Summer is officially over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bundle up a bit, enjoy the ocean breeze, and dip your toes into the water if you’re particularly brave. Plus, the off-season means that there’s even more room to spread out and soak up the sun.
Crane Beach, Massachusetts
A picturesque beach on the North Shore of Massachusetts in Ipswich, Crane is the premier destination for locals during the summer season. In addition to a traditional stretch of sand, the beach is also a dune conservation area that’s home to the endangered piping plover bird.
Misquamicut Beach, Rhode Island
Misquamicut is certainly a tongue-twister, but with a half-mile of smooth sands, it’s the favorite of native Rhode Islanders and out-of-staters alike — especially given its close proximity to the Connecticut border. The facilities at the beach are fairly new, as the state invested more than a million dollars into a new bathing pavilion and parking area in 2000.
Hampton Beach State Park, New Hampshire
That’s right — while Hampton Beach itself can be a good time, huge crowds can make it tough to have an enjoyable experience. However, if you drive a few minutes further to the state park, you’ll find fewer crowds and still be able to stroll the bustling boardwalk. After all, it’s not truly a trip to Hampton unless you leave with an airbrushed t-shirt and the regret of eating too much fried dough.
Ogunquit Beach, Maine
Just a short drive up the road from Hampton, you’ll find the oasis of Ogunquit. Sure, the town has all of the classic beach town spots — seafood restaurants, cute boutiques, and cozy bed-and-breakfasts. The star of the show, though, is the beautiful beach. While it does get extremely busy in the summertime, that’s for a reason. Not only is there a ton of beachfront on which to sunbathe, walk, and build sandcastles, but you can rent boogie boards.
Popham Beach, Maine
This beach, located north of Portland in the town of Phippsburg, is known for its unique sandbars that are exposed during low tide. While erosion has unfortunately led to the deterioration of some areas of the beach, it’s still a beautiful place to visit. There are plenty of places to stay in the area, including cottages, a motel, and a campground.
