Parks To Find Great Views of Long Island Sound In Southeastern Connecticut

Southeastern Connecticut’s shoreline offers plenty of spots to enjoy views of Long Island Sound. Whether you’re looking for a place to go for a coastal walk or looking for a place to enjoy views of the water from your car, this list has you covered.

Rocky Neck State Park

Coastal scene with houses along a rocky shoreline at sunset. Snow and barren trees are visible; the sky is filled with orange and yellow hues. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This park in Niantic is known for its scenic beauty, offering a combination of sandy beaches, salt marshes, and wooded trails. The park is a popular destination for swimming, picnicking, fishing, and hiking. Its diverse ecosystems make it a haven for wildlife, and the park’s rich history adds to its charm.
Learn more about visiting: Rocky Neck State Park CT

Harkness Memorial State Park

A metal bench is placed on grass near a body of water, surrounded by blooming yellow daffodils under a cloudy sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This park in Waterford is a great place to enjoy the Connecticut shoreline. This park has a little bit of everything. It has water views, a beach, a historic mansion, and various gardens to explore. It’s also a great spot for bird watching.
Learn more about visiting: Harkness Memorial State Park In Connecticut

Waterford Beach Park

A serene beach view with clear blue skies, gentle waves, and a few people walking along the shoreline. Lush greenery borders the sandy beach. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Waterford Beach Park is home to my personal favorite beach on the Connecticut shoreline. This park is not far from Harkness Memorial State Park. It’s a great spot to get outside and enjoy the shoreline and it’s also a great spot for birding.

Sound View Beach

Sunset over a sandy beach with calm waves and scattered clouds. Houses are visible in the distance on the right. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This beach in Old Lyme is another favorite of mine. There are a handful of beach bars you can grab a drink or bite to eat at along this beach. It’s a great spot to hang out in the summer. In the colder months, it’s one of my favorite places to catch a sunset.

Seaside State Park

A rocky shoreline at sunset with waves hitting the rocks, grassy land on the left, and several buildings along the coast under a partly cloudy sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This park in Waterford offers beautiful coastal views. In addition to coastal views, there are old buildings from what was once Seaside Sanatorium, which opened in the 1930s and closed in 1997. It’s a pretty undeveloped park, but that’s part of the charm.
Learn more about visiting: The Unique Seaside State Park In Connecticut

Ocean Beach Park

A beach with gentle waves, a sandy shore, and distant vegetation under a cloudy sky at sunset. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This park in New London is a great spot for a beach day. With a beautiful beach, a boardwalk, mini golf, an arcade, a splash pad, and a pool, it offers fun for all ages. Whether you’re looking to relax or keep the family entertained, this beachfront destination has it all. It’s no wonder it was named one of the top 25 beaches in the U.S.
Learn more about visiting: Ocean Beach Park In New London, CT

Niantic Bay Boardwalk

A serene beach at sunset with gentle waves, grassy dunes in the foreground, and trees on the horizon. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This boardwalk in Niantic is a 1.1 mile walking path that runs between Cini Park and Hole in the Wall Beach along Niantic Bay. This is a beautiful spot to walk for a sunrise and it’s also one of my favorite spots to watch the sunset in the winter months. Be sure to also enjoy the beaches that can be found on either side of the boardwalk.

Stonington Point

The sun sets over a calm body of water, casting an orange reflection. Clouds are scattered in the sky and some rocks and birds are visible in the foreground. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Stonington Point in Stonington is a great spot for both sunrise and sunset. One of my favorite parts about this spot is there are panoramic water views that you can enjoy right from your car. This makes it a great spot to visit year-round.

McCook Point Park

A beach with a few people walking by the shoreline and houses on a hill in the background under a sunny sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele

McCook Point Park is a beautiful waterfront park in Niantic offering stunning views of Long Island Sound. The park features picnic areas, a small beach, walking paths, and a playground, making it a perfect spot for families. It’s a great spot to visit year-round to enjoy the shoreline. In the colder months, it’s a great spot to enjoy views from the warmth of your car.

Bluff Point State Park

A sandy beach with a person standing near the water's edge under a blue sky with scattered clouds. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This state park in Groton is known for its coastal trails and scenic views of Long Island Sound. The park is popular for hiking, fishing, and birdwatching, with areas of both forest and open meadows. You can enjoy some water views by the parking lot, but the best views are to be had along the trail.

Harvey’s Beach

Sunset over a snowy landscape with a bench in the foreground, overlooking calm water and distant shoreline under an orange sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Harvey’s Beach in Old Saybrook is a great spot to visit year-round. This is another great spot for a sunset. This is a great spot to visit in the winter because you don’t have to get out of your car to enjoy the views.

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