Niantic: Coast, Culture and Things to Do

Niantic offers two clear coastal perspectives for planning your trip: Niantic Bay Beach is about half a mile long, while the Niantic Bay Boardwalk is one mile long. That makes the boardwalk about twice as long as the beach. These two lengths give you a concrete comparison of their size, while other local attractions appeal to different interests: the coast, history, a children’s museum, and used books.

Coast and Boardwalk

The Niantic Bay Boardwalk has a gravel surface and runs between two parks in the town of Niantic, along the shore of Long Island Sound. From the boardwalk, you can enjoy views of the Sound and trains passing on nearby tracks. Its length, surface, and views define this waterfront route and set it apart from the shorter Niantic Bay Beach.

The boardwalk is free and fully accessible. Check the latest visitor information before your visit. Cini Memorial Park has an accessible fishing pier. There is also a launch for canoes and kayaks. The two facilities support different activities: fishing and launching canoes or kayaks.

History at the Thomas Lee House

The Thomas Lee House is located at 228 West Main Street (Route 156) in the Niantic section of East Lyme. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in July and August; at other times, tours are available by appointment. Since the hours are seasonal, check the details before traveling if you plan to visit.

The grounds also include a barn that is open to visitors. It features exhibits on the history of East Lyme and an herb garden. The house and barn offer different ways to explore the site’s history: the house itself is the main focus, while the exhibits and garden add to the experience at the barn.

Children’s Museum and Used Books

The Niantic Children’s Museum is an interactive, hands-on educational space for children. Its focus is on combining learning with participation. If you’re also considering Niantic for its culture and activities for children, the museum offers a distinct option alongside the beach and historical sites.

The Book Barn in Niantic offers something entirely different: more than 350,000 well-preserved used books, spread across The Main Barn and The Book Barn Downtown. The collection is therefore described as being available at two named locations. Unlike the interactive educational space for children, the focus here is on a wide selection of used books. This contrast can help with trip planning if you’re deciding between a child-focused learning experience and browsing used books.

For the broader travel overview: East Lyme.