We’ve had a few days of decent 60-70 degree weather, but a few days ago, all of us (save those who enjoy central air) were sweating away the hours as the greater Boston area enjoyed a few days of summery temperatures. And while Boston weather is never predictable, we can safely say there will be more of those days ahead. Which always says “beach day” to me.
Of course, if you have a car, there are plenty of beautiful beachheads you can check out. There’s Crane Beach in Ipswich, any beach in Manchester or Salem, there’s Hull… if you’re feeling ambitious, you can even drive to the Cape. But if you’re dependent on the T, you’ll want to check out one of these beaches instead. Just be warned, no matter what New England beach you visit, the water is going to be cold. Maybe sub-60 degree cold. It’s just a fact of life up here. I love swimming, but I’m almost never able to do it here.
- M Street Beach, South Boston: Here’s your best bet for a beachfront that’s actually inside city limits (and one which get some nearby apartment buildings soon). A mile and a half from the Andrew Station stop on the Red Line, the M Street Beach is most of Boston’s go-to sun spot when the mercury rises, and there are city-run bathhouses in case you don’t want to run out into that frigid water every time nature calls.
- Revere Beach, Revere: Revere Beach gets a bad rap because Revere gets a bad rap. Yes, this beach is just over a mile from the horse-racing track, and much closer to some of Revere’s seedier areas, but they only look bad when compared to the tonier areas of Back Bay or Beacon Hill. Loosen up and take the Blue Line to Revere Beach. There’s long stretches of wide beachfront, plenty of benches set up under pavilions if you tire of the sun, and there’s the original Kelly’s Roast Beef sandwich stand, which has been open since 1951.
- Wollaston Beach, Quincy: This one’s my personal favorite. A long, sandy stretch on the outer Boston Harbor with views of the city and of the surrounding shorefronts, Wollaston is close enough to be convenient to the city but far enough away you feel like you’ve left. There are a couple of yacht clubs based there, making it possible you might see some boaters in action, and the beach drive features an honest-to-goodnest fried clam bar.
I can’t stress enough, though, that whatever beach you choose up here, the water will be way too cold.
What’s your favorite Boston-area beach? Tell us in the comments.
