6 Delightful Towns to Visit on the Atlantic Coast
From New York to Florida, the Atlantic Coast is home to beautiful stretches of coastline, stunning views, and remarkable beach towns. Whether visitors are looking for a summer destination full of excitement and entertainment and teaming with crowds or want to escape to a quieter small town this summer, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy on the coast. From pretty, historic New England towns to tropical Southern getaways, there is much to explore this summer. From Montauk to Fernandina Beach, the Atlantic Seaboard is home to a treasure trove of vacation destinations.
Montauk, New York
Montauk is commonly referred to as “the End,” thanks to its location at the easternmost point of Long Island and the state of New York. Buffeted by strong winds and rough surf, it sometimes seems like the edge of the world—it feels more remote and low-key than its fancy Hamptons neighbors. The Montauk Point Lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington in 1792, is the oldest in New York State. It has stunning 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island—worth the 137-step climb to the top.
Ditch Plains Beach is the most popular spot for surfing in Montauk. Still, several other beaches in Montauk are perfect for swimming and sunbathing, like Gin Beach, Sunset Beach, which is walkable to nearby shops and restaurants, and South Edison Beach (or Nick’s as the locals call it). Visitors traveling with four-legged friends are welcome at beaches at dawn and dusk (before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.). The town has several natural trails perfect for hiking, including Montauk State Park, where the lighthouse is; Shadmoor State Park, where visitors walk along the bluffs; and Hither Hills State Park, where hikers can explore the park's beautiful beaches, walking dunes, and scenic picnic areas. At the end of a Montauk day, visit the Montauk Brewing Co. for a hard seltzer blueberry lemonade.
Edgartown, Massachusetts
Edgartown is renowned for its well-preserved 19th-century whaling captains' homes, notable for their prominent “widow’s walks,” where captains kept an eye on their ships at sea, and wives watched for the return of loved ones. Located on Martha's Vineyard, Edgartown offers a wealth of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, like surf-friendly South Beach (Katama Beach) and Lighthouse Beach, home of the iconic 1800s-era Edgartown Lighthouse. While the lighthouse is relatively small, the area surrounding the lighthouse is stunning. From the top of the spiral staircase, visitors can view the harbor and Chappaquiddick Island vistas. Another activity in the fresh air is exploring the four miles of trails at the family-friendly Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
The island’s flat terrain and scenic routes make it a perfect destination for cycling, so why not explore Edgartown on two wheels with a rental from Wheel Happy Bicycle Shop? Spend some time walking down Edgartown’s Main Street and discover a host of unique shops, restaurants, and cafés, like Slate—a boho fashion and lifestyle shop, 19 Raw Oyster Bar, and Behind the Bookstore—a café serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Hemingway-inspired drinks like Palomas and A Night in Cabo at The Hemingway Bar, hidden behind Edgartown Books.
Ocean City, Maryland
The seaside town of Ocean City offers fun for the whole family. Renowned for its 10 miles of stunning sandy beaches, it’s perfect for swimming, body surfing, and beachcombing. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of watersports, such as jet skiing, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and parasailing. Jet ski and boat rentals are available at Odyssea Watersports. Ocean City’s iconic 3-mile wooden planked boardwalk is a beehive of activity 24/7. Stroll down the boardwalk and visit Dolle’s Candyland for fruit slices, traditional boardwalk fudge, or salt water taffy; the shop is currently celebrating its 114th year in business. Tony’s Pizza has been a landmark on the boardwalk since 1963, and visitors can dine on their rooftop deck overlooking the boardwalk, beach, and the ocean.
No visit to a seaside town would be complete without a round or two of mini golf, so grab a putter and visit Embers Island Mini Golf Course, complete with pirate ships, caves, and water hazards, or Nick’s Mini Golf, where you can choose from various themed courses like Jurassic Golf, Maui Golf, or Dino Golf. After dark, enjoy live music, karaoke, and entertainment at Seacrets Jamaica USA, Fager's Island, and Macky's Bayside Bar & Grill.
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Head to this small Martha’s Vineyard town, Oak Bluffs, to see its colorful and delightful gingerbread cottages, which lend the town a picturesque and whimsical feel. Over 300 cozy cottages are in a 34-acre neighborhood called Wesleyan Grove, a National Historic Landmark. With gothic archways, steeples, and turrets, the cottages are painted in the colors of ice cream. The cottages are celebrated every year on August 14th with an event called “Illumination Night,” where the owners decorate their homes with lanterns. Another playful landmark in town is the Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest in the United States. Originally an attraction on Coney Island, the hand-carved, glass-eyed horses with real horse hair manes were moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884.
To learn about the island's history, visit the Martha’s Vineyard Museum or follow the African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard, a trail of 30 sites marked with explanatory plaques dedicated to the contributions made by people of African descent to the island. Finally, for the alpaca enthusiast in the family, visit the Island Alpaca Company for a first-hand look at these gentle and curious animals, and stop by the gift shop for the perfect souvenir.
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Pawleys Island is a quiet barrier island known for its unspoiled, serene beaches, historic charm, and laid-back vibe. First settled in the 1500s, the island is one of the oldest beach towns in the United States. Like many old seaside towns, the island is rumored to be haunted by a ghost known as the “Gray Man”—a cloaked figure who roams the beach ahead of major hurricanes. Ghostly attractions aside, this tranquil little town has many other things to do. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy surf fishing from the beach at Huntington Beach State Park or fishing from the Garden City Pier for flounder, black drum, or mackerel. Explore the island’s salt marshes and creeks by kayak or paddleboard with rentals from Surf the Earth, a peaceful way to observe local wildlife and scenic landscapes.
Take a walking tour of the Pawleys Island Historic District, which features charming, centuries-old beach houses and landmarks reflecting the island’s rich history, like the Pawleys Island Chapel, which marks its 76th year of worship in 2024. and the 1845-built All Saints Summer Parsonage. The island also has several renowned eateries where visitors can sample South Carolina’s legendary Lowcountry cuisine, like Pawleys Island Tavern, Frank’s and Frank’s Outback Bar, and Pawley’s Raw Bar, which bills itself as a “rusty ramshack of a restaurant.”
Fernandina Beach, Florida
On Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach is a charming Victorian seaside town with a historic downtown area and beautiful beaches wrapped in a laid-back, sunny atmosphere. Once a town full of pirates, bootleggers, and other quirky residents, today it is a family-friendly destination with much to see and enjoy. Although the barrier island is only 13 miles long, there are more than 40 public beaches, including the popular Main Beach Park (known as “The Family Zone” by locals). Play a round of mini putt at the Putt-Putt Fun Center, surf the waves, or shred it at the skate park. For food and drinks at the beach, visit the Salt Life Food Shack for sushi, poke bowls, street tacos, and a pitcher of sangria.
After a day in the sun and the surf, head to Fernandina Beach’s charming downtown area, known for its Victorian-era architecture, boutique shops, art galleries, and inviting cafés. Visit Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop for a shake from its authentic 1950s soda fountain, Villa Villekulla Toys, or join a yoga class at Centred on Yoga. Don’t leave town without a visit to Florida’s oldest lighthouse, the Amelia Island Lighthouse, built in 1838. Today, the lighthouse’s beacon still guides ships into the channel to the Fernandina Harbor, but when it was first lit, Florida was not yet a state.
The Atlantic coast is chock full of delightful towns with picturesque landscapes, rich history, and diverse activities. With stunning beaches ideal for swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing and historic lighthouses providing breathtaking views and a glimpse into maritime history, visitors can easily make every moment count on an East Coast vacation. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore scenic trails in state parks; water lovers can surf, kayak, and paddle board, while anglers can drop a line from a pier or surf cast. Quaint towns with charming architecture, boutique shops, activities for the whole family, and local cuisine only add to the appeal of the Atlantic coast.
