Front Beach
Rockport, MA
Front Beach is the sandy beach in downtown Rockport, on Sandy Bay behind the shops and the Shalin Liu Performance Center. You can spread a towel, swim, and walk to lunch within minutes. It is the easiest beach in town to combine with a day exploring Bearskin Neck.
Central and convenient with lots of food nearby, but downtown parking and summer crowds are the trade for that convenience.
How we score beachesIn July and August, use the free park and ride at Blue Gate Lane off Route 127 and take the low fare trolley in. Downtown parking is tight and metered.
Paid on-street parking runs beside the beach, and a private lot sits across the street. In July and August, a park and ride lot at Blue Gate Lane connects to downtown by shuttle.
The sand is right next to the road and sidewalks, a short flat walk from downtown parking and shops.
Dogs are prohibited on Rockport's town beaches from June 1 to September 15.
Summer weekends are busy, as the town fills with visitors. Fall gets quieter and the light on Sandy Bay is excellent for walks.
More Atlantic Coast beaches

Coast Guard Beach
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A National Seashore beach backed by grassy dunes and a tidal marsh, with clean Atlantic surf and one of the Cape's most scenic approaches on foot from the parking area.

Surfside Beach
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Open Atlantic swell and a wide sandy shoreline about three miles from Nantucket town, popular with locals for its bodysurfing waves and quieter, less commercial feel.

Jones Beach State Park
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A classic Long Island beach with six and a half miles of shoreline, a landmark water tower, boardwalk, and a large outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts through the summer.
