Profile

For decades, the pristine beaches of Greenwich, Conn., were closed to anyone not blue-blooded enough to reside in this posh shoreline suburb. But a 2001 State Supreme Court ruling, prompted by a lawsuit filed by an ornery out-of-towner, forced Greenwich to open its beaches to outsiders. In 2007, Greenwich Point Park dropped its daily admission fee from $10 to $5 a day (senior citizens get in free; nonresidents pay $20 to park), making the wide, sandy beach, with nature trails and picnic tables, a feasible alternative to the Jersey Shore or the Hamptons. The town still doesn't make things easy, but a stroll along the jagged coastline, with sailboats anchored in the sound and stately homes peaking through the greenery, makes it clear what the fuss was about.  For snacking and shopping, the old New England–style storefronts along Greenwich Avenue, housing pricey boutiques and a range of cuisines, are just a short drive away. — Candace Taylor

Beach tickets and parking passes can be purchased at Town Hall (101 Field Point Road) or Old Greenwich Civic Center (90 Harding Road).

Related Stories

Featured In

• A Guide to Beaches Near Here (7/2/07)