14 Most Scenic Towns on the Atlantic Coast
The salty air of the East is calling. Smell the cheeses and seafood melting together. Listen for the gulls plotting to steal your fries. Every state along the East coast has something to offer. Sometimes the smaller the scene, the better the experience. Pick someone special to share these views of the Atlantic with. These towns are unique minute-to-minute, tide-to-tide. Each are distinct from each other and each visit is a novel experience.
Ogunquit, Maine
Diehard Stephen King fans visit Ogunquit every year as it is where much of “The Stand” is set. The 45-minute drive from Portland offers something for everyone. Trolly rides give visitors the chance to sample everything in the 1,500 population town. Be sure to set aside enough time to walk the 3 1/2 mile long beach. If shopping is in the cards, Maine is famous for its antiques. Tours are on stand-by to ferry you to the best spots. If fresher goods are in your purview, outlet town Kittery is a mere 22 minute drive away.
Hull, Massachusetts
Hull was like a Coney Island to Boston once upon a time. Nantasket Beach has the laid-back, fun-loving vibe every getaway seeking Bostonian craves. Just hop on a ferry at Boston Harbor and watch Hull come to you. 10,000 people live there today and diligently keep the tourism alive. The sand of Nantasket Beach is a fine, light grey. Low tide leaves behind tiny pools that children and migrating birds alike flock to. The town makes a stunning backdrop for wedding photos. Joseph Kennedy Sr. chose Hull as the spot for his family summer home.
Jamestown, Rhode Island
Jamestown is where American history is born. The most popular tourist destination is without doubt the Beavertail Lighthouse and Park. The lighthouse was the first in Road Island. The beacon replaced one which is featured in some of the earliest ship observations in US history. Cinephiles will recognize Wetherill State Park from Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom.” Historic New England Watson farm is a 265-acre working farm where people can learn the tricks of the trade and experience the past first-hand.
Madison, Connecticut
For a taste of something different, look no further than the square-shaped donuts of beach town Madison, Connecticut. Legendary bookworm heaven RJ Julia Booksellers will keep your eyes scanning spines for hours. Grab movie tickets at Madison Art Cinema and enjoy the Italian-style concession stand. When it is time to walk-off the donuts, saunter through the town’s Sculpture Mile. If you are just there for the beach, there are over two miles of it. The Surf Club area is a town unto itself with restaurants, shops, and equipment rentals readily available.
Lewes, Delaware
Lewes refers to itself as the first town in the first state in the Union. Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is one of the very first spots you should knock off your Atlantic coast town checklist. When you are done watching tides ebb and flow, Lewes has surprises in store. Bars are everywhere. Shopping is everywhere. Delaware is a tax-free state. Neighboring towns are also beach towns. When there are no more bars to hop, you can hop to the next town. The entire region is a summer vacation. Consider renting a bicycle to zip along the area’s trails.
Assateague Island, Maryland
For an untouched view of the Atlantic, look no further than Assateague Island. More than half of the island straddles the Maryland-Virginia border. Admittance is only granted on the Maryland side. The rest of the island is a state park that protects the over 70 surviving wild horses that populate the area. Visitors are encouraged to admire them from a safe distance. Assateague Outfitters has everyone you need for adventure gear. Renting a kayak, canoe, or a bicycle is easy. Permits aren’t required for bonfires, but firewood may not be brought in from out of state, to protect the native fauna.
Jekyll Island, Georgia
The ominously named Jekyll Island has just under 1,200 residents year-around. Once the summer hits, this former getaway for the world’s wealthiest morphs into a pandemonium of fun. The Summer Waves water park is a kid’s dream, with season passes starting at $80. Families can then skip over to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and learn about the surprising abundance of sea turtles in the Atlantic, both North and South. Bring the expensive camera for Driftwood Beach, so named for the fallen oaks that provide stunning backdrops. Learn more about Jekyll’s prestigious former inhabitants at the Mosaic Museum.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport has been known for years to Maine state map owners as the funnest place to say aloud, originating from the Mi'kmaq word for “long sandbar.” Goose Rocks beach lives up to the Kennebunkport’s name. The town of 3,600 is replete with the bed and breakfast options that Maine is famous for. The town has incidentally hosted world leaders as it has for years been the summer home of the Bush family. Whether you are a world leader or just the leader of your own destiny, Kennebunkport residents will serve you with the same smile.
Avon, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Dare County has a choice option for anyone seeking a secluded island vacation accessible by car. Avon shares 20 miles of coastline with a population of only 776. There is plenty of room for everyone. When you are ready to play with the locals, the Cosmic Octopus will help you make a groovy tie-dyed t-shirt. Come with plans to hone your watersport skills. Equipment rental sites are nearby. It is recommended that you call ahead for availability. Book a boat tour of the island when you arrive to get the lay of the land.
Folly Beach, South Carolina
Craving boiled peanuts and pimento cheese? South Carolina has salty tastes of summer and the breathtaking views to boot. Book a private paddleboard excursion for an encounter with some dolphins. Folly Beach has a population of just 2,600. It is the ideal option for a small-town getaway if you are near the Charleston area. Folly Beach Pier allows you to walk over 1,000 feet into the ocean. Get lost gazing at the waves from high tide to low. When it is time for rush of adrenaline, there is more than a few jet-skiing options.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine was settled by the Spanish in 1565. Between then and now, it has been a hotspot for commerce, culture, and of course piracy. The population today is just under 15,000. The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum brings visitors up-to-speed with the town’s history. The walking ghost tours are very theatrical and highly rated. There is plenty to see outside of organized tours, as well. The town’s abundance of sea salt smacked colonial architecture cannot be found anywhere else in the country. If you want a boat tour to go dolphin or manatee spotting, simply walk to the beach and ask around.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Boothbay Harbor is less than an hour’s drive South of Augusta. The views the town of 2,000 are reminiscent of “Murder She Wrote.” Lose your sense of time watching the tides at Ocean Point. Penny Lake preserve is a 54-acre haven for freshwater wildlife that is both breathtaking and wheelchair accessible. Monhegan Island makes an exciting daytrip. It is accessible by ferry but has no roads and few paved paths. The lighthouse was built in 1824 and still functions to this day. Grimes Cove Beach is a safe spot for swimming and has a panoramic view of surrounding islands.
Tybee Island, Georgia
The Tybee Island sea air propelled the spot into popularity as a tourist destination and convalescence option for lung illness in the 1880’s. Before that, it was a strategically vital Civil War battleground. The town of 3,100 is only 18 miles East of Savannah. It stands as one of America’s quickest, easiest historical getaways. Tybee Island is perfect for a long weekend. The farmer’s markets offer a myriad of rare treats for shoppers. The local brick and wood lighthouse was built in 1736. Plan to arrive in time for the Tybee Island Pirate Festival in October.
Isle of Palms, South Carolina
If you remember to print out a form from the city website and bring it to City Hall on your visit, Isle of Palms will give you a free t-shirt. The city of 4,300 loves visitors. Volunteers clean the beach regularly. The pier features a long boardwalk with stunning panoramic views. Book an excursion with Barrier Island Ecotours to learn about South Carolina’s native fauna and conservation efforts in the area. Rent a scooter from Port City Moped and cruise the shops in style. Boat rentals are also available for those tired of pavement.
The history of chronicled European settlement may go as far back as the 1490’s but people have lived on the Atlantic coast for tens of thousands of years. On your journey, be sure to seek out businesses owned by Native Americans. From the Wabanki Confederacy in the North to Seminole lands in the South, there is no denying the rich history that already existed before Europeans arrived. When you breathe the salt air through your nose, you are connected to an ecosystem that spans for both miles and centuries.
