Beautiful Spot, But Pricing and Policies Hurt Locals…read more Dubois Beach is undeniably a beautiful place to spend a summer day--calm water, great views, and a peaceful atmosphere that feels like classic Stonington. The setting itself easily earns five stars. Unfortunately, the overall experience gets weighed down by the pricing and policies that make it harder for locals to enjoy a beach that's been part of the community for generations. The biggest issue is the cost. Between admission fees and parking charges, a simple beach visit adds up quickly. For visitors, that might be expected, but for residents who already pay some of the highest taxes in the area, it feels like an unnecessary burden. Locals shouldn't have to pay to park at their own town beach when they're already contributing through property taxes year‑round. It creates a sense that the beach is more geared toward tourists than the people who live here and support the community. Staff interactions can be hit or miss as well. Some are friendly and welcoming, while others come across as rigid or uninterested, especially when it comes to enforcing rules or handling questions about pricing. It's not enough to ruin the day, but it does take away from what should be a relaxed, hometown experience. Dubois Beach is a gem, no doubt--but the current system makes it harder for locals to fully enjoy it. With more reasonable pricing and a more community‑minded approach, it could easily be a five‑star destination for everyone.

Dubois Beach in Stonington offered a gentle, postcard-perfect escape the day we visited- sunny…read moreskies, mild temperatures, and just enough breeze to keep things comfortable. We parked a bit up the street, which gave us a pleasant walk past charming homes and the low hum of weekend life in the borough. The beach itself, tucked at the southern tip of Water Street, was calm and inviting, with its shaded gazebo and views stretching across Fisher's Island Sound. Don't miss the granite memorial to the 1814 defense of Stonington stood quietly, commemorating the town's defiant stand against the British warship Ramillies. It's a modest but powerful reminder that this peaceful spot once echoed with cannon fire and resolve. [Review 1072 of 2025 - 125 in Connecticut - 24626 overall]

My review for the experience itself is 4 stars as the owner and staff were very professional and…read moretransparent of the pricing and whole process of renting a Polaris Slingshot. But only complaint or should I say concern is I'm not sure how well maintained the Slingshot rentals are. I've never driven one before, so it's very possible that what I experienced driving is just how they drive, but to me a few things stood out. - slow acceleration; needed to really push the pedal to accelerate past 25/30 MPH. Luckily most of Newport is 25 MPH speed limit, so it's not like there is much of a need to go fast anyway - BRAKES; again this I think is more just a slingshot thing...might have nothing to do with maintenance. But as someone who never drove one before, I was very surprised at how bad the brakes were. The vehicle decelerates pretty rapidly when you let of the gas, BUT you also have to anticipate and ensure you have enough distance to brake and safely come to a stop. I still had a ton of fun and amazing time cruising around the city and taking in the sites. It was very fun to drive down toward the Cliff Walks.

Scooter World was truly the highlight of my bachelorette trip. From the employees off the bat being…read morekind and hilarious, the Mokes were SO fun. We toured around Newport, waved to strangers and had a blast. The rain won't stop your fun-- it amplifies it

We were looking for a beach or park close by, to catch some afternoon rays after our busy day in…read moreMystic, This scrubby little park was close and has a small pebbly beach on a bay. There are some positives: + Playground + Free Parking + Picnic Area + Open Field + Easy Access + Shallow, protected water good for children + Lifeguard on duty in summer There are some negatives: - Very small beach - Small swimming area - Beach has pebbles and the sand isn't comfortable to walk on - Limited shade - Not very attractive - A modest view - Porta Potty's for rest rooms - No other services A go to place for beach goers? I don't think so, but likley not a bad spot for locals with kids.

So my visit here started with a dream - I wanted my dog to see the ocean. The internet claimed this…read morewas a dog friendly beach, so off we went! Yes, it is technically on a bay, but it's salt water, there are sea shells and sea glass, and considering my dog is two feet tall and hats the water, this is an ocean beach (for him). I will die on this hill. Williams Beach is adjacent to the YMCA and like, three giant steps from their parking lot. It does seem the internet got it right that the beach is without life guard after Labor Day, and there is signage asking dogs to stay off the sand and out of the water. There are also "park" areas, I assume owned by the YMCA, including but not limited to, a volleyball court, playground, and baseball fields. Picnic tables are plentiful. It was nice and quiet in the middle of September on a weekday, although it must be packed in the summer. It was pretty clean, although any litter I saw was definitely from irresponsible humans and not the inexplicably banned dogs.

Mystic adventure CT, They are reliable, with integrity. I…read morerecommend them to anyone who is looking for a paddleboard or kayak. Jeff, the owner, always takes the time to answer any questions I may have and provides me with all the options available--from different types of paddleboards. Shop takes time to teach and show you proper body position and to be a fast paddler. I'm a new paddle owner and already going miles out there!

My wife and I decided to venture to mystic and rent kayaks. This was a great company. Nice staff…read moreand overall a really fun experience.

This is a nice new shop in the area. This is a perfect addition to downtown. Much like salt another…read moresmall shop in the area, they have a lot of handmade locally crafted items. This seems to be trendy and becoming more common in the area. They have plenty of great gift ideas, whether you're here on vacation and looking for a gift to bring home with you, or a local and looking for special birthday or holiday gifts, mystic supply is a perfect place to visit. Oh yea and they have cold brew coffee to go. Last but not least hourly Vespa rentals (genius!) Cheers all! Enjoy

A great addition to the Mystic small shop atmosphere, although it is a little bit off the main…read moredrag. When we walked in the owner was extremely welcoming and explained the products and how they were 100% American made. They had a nice assortment of scarfs, gloves, coasters, SteamPunk-style lamps, kids clothing, hammocks (canvas style), throws, and candles. The owner even asked our opinion on stocking the shelves with additional items which showed she cared what her clientele wanted. We purchased a couple of items and went on our merry way. I think this place has huge potential and expanding some of the offerings will make this place a go to stop for us for not only our own collection but for gifts as well.

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!