The best family beaches have more than a sandy spot to sunbathe or clean water for swimming.
The 10 best beaches for families for 2015, released by Family Vacation Critic on Wednesday, all offer more to explore close to the beach.
“When choosing the top family-friendly beaches, we consider a number of factors — it’s not just beautiful sands and picturesque views,” said Lissa Poirot, editor-in-chief of Family Vacation Critic, a TripAdvisor site. The editors of the site pick the beaches on the list.
“Beyond clean, safe beaches, we’re looking for beaches that offer a well-rounded experience for families — accommodations, dining and entertainment within close distance of the beach, and plenty to keep the whole family entertained while in town,” Poirot said in a statement.
Check out the 10 best U.S. beaches, listed here in alphabetical order by beach name, in our photo gallery above.
Cape May Beach — Cape May, New Jersey
Carlsbad State Beach — Carlsbad, California
Crescent Beach — Block Island, Rhode Island
Fort De Soto Park — St. Petersburg, Florida
Kings Beach — Lake Tahoe, California
Lincoln City Beach — Lincoln City, Oregon
Manatee County Beach — Holmes Beach, Florida
Ogunquit Beach — Ogunquit, Maine
Rehoboth Beach — Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Virginia Beach — Virginia Beach, Virginia