Summer in New England can be great however it always seems to surprise me when we get a really good heat wave! It looks like we’re in store for some classic summer heat over the next few days and that leads me straight to thoughts of swimming. I haven’t got profiles of all of my favorite places up yet but here are a few to get you started that are on my regular rotation of spots:
- Bigelow Hollow State Park in Northeastern/Central CT. This is one of my favorite freshwater spots if I’ve got a day where I want to dive right in. It’s right off I-84 and maybe 1.5 hours from Boston and less from Providence and Worcester. The state park website is OK and does give decent directions. It’s a great place for a grill as well since they have pits for that and picnic tables.
- Houghton’s Pond: This pond is just barely outside Boston and right off I-93/Route 128 (exit 3; marked Hougton’s Pond). For sheer convenience it can’t be beat and there’s a snack bar there too. I’m hoping to have more information added to my Blue Hills Reservation Page. In the interim, check out the official park page.
- Misquamicut Beach: This Rhode Island beach is also a future addition to this website, they’re known for their great waves even if the parking fees for out of state plates were recently raised to levels that should be considered extortion! Sadly the link to the RI State Park website appears to be dead at the moment but it’s basically one of the last exits off I-95 in Rhode Island before you cross the line into Connecticut.
- Duxbury Beach: This beach on the South Shore is a little on the cold side however it’s a great beach without the hassle of the Sagamore Bridge that can really make a trip to Cape Cod a chore. Here’s a link for more information.
- Crane Beach: This Trustees of Reservations property on the north shore is a real gem and, even with ‘brisk’ water, is a nice place to spend the day. Check out the Trustees site for more information.
These are just a few of many great places all within a couple hours of Boston (except Misquamicut, that might be a little bit longer) that provide a great place to cool off on a hot day. If you’re lucky enough to NOT be in an office for the next few days hop into your car and make the trip, you’ll be glad you did!