Best East Coast Beach Towns Bar Harbor Maine

Much of Maine’s Mt. Desert Island is covered by Acadia National Park—home to climbs like Cadillac Mountain and a sophisticated system of carriage roads financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr.

But on the island’s northeast corner, charming Bar Harbor is a destination in its own right.

Skirting Frenchmen Bay, Bar Harbor began drawing visitors as far back as the mid-19th century when some of the Hudson River School, a group of artists that included the likes of Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, were taken with Maine’s Down East landscapes.

Still picturesque, Bar Harbor is now a full-fledged tourist town with a bustling main street, whale-watching tours, and of course, easy access to Acadia.

Kennebunkport Maine

For the iconic, charming New England feel, head to Kennebunkport for your next coastal getaway.

This tiny village is home to around 3,500 year-round residents, but as a popular summer destination, its population almost triples in size during the warmer months.

Head to Kennebunkport’s Dock Square for some imaginative shopping, or get a bite to eat at one of their delicious restaurants (you’re in Maine, so might as well try the lobstah).

It’s a little over 30 minutes away from Portland by car, so it’s the perfect beachy break from the vibrant city’s bustling life.

Best East Coast Beach Towns Hampton Beach New Hampshire

At Hampton Beach, it’s all about the long stretch of beautiful sandy coastline.

It’s the perfect place to spend your days walking up and down the stretch of beach and visiting the exciting boardwalk.

Hampton Beach is a particularly great vacation spot for families, where kids and parents alike can spend their days sunbathing, swimming in the gorgeous waters, or enjoying a beachside picnic.

Walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the classic seaside vibes while you pop into arcades, saltwater taffy stands, souvenir shops, ice cream parlors, and spots with live music.

Rockport Massachusetts

The North Shore, a group of towns in Greater Boston, is a culturally important swath of Massachusetts.

The coastal region is known for its excellent seafood, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks.

Many a good film has been filmed here as well, such as Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island and Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester-by-the-Sea.

There are many towns worth visiting, but Rockport is a favorite among travelers.

Forty miles north of Boston, the town has a can’t-miss natural gem in Halibut Point State Park, from which visitors can spot Maine in the distance 80 miles away.

Rockport is also beloved by art history buffs: it is home to Motif Number 1, a fishing shack with the superlative “the most-often painted building in America.”

It was built in 1840, and was a popular subject because it represented New England’s nautical character. (And it didn’t hurt that the light hit it just so.)

A replica was built promptly following the historic Blizzard of 1978, which destroyed the original.

Gray Malin photographed it for his recent project on Boston.

Best East Coast Beach Towns Oak Bluffs Massachusetts

Ferries deliver day trippers to this little Martha’s Vineyard town daily and the colorful gingerbread houses for which Oak Bluffs is known are straight out of a storybook.

Visitors walk straight off their boats into Ocean Park, a circular green overlooking the sea, encircled by said houses, with a frothy, delicate gazebo sitting in the center.

Oak Bluffs has a long history of welcoming Black visitors, and today it is home to the annual African-American Film Festival.

Newport Rhode Island

Like Oak Bluffs, Newport is a beach town known for its houses, though a very different sort.

Ten enormous, historic mansions—once the summer homes of the Vanderbilts, Nevada silver heiresses, and other Westerners of unimaginable wealth—remain standing along the famous cliff walk.

Today however, they are museums. The most famous two are The Breakers and Rosecliff.

The Newport mansions famously earned the ire of writer Joan Didion, who wrote in her essay The Seacoast of Despair, “To stand in the dining room of ‘The Breakers’ is to imagine fleeing it, pleading migraine.”

Today, in lieu of the Great Gatsby-esque lawn parties of yore where swans roamed the grounds, Newport attracts visitors of all stripes for events such as the Newport Folk Festival.

It was built in 1840, and was a popular subject because it represented New England’s nautical character.

A replica was built promptly following the historic Blizzard of 1978, which destroyed the original.

Gray Malin photographed it for his recent project on Boston.

Best East Coast Beach Towns Montauk New York

The final stop on the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk is appropriately known as the End.

Due to strong winds, rough surf, and ample preserved land, it really does feel like the edge of the world, here.

Montauk feels more remote and low-key than its luxurious, sceney Hamptons counterparts.

Every visit to Montauk should include a stop at the Montauk Point Light House, which was commissioned by President George Washington in 1796.

It is still operating, and the panoramic views from the top are out of this world.

Cape May New Jersey

The site of pink triple-decker Victorian homes and a lively, festive promenade that exists as a beach town ideal in America’s collective imagination.

Cape May is the sort of dreamy summer destination one associates with trails of melted ice cream dotting the hot pavement and Fourth of July picnics.

National Geographic also labeled Cape May as the World’s Best Destination for Birding, writing, “The narrow peninsula at Cape May acts as a bird funnel, bringing in songbirds during their spring and fall migrations.

At dawn on a good day, legendary Higbee Beach offers front-row seats to a feathered fashion show.

With a little luck, you can see 20 species of warblers, each in its own colorful costume.”

Best East Coast Beach Towns Rehoboth Beach Delaware

Another great spot to bring the whole family—Rehoboth Beach in Delaware is particularly known for its wonderful, sandy stretches of beach and its vibrant boardwalk.

Break up a long day lazing about in the sand with a walk through the mile-long hub of shops, arcades, restaurants, and more that makes up the iconic boardwalk.

Here, you’ll find a very classic beach town vibe with plenty of tourists swarming the area during the warmer months to enjoy all the seaside delights.

It’s also in close proximity to New York City; Washington, DC; and Baltimore, so it’s perfect for a quick trip away from the city.

Due to its popularity, this isn’t the place to go for a quiet, secluded couple of days, but is perfect to experience the hustle and bustle of a classic summer town.

Ocean City Maryland

There is no place quite like the Chesapeake Bay.

Step foot here and breathe in the saltwater air, indulge in delicious seafood, and enjoy the gorgeous beaches.

The seaside resort town of Ocean City offers fun for the whole family—stroll down the boardwalk and taste the saltwater taffy to start, then take your pick of activities for all ages: surfing, fishing, and kayaking included.

If you’re looking for something a little less busy, the nearby small town of Berlin (just a 15-minute drive away) is great for a quick trip or overnight stay to avoid the crowds, but will take you away from the gorgeous shoreline.

A little farther away is the historic small town of St. Michaels, worth a visit just to explore the history and see the picturesque neighborhood on the water.

Best East Coast Beach Towns Nags Head North Carolina

Nags Head is a beach town on the Outer Banks, a group of barrier islands and spits sandwiched between mainland North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s known for its sand dunes in Jockey Ridge State Park, which comprise the tallest true sand dune system on the East Coast.

Hundreds of shipwrecks nearby—caused by the region’s shifting sands and heavily trafficked waters—have given the surrounding waters the moniker “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” and the nearby USS Huron is a popular scuba dive site.

Siesta Key Florida

While we love the beach towns listed above, the only part of the East Coast that has a true tropical climate is the lower half of Florida.

Naturally, the beaches in this area are very beautiful. We want to laud Siesta Key in particular for its fine sand, which comes from the Appalachian Mountains and is made up almost entirely of cool and reflective quartz, its waterfront dining and drinking, and its excellence for water sports like parasailing.

The three beaches to visit on Siesta Key are Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach.