AAA Names their Top 5 Beaches in New England

What are the 5 top beaches in New England?  AAA has released their list based on the best beach to “catch some rays, take a hike or have a picnic” according to an article posted to “Your AAA Daily” recently posted.  AAA did not rate the beaches from number 1 to number 5 but simply the top 5 beaches overall.

Every New England state except New Hampshire made it to the list.  Spending 20 years of my life living in New Hampshire, although with only 18 miles of coastline, I am surprised that a lake in Vermont edged out a beach on the New Hampshire coastline.  Beaches in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine and the aforementioned Vermont made the list.

Starting in Mass, of course making it to the AAA Top 5 is a Cape Cod beach.  Provincetown gets the title with nods to a couple of other Cape Cod beaches.  According to AAA the Cape Cod Seashore has close to 40 miles of pristine shoreline with Race Point Beach in Provincetown at the tip of the Cape’s arm.  AAA credits the endless breathtaking views of the Atlantic as a true treasure. The fee for vehicle parking is $25 and $15 for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Moving into Rhode Island, Narragansett Town Beach made the AAA Top 5.  Living a short walk from this beach for 5-years I can attest it is a sun-lovers playground.  This is a hotspot for New England surfers.  Certainly not to the level of coastal Cali or Hawaii, the Narragansett Town Beach is the good-to location if you own a surfboard.  There is also plenty of room for sunbathers and ocean dippers along this beautiful New England beach. Admission is $12 with children under 11 free.  Parking will cost you $10 cash on weekdays and $15 on weekends and holidays.

Connecticut makes the list with Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.  According to AAA this beach spans 2 miles and the beach not only boarders the Atlantic but also a nearby nature preserve.  Unlike in Narragansett, this beach is on Long Island Sound so it is very calm with no major breaking waves which makes it a perfect location for a family with small children. To park non-residents are $15 on weekdays and $22 on weekends and holidays.

Maine with over 230 miles of ocean coastline and thousands of miles of tidal coastline had to make this list at least once.  Sandy Beach in the Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor is a “Mother Nature’s playground” according to the AAA article.  They credit the rugged hiking trails, wildlife and views from Sandy Beach and the peaks from those trails overlooking the ocean as well worth the trip to Bar Harbor and the $30 is will cost you to enter Acadia to park, hike or bike.

The last beach in the AAA Top 5 is actually on a lake in North Bennington Vermont.  Lake Paran is a “quaint lake maintained by volunteers with a strong sense of community” according to the AA article.  Lots of lake activities from swimming, horseshoes, canoe rentals to the local snack bar is what vacationers love about Lake Paran.