This is a fun little spot. The weather is so nice out today…read morethat I wanted to go for a walk with my son in a safe, well populated location and have a beachy vibe to it. We stumbled upon Branford Point after seeing tons of private beach roads nearby and a quick Google search for a public Branford beach. There were at least a dozen fishermen here near the parking area. There is a small strip of a sandy beach with an actual lifeguard. Also, there is a playground/park with picnic tables. Next time we come back, we'll be more prepared to go on the sand and pack a lunch to stay longer!

I have now forgotten the circumstances that brought me to Branford Point this past spring: all that…read moreI remember now is that I had to be out of the house an hour or so before I needed to leave for work. The amount of time seemed just right to explore this city of Branford park, on my way in to New Haven, and I am glad I did. Branford Point park is small but packed with memorable features. From the boat launch, which is surrounded by water on 3 sides, to the beach, backed by a grassy, tree-lined hill, there is much beauty to absorb from this point. Parking was possible, but limited: I imagine in the summer high season that it becomes difficult for anybody that lives outside Branford to visit. Though it may be small and packed, the challenge in this case would be worth the breeze from Long Island Sound, the sights of nearby Thimble Islands, and the peaceful vibes I found at Branford Point.

Hammonasset Beach State Park is located in Madison, CT. We arrived here on a cloudy, but sunny day,…read moreso the beach area wasn't super busy. For Connecticut residents admission is free. For non residents it can be as high as $22, per day depending on time of arrival and the day of the week. They had a substantial amount of campers and tents on the park side of the beach! They also have restrooms and showers. You can also find a snack and ice cream bar here. The walk to the beach from the parking was pretty short, since there's no boardwalk here. I found the sand to be pretty soft, the shells were the most prominent and the most aggressive the closer to the water. Unfortunately due to the wind and the cloudy sky, it was too cold for a swim. We used an SPF 70, and still walked away with a red back! The beach was clean and the water was clean. There were lifeguards on duty. I would return here again.

I love coming to this beach. It's close and convenient. The only downside is there are no waves…read more It's compared to that of a still lake. My favorite beach thus far has been West Beach with the pavilions due to the amount of parties and get-togethers I'm able to have in this area. Middle beach I rarely visit while Meigs point is more of a popular spot with the nature center.

I've been going to this beach with family since childhood. It's a special place for us, filled with…read morewonderful memories. The hurricanes over the past few years have changed it up a bit, but it's still a wonderful beach to visit. Lots of sand bars and the ability to walk out rather far to explore during low tide. Good sized parking lot. Views of Menunketesuck Island, Duck Island and Salt Island. Has food concession and sanitary facilities (in season).

Beautiful retreat of the daily grind and great staff. Nice area and fun memories. Can't wait to…read morereturn in the Summer.

Everything is nice but up until today my family and I never met anyone like DOMINIQUE! He was…read moreamazing and the sweetest !!!! Can't wait till next time so we can request him to help us out with whatever we need GO DOMINIQUE AKA DOM!

I've been coming here since I was a toddler. The place is just magical, especially in the summer…read more Mattituck/greenport/Hamptons I'm obsessed! Just watch out for the sharks

Love this beach! Very clean and love seeing the sunset here. I would definitely come back here. The…read moreonly downside is that there's a lot of rocks on the beach, make sure to bring water shoes!!!

It's $75 on the weekends (if you're not a town resident) and $50 during the week. I think the cost…read moreis that ridiculously high to keep people away. The sand isn't combed and there's many broken shells in the water. Okay I get it, it's nature. One of the 5 year olds got a shard of shell in his heel playing/running on the sand to give you perspective. We were there for a party at the small pavilion so thankfully we didn't have to pay. Beautiful scenery and gentle waves. Splash pad was out of service. They have 3 playscapes that are pretty nice.

Always beautiful, quiet, and serene- great place for children with a wonderful playground.read more

East haven beach is super cute and quaint. Has a parking area beach with lifeguard play area for…read morethe kids. Also a splash pad.

A good spot to hang out and chill alone or accompanied. You can observe nature, bike, jog, walk or…read moreget in the water & do kayak, boating, swim or paddle board if you desire. It's a beautiful park. Check it out.

Beautiful hiking spot with easy to navigate trails and stunning ocean views. We were able to see…read moreFisher's Island, Long Island, and Groton. The port-a-potties were a nice amenity too. It was a little loud due to small airplanes taking off and landing at the nearby airport but it added a layer of intrigue. There are picnic tables and plenty of spots to sit along the water. Next time, I'll bring food and a book.

My friend, a yoga goddess, called this place magical. Maidstone Beach is an out of the way bay…read morebeach with its own little cove, secret nooks and crannies, a very long jetty that kids love to climb. There is something perfect about Maidstone, so visually sweet and grand at the same time. I love to take pictures there. During the summer season, you will find it crowded with tourists that have been coming out with their families since their families brought them as children. If they didn't park their SUVs on the beach, we wouldn't hate them so. Why magical? Let me count the ways... There's the perfect swimming conditions for small children because the water is calm, yet the boulders of the extremely long jetty are perfect for the active kids. A local fisherman's utopia, where flounder and snapper abound. A favorite spot for kayaking, boating or stand-up-paddleboarding, it even has a covered pavilion where you can have a bonefide party (reserve with the town first!). It has lots of picnic tables, barbecues and seating with a restroom near by, plus a view of the bay down one of the sandy paths. It's white and loamy, with lots of dunes. Be careful though with dogs in the dunes because the deer bring with them ticks, so check them often. The serene waters are filled with lots of crayfish for kids to keep occupied. If you have a dog, like I do, they love to cool down in the Maidstone tranquil waters. That's where I got my cockapoo to swim the first time, now I can't get her out. It's also a fantastic place to jog, as it is surrounded by an exactly one mile road that loops. But most of all, it's the summer sunsets. My son and I run there around 7 pm every day after dinner to catch the golden blasts that echo on the water's surface. It's a visual masterpiece, but you need to be nearer to the jetty to get the full effect. By then, we're usually the only two on the beach and we both realize just how lucky we are to be so close to heaven.

Favorite beach in East Hampton. So many different scenarios to pick from, this place is like being…read moreon an Caribbean island..

Crystal-clear water + sunny spring day = perfect hike…read more Spent a beautiful spring sunny day at Wadsworth Falls State Park, and it did not disappoint. I took so many pictures of the clear river. It's seriously that stunning. The swimming water vanished. We hiked the Wadsworth Falls Loop (3.6 miles, easy, great waterfall views) and also checked out part of the Main Trail. Trails were in good shape; just a little mud here and there, but totally manageable. Bonus tips from my visit: · Dogs welcome on leash · Free for CT-registered cars; $10-15 for out-of-state · Restrooms, parking, and picnic tables available · Get there early on a sunny day to beat the crowds If you love clear water, peaceful forest walks, and two distinct waterfalls, don't miss this spot. Already planning to come back with an all-terrain wheelchair for a friend (you can reserve one in advance). Would I go again? 100%.

Gorgeous gorges! Although this park has ample signage against swimming, the Coginchaug River is…read morelovely on the eyes and ears, and being centrally located, Wadsworth Falls is a great local escape. If you have the right footwear in winter, it's a place for a rewarding hike! Boots and grips and the occasional side stepping is good for your winter trip. Mind the tracks, or crews tending the still in-use tracks, then enjoy the lovely views of multiple waterfalls, some frosted over, but water audibly rushing beneath the ice. Starting out, we didn't see the blue trail marked on the yellow and orange junction map, but the trails were well-marked with vertical tree blazes, so if you take the orange, yellow, or blue trails, you should be in good shape. If you don't have the time for a decent hike and just need a restful stop, large falls are just below the parking lot (those no access signs on the trails don't kid!). All year, enjoy! There are zero facilities here, and the only amenities appear to be accessible recreation and a dog waste station beneath the parking lot, but you aren't in the middle of nowhere. Pack in, pack out, and enjoy as much or little woods as you like, and enjoy the peaceful sounds and sights of the many falls.