Get ready for the smell of sunscreen and the feel of sand between your toes. Gather up the whole family for a day at the beach to catch some waves and get back to relaxation. Our guide to beaches in the Connecticut area, including Fairfield County, to keep your summer plans ocean-sprayed.
Calf Pasture Beach
Norwalk, CT
203-854-7806
Attractions: Fishing, softball fields, volleyball courts, and sailboat/windsurf/kayak rentals next door at Norwalk sailing school, skate park, basketball courts
Hours: Open Memorial Day through middle of October, sunrise to sunset.
Cost: Free admission. Norwalk residents: To receive a free beach pass (for free parking), visit norwalkct.org or call the Recreation and Parks office (open Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm). Parking for non-residents: $20 weekdays; $25 weekends and holidays; $5 after 5pm all days.
Jennings Beach
Fairfield, CT
203-256-3191
Attractions: Playground, restrooms, food concession, picnic area with public grills.
Hours: Beach open from 10am-11pm. Lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm.
Cost: Parking: $15 weekdays, $25 weekends and holidays. Seasonal passes are available: $135 for nonresidents, $20 for residents.
Lake Mohegan
Fairfield, CT
203-256-3191
Attractions: Lake beach with public grills, picnic area, and sprinkler park.
Hours: Beach area opens at 10am through 11pm. Swimming not allowed after dark. Lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm; sometimes through 8pm.
Cost: Weekdays: residents $8, children $4; non-residents $15, children $8. Weekends and holidays: residents $10, children $6. Non-residents $18, children $12. Seasonal passes are available $20 per person.
Penfield Beach
Fairfield, CT
203-256-3191
Attractions: Playground, picnic area with public grills, food concession, and restrooms.
Hours: Beach open from 10am-11pm nonresidents until 10pm without sticker. Lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm.
Cost: Parking: $15 weekdays, $25 weekends and holidays. Seasonal passes are available: $135 for nonresidents, $20 for residents.
Seaside Park Beach
Bridgeport, CT
203-576-7233
Attractions: Picnic area, food concession, bathhouse, restrooms skate park, track, and light house.
Hours: Open 8am to dusk, seven days a week, weekends 8am to dusk.
Cost: $5 resident parking sticker year round or $75 for non-residents. Daily fee: $20 residents, $40 non-residents.
Sherwood Island State Park
Westport, CT
203-226-6983
Attractions: Fishing, food concession, bathhouse, and swimming areas.
Hours: Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8am until sunset.
Cost: Parking: Weekdays: $9 Connecticut residents, $15 non-residents. Weekends: $13 residents, $22 non-residents. After 4pm: $6 residents, $7 non-residents. Season pass available: $67 for residents and $112 for non-CT residents (allows entrance into any Connecticut state park during the summer).
Weed Beach
Darien, CT
203-656-7325
Attractions: Public grills, picnic areas, tennis courts (reservations required), and restrooms, playgrounds.
Hours: Open seven days a week, 9am to sunset.
Cost: Parking: $40 per car. Darien residents can purchase an annual beach permit for the season for $40.
See our complete guide to the best beaches for families in the New York City area
