Niantic itinerary scene

Weekend itinerary

A Niantic weekend on the boardwalk and Main Street

Arrive Friday for Main Street, spend Saturday between the boardwalk, beach, and Book Barn, then choose McCook Point or Rocky Neck before leaving Sunday.

By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary

Niantic Bay Boardwalk is the weekend’s center, with Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, Main Street, Book Barn, and McCook Point as distinct continuations.

Best length

2 nights

Two nights cover a Friday village dinner, a full boardwalk-and-beach Saturday, and one park or bookstore stop before departure Sunday.

Stay

The Niantic Inn

Downtown inn rooms include refrigerators and microwaves, with Main Street shops, the Niantic Bay Boardwalk, and Hole-in-the-Wall Beach within walking distance.

Main activity

Niantic Bay Boardwalk

The boardwalk and beach tunnel connect the bayfront with the village; Book Barn and McCook Point complete the inland and open-Sound sides of the trip.

Pace

Boardwalk-and-village weekend

Friday stays on Main Street, Saturday joins the boardwalk with beach and books, and Sunday adds one park before the drive home.

Hole-in-the-Wall Beach in Niantic Connecticut
Hole-in-the-Wall Beach sits beside the village and connects to the waterfront through the railroad tunnel.
Main Street in Niantic Connecticut
Main Street supplies coffee, shops, restaurants, and the inland break between boardwalk walks.
Long Island Sound from McCook Point Park
McCook Point adds lawns, shade, beach access, and a broader view across Long Island Sound.

Friday

Check in, eat on Main Street, and walk beside the bay.

Leave the bags, choose a village dinner, and use the boardwalk after the drive rather than adding another regional stop.

4:00 PM

6:30 PM

First dinner

Start with 374 Kitchen + Cocktails.

Main Street restaurant advertising elevated comfort food, daily brunch, locally and seasonally informed ingredients, craft cocktails, and a late-night menu later in the week.

First-night pick

374 Kitchen + Cocktails

Main Street restaurant advertising elevated comfort food, daily brunch, locally and seasonally informed ingredients, craft cocktails, and a late-night menu later in the week.

Open restaurant

Compare Niantic restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

Saturday

Boardwalk, beach tunnel, Book Barn, and dinner.

Start beside Niantic Bay, cross to Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, browse Book Barn after lunch, and return to Main Street for the evening.

4:30 PM

Afternoon

Browse Book Barn after the beach.

Book Barn’s separate buildings, gardens, and outdoor shelves make a substantial afternoon stop rather than a token bookstore visit.

7:00 PM

Dinner

Reserve dinner at Constantine’s on the Bay.

Niantic Bay restaurant framing its menu as traditional American cooking with contemporary preparations and cocktails; check current hours and reservations directly.

Special dinner

Constantine’s on the Bay

Niantic Bay restaurant framing its menu as traditional American cooking with contemporary preparations and cocktails; check current hours and reservations directly.

Open restaurant

Compare Niantic restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

Sunday

McCook Point or Rocky Neck before the road home.

Choose McCook Point for the close Sound overlook or Rocky Neck for a larger beach, salt marsh, picnic, and trail outing.

9:00 AM

Sunday morning

Choose breakfast, coffee, or a short walk.

Use McCook Point for the close overlook and lawns, or drive east to Rocky Neck for beach, marsh, picnic grounds, and trails.