Block Island

When I was a child every summer my family made a pilgrimage to Maine, where we rented a small cottage on the beach. As we approached the coast, my brother, sister and I would hang our heads out the car windows and compete to be the first to get a whiff of the damp salt air. The beach was a huge, flat, sand expanse with a jetty at one end and a maze of rocky tidal pools at the other.
During low tide you could barely see the water. During high tide it lapped at the sea wall. Small universes of sea urchins, barnacles, crabs, snails and starfish resided in tidal pools large enough for a child to swim in. We convinced ourselves we saw mirages of ancient European cities on the hazy August horizon.
These memories compel me. Summer reaches fruition with the family pilgrimage to the beach.
So, once again, my husband and I loaded up our minivan with boogie boards and beach toys, strapped in our son Wolfie, and made the four hour drive to Galilee, a dilapidated community of bars, seafood distributorships and souvenir shops on Point Judith, Rhode Island, that serves as a departure point for tourists and commercial fishermen heading out to sea.
We arrived early and settled in on the second-story deck of the Wheelhouse Tavern next door to the ferry ticket office. The rank odor of countless barrels of bait lining the docks blended with the enticing aroma of frying clam fritters. We drank beer, ate lobster rolls and watched the heavily loaded ferries come and go. Wolfie entertained himself by scrutinizing the fishermen at work on their boats directly below us. A guitar player hired to entertain the clientele serenaded us with songs like “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which my husband, who is prone to seasickness, did not find appropriate for the about-to-board-the-ferry crowd.
We set sail at 6 p.m., leaving the harbor and passing Point Judith, then headed east across Block Island Sound.
Block Island is a pear-shaped outcropping formed by glaciers some 12,000 years ago. Just under seven miles long and about four miles across at its widest point, the island is a blend of grasslands, coastal bluffs, sand dunes, wetlands and salt and freshwater ponds. Old Harbor, the island’s hub, is a cluster of fanciful Victorian era hotels clinging improbably to the island’s rocky shores. The enormous Great Salt Pond opens up into the interior of the island. A man-made channel to the sea allows the pond to serve as a harbor and it is filled with sailboats throughout the summer.
Originally home to Manisses, a tribe of Narragansett Indians, Block Island was “discovered” by explorer Giovanni da Verrazano in 1524 and then again by Dutch fur trader Adrian Block, who sailed by the island in 1614 and gave it its name.
Designated one of the “Last Great Places” by the Nature Conservancy, much of Block Island is now protected from development. Although sections of the sandy beaches on the eastern coast become quite crowded on summer weekends, it is easy enough to find a place to enjoy some solitude.
The first part of the island to become visible from the ferry is the northernmost tip called Sandy Point. A narrow, mile-long peninsula of sand jutting into the ocean, Sandy Point is a popular spot for weddings. It’s also a popular spot for shipwrecks, because the sandbar extends out from the island for another half mile under the sea.
To alert ships to the danger, a lighthouse was built on the point in 1829. Called the Northern Light, it had to be reconstructed three times due to poor choices in location and devastating winds and seas. The fourth lighthouse, built in 1867, still stands today and is home to a small museum.
On Block Island we joined forces with our friends and their families who over the years have made our tradition their own. Numbering 12 adults and 8 children, ranging in age from 1 to 14 we cut a wide swath. On our first full day we convened on Mansion Beach. A wide strip backed by dunes with decent waves, no rocks and a short walk to bluffs and tidal pools, it is an ideal spot for beaching with kids. At first dip, the jade green water felt as cold as iceberg runoff at the North Pole, but amazingly, you got used to it.
The kids with their boogie boards rode the frothing waves like porpoises. Wolfie cut a dashing figure in his new wet suit, which protected him wonderfully from sun, sand and cold.
The requisite giant hole was dug and filled with water. The diaper set, 1-year-old Justin and 2-year-old Bryce, stripped down and lolled in the shallow, sun-warmed pool, occasionally flashing their white bottoms.
Mansion Beach is so named for a fantastic mansion constructed in the dunes in 1889 for Mrs. Edward Searles, the widow of railroad tycoon Mark Hopkins and at that time the wealthiest woman in the United States.
After her death, the mansion fell into disrepair, although it was revived during Prohibition as a restaurant and speakeasy. Lying between Narraganset Bay and Long Island, Block Island was a popular haven for smugglers who kept its speakeasies, such as The Mansion, well supplied. The mansion burned in a mysterious fire in 1963. All that remains is the impressive stone foundation.
After the beach, we ventured into the Club Soda, a local watering hole in the basement of the Highview Inn. Much of its dim, cave-like ambience comes from the aquamarine murals that cover its walls. The murals were painted in the 1940s by an artist named H. D. Wetherbee in exchange for a place to live, food and plenty of Scotch.
We chose a cool and blustery day to take advantage of some of the unique hiking opportunities on the island. A network of trails called The Greenway travels through more than 600 acres of protected land from the Great Salt Pond through the island’s interior and out to the spectacular rocky southern coast.
Considering the children we chose an easy hike through a unique glacial outwash basin called Rodman’s Hollow. Rodman’s Hollow, named for one of the island’s original families, was bought during the 1960s by developers. In response, islanders formed the Block Island Conservancy and bought it back so it could remain forever wild. Winding through the sunken scrubland, the trail dips into the hollow then rises again to the tops of the bluffs overlooking a rough and dark blue sea.
The rocky beach that lies below, called Black Rock for the rough-and-tumble outcropping of shining black and ocher boulders continuously pummeled by waves, is my favorite part of the island. The roar of the surf, the craggy sand cliffs and the salty wind wet with spray create an atmosphere both desolate and sublime. I drink it up with all my senses, knowing I must store up enough to last me through until next summer.
Covered with mud, sand and sea spray we head back. Whereas we families with young children have rented houses, spending our vacation in tenement-style arrangements complete with squalling babies and lines for the bathroom, some of our companions on the island have opted for a more civilized lifestyle, taking rooms at the Atlantic Inn. A Victorian hotel perched on a hill above Old Harbor, its wide front porch and sloping lawns look out over a panorama of ocean and beach.
The view spread out below us as we drove up the hill toward the hotel. Schuyler, 4, and Wolfie were in the back seat. Excited by the expanse made more dramatic by an approaching storm, I called out to the two boys “Guys, can you see the ocean?”
“I can see the ocean!” yelled Schuyler.
“I can see the clouds!” yelled Wolfie, referring to a charcoal cloud mass forming to the north.
“I can see God!” yelled Schuyler, fresh from a stint at a vacation bible school. My husband and I laughed.
If God can be seen, Block Island would be a likely place for a sighting.

On the Beach/Block Island A Mom’s Review of the Block Island Beaches

Finding Your Way Around

Upon arriving a map of Block Island and its various beaches can be easily obtained at the Visitor’s Center on Water Street in Old Harbor. The Visitor’s Center is located along Water Street on the edge of the ferry parking lot and next door to the Public Bathrooms directly across from the ferry docking point. If for some reason the Visitor’s Center is closed when you arrive maps and guide books can also be purchased at the Star Department Store across the street.

Block Island has many beaches and for families traveling with children different beaches are appealing for different reasons. Some are within walking distance from town, others in biking distance. Some of the beaches further from town are best reached by those with small children in a car or taxi as the island is quite hilly and bike rides can become arduous for young and old alike.

Block Island Beach Tips

Getting to the Beach
Block Island is a place where you are going to want to be outdoors as much as possible. If you are traveling with young kids there are a few items of gear that will really expand your options of where to go and how you get there.

1. A front carrier for babies (like Baby Bjorn), and/or a backpack for babies and toddlers makes getting off the beaten path with little ones possible.

2. A jog stroller allows you to take the very young as well as preschoolers who tire easily down long trails to isolated beaches. You can also use the jog stroller when taking long walks on the beach however don’t get it in the saltwater because your wheels will rust terribly. I speak from experience.

3. Putting children’s bike seats on your bikes makes bicycling to beaches far from town doable. Many people on the island also use those little trailers that you can tow behind your bike. Those seem to work well but I’ve never tried it. Tag-a-longs are a great option for kids that are too big to ride in a bike seat on your bike but too little to ride on their own. Don’t forget to bring helmets for everyone, even/especially babies in the trailers!

Braving the Elements
Like any beach around the world the sun is unrelenting so a sun shelter comes in really handy. Block Island beaches can also become quite windy with blowing sand that really stings. If you can find a sun tent that has a floor, or sides that descend all the way to the sand so that it can also protect kids from wind this is your best bet. In my experience kids do not enjoy being sandblasted. Keep in mind Block Island has a very strict rule banning tenting on the island so, even though it may seem like a practical solution, don’t try to set up your little dome tent on the beach. If you do they will make you take it down. I speak from experience.

The ocean water on Block Island beaches is really, really super cold until late August and September when the gulf stream changes. If your child is sensitive to the cold or likes to stay in the water for long periods of time it is really worthwhile to buy a child-sized, real wet suit, with short sleeves and legs like the kind scuba divers wear. Don’t be fooled by the much less expensive nylon suits that look like wetsuits but are designed mainly to protect from sun. A real wetsuit really works to prevent blue lips and shivering. A wetsuit also protects your child from sunburn and the dreaded sandy bottom. If you have trouble finding one inland Block Island Sports, located on ??? Street in Old Harbor always has a great selection at competitive prices

Preventing the Attack of the Dreaded Sandy Bottom
This condition is not unique to children on Block Island but it can destroy a beach experience. My child has always been very sensitive to being sandy. When he was very young he would get covered from head to toe in sand and then freak out because he had to get the sand off him. I have discovered the best way to remove sand is to brush it off with a clean, dry bandanna or sari. I always pack a couple of pairs of clean underpants and shorts and yes, it is this bad, baby powder. You probably think I’m crazy but being prepared in this way has saved many a beach day.

Sandy Point

Sandy Point is part of the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge and one of the most beautiful spots on the island. Unfortunately it can be problematic for people with kids. The beach is extremely rocky and not good for swimming. In fact even if you make it out to the point itself where it is sandy do not swim there. There is a rip tide and no swimming is allowed. There is a fresh water pond just beyond the parking area where kids can take a dip but I’m unsure about the water quality. I have seen it looking pretty yucky.

The North Light, a small stone lighthouse out on the point, built in the 1800s and the tiny museum inside it, is well worth the trip for adults but has little of interest for children.

Many rugged families ride bikes to the Sandy Point. There are some really steep hills that are tough to ride up and, in my opinion, dangerous to ride down.

Getting There: To reach the beach, simply drive north on Corn Neck Road until it end. The road ends in the beach’s sizable parking lot.

Snake Hole

Snake Hole

The beach is named Snake Hole because the trail to it is essentially a long, damp tunnel through the bushes. This is not a good trip for babies and toddlers but preschoolers and up will love it. It is a good place to visit but long stays are tricky because it is tough to bring your gear down this long narrow trail. It is best as an adventure beach but be prepared to swim because it is often extremely sandy and the water inviting. The waves are pretty decent size but generally not too big. Snake Hole, like Black Rock, is considered by some to be a nudist beach but we have only seen a naked person there once.

To reach Snake Hole from the ferry parking lot in town turn right on Water St.. Turn left on Dodge St.. Continue straight, crossing Corn Neck Rd. onto Ocean Ave. Take your next left onto Connecticut Avenue then turn right on Old Town Rd. Take a left on Center Rd. and go up a big hill, passing the airport on the left. Cooneymus Rd. will branch off to the right. Continue straight on Lakeside Dr. Pass the Fresh Pond on your right. The paved section of Lakeside Drive ends and the Mohegan Trail branches off to the left. there is a landmark called the Painted Rock that lies at the intersection of the Mohegan Trail and Lakeside Drive. At this point Lakeside Drive goes from pavement to dirt. Head down the dirt portion of Lakeside Drive. There is a house and a grassy area with a bike rack. The road takes a sharp right. Park here. At the far end of the grassy area there is a trail that leads into the underbrush.

Mohegan Bluffs

Mohegan Bluffs

Mohegan Bluffs is a section of coast line along the island’s south coast adjacent to the Southeast Light. The entrance to the bluffs is on the Mohegan Trail about one third of a mile southwest of the lighthouse. I do recommend this beach for parents with children but it is better to plan on a visit rather than a long beach stay because it isn’t easy to transport a lot of gear.

From the parking lot there is a really, really long set of stairs descend to the beach. Going down is not so bad. Going up is tough, more so for the adults than the kids, who seem to relish it. You will definitely want the backpack for babies and toddlers. The scenery is magnificent whether you are at the top of the bluffs or descend to the beach. The bluffs are about 150 feet high and eroded into fantastical shapes. The surf is generally spectacular. The beach is a combination of sand and rocks. Swimming is possible and you should come prepared to do so, although if the surf is very rough you may want to restrict children to wading only.

Getting There: To get to Mohegan Bluffs from the ferry parking lot in Old Harbor turn left on Water St. Go through the mini-traffic circle that loops around the statue of Rebecca and continue on Spring St., passing the Spring House Hotel on your right. Continue up a very steep winding hill. At the top of the hill bear right onto Mohegan Trail. Pass the South East Light House on your left. After the light house there is a turn into a small parking lot at the top of the bluffs. If you head toward the Light House from the parking lot you will come to the Payne Overlook. Turn toward the right and you will come to the stairs descending to the beach.

Although it would be possible to bicycle to the Mohegan Bluffs with older kids I don’t recommend it because the hill on Spring St. is an outrageously nearly impossible to bike up for adults and kids, and really dangerous, especially for children, to bike down.

New Shoreham Coast Guard Beach

New Shoreham Coast Guard Beach


This beach is located on the south side of the channel that leads from the Great Salt Pond to the ocean. There is beachfront along the channel itself and there is beach facing the pond. The beach facing the pond is the place to swim with young kids. The channel is quite deep and the water is fast moving. There are usually numerous fishermen along its banks fishing for flounder which is fun to watch. Another big attraction here is the boats coming and going from the salt pond. They run the gamut from little sailboats to giant sail boats and luxurious yachts.

As far as swimming goes the water on the Salt Pond section of the beach is warm and shallow and there is no surf so it is great for little swimmers. There are wonderful views from this spot of the Salt Pond and the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge which lies directly across the channel. Bring binoculars if you like to bird watch. The Coast Guard Station itself, built in the 1930s, is an intriguing complex of brick and wooden buildings.

Dory’s Cove

Dory’s Cove

Dory’s Cove, like Grace’s Cove is a quiet beach, sheltered from the wind, with very tame surf. It is not a swimming beach as it is very rocky and has a lot of seaweed. It is great for beach combing. I recommend Dory’s Cove, or any of the West Coast beaches for a sunset stroll. Mom and Dad should bring a bottle of wine and find a nice big washed up tree trunk to sit on while the kids explore.

Getting There: To reach Dory’s Cove follow the directions to Grace’s Cove and continue south past Grace’s Cove Rd. Dory’s Cove Rd. is the next right. Follow the sandy road until it ends. There you can pull your car or bikes to the side and walk down a short path to the beach.

Black Rock

Black Rock

This is one of the most beautiful places on the island. It is a little tricky to get to but well worth the trip. The entrance to Black Rock is on Cooneymus Road. Getting there from town is a pretty long ride with some very big hills. With kids I recommend driving. There is a parking lot. The trail to the beach is about a mile long and accessible only to walkers, bicyclers or horse-back riders. With kids walking is definitely the best way to go. For bicyclers it is very rough riding in spots. For those with babies I recommend a back pack. For those with toddlers I recommend a jog stroller. Once you reach the beach you can easily walk down with a baby on your back. A jog stroller can be left at the top of the bluff and you can carry your toddler down or just enjoy the view from the top. Older kids can do this walk. Although there may be some complaining it is worth it. Bring water!

Black Rock is a point made up of huge, black colored boulders. The beach is normally covered in rocks with some sandy patches. Sometimes there is even enough sand for wading but do not swim here with kids. The water is very rough and there are sharks. Although you may not go in the water here, rugged surfers often do and it is fabulous to watch them. There are often very interesting things washed up on the beach here because of the power of the surf. We have found, literally boats, sharks, buoys, all kinds of fish bones and much more of interest. The surfers and other beach partiers build shelters made of drift wood on the beach and in the bluffs, which are a lot of fun for kids to explore. Very occasionally we have seen naked people here sunning themselves but pay them no mind. Another fun thing to do is collect the greenish clay-like mud from the springs that seep from the bluffs and cover your body with it. Let it dry. Take a lot of pictures. Rinse it off. Kids and adults alike love this. And it is good for your skin!

If you simply can’t do the walk to Black Rock but you have a four-wheel drive vehicle with very high clearance you can drive. Turn at the Painted Rock at the intersection of the Mohegan Trail and Lakeside Drive turn right on Lakeside Drive. (It is an island tradition to paint this rock nightly to commemorate something, anything, that might be going on. The original rock was probably only the size of a pebble made large by so many layers of paint.) At the end of this road there is a house and a small parking area with a bike rack. This is the launching point for the beach Snake Hole (see listing below). Turn right on the dirt road and continue. This road travels along the tops of the bluffs on the south end of the island. There are a few very nice homes here. The road is very, very rough. There will be a small parking area on top of the bluffs.. This is generally where the surfers park. There is a very steep trail leading down onto the beach. There is also trail leading along the top of the bluffs to Black Rock but I don’t recommend either of these for folks with young children. It is easier to park here and continue to walk down the dirt road, which becomes essentially impassable by car. This road leads to the same spot where the trail described in the last paragraph arrives at the beach. It is easier to descend to the beach at this point.

Clay Head Beach

Clay Head Beach

This beach is just north of Mansion Beach. It is more of an adventure beach than a swimming beach. At the head of the trail to the beach there is a Nature Conservancy kiosk with maps and warnings about ticks. Only walkers are allowed on the trail which is about a quarter-mile long. It is an easy walk which kids can either love or turn into a brutal Trail of Tears depending on their mood. The beach is striking with high bluffs, rocky sections, sandy sections and great surf. Bank sparrows nest in little caves running along the top of the bluffs.

Toward the end of the trail to the beach a couple of other trails branch off to the left. Do not, I repeat Do Not, go down these trails with children. You will enter a network of trails that travel along the top of the bluffs known as The Maze. The views from the trail are astounding and it is well worth the trip for adults who want to lose themselves but believe me you do not want to get lost in there with young children.
Getting There: To reach the Clay Head continue north on Corn Neck Road past the entrance to the transfer station which will be on your left. The entrance to Clay Head is marked by a gray post with the words Clay Head Trail running down it vertically. It is a short, bumpy drive in to the parking lot. There is also a bike rack. The Nature Conservancy kiosk marks the head of the trail to the beach.

Mansion Beach

Mansion Beach: Mansion Beach is the last stretch of sand on Crescent Beach before it turns rough and rocky. It is a beautiful expanse of flat golden sand with essentially no rocks and the biggest waves on a sand beach on the island. The beach is named for a mansion built back in the dunes in 1889. The structure burned to the ground in 1963. . All that is left today are two stone pillars and a stone wall.

Mansion Beach is too far from town to walk to and a good, solid bike ride for families with kids say 8 and up. Although biking is possible, remember getting there is the easy part. Biking home with wet and sandy kids, exhausted from sun and surf is where it gets hard. Even though there is a fair amount of parking it is best to get there with a car early. The lot fills up fast, especially since all the tourists on Block Island seem to drive gigantic SUVs. There is a short trail to the beach. WATCH OUT FOR POISON IVY! It grows lushly on both sides of the trail. Most people settle down right at the end of the trail where it opens up onto the beach but lots of open space is available in either direction if you don’t mind walking.

The great thing about Mansion Beach is that it combines the best of all worlds. There is sand and surf but when kids need a break from boogie boarding and building sand castles it is easy enough to grab the buckets and walk a short distance north to the rocky tide pool area where kids can catch crabs and starfish. (Please return them to their natural habitat in a timely manner! Starfish do not do well in a bucket of saltwater baking in the sun on the porch of your rental house.) If you feel like walking further, at low-tide it is possible to continue north for a long way on the rocky beach. If you are ambitious you can even make to Clay Head Beach, which is the next beach to the north.
Getting There: Continue North on Corn Neck Road. Mansion Road is a dirt road on the right. The sign is a little hard to spot. There is a large shingled house on the corner with spectacular blue hydrangeas and Mansion Road itself is lined with pines. Along the dirt road you will come to a pair of stone pillars. These were part of the grounds of the mansion that once stood here. You will come to a fork in the road. Bear right. This will take you to the upper parking lot. If the beach is not crowded there may be parking in the lower lot which is a little closer to the trail to the beach. To reach the lower lot continue to drive through the upper lot and follow the road as it loops down into the lower lot. This loop is one way only so if you find there is no parking don’t turn around. You must continue driving, bear left and repeat the loop. At the northern end of the lower lot there is a trail to the beach. Again. Watch Out For Poison Ivy both in the parking lots and along the trail.

Andy’s Way:

Andy’s Way: This beach is one of the best places to go with toddlers. It is a spit of sand that sticks out into the Great Salt Pond and is part of an ecosystem known as a Salt Marsh. The salt marsh habitat is extremely diverse, home to numerous species of plants and animals. It is possible to see many types of crabs and birds. There are virtually no waves, plenty of shells and sweeping views of the Great Salt Pond and the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge. The beach itself is a mixture of sand, shells, rocks and seaweed. But it becomes mostly sandy at the water’s edge and it is easy to wade in. The water is extremely shallow and warmer than the water on the surf side. It is great for paddling around and using floating tubes, rubber rafts etc. Low tide is the best time to go because then you have the most access for exploring. Andy’s Way is the place to go on the island for clams. Do not dig clams without a license. You can obtain a clamming license at Block Island Marine, the marina that is home to The Oar restaurant.

Getting There: Continue past Scotch Beach traveling north on Corn Neck Road. Look closely for a small white street sign on the left that says Andy’s Way. Turn left here and drive in. There is a decent sized parking lot. At the western end of the parking lot there is a short trail to the beach.

Scotch Beach:

Scotch Beach: This is a sandy beach with a few scattered large rocks lying just to the north of the town beach. It is called Scotch Beach because people used to have to pay to use the beaches closer to town (no longer) and the people who didn’t want to pay just went up a little ways and got onto the beach for free. There is a small parking lot and a bike rack. The sand can sometimes be very deep in the parking lot making it a little tough to get in and out if you don’t have four-wheel drive. It is just a short walk to the beach from the road. For walkers and bicyclers it is only a little further of a trek than the town beach and quite a bit less crowded. The problem for drivers is that the parking lot fills up early. Directly across the Corn Neck Road lies the Great Salt Pond. There is a small pull off with a wooden bridge crossing a marshy area leading to a small beach. All the sailboats visiting the island moor in the Great Salt Pond. Many of the sailors beach their dinghies on this little beach and cross over to Scotch Beach to swim in the surf. A little walk to explore this tiny beach with its tiny boats can be a good diversion for preschoolers.
Getting There: Follow the directions to the Town Beach and continue past the Bath House for a short distance. There are many trails over the dunes to the beach along this stretch and lots of people park here. The next actual turn off is for the Scotch Beach Parking Lot.

Frederick Benson Town Beach

Frederick Benson Town Beach: This beach, once managed by the state of Rhode Island is now run by the Town of New Shoreham but is still often referred to as the State Beach. It lies just north of Old Harbor along Corn Neck Road facing Block Island Sound. This beach is great for small children although it can be kind of crowded, especially on weekends. The beach is generally free of large rocks although there can sometimes be a lot of pebbles. The waves are normally on the small side although they can get quite large after a storm. The best thing about State Beach for families is that it has lifeguards and a bath house, featuring bathrooms, changing rooms, a snack bar and vending machines. It is the only beach on the island with this feature. If the weather is cloudy the bath house is often closed.

Getting There: The town beach is easily reached on foot if you have a good stroller. It also the easiest beach to bike to on the island. There are also lots of bike racks and ample free parking both in a parking lot and along the road. To get there from the ferry parking lot in Old Harbor turn right on Water St. At the Surf Hotel bear left onto Dodge Street. Take your next right onto Corn Neck Road. Continue north on Corn Neck Road until you see the bath house. You can’t miss it. It is virtually the only structure on the beach side of the road and flies a lot of flags.

Children’s Beach

Children’s Beach, also known as Burton Cove: This beach is good for people with zero transportation because it can be easily reached on foot from the ferry docking point in Old Harbor. Upon getting off the ferry turn right onto Water Street.. At the end of the street you will see the Surf Hotel, a shingled, Victorian-style building with a wrap around front porch. Directly below the hotel there is a beach with very small waves. It has scattered largish rocks and usually some seaweed and pebbles but this makes it all the more intriguing for toddlers who are often less interested in swimming and more interested in small-scale excavations and exploring. This beach is the southernmost end of a two-mile swath of sand that runs along the island’s eastern coast facing Block Island Sound called Crescent Beach.

Getting There: From Old Harbor Ferry Parking Lot: turn right on Water Street and follow it for a short distance. The street turns sharply to the left becoming Dodge Street. At the corner stands the Surf Hotel, a big shingled, Victorian-style building with a wrap-a-round front porch. The fastest way to reach Children’s Beach is to climb down the rocks here and cross the jetty. The beach is on the other side of the jetty. If that seems too tough, make a left on Dodge St. and take the next right on Corn Neck Road. Follow Corn Neck Road until you come to the dunes behind the beach. There are many paths here where you can cross the dunes and access the beach.