Finally, this weather has me thinking all about the beautiful coast that we are so lucky to live near. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love the ocean. Throughout the winter, I find myself daydreaming of sunsets and seashell collecting. I wish that summer were a bit longer here in New England, but to make it feel longer, we extend our season into spring and fall. There are so many beautiful spots that are just as gorgeous during those seasons, and often less crowded and cheaper to visit.
It helps that we are avid campers, and to be honest, camping is a lot cheaper on the East Coast when it is off-season (can I get an amen?). So is visiting the beach, since many beach passes are not required off-season. Remember, these spots are still excellent places to visit during the summertime (and to save money, check to see if beaches don’t charge for parking after a certain time in the afternoon). These hidden New England coastal gems that I am about to share with you are our family’s favorites, and they are all family-friendly locations because we always have all four of our kids in tow!
Here are four of our favorite hidden coastal gems in New England that we love to visit before the summer crowds hit:
Portsmouth, NH
By far, one of my absolute favorite places to visit off-season before the crowds. If you have to shop and eat, downtown is the place to go. You could spend a whole day there with the family walking downtown. We love Popovers On the Square and The Friendly Toast for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, we love River House for the view and their awesome gluten-free options. Make sure to add Prescott Park to your itinerary. There is an abundance of historical sites that you can also visit.
You are just a hop, skip, and jump away from Kittery, ME, if you are looking for more shopping and delicious food. If you want a fancy dinner, I highly recommend Robert’s Maine Grill, but if casual is more your wheelhouse, head to When Pigs Fly Pizzeria. And on the way home, you can always swing into Hampton Beach for an evening at the beach.
Wickford, RI
A few summers ago, we stumbled across this hidden coastal gem. First, we went to Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, RI (also another gem). There are stunning views of the beautiful coast, a small aquarium, and a great lighthouse museum. We were searching for a beach and stumbled across North Kingstown Beach. The beach has a newer pirate ship playground that our kids loved. This beach does require a beach pass in season, but it is a steal at only $20 for out-of-state. Minutes away is this hidden gem of a town called Wickford. The historical downtown area has great mom and pop shops, restaurants, and historical places to visit.
Bristol, RI
An easy ride down 146 will send you right to Bristol, RI. Colt State Park is one of our favorite spots to ride our bikes and fly kites. It is 464+ acres of lawns, stone walls, and curving drives along one of the state’s most beautiful shorelines and spectacular sunsets. Grab lunch from downtown Bristol and head to Colt State Park, or head downtown for a late afternoon stroll and dinner. Another great place to visit, which is on our list for this summer, is Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum. It is a 33-acre property featuring a mansion and expansive gardens.
Plymouth, MA
Last, but not least, is Plymouth. A visit to Plymouth never gets old, even all these years later. We love to take day trips down to walk the shores, go to Nelson Memorial Playground & Splash Pad (parking is limited but a beach sticker is not required, in the past we have parked at Shaws and walked down), walking around downtown exploring the shops, and of course, seeing Plymouth Rock. There are great museums, gardens, and, of course, an abundance of great seafood options for dining.
Do you have some hidden New England coastal gems to share with us? Let us know in the comments.
