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Old 03-08-2016, 02:54 PM
 
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...have restaurants, ice cream, rides, or other things to do right on the beach? Looking for cool places to take the family including two young kids. Willing to go from RI to as far north as OOB. I grew up going to the Jersey Shore (Ocean City) so I guess I'm looking for something similar.
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Old 03-08-2016, 04:34 PM
 
Location: East Coast
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Interesting you should ask this, as I was just thinking about this very issue today. We just moved from PA, and my kids LOVE (okay, I do, too) OCNJ. As I was driving around, I was wondering where I could go with them for a daytrip or overnight this summer. For my younger son, nothing is going to replace Gillian's, but if I could come even remotely close, he just might be content enough.

Unfortunately, I have no advice, but I definitely want to follow the thread.
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Old 03-08-2016, 07:17 PM
 
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Nantasket, Salisbury, Newport RI (1st Beach) would be some others. But really, Hampton would be your best bet.
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Old 03-08-2016, 07:32 PM
 
Location: Southern New Hampshire
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In Maine, OOB or maybe York would be best-something for everybody. Lots of little shops, arcades, etc. There are a couple choices for beaches, plus you visit Nubble Light, climb on the rocks, etc (no beach right there). York's Wild Kingdom has lions & tigers & bears (oh my!) PLUS rides, go-carts & camel rides.

New Hampshire has less than 20 miles of oceanfront, and much of that is rocks. Hampton is your best bet in NH. No rides, but plenty of arcades and junk food!

North Shore of MA, Salisbury is a possibility. I think that there are still some rides, definitely a couple of arcades, but nothing like back in the day (multiple music venues, 2 separate parks with midway rides, games of chance, and a great place for kids! Now it's a little grittier, a lot quieter. However, it's worth stopping by for a couple slices of beach pizza...
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Old 03-08-2016, 07:56 PM
 
Location: near bears but at least no snakes
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Originally Posted by Valerie C View Post
In Maine, OOB or maybe York would be best-something for everybody. Lots of little shops, arcades, etc. There are a couple choices for beaches, plus you visit Nubble Light, climb on the rocks, etc (no beach right there). York's Wild Kingdom has lions & tigers & bears (oh my!) PLUS rides, go-carts & camel rides.

New Hampshire has less than 20 miles of oceanfront, and much of that is rocks. Hampton is your best bet in NH. No rides, but plenty of arcades and junk food!

North Shore of MA, Salisbury is a possibility. I think that there are still some rides, definitely a couple of arcades, but nothing like back in the day (multiple music venues, 2 separate parks with midway rides, games of chance, and a great place for kids! Now it's a little grittier, a lot quieter. However, it's worth stopping by for a couple slices of beach pizza...
Yes, and as for Salisbury Beach, it is going through a period of transition. There are pizza and ice cream places and a nice restaurant that's right on the beach but not too much else. The beach endured major destruction due to winter storms this year but it's building itself back up. Probably someone (the state? the town?) will truck some more sand in too.

There are huge plans for Salisbury Beach--a boardwalk with shops and probably condos. They need to build restrooms because the old ones are a disgrace--I don't know if the new ones will be ready by this summer. It's a gorgeous beach but for now, I think Hampton Beach is more inviting and ready for business. Salisbury Beach is okay but it's a work in progress.

York Beach is fantastic!
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Old 03-09-2016, 02:27 AM
 
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A more local option ( and one that is often overlooked) is Salem Willows in Salem, MA. It has a small offering of games and rides.
The nearby beach is small, but adequate. Salem Willows is definitely not as great as OOB or York. You can make a day of it by combining it with a visit to downtown Salem.
Salem Willows Park | Salem Arcade
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Old 03-09-2016, 05:41 AM
 
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Misquamicut Beach in Westerly has a couple rides I think and is a pretty nice warmer-water beach. Ocean Beach Park in New London has lots of rides.
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Old 03-09-2016, 06:28 AM
 
Location: Needham, MA
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Originally Posted by massnative71 View Post
Nantasket, Salisbury, Newport RI (1st Beach) would be some others. But really, Hampton would be your best bet.
I'm surprised to see you say Nantasket Beach. The amusement park has been gone from there for decades (except for the carousel). There are some things bear the beach but not a ton.
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Old 03-09-2016, 07:07 AM
 
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In Marblehead/Swampscott area: the best spot is Devereaux beach. It has a nice playground on the sand (with structures that were updated last year) and a nice small place for food/ice cream/beverages. The beach is very nice. Actually, people swim in July/August; the water temperature can reach mid-60s. There is a parking lot and bathrooms. It is worth spending few hours in that beach and a day in Marblehead.
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Old 03-09-2016, 08:24 AM
 
Location: Providence, RI
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Originally Posted by missionhill View Post
Misquamicut Beach in Westerly has a couple rides I think and is a pretty nice warmer-water beach. Ocean Beach Park in New London has lots of rides.
I think this is the best bet in RI given the OP's criteria. There's a waterpark as well as a small fun park (go-carts, mini golf, carousel, and some kiddie rides. Westerly has some good shopping/dining too. I've always had a soft spot for that town.

Narragansett's pretty nice too. The beach area has a few shops and restaurants. There's a small park with go-carts, bumper cars, arcade, mini-golf, etc. nearby. South Kingstown next door has a nice main street and there are a bunch of other nice places not too far away including Matunuck and Misquamicut or even Newport for an afternoon. I still think Hampton or OOB are probably the closest to the Jersey Shore beach towns though. At least for this region.

Newport, in my opinion, is the most well-rounded summer town in New England. Downtown Newport rivals larger places like Portland Maine or Burlington Vermont in terms of shopping, dining, nightlife, etc. There's even a nice old fashioned arcade for the kids. It's beautiful and fun. First beach is active and busy with an aquarium, carousel, skatepark, and a beach bar. Second Beach is still fairly busy (though there's room to spread) and in a much more natural setting. Not even a mile from First Beach. Third Beach is quieter and more serene by far. So there's something for everyone from that standpoint. Hotels and rentals range from historic homes and inns in the historic center to chain hotels in a suburban setting to typical beach motels. You can do Newport very upscale or very low-key depending on what you're interested in.
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