The Oldest Public Beach In America Offers A Historic East Coast Getaway Full Of Seaside Fun

Massachusetts has an extensive and varied coastline with islands and quaint seaside towns. However, this part of the Bay State is much more than Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Given that it is one of the original 13 American colonies, its nature is combined with historic landmarks, including those found at Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. But there is another federally designated natural space steeped in history.

Just 10 miles from central Boston is Revere Beach. What makes this beach special is the fact that it is the first public beach in the United States. Lodging for visitors appeared as early as 1839, and in 1895, the Massachusetts government chose to set aside almost three miles of this sandy crescent for public enjoyment. To do so and to make the area feel more pristine, city officials had to remove some aspects of urban development in the area. Architects relocated the nearby railroad and some of the privately owned buildings along the sand. Now, as a designated National Historic Landmark, its relaxation and entertainment opportunities make it a lovely addition to any budget-friendly New England vacation.

Revere Beach has a long history with the performing arts. Revere Beach Boulevard runs parallel to the beach and was once filled with dance halls and ballrooms. Famous band leaders who performed with their bands here include the likes of Louie Prima and Jimmy Dorsey. Revere Beach's first amusement park opened in 1906. This beach quickly gained fame for its state-of-the-art roller coasters in the following decades. It has caught the eye of the film industry over the years, too. Movies like "Free Guy," with Ryan Reynolds, and "Spenser Confidential," with Mark Wahlberg and Post Malone, feature scenes at Revere Beach.

While Revere Beach is no longer known for dancing and the amusement parks have since disappeared, this does not mean that it is not a worthwhile destination in the 21st century. Of course, you can do all the quintessential beach day activities here, but you can also do some wildlife viewing. Endangered piping plover birds frequent Revere Beach. Some areas of the beach might be sectioned off for their nests, but you can still observe from afar. Other birds here include gulls, terns, and Manx Shearwaters.

Aside from being a formidable birdwatching destination to visit in America, Revere Beach is a foodie's paradise with plenty of restaurants just feet from the sand. Get seafood and fresh pasta at Dryft Revere, Mexican cuisine at Tulum Taqueria, and ice cream in dozens of flavors at Twist N' Shake. Slightly further inland, you can enjoy Turkish food at Istanbul Diner Cafe and try French and Moroccan desserts at Casablanca House of Pastry.

One of the best times to visit Revere Beach is during its International Sand Sculpting Festival held every summer. As the name suggests, festival goers will get to see artists create incredible sand sculptures at this annual event. You can get a taste of what Revere Beach was like in years past, as amusement park rides also return to the beach at this time. The festival also brings food trucks, craft vendors selling gift items, and more to this picture-perfect New England beach destination. Check the International Sand Sculpting Festival website for exact dates and other relevant information.