Limitless New Yorkers flock to the Kiawah and Kennebunkport of the Eastern seaboard from Memorial Day to Labor Day every year. They diligently look at those la-di-da locales off their listing, curtsying to their inner prep schooler. But you, an expensive reader, realize higher. So this summertime, seek shelter upon a lido much less traveled. Read our five favorite picks for neighborhood-ish beach holidays for swimming, shorefront motorbike rides, boat tours, and more,
And do these small towns a want — don’t inform your buddies.
Often ignored for New England’s Marthas and Capes, the Granite State boasts 18 miles of coastline ripe for cruising, whale-looking, and birding galore, just shy of 4½ hours from NYC.
Plop yourself down at Hampton Beach, a quintessential seaside town with sufficient lobster shacks, clam stands, and fried dough joints to make you second-guess that bikini. Stay for a single day at the storied Wentworth using the Sea (from $389) at the island of New Castle (one of the country’s oldest settlements), or the least prevent through to dine at its SALT Kitchen & Bar.
Another strong wager is the Great Island Inn (from $199), a circa-1920 clapboard residence that’s a two-minute stroll to the ocean’s area.
Westerly, RI
About one hundred forty-five miles out of doors the city, slip into excursion mode with a dip inside the water at Misquamicut Beach or Napatree Point Beach & Conservation Area, in which you’ll additionally need to deliver your binoculars alongside for birdwatching.
If you’re touring with children, make a detour after Napatree to the Flying Horse Carousel, which is stated to be the United States’ oldest platform carousel. For your hotels, ebook the Ocean House (from $755) inside the posh Watch Hill neighborhood, steps from the shoreline, or the Margin Street Inn (from $three hundred), two amazing houses at the Pawcatuck River.
Wherever you live, have a ceremonial dinner at Olympia Tea Room, “well-known no longer fancy” since 1916.
Branford, Conn.
Mission No. 1: Rent kayaks or paddleboards at Branford River Paddlesports to meander across the Thimble Islands. Rather, no longer feel it for your biceps the following day. Book a sightseeing cruise aboard the Sea Mist. Either way, reward yourself with a round at Stony Creek Brewery, a waterfront beer garden with food vehicles aplenty.
When you’re finished, take a kayak or a vehicle to the Kelsey House Bed & Breakfast (from $205), a bayside homestead with a wraparound porch simply begging for your latest ebook membership study. All this is approximately an hour and forty-five mins far from Manhattan.
Bristol lies four hours from the metropolis, with bragging rights to the oldest Fourth of July parade inside you. S. A ., inaugurated in 1785. Considering the city was settled in 1680, that’s almost the modern generation. Channel the days of yore at Mount Hope Farm B&B (from $one hundred ninety), perched on 127 soul restorative acres.
Come for the assets’ history (George Washington became a visitor!) — live for the region’s stellar seafood (the newly reopened Bristol Oyster Bar and a dockside meal at Quito’s are musts). By day, camp at Walley Beach or visit Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum. We daresay the latter, a forty-five-room, English-style manor home brimming with antiques and artwork, is Little Rhody’s high-quality secret.
