Things to Do in Niantic

The top things to do in Niantic, the shoreline village of East Lyme, Connecticut, are a beach day or a campout at Rocky Neck State Park, a walk on the free, mile-long Niantic Bay Boardwalk, a swim at the town's McCook Point, Hole-in-the-Wall or Niantic Bay beaches, and a stroll along Main Street. In spring, add the alewife run at Bride Brook; in summer, fishing off the jetties.

1. Spend a Day at Rocky Neck State Park

The state park is Niantic's big outdoor draw: a half-mile crescent of stone-free sand on Long Island Sound, a five-mile trail network, a salt marsh and a 1930s WPA pavilion. Parking is free for Connecticut cars. Rocky Neck beach, hiking, the pavilion.

2. Walk the Niantic Bay Boardwalk

A free, accessible, mile-long boardwalk and gravel path along Niantic Bay between Cini Memorial Park and Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, open around the clock. No dogs, bikes or skates. Niantic Bay Boardwalk.

3. Swim at the Town Beaches

Hole-in-the-Wall, reached through a tunnel under the railroad; McCook Point, a shaded bluff and lawn between two sandy beaches; and Niantic Bay Beach at Cini Park, with volleyball courts and a fishing pier. In summer they need a Town of East Lyme parking pass. East Lyme beaches compared, Hole-in-the-Wall.

4. Camp by the Sound

Rocky Neck's campground has 160 sites and three rustic cabins from mid-May to late September, a bike ride from the beach. Camping.

5. Hike to Tony's Nose and Baker's Cave

The 2.5-mile Rocky Neck Loop crosses coastal thicket, salt marsh and meadow to a rocky overlook above the Four Mile River. Easy to moderate, open to leashed dogs. Hiking, trail map.

6. Watch the Alewife Run

Each spring, schools of alewives swim up Bride Brook in Rocky Neck to spawn, one of the biggest runs in Connecticut. Watch from the marsh platforms. Bride Brook.

7. Fish and Crab

Rocky Neck's jetty is open to fishing all year, with a crabbing deck near Bride Brook; Cini Memorial Park has a handicap-accessible fishing pier and a fishing jetty. A Connecticut marine license is required at 16. Fishing.

8. Paddle the Four Mile River

DEEP runs a Four Mile River water launch with its own lot on the west side of Rocky Neck, and Cini Memorial Park has a canoe and kayak launch dock on the town side. Four Mile River.

9. Explore Main Street

The town's own beach pages suggest pairing the beach with a walk on the boardwalk or along Main Street. Liberty Green and Scheer Park sit at the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, and the town links Niantic Main Street's own site for shops, dining and events.

10. Walk the Oswegatchie Hills

DEEP lists the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve among the attractions near Rocky Neck, about 2.5 miles away. It is a preserve, not a beach; check its managers' trail map before you go.

Events

The Town of East Lyme lists Celebrate East Lyme as an annual public event at its beach parks, and The Nature Conservancy ran free Trails, History and Nature Days at Rocky Neck in 2026. Check the town's events calendar for dates.

When to Go

July and August are the warmest months and the peak of searches for the area. From September 15 Rocky Neck's whole beach opens to fishing, and out-of-state parking fees at the state park end October 31. Weather, parking.