Located only 25 miles from Boston Logan International Airport, Beverly, Massachusetts, is an idyllic New England town. This North Shore community of less than 50,000 year-round residents is filled with history (it was the site of the first cotton mill in America and the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution) and is today one of the most desirable places to live in the Bay State.
One of the main reasons residents love living in Beverly and visitors flock to the town in the summer month is beach access. If you long for sand between your toes and the sounds of waves lapping against the shore, you have plenty of options in Beverly.
Read on to discover the best beaches to visit in Beverly.
1. Crane Beach
Several miles of shoreline can be accessed at Crane Beach with seasonal or daily guest passes as the beach is owned by the Trustees of Reservations, which are a non-profit conservation group.
Crane Beach is located in Ipswich, a short 15-minute drive from Beverly, and boasts amenities including a snack bar and beach store, bathhouse, and lifeguards during the busy summer season.
These amenities make Crane Beach a great destination for families, and its trails and boardwalks offer a great way to take in the incredible natural beauty found along the New England Coast.
Whether you enter the gate on foot, on a bicycle, or in a vehicle, you must have a paid membership or an entry pass. Cyclists are welcome to ride on the trails, but cycling on the beach is not permitted. Dogs are only allowed on Crane Beach in the off-season, from October 1 through March 31.
Should you find your beach day shortened by rain (or perhaps a sunburn), be sure to check out Castle Hill while you’re in the area. Guided tours of this incredible 3,500-acre estate are a favorite activity for visitors to the North Shore.
2. Dane Street Beach
Dane Street Beach is easily accessible to residents and visitors with free onsite parking; however, the lot is small, so expect to look for street parking nearby in busier times.
The beach is owned by the City of Beverly and is located just minutes from many shopping and dining areas. Stop by Beantrust Coffee (less than a mile away) for a quick breakfast and cup of joe before you hit the beach. Or, if you are starving after a day of fun in the sun, head over to Cabot Pizza and enjoy mouthwatering pizzas, pastas, subs, and more.
Dane Street Beach has a terrific playground for kids, a bathhouse, and lifeguards on duty in the summer months.
3. Lynch Park
One of Beverly’s most popular sites, David S. Lynch Park, boasts two beautiful beaches and 16 acres of park space, a performance shell, and a splash pad. While residents may park for free, visitors will be required to pay a cash fee of $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekends. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and while it is a wonderful spot for a family picnic, come prepared to remove all of your trash with you when you leave. Visitors are expected to remove everything they bring to the park as there are no trash receptacles.
A bathhouse is available in the summer months, along with a snack stand. Dogs can only visit the park outside of the summer season, between Labor Day and Memorial Day. While the parking fee is steep for visitors, the incredible views (including Marblehead Lighthouse) still make it one of the best beaches in the area. Also, the Carriage House in the park can be rented for special events making it the perfect spot for a family reunion, wedding, or other special ceremony near the beach.
Other Nearby Beaches
There are plenty of beaches within an easy drive of Beverly if you feel like getting out and exploring more of the New England coast.
4. Singing Beach
Manchester-by-the-Sea neighbors Beverly to the north and Singing Beach is a great spot to visit with one caveat: you will need to go during the week. Parking is for Manchester residents only on the weekends.
You can also avoid the parking issue by traveling via commuter rail, and in the summer months, you will find restrooms, changing rooms, and lifeguards, all available here.
5. Bakers Island
Another fun activity for families while visiting Beverly is a trip to Bakers Island. Ferries leave from Salem (just 15 minutes from Beverly), and you will enjoy incredible views of the New England Coast while traveling out to a 10-acre light station property with historic trails and an 1820 light tower.
6. Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Another nearby beach in Massachusetts is Salisbury Beach State Reservation, with more than 3 miles off shoreline plus 484 campsites. The park is a 45-minute ride from Beverly, driving north up Interstate 95 or US Highway 1.
There is a daily parking fee from May 15 to October 31 (credit or debit cards only, no cash), and the park has two boat ramps along the Merrimack River to launch motorboats and kayaks canoes.
7. Plum Island
This popular island is also 45 minutes north of Beverly and offers three beach areas for visitors: the Refuge, Plum Island Center, and the North Point. Parking and public restrooms are available at each beach, and there are also plenty of opportunities to shop, dine, and sightsee in Newburyport.
8. Hampton Beach State Park
Thirty miles north of Beverly, this New Hampshire State Park offers miles of beautiful sandy beaches, campsites, and a park store. You can even ride horses on this beach from October 1 to April 30.
Parking is $15 per day (or $30 for RVs), and pets are not allowed on the beach from May 1 to September 30. If you want to camp overnight while visiting Hampton Beach, be sure to book a campsite in advance.
Megan Jones leads the editorial staff of Seaside Planet. They are a multidisciplinary team of outdoor adventurers, water sports lovers, and passionate beach goers. You can learn more about Meg and the rest of the editorial team here.
