The must-see beach in every New England state. Anyone familiar with the northeast knows how wonderful the New England coastline is. With five of the six New England states bordering the coast, there are beautiful beaches in Maine (the most eastern part of New England) and moving south into New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and into Connecticut (on the western side of New England). Even Vermont, the only New England state that’s not on the coast, has lake beaches that are worthy of a visit, especially if you’re interested in water activities and boating. New England is home to some of the best — and most beautiful — beaches in the country. With dozens of these beautiful beaches across the northeast, you’re probably wondering which are considered the best beaches in New England? More specifically, which is the best beach in each state? The answer isn’t an easy one, as there are so many amazing beaches in New England, and with many considerations into what makes a beach the “best,” the answer is subjective. Here we break out our recommendation for the best beach in every state in New England and fill you in on what’s great about each beach, and the potential drawbacks to consider. We’ll also give you all of the quick beach information you’re looking for including beach size, amenities, lifeguards, parking, and distance to major cities. No matter what you’re looking for in a beach day or how far you’re willing to travel, this list of the best New England beaches has something for everyone, no matter what your dream beach day looks like. This article is about the best beaches in New England that you should consider visiting on your next New England summer adventure. Table of Contents: Photo © Stars and Anchor The Best Beach in Maine Ogunquit Beach in Ogunquit, ME Why it’s the best beach in Maine: Maine is known for its rocky coastline, but at Ogunquit beach you’ll find a beautiful wide stretch of soft white sand. This long continuous beach is separated into three sections: Main Beach, Footbridge Beach, and North Beach. It’s a great beach for families, as the beach is flat without a big drop off in the water. It’s also a great beach to catch the sunrise, with the sun coming up right over the water. In the Abenaki language, Ogunquit means “beautiful place by the sea.”  Potential drawbacks about Ogunquit Beach: The water is cold, even in the summer, with the warmest temperatures around the beginning of August. The high and low tides are extreme, which is part of the charm, but you’ll need to pay attention when high tide is coming up and move accordingly. Parking lots can fill up early on busy weekends. Beach size: 3 miles longAmenities: Public restrooms; beach chairs and umbrellas available for rentParking: Yes, there are paid parking lots.Lifeguards available: Yes, there are lifeguard stations at certain areas of the beach in the summer months.Closest major cities: Portland, ME, 37 miles; Boston, MA, 78 miles.Are dogs allowed at Ogunquit Beach? Dogs are allowed at Ogunquit Beach during certain times of year, usually September through March. Check the local tourism website for exact dates this year. Runners-up for the best beach in Maine: Old Orchard Beach in Old Orchard Beach, ME; Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, ME. Photo © Stars and Anchor The Best Beach in New Hampshire Hampton Beach in Hampton, NH Why it’s the best beach in New Hampshire: It might come as a surprise, but New Hampshire actually has 18 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, varying from sandy beaches to rocky stretches. Hampton Beach State Park is the largest beach on New Hampshire’s seacoast, and is a great location for families, couples, and anyone looking for boardwalk-style entertainment mixed in with their beach day. Ocean Blvd (NH-1A), which runs the length of the beach, is filled with grab-and-go food stands, sit-down restaurants, a band shell with nightly performances, beach shops, arcades, and motels. Potential drawbacks about Hampton Beach: The beach can get extremely crowded. Parking can be challenging, as there isn’t a large beachfront parking area, so you’ll likely need to park in a paid lot a few blocks from the beach and walk over. Beach size: 1.5 miles longAmenities: Public restrooms, playground, visitor’s center, nearby food and shoppingParking: Public parking lots, private parking lots, and metered street parking available, all for a fee.Lifeguards available: Yes, there are lifeguards on duty in the summer months in certain areas of the beach.Closest major cities: Manchester, NH, 38 miles; Boston, MA, 50 miles; Portland, ME, 66 miles.Are dogs allowed at Hampton Beach? Dogs are allowed at Hampton Beach during certain times of year, usually October through April. Check the local tourism website for exact dates this year. Runners-up for the best beach in New Hampshire: Jenness State Beach in Rye, NH; Wallis Sands State Beach in Rye, NH. Related: 16 Essential Beach Toys to Keep Your Kids Entertained All Day The Best Beach in Massachusetts Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Cape Cod, MA Why it’s the best beach in Massachusetts: This sandy stretch of coastline stretches north for over 20 miles and is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, which was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Coast Guard Beach is known for its clean, soft sand, scenic views, and sightings of seals and shore birds. It’s a popular location for swimming and boogie boarding, as it generally has larger waves than other Cape Cod beaches due to being located on the ocean. Potential drawbacks about Coast Guard Beach: There are no concessions at Coast Guard beach so you’ll have to bring all food and beverages with you. Also, this area is known to have great white sharks hunting in the shallow water. Beach size: 20 miles longAmenities: Public restroomsParking lot: The closest parking lot is reserved for residents, but there’s a shuttle available to bring you from a farther parking lot.Lifeguards available: Yes, […]