Top boardwalks in connecticut

Boardwalks are one of the best ways to get outside, stretch your legs, catch up with a loved one, and take in some fresh coastal air. Luckily, Connecticut has no shortage of beautiful waterfront paths to explore. Over the past few years, I’ve visited some of the most scenic and charming boardwalks in the state—so I’m sharing my top picks for your next stroll. Whether you're looking for a quick walk after work or a peaceful weekend outing, there’s a spot on this list for every kind of vibe. From ocean views to hidden gems, these are the boardwalks I keep coming back to.

DOES CONNECTICUT HAVE BOARDWALKS?

YES, Connecticut does have boardwalks! In fact, most of the boardwalks are in gorgeous little beach towns where locals and visitors alike can come to take a nice stroll and get a view of the ocean. From Niantic Bay Boardwalk in Niantic to Silver Sands State Park in Milford, there are countless options to choose from if you're looking to walk near a sandy beach.

1. NIANTIC BAY BOARDWALK IN NIANTIC, CONNECTICUT

Niantic Bay Boardwalk is located right off the main street in Niantic, Connecticut and it's considered the longest boardwalk in the state. Stretching over 1.1 miles long, this boardwalk runs between Cini Park and Hole-in-the-Wall Beach and it's the perfect spot if you're looking for a nice, long walk. There's usually a breeze since the boardwalk is right next to the water, and the train passes by on the other side of the boardwalk every couple hours. Parking is free during the off season but during the summer months you may have to pay to park in the parking lots closest to the beach. When I went recently in June, we were told that parking is $45 for town residents and $55 for out-of-towners but that you could park somewhere else nearby and walk in for free on the boardwalk. The reason they do this is because both the Niantic Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall beach are on either end of the boardwalk so many people come, park, and go to the beach. These are the people who they want to be paying for parking/beach access. This is my all time favorite boardwalk, especially in the evenings or at night, so I come to visit here year round and would highly recommend it to anyone in the area.

2. Poquonnock River Boardwalk/WALKWAY IN GROTON, CONNECTICUT

Nestled near a residential neighborhood in Groton, Connecticut is one of the cutest and least known boardwalks in the state- Poquonnock River Boardwalk. This is a 0.9-mile out-and-back trail that goes through the trees and runs parallel along the Poquonock River, and it really is a beauty. It's usually very quiet, takes about 15-20 minutes to complete, and it's super Instagrammable for anyone looking for a more aesthetic choice. I would know- I've taken COUNTLESS pictures here over the years and have never had to deal with being embarassed by people walking by on the trail because I rarely see other people here (especially in the off season). While I wouldn't drive from 30 minutes or more away to this boardwalk, if you are in the area looking for a short, new place to go or you really are dedicated to getting some good pictures here then it's a good spot for you.

3. SILVER SANDS STATE PARK IN MILFORD, CONNECTICUT

I like to think that when most locals think of a boardwalk in Connecticut, they think of the iconic Silver Sands State Park boardwalk in Milford, Connecticut. This boardwalk is 3/4 miles long and it branches out to a larger network of trails within the state park. It also connects to Walnut Beach, which has over half a mile of shoreline to enjoy beach activities like tanning, swimming, bird watching, and running. People love to visit this area year round no matter what the weather is like, making this a more populated boardwalk compared to ones like Poquonnock River Boardwalk. As far as the length goes though, this is the second longest boardwalk in Connecticut so if you do want a nice long walk and you're closer to Milford than Niantic, then this is the boardwalk for you.

Ferry Landing State Park is my second favorite boardwalk in the state and that's because of the aesthetic. This boardwalk is SO cute! It's shorter in comparison to others and not as well known unless you're from the area, so it's typically pretty quiet which makes it a relaxing place to visit. You may notice that there are just a couple fishermen leaning on the sides trying to catch some fresh fish from the Connecticut River that runs below it, but that's about it! It's only 0.2 miles each way, making it an easy trail to amble and take in the view. At the end of the boardwalk, there is a second story landing that overlooks the Amtrak Old Saybrook-Old Lyme Bridge and boats chugging along the river.

UPDATE: This boardwalk is currently closed for construction. Despite the Google Business Profile saying it is "permanently closed", do not worry- it's not. According to the CT.gov website, the boardwalk closed in early Spring 2025 and will remain closed until the completion of the AMTRACK bridge replacement project.

OTHER GREAT PLACES TO WALK NEAR THE WATER IN CONNECTICUT

While the boardwalks mentioned above are considered to be traditional "boardwalks", there are countless other beaches and areas in the state that have short little boardwalks to beautiful beaches, and I don't feel like I could successfully make this list without sharing those as well. Below are a few other areas I would recommend that have some type of boardwalk nearby:

HARKNESS MEMORIAL STATE PARK IN WATERFORD, CONNECTICUT

Could this count as a boardwalk? By the definition, yes, this little walk to the beach is on a boardwalk. Is it a boardwalk you can take a nice, long walk on? No, but it does lead to a little beach with soft sand and clear water that's free for Connecticut residents. It's also located in one of the most gorgeous locations in all of Connecticut, Harkness Memorial State Park. This is a true in-state gem, complete with a 42-room Roman Renaissance Classical Revival-style mansion, six gardens, and a pergola. While the mansion is usually rented out for events, there are mansion tours available and visitors can stroll the gardens, park, beach, and pergola at any time. I personally love to come to the beach here on a weekday in the summer because it's quieter and the water is decently clear.

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Another boardwalk that is technically "a boardwalk" but not long enough to take a decent stroll is the boardwalk at Hammonasset Beach State Park. This boardwalk is unique because instead of leading towards the beach and ending with visitors directly in the sand, the boardwalk leads away from the state park. In fact, this boardwalk is actually the start of a biking trail known as the Shoreline Greenway Trail that goes into the woods for 25 miles through five towns to end at Lighthouse Point in New Haven. Besides this area there is also a paved trail visitors walk on to get to and from the beach and parking lots. The photo of me all the way at the top of this blog is from that paved trail.

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Whether you're a lifelong local or just starting to explore more of what Connecticut has to offer, these boardwalks are some of the best spots to slow down and enjoy the coastal beauty of our state. As someone from the East Coast who’s also traveled to over 17 countries, I truly believe some of the most peaceful and scenic places are right here at home. If you’re looking for more travel tips—both local and international—be sure to scroll through my other blogs and hit subscribe so you never miss a new adventure.