I am looking to take my family to a Connecticut beach this summer. We usually go to Ocean City, NJ, but thought we'd change it up a bit this year. We have 3 kids (8,3,1). Which beach would be best and would offer something for the kids as well?

We liked Jennings Beach when kids were younger. Here is a good link for you to look at :
http://www.visitconnecticut.com/curr...nies_list.html

Great! Thanks for the info!

chadandkim,

Jennings Beach in Fairfield, CT is connected to Penfield Beach in Fairfield, CT. It's one continuous beach front.

I see a lot more children on Penfield Beach because there is a huge sandbar. When the tide is out, the kids love to play on the sandbar.

Also, Penfield has private lockers where you can store your things. I think the snack bar is better at Penfield, plus they have lots of outdoor tables on the decking with umbrellas for shade.

Penfield also has outdoor spigots where you can clean the sand off your body/feet as you leave the beach. Jennings Beach may have them also, but I don't recall seeing them.

There are usually plenty of lifeguards on duty, and they are very strict. They do not allow ANY toys in the water.

One more thing...parking is tough at Penfield - there just aren't enough parking spaces. Jennings has a huge parking lot.

Hey ChadandKim, no matter what beach you hit in CT, make SURE you find a way to get to Abbot's Lobster pound in Noank, CT. If you like lobster of seafood, you will feel like you've died and gone to heaven. We were there two years ago and I still dream about it! Nothing fancy in the least - it's picnic tables out on the lawn, but OMG you've never had it so good! Have one for me!