Favorite beaches less than 2 hours from Boston?
It's summer, and that means that I won't make any plans on Saturday or Sunday until September, because my weekends are reserved for the beach. But I've found myself falling into a rut with my beach time.
I usually go to Nahant or a small beach in Rye, NH. But I want more options! What are your favorite beaches within two hours' or less driving time of Boston (or Waltham, specifically)? I don't care if it's north or south, in Mass. or out-of-state, so long as it doesn't take me more than two hours to get there if I leave early (7-8 am).
Musts:
- Accessible by car (I'll get a spot if I arrive by 9-10 am), or walkable from a T/commuter rail stop
- Clean water that won't gross me out to swim in
- Enough sand to lie comfortably on a blanket
Nice-to-haves:
- $10 or under to park is ideal, but if it's a great beach I'd consider paying more
- Some waves are always appreciated
- Food/water available somewhere within walking distance
- Not so packed that you're basically lying on top of the next group of beach-goers (I'm thinking of the nightmare that is Hampton Beach here) ... I pretty much expect a crowd, but I don't like it so crowded that I'll end up touching some stranger if I stretch my arm out
- Not a blatantly "touristy" beach (again, I'm thinking of Hampton). I don't need the boardwalk and arcades and t-shirt shops, i just want to lie down, relax and do a bit of swimming
Overall, my favorite kind of beach is semi-quiet and not super crowded, preferably a smaller one frequented mainly by locals, with great swimming. But I'm open to any and all suggestions! Thanks in advance!
I usually go to Nahant or a small beach in Rye, NH. But I want more options! What are your favorite beaches within two hours' or less driving time of Boston (or Waltham, specifically)? I don't care if it's north or south, in Mass. or out-of-state, so long as it doesn't take me more than two hours to get there if I leave early (7-8 am).
Musts:
- Accessible by car (I'll get a spot if I arrive by 9-10 am), or walkable from a T/commuter rail stop
- Clean water that won't gross me out to swim in
- Enough sand to lie comfortably on a blanket
Nice-to-haves:
- $10 or under to park is ideal, but if it's a great beach I'd consider paying more
- Some waves are always appreciated
- Food/water available somewhere within walking distance
- Not so packed that you're basically lying on top of the next group of beach-goers (I'm thinking of the nightmare that is Hampton Beach here) ... I pretty much expect a crowd, but I don't like it so crowded that I'll end up touching some stranger if I stretch my arm out
- Not a blatantly "touristy" beach (again, I'm thinking of Hampton). I don't need the boardwalk and arcades and t-shirt shops, i just want to lie down, relax and do a bit of swimming
Overall, my favorite kind of beach is semi-quiet and not super crowded, preferably a smaller one frequented mainly by locals, with great swimming. But I'm open to any and all suggestions! Thanks in advance!