Page 54 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - New England

52 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Ocean Beaches

Brightly colored structures on the pier at Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach, Old
1 of bird species, although some
Orchard, ME
nesting grounds may be off-limits
Old Orchard has been a razzle-dazzle between May and early August.
resort beach since trains first ran
Misquamicut State
here in 1842. Three miles (5 km) of 4
main beach guarantee plenty of Beach, Westerly, RI
room for sunbathing, swimming, MAP E5 • Adm
kite-flying, and sandcastle-building. Misquamicut (miss-KWAHM-i-cut) is
Shops, amusements, and rides one of New England’s most popular
ensure no one ever gets bored. family beaches, packing intense
During the summer there’s a lively summer entertainment into a rela-
bar scene as well (see p126). tively short stretch of white sand.
Most rides, amusement stands, and
Hampton Beach,
2 food kiosks open late June to August
Hampton, NH
and some fall weekends, but the
MAP N6 beach is accessible all year. Parking
Small, decorous state beaches dot lots fill early on summer weekends.
Hampton’s shoreline, but the main
village beach is easily the most 0 km 50 North 95 295
Conway
raucous, with outdoor concerts, 0 miles 50 Brunswick Bath
sandcastle competitions, a flurry 89 Hanover MAINE Portland
of summer activities, and a strip of 93 Laconia
souvenir shops and casual eateries. Rochester Kennebunk
NEW
In summer the town is bilingual, 91 HAMPSHIRE
reflecting its popularity with Quebec Manchester Portsmouth
vacationers. Swimming is good, but 93
the surf from offshore storms can Brattleboro Nashua Atlantic
Lawrence
make it challenging at times. Fitchburg 95 Ocean
MASSACHUSETTS Boston
Crane Beach, Ipswich,
3 Springfield Worcester Plymouth
90
MA
MAP G2 • Adm 91 Providence 6
This 7-mile (11-km) stretch of Hartford RHODE Hyannis
copious white sand is one of New New 95 ISLAND New
Bedford
England’s most picturesque swim- London Martha’s
ming beaches. Pack binoculars; 1 Vineyard Nantucket
Island
Crane is legendary for its diversity
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