10 Small Towns in the Mid-Atlantic that Were Ranked Among US Favorites
The seven US states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia make up the Mid-Atlantic region. Stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains, the Mid-Atlantic covers a diverse topography. The region is filled with fantastic small towns, from the fun beach communities along the coast to forest getaways in the mountains. Many Mid-Atlantic towns are consistently rated among the best in the United States, and we have come up with a list of ten top-ranked spots that are well worth a visit.
Watkins Glen, New York
The Finger Lakes region in central New York is home to several great small towns, including Watkins Glen on the southern shore of the long and narrow Seneca Lake. With its spectacular gorge trail and 19 picturesque waterfalls, Watkins Glen State Park attracts nature lovers from near and far. Motorsports fans, meanwhile, come in droves to Watkins Glen International Raceway, home to numerous auto races, including an annual NASCAR race. Wine enthusiasts also love Watkins Glen, the shoreline of Seneca Lake contains some of the best wineries in the Mid-Atlantic region. For a small town of only about 1,800, Watkins Glen packs a lot of excitement into one great place!
Saratoga Springs, New York
Located in the picturesque Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, Saratoga Springs has been a popular travel destination for more than two centuries. The first tourists came to experience the purported health properties of the nearby mineral springs. By the mid-1800s, visitors came for horse racing, most notably at Saratoga Race Course, the oldest sporting venue still in operation in the United States. Saratoga was also the site of the key 1777 Battle of Saratoga during the Revolutionary War, contributing the third "H" in the town motto: "Health, History, and Horses." Modern Saratoga Springs is also known for its arts and culture scene, such as at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Rehoboth Beach, which has miles of pristine shoreline and a fun promenade, is a favorite of America's political elite (including President Biden) and is nicknamed "The Nation's Summer Capital." Among beach towns along the entire eastern seaboard, Rehoboth Beach is renowned for having some of the cleanest water and finest sand. The town is equally famous for the wonderful Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, which is lined with restaurants, entertainment venues, and a variety of shops. Beyond the boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach is a performing and creative arts hub with numerous playhouses, music halls, art galleries, and more. You do not have to be President to love coming to Rehoboth Beach!
Lititz, Pennsylvania
Located in Lancaster County, the home of Pennsylvania's Amish country, Lititz blends the history and simplicity of its rural surroundings with more modern flourishes. Lititz has earned the moniker of "Coolest Small Town in America" due to this fun combination, which is evident to any visitor who strolls down Main Street. There, colonial-era buildings house a range of galleries, eateries, and boutiques. One must-visit is the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, which shows off the art of pretzel making. Meanwhile, Lititz Springs Park houses a tranquil natural spring and several lovely flower gardens. Additionally, the Lititz Springs Bandshell regularly showcases musical performances. Any visitor who expects a dull day in Lititz will be pleasantly surprised!
Kane, Pennsylvania
Located hundreds of miles from the beach towns on this list, the town of Kane is set amidst the forest lands of north-central Pennsylvania. One hundred years ago, Kane was a bustling lumber town of over 7,000, but its population has dropped by half, and it is now a quiet vacation destination. Kane's downtown retains several historic buildings from its heyday. Downtown Kane hosts Art in the Wilds, the number one fine arts festival in the area, bringing in big crowds each June. The rest of the year, though, the surrounding forest landscape is the major tourist draw. Nearby outdoor attractions include the Allegheny National Forest, Knox and Kane Rail Trail, Longhouse National Scenic Byway, and North Country Trail.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Because of its strategic location at the meeting point of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and the states of Virginia (later West Virginia) and Maryland, Harpers Ferry was the site of a major military arsenal in the mid-1800s. This led to Harpers Ferry serving as the site of John Brown's Raid in 1859, a key event that helped spark the Civil War. The town remains extremely popular for historical tourism, with the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park providing restoration of the downtown area from over 150 years ago. But Harpers Ferry is also a lovely little community set in a beautiful location, a place that is well worth exploring even if history was not your favorite subject in school!
Chincoteague, Virginia
Chincoteague, a town on an island of the same name, is located along Virginia's Atlantic coast on the northern edge of the Delmarva Peninsula. Chincoteague entered the popular imagination with the 1961 film "Misty of Chincoteague," which turned the island into a popular summertime destination. Along with the neighboring island of Assateague, Chincoteague is famous for its wild ponies, which are protected in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Preserve. Most tourists come for the ponies, but the town is well worth a visit on its own merits. Unlike many coastal destinations that have been over-commercialized and crowded with high-rise towers, Chincoteague maintains a simpler look and feel that connects to the natural wonders of the surrounding area.
Chestertown, Maryland
Established in 1706, picturesque Chestertown is located along the Chester River, only a few miles upriver from its entry point into the Chesapeake Bay, only a few miles downstream. The seat of Kent County, Maryland, Chestertown's postcard-pretty location along the waterfront makes it a popular summertime destination. Downtown Chestertown is full of historic charm, with colonial-era buildings, but it also maintains a bustling arts and entertainment scene. The waterfront is full of activity: a reproduction of the 1768 schooner Sultana is docked as a floating museum; the Tall Ship and Wooden Boat Festival is an annual highlight; and the town re-enacts its own 1774 "tea party" protest against British taxation each year.
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, located where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean at the southern tip of New Jersey, is one of the oldest and prettiest beach towns along the East Coast. Cape May's year-round population of 2,800 increases many times during the summer season, with travelers from all over the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Along with a sandy beach, a historic beach promenade, and many family-friendly businesses and activities, Cape May has street after street filled with historic Victorian homes. The Washington Street Mall is a great open-air shopping area just a short walk from the oceanfront. Meanwhile, the nearby Cape May Point State Park is a fantastic location for birdwatching.
Annapolis, Maryland
While it has been the state capital of Maryland since 1694, Annapolis remains a compact town with a population under 40,000. Situated at the mouth of the Severn River since 1649, Annapolis is close in proximity to but much different in feel from the busy cities of Baltimore and Washington, DC. Most famous for the United States Naval Academy, established in 1850, Annapolis is steeped in history from one end of town to the other. The 1779 Maryland State House sits at the top of a slight hill, watching over colonial-era streets that lead down to the magnificent waterfront. This designated Historic District is not dull and stodgy, however, but full of shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Some of the biggest metropolises in the United States, including New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, are located in the Mid-Atlantic, so it has millions of city-dwellers seeking out small-town vacation escapes. Luckily for them, as well as for the millions of visitors who come to the Mid-Atlantic each year, the region has thousands of fun little towns to suit every taste. Any of the ten favorite towns listed here would be a great choice for your next vacation, but be sure to explore the Mid-Atlantic and uncover some gems of your own as well!
