Arts & Culture
Local Beaches
About 3 miles east of Hartford Avenue is Rocky Neck State Beach with ample parking accommodations, campsites, nature trails, concessions, and restroom facilities.
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Property owners and renters in the private beach associations have access to their designated private beaches. When renting a cottage within a private beach association, ask the property owner if you have access to the private association's beach.
America's first public beach established in 1892, Sound View Beach, is located on Long Island Sound at the end of Hartford and Swan Avenues. An easy walk from most cottages in the surrounding neighborhood, Sound View Beach has been designated a Connecticut Historic Place. The public beach is located next to Kokomo's Restaurant and the Pavilion, and is a close walk to a number of small businesses including Vecchitto's Italian Ice and the Carousel Shop (a 1925 carousel with brass ring). See our Restaurants and Shops pages for additional listings in the neighborhood.
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Parking at Sound View is limited; please check here for up-to-date parking locations, fees, and beach rules. Parking in the lot is free for Town residents with a town parking pass. Please note, parking outside designated areas will result in ticketing and/or towing. New in 2022 will be the Sound View transit hub/bus stop for easy access via public transportation, serviced by 9 Town Transit.
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Our beaches and estuarine environments are important ecological destinations for sea birds and other wildlife. Please help maintain the beauty of our shoreline and protect our local wildlife by remembering to carefully "take out what you brought in." Thank you.
Welcome to Old Lyme
Welcome to Old Lyme, a small, historic town on the Connecticut coastline. We are known for our art galleries and beaches, and have so much more. Whether you are thinking about relocating your home or business here, or just looking to visit for the afternoon, welcome! We are glad to have you.