Misquamicut State Beach in the off-season feels truly bizarre. A place largely defined by its popular boardwalk and rich history of fun-seeking vacationers, it becomes a ghost town after summer, taking on an eerie, uninhabited quality exacerbated by shuttered seasonal vendors and a sense of being abandoned.

Yet, even on a day when it’s near-empty, Misquamicut’s appeal is obvious. Perhaps the most inherently beautiful of all the beaches I visited, it boasts an unbroken expanse of coast - much like East Matunuck, but bigger - that can hold legions of beachgoers come summer. In spring, the atmosphere is peaceful yet purposeful, as sporadic activity around the beach suggests gradual preparation for summer. 

 

Truly archetypal, perfect wave sounds are broken up by construction across the street and maintenance activity on the cabanas. In terms of local activity, the one major draw is the playground, which hosts a steady - if small - stream of children. Misquamicut was the only one of the beaches I visited that incorporated child-focused activities into its permanent structure, even though I saw children engaging with their coastal environment at every beach I visited. 

This only underscores for me Misquamicut’s “fun” personality as compared to some of our other beaches. While Narragansett feels focused on tourism despite technically being a “town” beach, I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as actively encouraging fun. By contrast, Misquamicut in summer offers opportunities for joy, including a small waterpark, snack stands and fish shops, a drive-in movie theatre, ice cream bars, and various boardwalk activities. Needless to say, I was glad that the joyful sounds of the playground factor into the acoustic environment even in the offseason, because play seems a fundamental element of this beach’s sonic personality.