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Islands & Beaches


THE 14 BEST BEACH TOWNS ON THE EAST COAST

A range of sand and surf that stretches from Maine to Florida.

By Alex Erdekian and Jamie Spain

April 25, 2024
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All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our
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From Maine to Florida, the East Coast is home to some beautiful stretches of
coastline, amazing views, and of course, remarkable beach towns. Whether you're
looking for a summer hotspot full of excitement and entertainment and brimming
with crowds, or want to escape to a quieter small town this season, the shores
on the East Coast have a little something for everyone. From charming, historic
New England towns to tropical Southern getaways, there is so much to explore
this summer.

There are 14 states that make up this stretch of the US, and each one has its
own atmosphere, climate, and culture. From Cape Cod to the Florida Keys, the
Atlantic Seaboard is home to a wide variety of vacation destinations. Here are
14 of the best East Coast beach towns in the US.



This article has been updated with new information since its original publish
date.

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Bar Harbor, ME

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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.



Where to stay in Bar Harbor:

 * For a quirky stay: Queen Anne's Revenge Inn and Suites
 * For romance: West Street Hotel
 * For a private cottage: Beachy three-bedroom rental

WATCH



50 People Reveal Their State's Hidden Gems






Rockport, MA

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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.



Where to stay in Rockport:

 * For cozy vibes: Coastal studio loft
 * For a seaside view: Waterfront apartment overlooking a private beach



Oak Bluffs, MA

KenWiedemann/Getty


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.

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Where to stay in Oak Bluffs and Martha's Vineyard:

 * For a historic stay: Faraway Martha's Vineyard
 * For an eclectic experience: Four-bedroom Victorian beach house
 * For a camp-inspired spot: Summercamp



Cape Cod, MA

Denis Tangney Jr/Getty


CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

This popular peninsula in Massachusetts is a vacation hotspot for good reason.
While it really heats up during the summer, it's a beautiful destination
year-round, and is brimming with history (head to nearby Plymouth to see where
the Mayflower docked). Not only does it offer the best New England summer
atmosphere, it's also home to exciting activities and small town summer charm.
Here, you can spot wildlife, like whales (Cape Cod is near their migration path)
and seals, indulge in delicious seafood, and enjoy miles upon miles of sandy
coastline. The Upper Cape is best for families, the Mid-Cape is perfect for
escaping the crowds, and the Lower Cape is home to great luxury hotels.

Where to stay in Cape Cod:

 * For New England luxury: Chatham Bars Inn
 * For a historic stay: The Villages at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
 * For seaside access: Cozy one-bedroom cottage



Newport, RI

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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.

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Where to stay in Newport:

 * For Gilded Age fans: Gardiner House Newport
 * For grandeur: The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection



Montauk, NY

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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. (Although some residents of Long
Island’s furthest out town argue that if you really think about it, it’s
actually the Beginning.) 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.



Where to stay in Montauk:

 * For barefoot luxury: Marram Montauk
 * For a private beach: Gurney's Montauk
 * For St. Tropez vibes: Solé East Resort



Cape May, NJ

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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.” Sign us up.

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Where to stay in Cape May:

 * For picturesque looks: One-bedroom cottage with a hot tub
 * For classic luxury: The Virginia Hotel



Chincoteague, VA

Joesboy/Getty


CHINCOTEAGUE, VIRGINIA

You won't find bustling boardwalks, sleek hotels, or grids of cars with clunky
bike racks trapped in traffic in Chincoteague. This coastal town is all about
the wildlife—specifically its wild horses. Visitors flock to the island annually
for the Pony Penning that has been held since 1925. The Chincoteague Volunteer
Fire Department holds the event, and it consists of a pony swim—in which the
animals cross the Assateague Channel—and a pony auction. No one really knows how
this population of horses came to be, though there are competing theories. Some
say they are descendants of Spanish horses shipwrecked en route to Peru in the
17th century. Others claim they were left long ago by pirates. Still others say
they are runaways from mainland farmers. The quaint beauty of Chincoteague
includes trails for hiking, beaches, and a red and white lighthouse. For the
best pony views, cross over on a bike to the Maryland side of Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge.

Where to stay in Chincoteague:

 * For beachy decor: Three-bedroom with a balcony
 * For sunset views: Bay-facing cottage on the water



Ocean City, MD

Denis Tangney Jr/Getty


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.

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Where to stay in Ocean City:

 * For a view: Condo with bayside access
 * For a midtown stay: Condo near restaurants, bars, and entertainment



Nags Head, NC

Meinzahn/Getty


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.



Where to stay in Nags Head and the Outer Banks:

 * For a beachfront retreat: Sanderling Resort
 * For a five-minute walk to the water: Coastal boho home
 * For panoramic ocean views: Triple-tiered vacation home



Pawley's Island, SC

makasana/Getty


PAWLEYS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA

Pawleys Island is so small that its year-round population hovers around 100
people. It was first settled in the 1500s, making it one of the oldest beach
towns in the US. With that amount of history, there is, of course, a ghost story
to go with it: There have been sightings of the Gray Man, a ghost whose
appearance is said to warn of hurricanes as he paces up and down the beach,
dating to a 19th-century storm. Summer options on Pawleys Island that are not at
all spooky—besides flopping around on the beach—include golf, fishing, walking
sculpture-filled gardens, and feasting on Lowcountry cuisine like She Crab soup.

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Where to stay in Pawleys Island:

 * For a beachy condo: Two-bedroom townhouse
 * For a breathtaking view: Marshfront property near the beach



Myrtle Beach, SC

John Coletti/Getty


MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

While it's not too far from the aforementioned Pawleys Island, Myrtle Beach will
feel worlds away from the slow, small-town atmosphere of the other quaint town.
This popular summer destination boasts bigger crowds than its neighbor, and has
a wide assortment of entertainment, dining, nightlife, and activities available.
Aside from the deliciously warm weather and miles of beaches to traverse, Myrtle
Beach is also home to a great many golf courses, amusement parks, water parks,
and an iconic boardwalk with a massive 187-foot-tall Ferris Wheel.

Where to stay in Myrtle Beach:

 * For golf lovers: Marina Inn at Grande Dunes
 * For seclusion: Island Vista Resort



Tybee Island, GA

John Elk III/Getty


TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA

Just a short drive from Savannah, Georgia, this coastal community is in the
perfect spot for a day trip. Even during the summer, some parts of it manage to
maintain that small-town vibe and don't get unbearably crowded, boasting an
assortment of adorable ice cream and coffee shops, long stretches of sandy
beaches, and great waterfront access. There's a little something for everyone
from families to couples—South Beach is better for those who want a little
excitement in their atmosphere, whereas North Beach is a bit more quiet and
contained. I've found it particularly great for families (having traveled here
with a multigenerational group ages 1-68), and recommend the kitschy Original
Crab Shack for a memorable meal.

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Where to stay in Tybee Island:

 * For a private pool and hot tub: Three-bedroom bungalow
 * For couples: Historic cottage with complimentary golf cart, bikes, and kayaks



Siesta Key, FL

TriggerPhoto/Getty


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.



Where to stay in Siesta Key:

 * For a lush condo: Beachfront stay on Siesta Beach
 * For a private pool: Tropical three-bedroom home




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