You can stay right here in Connecticut to spend time in one of the best beach towns in America this summer.
Good Housekeeping has ranked the 46 best beach towns and they include Old Saybrook and the village of Niantic in East Lyme.
In choosing Old Saybook, Good Housekeeping wrote, “If it was good enough to be the town where Katharine Hepburn lived, it’s definitely worthy of our list.”
Old Saybrook is situated where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound and there are plenty of quaint shops and restaurants to visit.
It’s home to Old Saybrook Town Beach, Harvey’s Beach, Saybrook Point Park, White Sands Beach, Fort Saybrook and Monument Park.
Recreation beach parking passes are for residents and permanent renters only, but non-residents can get passes to Harvey's Beach for $10 a day during the week and $20 per day on weekends and holidays.
In addition to the shopping and dining, you can also pamper yourself at a place like Saybrook Point Marina.
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Niantic is the other Connecticut community to make the list and Good Housekeeping says it’s no less charming than the “tourist magnet” of Mystic and you will find a “lovely main street,” and no big-box stores.
Lobsterfest is a draw to Niantic in the summer and happens July 1 and 2.
Take a stroll on the Niantic Bay Boardwalk or walk the nature trails at Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve.
Of course, this list is about beaches, so you’ll want to take in McCook’s Point Park or Hole in the Wall Beach.
See the East Lyme town web site for more information on beach and parking passes.
Resident passes are $35 for residents, and $25 for an additional car. The pass for seniors is $15.
Passes are $100 for non-residents; or $25 to park daily, Monday through Friday; $30 to park on weekends; $10 a day to walk in; or $50 for a non-resident season walk pass.
You could also spend a day at Rocky Neck State Beach.
While you're in Niantic, stop by the Little Boston School House, which is one of the oldest wood-frame houses in Connecticut.
