Boston can get pretty hot in the summer and the beach is one of the best places to go to unwind and cool off. If you don’t have time to take a trip out to Cape Cod, there are great beaches that you can visit right in the Boston area. Cool off by the fresh breeze of the Atlantic Ocean in these seven places before returning to your Boston vacation rental feeling refreshed and relaxed. Vacation rentals vary from swanky apartments near the beach to charming houses with stunning views. Get out of town for the day and enjoy an afternoon or a weekend at the beach. Here are the best Boston beaches you and your family need to plan a trip to!
1. Castle Island
Castle Island, which is no longer an island now, is connected to Pleasure Bay Beach. Getting to Castle Island is doable by public transportation or by car. The island is about a 20-minute drive by car or you can take the red line to the Broadway Station where the beach is just a short walk away. Castle Island is a popular spot on Fourth of July and is a beautiful destination to cool off on a sunny day. Escape the city’s humidity in the summer at this beach, where the breezes are a perfect release. Or, head to the island in the fall to enjoy New England’s foliage and stunning sunsets. Don’t forget to bring the camera to capture the picturesque views and family memories!
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2. Revere Beach
Revere Beach, north of Boston, is two miles long and a great way to spend an entire day or just take a walk in the afternoon. You can take public transportation there easily via the blue line, which could take anywhere from a half hour to an hour depending on your starting point. Revere is the oldest public beach in the US and has Victorian pavilions lining the sand. Revere can get crowded, and even a little rowdy on the weekends, but weekdays can be serene.
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3. Carson Beach
In South Boston, the red line can get you right to Carson Beach on Fort Independence. This could take less than a half hour, or more if you have to switch lines. This public beach has a recently renovated bathhouse and is extremely popular in the summertime. Usually packed with students and families, the beach is much more serene on colder, breezier days. The beach has volleyball courts and lots of food vendors nearby. Grab a picnic table and enjoy the views of the Boston Harbor then take a stroll on the Harborwalk. Fort Independence also offers tours on the weekends that you should book in advance if you’d like to get a spot.
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4. Plum Island
About an hour’s drive outside of Boston, Plum Island in Newburyport is a little further out but is a popular day trip for Bostonians to escape the heat of the city. If you make it out there, you’re sure to have a more secluded and natural beach day than at one of the Boston beaches. The powdery white sand and the peaceful ocean are a dream. Find a vacation rental in Plum Island and let all your worries melt away or stay in nearby Ipswich for more things to do in town.
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5. Savin Hill Beach
Savin Hill Beach is a popular spot for the vibrant neighborhood and is accessible again along the red line. Public transportation is a great option to avoid high parking fees and you get to see another side of the city. If the sand and sea isn’t enough, this beach has baseball fields and playgrounds. There are lots of options for food nearby to keep you going, and great views of the skyline.
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6. The Esplanade
Though not exactly a beach, Bostonians treat the Esplanade like one. Lining the Charles River, the Esplanade is miles long with lots of spots to get right up to the water on the wooden docks. This is the beach, Boston style. The linear park is a great place to set up a beach chair or lie out on a towel, especially on Fourth of July when the entire city comes to the Esplanade to celebrate America. The Esplanade is right in central Boston, accessible from Cambridge as well meaning you are close to many areas of the city. After you explore the dozens of statues and sights at the Esplanade, head to Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream for a sweet treat.
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7. Good Harbor Beach
Gloucester is a quaint town full of New England charm and sandy beaches. Located about an hour’s drive north of Boston, you can escape to the calm and clean waters of Good Harbor. The calm waters and low tide are family friendly and activities in Gloucester include the stunning Hammond Castle tour and several more picturesque beaches and lighthouses. Book a vacation rental near Good Harbor Beach to avoid the hassle of finding parking near the beach. Vacation rentals in the area range from lavish water-front homes to cozy getaways with a view.
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8. Wollaston Beach
Just 30 minutes south of Boston is the city of Quincy, which has several beaches and landmarks worth exploring. One of their most popular beaches is a Wollaston Beach, a two mile beach with a walkway, concession stands and parking lots. Find a vacation rental in the Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy to live the nautical lifestyle of a local. Quincy also has several street beaches worth exploring including Mound Street Beach and Germantown.
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9. Constitution Beach
Debuting to the public in 1952, this man-made beach in East Boston features sandy shores and tranquil waters sourced from a protected inlet. Quaint in size — spanning only a quarter of a mile — Constitution Beach is ideal for families with small children as there is also a children’s playground. In addition, visitors can partake in an abundance of recreational activities, including basketball, tennis, baseball, and ice skating. If you’re up for a relaxing retreat, check out the bathhouse right on the beach. Since the coastline is in proximity to the Boston Logan Airport, it is not uncommon for beach-goers to see airplanes soaring overhead.
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10. Crane Beach
Roughly 30 miles north of Boston city proper, Crane Beach is a prominent North Shore attraction in the city of Ipswich. Boasting miles of picturesque coastline, this destination is open year-round from morning until sunset. The shoreline encompasses Castle Neck River and Castle Neck; the greater beach area features over five miles of nature trails and vast sand dunes. From early October to late March, Crane Beach is animal-friendly — visitors are allowed to walk dogs, and horseback riders can engage in their sport, as long as they have a city-issued permit.
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11. Lynch Park Beach
The small town of Beverly, which is about 25 miles from Boston, offers the charming and historic Lynch Park Beach, an attraction featuring both a shoreline and a paved park, great for walks and taking photographs. Take a dip in the beach’s refreshing ocean waters, or sunbathe on the warm sand. From the end of May until early September, leashed dogs are permitted at Lynch Park. When you’re seeking attractions beyond the sand and surf, head over to the breathtaking rose garden filled with colorful, blooming flowers and carefully maintained shrubbery.
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12. Dorchester Shores Reservation
In the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, this state park expands over 40 acres and boasts several beaches, including Malibu Beach and Tenean Beach. Malibu Beach is perfect for relaxing in the bathhouse and swimming. Sports lovers should venture to Tenean Beach where there are basketball and tennis courts, as well as a children’s playground and relatively placid waters ideal for swimming. If you’re up for a run or hike, Dorchester Shores Reservation also offers various trails ranging from easy to moderately difficult.
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13. Lovells Island, Boston Harbor Islands
Part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, the over-60-acre Lovells Island is renowned for being the site of numerous historic shipwrecks. There are ferries running from Quincy, Georges Island, and Boston that can take visitors to Lovells Island. At the secluded beach area on Lovells Island, look forward to swimming — with caution, though, as there isn’t an on-duty lifeguard or supervision nearby — embarking on plentiful trails winding through wooded areas, and viewing captivating sand dunes. Visitors with a taste for adventure can explore the old bunkers, trek the rocky shoreline, and examine the diverse tide pools.
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14. M Street Beach
A hidden gem in Boston, M Street Beach is a two-block expanse that locals sometimes refer to as Southie Beach, inspired by the ever-lively South Beach in Miami, FL. In the past, this area was simply an overlooked rocky shoreline, however, a substantial clean-up project and $2 million renovation turned this beach into a coastal hot spot among younger, college-aged crowds. Accordingly, the overhaul resulted in the installation of grass adjacent to Day Boulevard, an improved sea wall, and new plants. With these long-overdue changes, what was once a barren stretch of rocky waters has since transformed into a trendy local haunt for young adults, where sunbathing and games like corn hole are all the rage.
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15. Half Moon Beach
Tucked away in the city of Gloucester, about 35 miles north of Boston city proper, Half Moon Beach is a crescent-shaped shoreline nestled in Stage Fort Park. This quiet beach features a lifeguard on duty during normal business hours from the end of May to the beginning of September.
Enveloped by rocky hillsides, this beach has abundant shady spots, perfect for having a cookout or afternoon picnic. If you opt to dine at an eatery after your beach day, there are several spots situated just under a half a mile away from the water. Mile Marker One Restaurant serves noteworthy seafood dishes, while Causeway Restaurant is lauded by locals for their generous portions of clam chowder, pasta, and salad. In addition, Half Moon Beach is handicapped accessible, as there is a wheelchair-friendly ramp on the premises that leads directly to the beach area. The beach prohibits surf boards, alcohol, inflatables, and all flotation devices.
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