There is always the option to go to the beach, but that takes packing and planning — splash pads are a whole lot less work.

Grab your sunscreen it's almost beach time. At these beaches you don't need to be a resident to soak up some rays.

Located at 1000 South Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, there is a large paved parking lot. If you do not have a season pass, East Beach and Fort Taber have $3/hour text-to-pay parking ...