A playground near the beach with grass areas and trees, I mean what more could a kid ask for! There…read moreare multiple play areas for varying age groups. The park is in good condition, all new rubber mats along the bottom and trees surround the park so it's a beautiful spot to picnic that overlooks the water. During fall months there was no fee, I'm sure the summer it is packed here due to the beach. But if you have kids this is a fantastic place to spend a a few hours.

Fantastic beach! It's not huge, but it's still a decent size. Brought my 4 yr old here on a Sunday…read moreand had a great time! We arrived about 10:30 and there was plenty of space. The nice guy in parking told us it was $30 to park for nonresidents (assume that's both parking and pass, though not sure), but free parking was available a short distance up the road and entry fee would be just $10. We went with that even though it meant I would be carrying everything to the beach. The parking was really not far... maybe one wide city block. It's literally across the playground (which you can't cut to since it's part of the park and fenced in). Then you go down the hill which is all sidewalk (good when you have kiddos), and down to the paid parking and beach. Once you arrive to the parking, you go to the restroom building on the left and there's a sign that says "passes" on the right side. Go there to pay the $10 pass. There were some rules I wasn't aware of, so some tips: umbrellas need to be behind the cones. I believe the life guard said it was to keep the incoming tide from washing it out? The tide did come up a little during the day we were there. Also, no boogie boards allowed anywhere at the beaches with life guards. What I didn't know, was it was allowed at the private beach strip between the two public beaches. There are houses overlooking the private beach area, but everyone seems to use it or at least walk it to get from one public beach to the other. I'm sure if someone really didn't want you hanging out there, they'd tell you, but we seemed to be allowed. We also were just 2 people and not a party hanging out, so that probably helps. The water was warmish in the shallow waves but cooler once in. Water is pretty clear and some areas had more seaweed than others, but not bad. There are a ton of boat type shells and not much of others. The sand and waters are full of nice pebbles, stones, and larger stones. There is also a floating raft a short distance out (of both public beach areas) that you can swim to, although we did not since my daughter still doesn't swim well. The beach gets busy after noon, but it wasn't too bad. There are a couple outdoor showers by the bathrooms that worked really well. We didn't use the bathrooms so not sure how they were. I don't know if there's a concession stand; I didn't see one. But there was an ice cream truck that came by at the main beach. A nice playground is up the hill a little bit from the beach that we were going to visit, but decided to keep moving and go home. I'd definitely come here again. For $10 and a little hassle of carrying your things a short distance, it's a really pretty and clean beach, with nice views of sailboats on the water. The waves are gentle too, so it's good for little ones. Still watch them though bc as the day went on, the waves got a little bigger and has a good pull for small kiddos.

A pop up shower shortened my visit, but otherwise it was an enjoyable experience. Some nice views,…read morealthough parking can be a little difficult. Overall a nice way to spend some time during the summer.

I really loved going for a walk on the Niantic Bay Boardwalk on a very warm November afternoon last…read moreweek. This boardwalk has access to the beach, where the sand is soft and beach is very clean. There are no dogs allowed at any time, not even currently when it's off season. This is unfortunate as my dog would love to go for a walk here, he loves people, and I'm sure they would all be happy to greet him. If you're counting your steps, this is the place to get them without much effort. I made 8000 steps according to my fitbit, and it wasnt even the whole boardwalk. It would also be a nice place for a bike ride, but they don't allow those either. There are plenty of benches if you need to sit for a bit. The dedication plaques with very sweet words add a special touch to this beautiful boardwalk.

Came by with the family a few weeks ago. Parking was easy since it was a week day. The beach was…read moreclean and bathrooms as well. We had fun and sat by the sand.

Not crowded clean CLEAR WATER leashed dog friendly soft sand…read moreThere was a wedding on the premises CT license plates are free

Gorgeous beach to enjoy on a bright sunny day. Sand is not too rocky and feels good to walk in…read morebarefoot. Decent amount of parking as well. Potentially more crowded on hot summer days, but was very empty on a fall Saturday.

My bf lives two streets over. We went there after a date just around midnight...walked. We both saw…read morea shooting star. Fate. I love this place.

Beautiful park. If no one is at the booth when you arrive, scan the QR code near parking and pay…read moreonline. Plenty of picnic tables are scattered around the park and a few charcoal grills. Lots of port-a-john near the beaches and a building closer to parking. No swimming was allowed at the beaches. Plenty of fishing though. Nice place to walk and look for shells. The mansion gardens are small and beautiful. Lots of colorful plants. Graceful collonade. Definitely a nice spot for photos. Lots of pollenators enjoying the gardens too. Pathways through the park are a mix of paved and gravel. Watch out for goose poop when crossing through the fields. Pets are welcome on a leash and be sure to pick up after them. State parks are "carry in, carry out" so there are no trash bins. Be sure to bring your own trash bag to dispose of your trash at home.

A beautiful seaside park that was surprisingly busy on breezy November weekend. We walked around a…read morefew of the gardens which I imagine will be even more impressive in the spring and summer.

Four stars because it was pretty and the old asylum was a sight to see. The parking area is…read moreneedlessly far away from the building, under some shady trees. There are actual paved spaces that must have once been parking sports (maybe one a low budget basketball court) that would bring you closer and prevent walking exposed to the boiling summer sun. I cannot speak to any actual walking trails, but the dogs that were playing seemed to be having a great time. The old building is gated off, understandable, but you can tell from the outside it was made in an older era where aesthetics meant something and it wasn't all about saving a penny.

The Seaside State Park is quite a unique place as it hosts the infamous and now abandoned Seaside…read moreSanatorium, a building that was commissioned in the 1930 when tuberculosis was a major affliction. One of the treatments for this disease was fresh air, so many of these sanatoriums were built around the coast and around lakes, copying a trend that had taken over European lands. Over time it was discovered that fresh air not only helped tuberculosis but all types of diseases, particularly mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. As tuberculosis became a controlled ailment, the Seaside became a host to more people with mental illnesses as well as the elderly. Supposedly, during this period of the Seaside as a psychiatric ward, many irregularities took place and the consequence resulted in patient's deaths. I have no proof of this but that is how the story goes. All this information is found on the Connecticut .org websites. Arriving to this "haunted" and "damned" place, as many publicize it, is a unique experience. I parked in a lot with an abandoned garden house next to it, making even the parking area spooky. The building sits at the distance, and some people jog around or walk their dogs. The peculiar feeling of being watched is pervasive though, even though there aren't many people around. I walked the garden, walked a covered bridge that is very spooky, touched a water well that has dried up, walked by the beach and over a wall that protects the shore from erosion. I stayed on the paved path as much as possible because I felt that a certain order needed to be followed, even if there are no signs that say "Keep off the grass". One lap around this property is more than enough. I started on the left, and exited on the right. Once I exited, I didn't look back because I felt that I was being watched from behind the boarded windows. I was not interested in seeing a ghost looking at me or waving goodbye from the broken glass window... Spooky as it may seem, this is a beautiful place, the building is gorgeous, the view is amazing. If you are looking for serenity, this is a good place for it. The views of the Connecticut coast are amazing as well. I was very happy to have visited this active site in Waterford. This place is also known as The Seaside Sanatorium.

Not my cup of tea personally for a beach. Get here early enough it's peaceful and have better…read morechances in finding beach glass. Once the kids started showing up and screaming for no reason was where I made my decision. Looks like plenty to do though. There's a plentiful of volleyball nets. Looks like a play place as well.

I was a little disappointed this time around. This is usually my fave beach b/c of the white clean…read moresand,pool,& ocean. The ocean water was dirty & I've never seen that before @ this beach. Came on a Saturday so parking for non New London residence is $40. I was super bummed b/c the pool was closed. Worker said it was closed b/c it rained in the early morning. In the forecast there would not be rain after that & it didn't rain. I stood the whole day @ the beach. I tried getting in the water but it was dirty & freezing. It is always colder than lost beaches b/c it's off the Long Island Sound. I was not a happy camper especially after paying $40 to not really have a good time & couldn't even get a swim in.

Elion beach has been in my family for generations. It's a place where, for the families whom own…read moreit, can gather and enjoy summer, whenever they want. It doesn't matter if your family is from CT or Pakistan. Elion beach family members can have fun, share stories with one another and experience the ocean as only the ocean can offer. This spot has shed many memories for me. My cousin benj showed me how to use muscles attached to the rock and how to fish with them. My uncle jack nearly drowned one of my dogs here. To my bubbie, this was home. It's a nice beach to come to and think back on my memories and enjoy the atmosphere- the fond memories of family, the water, the sand and the waves crashing in on the shore.

Private property and it looks like they would definitely shoot a trespasser. I didn't even try it…read more It is a pretty lighthouse and it's a bit of a bummer that you can't get close enough to it (from the land side) to avoid the overhead wires for a good photograph. Maybe there are other angles on public property but I couldn't find it. The New London Harbor Light is the oldest and the tallest lighthouse in Connecticut, 90 feet tall. This current structure was completed in 1801. [Review 18669 overall - 84 in Connecticut - 2191 of 2022.]

Neat little white light house. I love that it's perfect and white! Surrounded by private property,…read more'Do Not Enter' signs and 65+ race car drivers. There is no way to get close. It has about 8 floors in a spiral stair case. Even beaches nearby are for 'private use'. The light itself looks like many others. Neat photo on Long Island Sound! Rebel: 4

5 star in the winter months when no one is here…read more 1 star in the summer, proving that some places are great, if it were not for the people. This place seems to attract a certain type of people who have no respect for their environment and I always had to walk around piles of trash that out of towner's left (lived in this area for 10+ years) when walking in the area in the summer months. Part of the issue, I think, is the bar nearby, which seems to attract the lowest of the low in the state of CT. The type who are self absorbed, brainless frat boys. Watch out or you might get blinded by the sun reflecting off the pounds of tanner on the faux bronze skin. Thankfully I know the town well and know where to go for peace and solitude. So in a way, I do not mind giving up one little slice of beach, out of miles of it in the town, as long as the rest of the beach within the town remain d-bag free (and thus, easy to avoid). Very few locals come here and I hope eventually, some saavy business person can come in and class the place up, because the Pavilion, for sure, is not.

Well, this beach has changed massively! My rating is based on teenage memories, childhood memories…read more Going there as a kid there was so much freedom and fun. We could have campfires on the beach and you could be on the beach 24/7. Parking was a breeze, but we always rented a cottage across from Corsino's .... best fried dough and calzones I've ever had... Ever! It was definitely a month of family, fun. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, parents, sisters, girlfriends, boyfriends, and friends! I see now it says carousel shop?? It used to be just an awesome carousel where you would grab a ring every time you went around and if you got the golden ring, you got a free ride. My cousin was able to grab the rings so quick she'd grab two with two different fingers on one hand. Of course, the boys running the carousel would give her free rides anyway lol. Jimmy Palumbo maybe ha ha ha ha ha ha not sure lol I think one of the boys was related to Mr. Scaliban who owned a row of cottages. Rooster was one I know we stayed in. I wonder if they're still there... The cottages. There was a huge arcade with lines and lines of pinball machines. There was also a place that made leather snap bracelets that you could put your name on. I have the one that my Memere wore ... It says Chickie on it. That's what my Pepere called her lol Even the cops were nice! I remember live music at the Ocean Spray right at the end of Hartford Avenue... Just past the best lemon ice with the squeeze cups, so you could get every last drop! We would dance and eat while our parents drank and sang! Sounds like it's a lot different now.