaches "Excellent little beach. Don't forget to take the beach toys to Connecticut's beaches! When we wrote this list in autumn 2019 there was a display of J.M.W. The editors ranked duBois No. Old Lighthouse Museum, Stonington, CT Old Saybrook, CT Ocean Beach Park boasts a wide, sandy beach. Hammonasset Beach State Park #1 in Best Beaches in Connecticut. Drove an hour to this beach only." more 4. TM 1996-2023 Mystic Media, Inc. & Visit New England. Descriptions of CT beaches. It's easy to spend a day here enjoying the summer breeze while looking for seashells. Rocky Neck State Park. Come see what Connecticut area beaches have to offer. Orhead a bit further down the road to Captain Scott's Lobster Dockfor some of the freshest seafood around. 6 North Shore Way, Stonington. Drove an hour to this beach only." more 2. On your way youll pick up interesting details about domestic life for the Palmers, as well as their involvement in shipbuilding and international trade. Williams Beach - 2023 Guide | Best beaches to visit in Stonington All rights reserved. Whether you're coming to swim, boat, or just watch a sunset, there's no denying the appeal of this little-known beach in Connecticut. Parking is free and tickets are $12 for ages 10+. Connecticut area beaches are the place to be when summer rolls around! After the company moved out a community of small businesses set up shop in this evocative space. Dubois Beach photo courtesy of the Stonington Community Center. There are 2 dog friendly beaches within 20 miles of North Stonington. If ever there were a fitting location for a farmers market its the town dock in Stonington Borough. Certainly, duBois Beach more than qualifies. The Inn at Stonington. Lenny and Joe's Fishtale is a local favorite. For more summer fun ideas,be sure to browse ourCT Summer Fun Guideor peruse our list of 21 Best Family Beach Vacations for Summer Travel. ), Jacobs Beach offers a peaceful retreat from more popular and crowded beaches. Watch Hill Merry Go Round & Beach 25 Beaches Carousels Best Gas Prices; State Guides; Advertise With Us; Login; Register; iExit Home; Choose State; Connecticut; . Available immediately. Just a bit down the road from the hustle and bustle of Rocky Neck, McCook Point Beach is a local favorite of East Lyme-area families. Outside take a look at the octagonal tower, and its decorative cornices above the doorway and below the lantern. Tucked away off Route 154 in Old Saybrook, Harvey's Beach offers families a ton of space to comb for shells, build sandcastles, and wade in the cool waters of Long Island Sound. With full amenitiesand handicap accessibility, plus a slew of other attractions up and down Atlantic Avenue, this beach gets full fast during peak season. Coastline Surf & Paddle at Dont Dock Marina in Stonington Borough provides paddleboard rentals and tours around quiet Stonington Harbor, Lamberts Cove and Quanaduck Cove, as well as lessons if you need to learn the basics. Finders Keepers: Hunting for Seaglass along the Connecticut Shoreline But 130 years after it was decommissioned the building looks as it did in its heyday, as a perfect example of a mid-19th-century beacon. The staff will be happy to give you advice on tides and some of the sights you can check out. Our travel recommendations are based on our personal experiences and research, written by locals and travel experts with deep familiarity with the destination. Silver Sands State Park Milford Misquamicut Beach 98 Beaches FOLLOW US FOR ACTIVITY PICKS, DEALS, AND GIVEAWAYS. From Business: The Breezeway Resort is your peaceful oasis located just steps from Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, Rhode Island. This beach is also known as Williams Beach Park. Here's our roundup of the best beachesto hunt for these precious pieces of treasure washed ashore. Seven miles of sandy, white beach, clean, clear, water with moderate surf little undertow. Hiding in the countryside are vineyards like Saltwater Farm, which has been planted on a WWII-era airfield. After your time at the beach, make sure to stop at Cups n' Cones in Old Greenwich. Available immediately. It seems that JavaScript is not working in your browser. In addition to the beach,Napatreeprovides year-round habitats for a variety of species of birds and other wildlife. Original owner. Board, paddle and lifevest are all included in the price. As for the wines, these are small production, estate-based varietals like Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Ros, as well as a Cabernet Franc-Merlot blend. View Details for 3799899. Does that mean the secret's out? A white, sandy ocean beach is waiting at this popular park on Long Island Sound. Enjoy 25-acres of sandy shoreline and watch or join kayakersfloating by. 15. Located in beautiful and quaint Stonington, Dubois Beachis operated by the COMO in Southington. Directions Advertisement Stonington Map The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. Board, paddle and lifevest are all included in the price. Stonington; Pawcatuck Pawcatuck, Connecticut EXIT 93 . Parking is free. You can check out live animals too, at terrariums and aviaries for rescued birds of prey, reptiles and amphibians. Ranked as one of the best beaches in New England, Sandy Point Beach is asanctuary in West Haven known for rare shorebirds, fishing, and trails. On the bluff, where the McCook summer home once stood, is a green lawn shaded by copper beeches, perfect for picnics. The sandbar (also known as a tombolo) between Silver Sands State Park and Charles Island overwashes twice daily with tidal flooding, which produces dangerous currents and undertow. more. So, pack the sand toys, sunblock, and snacks (or just keep it simple) and enjoy a day of fun in the sun. Season passes are. Stonington Vineyards is open seven days a week, year round, and conducts tours every day at 14:00. Fireworks around the state look to continue past the Fourth of July holiday this week due to recent bouts of inclement weather.. Great Drives Along the Connecticut Coast. No one should walk on any portion of the tombolo when it is covered with water. Managed by the town of Old Saybrook. Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to get the latest ideas, deals, and getaways. Hotels near Captain Nathaniel B. 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Below is a swimming area sheltered on the east by a stone jetty that helps to harbor treasures. font-family: ando, New Havenwas named one of TheNew York Times' best cities to visit in 2023. There are picnic areas, bathrooms, showers, and food concession. Here are several recommendations to get you started. But if you ask mykids--it's all treasure no matter what color or size. Theres no better time to see what this, Mystic was ranked #4 in USA Todays 10 Best Summer Places to Visit in the US. A white, sandy ocean beach is waiting at this popular park on Long Island Sound. The tasting room is open seven days, April to December (reservations are needed on Saturdays), and provides cheese, crackers and a program of live music. 1. Coming from out of town? Secret beaches are those where agoraphobic dune striders can find an uncrowded stretch of smooth sand and bask in "the magnificent seaside isolation of it all.". more. For current water quality alerts for this park, please visitwww.ct.gov/deep/beachstatus. During the summer, the beach hosts many public entertainments, including a pancake breakfast, bird watching, movies under the stars, a road race, live music and a Fourth of July parade. Begin by taking Exit 66 off I-95, then Route 1 north a short way before finding 154. Your best best is to hit the beach in the morning, but be sure tohead to Harvey's around low tide for maximum beach frontage. Sandy beaches, boardwalks, seashells, and shore birds dominate the attraction to Silver Sands' beaches in Milford. Open to Connecticut residents and non-residents. Connecticut - Beaches. The star of the fleet is the whaleboat, Charles W.Morgan, which well cover next. Hotels near Stonington Vineyards Hotels near Stonington Lighthouse Museum Hotels near Dubois Beach Hotels near Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House Hotels near Barn Island Wildlife Management Area Hotels near Capizzano Olive Oils & Vinegars Hotels near The Velvet Underground Studio Hotels near Studio 83 - Nautical by Nature at The Velvet Mill, Stonington, CT