Fantastic stay this summer. The small (very quiet) beach was perfect for our 5-yr-old; we enjoyed finding shells and wadding on the sandbar. The sand was nice and clean and the neighborhood was very quiet. I found a few running routes that were safe, scenic and enjoyable. The little town of Niantic has some fun food options: the Black Sheep has a challenging trivia night on Tuesdays, Dad's was fantastic for casual grub (lobster grilled cheese, yes please!) and Lillian's was perfect for date night. The scenery is a little less than picturesque due to the train but if you can look past it you'll enjoy it. Mystic is only about 15 mins away - the aquarium is worth the trip and expense. I would not recommend Ocean Beach honestly; it was not very clean and when we were there the jelly fish were surging. If you are looking for a quiet, clean home with access to a private (albeit very small) beach this is a nice option. Tip: bring puzzles and/or crafts for the little ones and a few books for yourself if you're staying a full week.