Well, this beach has changed massively! My rating is based on teenage memories, childhood memories. Going there as a kid there was so much freedom and fun. We could have campfires on the beach and you could be on the beach 24/7. Parking was a breeze, but we always rented a cottage across from Corsino's .... best fried dough and calzones I've ever had... Ever! It was definitely a month of family, fun. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, parents, sisters, girlfriends, boyfriends, and friends! I see now it says carousel shop?? It used to be just an awesome carousel where you would grab a ring every time you went around and if you got the golden ring, you got a free ride. My cousin was able to grab the rings so quick she'd grab two with two different fingers on one hand. Of course, the boys running the carousel would give her free rides anyway lol. Jimmy Palumbo maybe ha ha ha ha ha ha not sure lol I think one of the boys was related to Mr. Scaliban who owned a row of cottages. Rooster was one I know we stayed in. I wonder if they're still there... The cottages. There was a huge arcade with lines and lines of pinball machines. There was also a place that made leather snap bracelets that you could put your name on. I have the one that my Memere wore ... It says Chickie on it. That's what my Pepere called her lol Even the cops were nice! I remember live music at the Ocean Spray right at the end of Hartford Avenue... Just past the best lemon ice with the squeeze cups, so you could get every last drop! We would dance and eat while our parents drank and sang! Sounds like it's a lot different now. read more

Soundview Beach - Yup, me back in the day! When Sound View Beach was really something special to look forward to every year! - Beaches Near Me - Old Lyme, Connecticut

Very dirty low end beach. I love the ocean and beaches but I would never go to this beach other than to go to the italian ice place there.

Had a great time the food around the beach was great and couple of good shells and the water was nice and was overall a amazing day

This place is pretty great. The beach is small but it is very clean and loaded with high school and college age kids. At times it did get a little annoying when all the kids around me wouldn't stop talking and were acting like drunk messes but I figured if I was with a large group of people, I would be doing just the same. What makes this beach even more great is it is so active. There is a volleyball net and a few restaurants right on the beach as well as tons of other food stands and ice cream shops lining the nearby streets. I even hear bands play on the beach during the summer -- that will be something fun to check out. There is no fee to get on the beach but try to get there early because street parking is very limited. If you can't find street parking there are a bunch of parking lots which are all about $10 each to get into -- not too bad but if you can avoid it, why not? If you are younger and looking for a good time during a hot summer day, this is the place for you. If you are parents with a family, I would advise not taking your children here. As I stated before, this place is loaded with kids drinking (even knowing alcohol is not permitted) and partaking in lewd activities and discussions. read more

Soundview Beach - View of the beach - Beaches Near Me - Old Lyme, Connecticut

Had a terrible experience at what used to be a favorite hang out back in the day. I used to love coming here and tanning all morning to spend the late afternoons having cocktails and listening to music, talking to people in the bars. Even though people came far and wide, there was always a sense of community and respect. It was always a party atmosphere here, but it wasn't out of control or crazy. Even my parents came to hang out. Apparently a few ruined it for the rest of us. I guess because of a few summers with some party-crazy college kids, they imposed ridiculous rules and sanctions, which I guess they pick and choose when to follow. For example, I came today with a cooler filled with drinks for my pregnant self, my friend and her two kids and we were told it was not allowed. We had to pull out water bottles to put in our beach bag that turned hot in the sun and deal with that; yet hours later, we noticed a ton of coolers the same size as ours (10 qt.) all over the beach. We were told no alcohol, but there were solo cups galore. Makes me a little crazy that I can't have my cooler of waters and apples for my baby and the kids and yet others can have open containers of alcohol. These rangers need some common sense. Which is it, guys? Forget beach volleyball-- no balls on the beach. Sorry I brought my frisbee, god forbid the kids have something to do. What's next-- no radios? No umbrellas? I appreciate the beach being public and having access, but if you're trying to drive out a "certain crowd" (as I was told by the Rangers) you FAILED. I'm not coming back unless I'm renting and have access to a private beach where I can do what I want. But at those prices, I can go a real beach in Rhode Island. read more

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This beach hates fun. They don't allow coolers bigger than 5 quarts. BUT! They'll allow people to roll in suitcases and large flotation devices. Makes sense.... Parking is expensive and limited. The beach is crowded (for reasons unknown). They check your coolers for alcohol but nothing else. If you do go here, plan to bring one 5 quart cooler per person since there doesn't seem to be a limit on how many coolers you can bring. (Or maybe next time I'll put a cooler inside a suitcase so they won't suspect a thing??) read more

Unfortunately I drove a good 25 miles to this beach just to play volleyball and before I could even sit down one of the Pavilion workers notified me that the beach is now restricted to people 21 and over. I've been coming here since I was a freshman in high school, I am now a Sophomore in college--playing volleyball here is my relief! I look forward to the summer just to play Volleyball here--it sucks to have something like this taken away. To further explain, this beach was more family friendly due to the cottage rentals where kids could enjoy the surviving local businesses here like the arcade, carousel, and of course the tasty Vecchittos Italian ice. It's hard to see these businesses flourish (because they're already struggling) with the main attraction being restricted to 21 and over...All in all not the best decision Old Lyme Beach Association. The least they could do is update the website with this information if major changes like this are going to happen, it's June 2020 and the last time it was updated was March of 2019--if you're under 21 best wishes to you of getting on the beach because 90% is off limits and the only spots available are on the shore with the uncomfortable seashells. Whoever's making these decisions (because no owner is to be found on any websites) please reconsider. read more

Save your money and go else where. Brought a small cooler packed with drinks and sandwiches for myself and children. Was told that my cooler was too large... no coolers larger than 5 quarts. How does anyone in the world think a cooler the size of a lunch box is sufficient enough to keep a family of 5 hydrated and fed all day (or even a few hours) at the beach?!? Are you literally freaking kidding me? What kind of beach doesn't allow coolers??? So now I either wasted money on a cooler full of ice, drinks, and food OR I wasted $15 on parking. I don't know if this is someone's idea to make the beach more family friendly but it's doing quite the opposite. Is this how they plan to make money at the questionable looking establishments next to the beach? Beach is small. Overcrowded. Have to pay $10 to get in the "other" beach. If you're looking for somewhere to pay to park and go to a bar in a bathing suit.. this is the place for you. read more

5 star in the winter months when no one is here. 1 star in the summer, proving that some places are great, if it were not for the people. This place seems to attract a certain type of people who have no respect for their environment and I always had to walk around piles of trash that out of towner's left (lived in this area for 10+ years) when walking in the area in the summer months. Part of the issue, I think, is the bar nearby, which seems to attract the lowest of the low in the state of CT. The type who are self absorbed, brainless frat boys. Watch out or you might get blinded by the sun reflecting off the pounds of tanner on the faux bronze skin. Thankfully I know the town well and know where to go for peace and solitude. So in a way, I do not mind giving up one little slice of beach, out of miles of it in the town, as long as the rest of the beach within the town remain d-bag free (and thus, easy to avoid). Very few locals come here and I hope eventually, some saavy business person can come in and class the place up, because the Pavilion, for sure, is not. read more

This beach has the most ridiculous rules. No coolers bigger than 5 quarts, no open cups, terrible parking for $25 and the beach itself is nothing special. There are two bars on the beach which attract the trashiest crowds smoking cigarettes and hookah on the beach. Also, constant "fun police" patrolling the beach. Don't even think about getting a spot after 11 am on the weekend. read more

Soundview Beach - The beach is a convenient giant ashtray! - Beaches Near Me - Old Lyme, Connecticut

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This beach is small but very nice. Shallow water no big waves. The kids were able to have fun throwing the ball in the water. No lifeguard and you can bring water Floats. Street parking was expensive but we found a place and paid 10$ and it was a one min walk to the beach. Not a bad deal I'm use to paying twice that. Over all it was great. I know everyone said they couldn't bring in coolers but we brought a 10q and no one said anything. I did see the sign but later in the afternoon. read more

This beach felt like an episode of Jersey Shore. I understand that a lot of college students and 20-somethings find that sort of thing sexy, but it just doesn't do a thing for me. The beach was teeming with self-absorbed douchebags sauntering around and flexing their muscles, and g-string-clad drama queens whining about the latest guy that cheated on them. The place was so crowded that yes, I could hear every detail of every conversation around me. I tried my best to drown out the drama and read a magazine, but it just wasn't working out. I may have just gone on a crazy day, so I might be willing to go back and give this beach a 2nd chance. read more

Went here last Friday - apparently there are new rules in effect saying you can't bring any coolers larger than 5 qt on the beach, so bringing your lunch or food is no longer an option. Cops walk along the beach ticketing anyone with an open cup and harass beach goers. The town just doesn't want this place to be a public beach anymore and are doing everything in their power to make us not want to come, and they succeeded. read more

No waves. Two bars right on the beach. A bit of a rocky beach though. I love this beach during the week since You can get parking for 7.50 and its not crowded. read more

Back in the 80's and 90's you could go to sound view beach and spend all day there and only pay $5.00 to park there all day. This day and age if you go there now and spend all day you can go broke. The bar on the beach you can bring your family there and have a great meal. You won't see me going there any more the place sucks now. Had a lot of great times there. read more

How disappointing this is now. I grew up spending summers at Soundview and have wonderful memories. We used to go every Saturday but now the parking is outragous, you have to pay to park in the street!!! And to use a porta potty. This town is the pits and the old Italians that used to be there must of died. Very sad indeed, I used to spend alot in the Carosel shop and found some adorable dresses, but no more. I refuse to give this town a dime of my money, I hope the businesses are happy now, the rest of them will be boarded up soon too. GOOD_BYE read more

Besides the beach bars, this beach is a R-i-p-o-f-f!!!! The parking kiosks don't give change (so they'll take a $20 for a $5 charge and won't tell you), plus charge you to go on certain areas of the beach. The beach is crawling with security (AND BEES!) so you have to be on your best behavior at all times or risk getting the boot. Don't waste your time here. Connecticut has many other beaches to offer. Go there. read more

This is the worst beach i have ever been to. The sand has lots of rocks in it, you don't want to go barefoot. The new rules and restrictions are ridiculous! I went with 2 kids and my pregnant friend. After carrying our cooler all the way down the street to the beach, we were told we were not allowed to take it on the beach. They only allow 5 qt and mine was 10 qt. We explained how my friend was pregnant and needed the cold water, plus my 2 kids. I even opened it to show it had 10 waters, 4 lemonades and 4 apples. Nothing else. We were still told no and had to carry it back. As we were on the beach we started to notice a bunch of different people with coolers my size and larger. I went back to the people in neon who sent our cooler away and they said it was there first day and felt the rules shouldn't apply to everyone as some people have kids. I said me! I have kids and a pregnant lady and was still told no. Unbelievable. There were also people smoking pot on the beach. The bars attract the younger crowd, I guess. Will not be back. read more

Rough experience here. I've been here before when I was a kid. Today, was what I like to call, full of "park rangers", drunken hooligans falling all over the beach, and using 17 years to deter it. No coolers over 5qts (so pack a sand which and a drink), I thought that the excuse given was pathetic. The ranger told me,"it's to prevent littering." So I give them 2 hard looks and said, "Is this a matter of alcohol? Because this is full of water and selzer.", I was proceeded to laugh, because you can bring in 10 bags as big as a suit case and they wouldn't mind, but the essential cooler that you need to be hydrated with, is the nuisance? Next time (if there's another) I'm fooling the system. Also, the sign clearly says, "No ball playing", "No smoking", I watched 3 groups play baseball, football, and through around a water Ball, and watched 2 people smoke cigarettes and smelled weed while packing up. So to the neon "rent a squad" ticket the things that matter, and enforce the rules written on the sign. On a positive. The water was beautiful, beautiful sandbar, beach was fairly clean, packed after 12, but I was surprised to have space, and no one being rude and walking on our belongings. The park isn't terrible and is close by. Remember your spot # and you pay the kiosk and leave the ticket in your car. Simple and cheaper than most places. But, just be careful. read more

Sorry, but this beach is done. Parking is really expensive now and the family crowd has taken over. Way too many hairy old men and fat old ladies in skirty bathing suits. Eeew. And all of the sudden it's a huge hassle to bring alcohol onto the beach. Who needs it? Time to find a better beach! read more

I grew up on this beach, it's a little rocky and the parking is $30 to park which is way too expensive to park at a beach that doesnt really have anything, hampton beach is cheaper and it has everything, but I still love this beach read more