Where locals cool off as summer heats up.
There’s nothing better than a swim on a hot summer day. And the Boston suburbs are packed with public pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches where you can do just that. Grab your sunscreen and a beach read and get ready for some refreshing summer fun.North of Boston
If you’re considering one of the suburbs north of Boston, you’ll find tons of places to cool off. Belmont, Hamilton and Lexington all have town pools. Winchester is working towards building a community pool where locals can soon take aquatics exercise classes or swim lessons.
These towns also feature beaches where you can spread out a towel and soak in the sun. Ipswich locals have easy access to the Sandy Point State Reservation, an Atlantic Ocean beach perfect for swimming, sunbathing or fishing. Marblehead is home to multiple beaches including Devereux Beach which has a snack bar, playground and separate dog beach. And Manchester-By-The-Sea, as you might have guessed, also has a few great beaches like Black Beach, Singing Beach, Magnolia Beach, West Manchester Beach and White Beach.
For swimming holes, there’s Wedge Pond in Winchester and the Old Reservoir in Lexington. The Old Reservoir is also a popular spot for fishing and picnicking.
West of Boston
Locals living west of Boston don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to swim on a hot summer day. With community pools in Lincoln, Newton, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Westwood, you could pool hop all season long. The pool in Waltham has a spray deck and Needham’s pool features a waterslide for even more fun.
When you’re in the mood for a lake day, there’s Town Beach on Lake Cochituate in Wayland and Crystal Lake in Newton Centre. Sandy Beach on Lake Maspenock is a serene spot for boating that’s only open to Hopkinton residents. Hopkinton State Park is another favorite with local boaters and here you can sail, kayak or paddleboard.
Concord residents can relax on the shores of White Pond or Walden Pond – the same spot that inspired Henry David Thoreau. There’s Memorial Beach at Dug Pond in Natick and another swimming pond in Medfield. And Morses Pond in Wellesley is open for swimming, fishing and boating.
Harvard residents of all ages can take swim lessons at the town beach. Hale Education also offers swimming lessons for Westwood residents. Plus, you can sign up for lap swimming here if you want to get in a workout.
South of Boston
The towns south of Boston are mainly known for their beaches, although Hingham is working to build a community pool for the 2023 season. For now, Hingham locals can spend warm days kayaking at Bathing Beach. In Cohasset, you can cool off at Sandy Beach while Duxbury Beach is the place to go just a bit further south. Nantasket Beach in Hull offers vacation vibes and locals come here to swim in the Atlantic or to enjoy an outdoor concert.
Some towns, like Plymouth, feature multiple beaches. Quincy has a few great beaches including the historic Wollaston Beach where locals can take sunset walks along the paved promenade. Scituate residents have access to Humarock, Peggotty, Sand Hills, Minot and Egypt beaches in town. You’ll also find a variety of beaches in Sharon but Lake Massapoag is the main spot here for boating, fishing and swimming. There’s a yacht club on the lake and summer concerts are occasionally held on the shore.
Summer is a great time to explore the suburbs, so why wait? Get in touch so we can help you map out your next town tour. We’ll even include stops at a few local beaches or pools to make sure you stay cool.