BEST FOR ELBOW ROOM
You won't feel the press of crowds at East Beach in Charlestown, R.I., a finger of isolated sand inside the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge with a view of Block Island Sound. The parking-lot limit helps keep crowds away, but is often reached by 9 a.m., so arrive early. Then walk about half a mile from the lot to get to the most secluded areas, and just spread out.