6 Lovely Small Towns to Visit on the Atlantic Coast This Summer

From Maine to Florida, America's Atlantic Coast has lots to love, like the tropics-infused beach towns in the Sunshine State, Southern hospitality in Beaufort, and New England charm. Boasting gorgeous beaches throughout and a plethora of tiny towns, "the East Coast" varies in vibes as much as each region it touches.

Mystic is a cinephile's and restauranteur's haven, while Marathon sprawls as 13 islands over turquoise water with sailing in its blood and a huge marina.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort, one of South Carolina's oldest towns, entices visitors with its historic allure, southern charm, and seaside beauty. Located on Port Royal Island, one of South Carolina's coastal Sea Islands, Beaufort is home to the picturesque Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, an ideal spot to start your visit and enjoy stunning sunsets. The active will enjoy the 10-mile Spanish Moss Trail for an unforgettable biking experience. Strewn with historical landmarks and museums, the historic downtown, full of antebellum and other architecture, is among the best in the US. Don't miss the Beaufort History Museum's exhibits on Beaufort's 18th-century history and culture.

Beaufort is ideal to escape the steel city heat in the summer, with beautiful beaches to relax and enjoy water sports, whereas the nearby Hunting Island State Park spotlights the iconic lighthouse and nature trails for immersive hikes. Cypress Wetlands features a scenic boardwalk, an amphitheater, and walking trails through local wildlife. The unique Parris Island Museum is dedicated to the historic role of the U.S. Marine Corps on the island.

Biddeford, Maine

Biddeford, a southern Maine town just 90 miles north of Boston, is a prime coastal mix of serene beaches and vibrant attractions. Steeped in history predating the Plymouth Colony by four years, the city was settled in the first half of the 17th century along a sandy shoreline that would become vibrant beaches. The Clifford Park Trail System is popular with hikers and bikers on scenic paths through lush forests, attracting summertime crowds for kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing. Biddeford Pool is a tranquil beach for swimming and sunbathing, while the stunning Fortunes Rocks Beach beckons for long walks and photography. The historic center features Victorianas and industrial mills like Pepperell Mill Campus turned over to the hands of local artists with boutiques and art studios.

Home to the University of New England, Biddeford, one of the state's oldest towns, is also its youngest city, with a median age of just 29. The cultural attractions match the youthful energy, like engaging local events, including the La Kermesse Franco-American Festival, a celebration of its French heritage, as well as art walks, farmers' markets, and summer concerts. Natural beauty and recreational opportunities are enhanced by the Saco River through the heart of Biddeford, with more trails and banks where the students enjoy studying in the scenery. Biddeford's thriving and diverse culinary scene includes charming seafood shacks, cafes, and fine dining to savor the famous Maine lobster in any style over breathtaking views of the Atlantic.

Cape May, New Jersey

Modestly hidden along New Jersey’s 126-mile coastline, this small town, a National Historic Landmark in its entirety, displays the largest concentration of Victorian architecture in the US—some 600 restored structures. Downtown, the Victorian elegance reminisces of Cape May, "the country’s first seaside resort." Having hosted the likes of US presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Benjamin Harrison, Cape May also has a colorful history involving pirates and privateers in the 18th century. Anchoring Cape May Point State Park, the 1859 Cape May Point Lighthouse looks spectacular at sunset and is a worthy sight after 199 steps to the top, under the full moon seeping light onto the dark coastline and the calm sea.

Visitors can take a historic trolley with a stop at the Victorian house museum, the Emlen Physick Estate. Built in “Stick Style,” it offers insights into Victorian elite vacationing days, with hooded dormer windows and massive upside-down chimneys, as well as re-enactments of the spiritualist séances, since Cape May is a haunted town. Steeped with beaches and boardwalks, Cape May is what summertime seaside fantasies are made of along the Atlantic Coast. From beachcombing, swimming, and paddling to the adrenaline rush of skydiving and parasailing, Cape May Point State Park is a wonderful spot for picnics and birdwatching.

Marathon, Florida

An hour’s drive from Key West, Marathon is a 10-mile-long beach town in the heart of the Florida Keys. Its most unique composition of 13 separate islands is fun to amble about under the sunny skies between Grassy Key, Fat Deer Key, Vaca Key, and others, each with a different vibe and a family-friendly feel throughout. Steeped in maritime history, Marathon's love for seafaring, a calm marina, and the turquoise waters draw visitors from all over to enjoy 1,200 wet and 1,200 dry slips. After boating or sailing, a string of waterfront, laid-back restaurants await with fresh seafood and unbeatable views.

Offering direct access to a barrier reef for snorkeling and scuba diving, Marathon is also renowned for deep-sea fishing and plenty of beaches that attract nesting loggerhead turtles, like Sombrero Beach. The 1,000-acre Curry Hammock State Park is great for fishing, paddling, hiking, and even camping, and there's no better place to learn boarding and windsurfing than the Lagoon on Grassy Key. From the historic Old Seven-Mile Bridge to the friendly creatures at the Dolphin Research Center, say hello to the turtles in rehabilitation at the Turtle Hospital and feed its permanent residents.

Melbourne Beach, Florida

This little barrier island town right across from Melbourne hops to its own beat, with a historic downtown. Nestled along Florida's Space Coast, in between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic, its unspoiled shoreline is where nighttime magic happens when a sea of loggerhead and green sea turtles nest from June through July. Visitors can join a guided, night-time sea turtle watch walk and see the tiny hatchlings emerge from their nest during turtle digs from August through early September. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is home to the US's largest nesting population of both species, while Spessard Holland South Beach Park is a relaxed public beach.

From Ryckman Park, it is just a hop to Melbourne Beach Pier, with views to the west horizon and astounding sunsets. Rene Griffith Fine Art is a cute art studio, while the 18-hole Spessard Holland Golf Course, between the river and the ocean, offers plenty of trees, water views, and sand access. The main Melbourne Beach is tremendous, with lots of room to sprawl out, stroll, swim, or enjoy private gatherings. Infused with tropical vibes in a low-key atmosphere, Sand on the Beach features a spacious deck to enjoy fruity drinks and the local favorite crab cake sandwiches. Along the causeway, Kiwanis Park at Geiger Point is a tiny park that is great for fishing and for views.

Mystic, Connecticut

This lovely town between Providence and New Haven is one of the best for a dose of New England charm. Attracting cinephiles from all over, Mystic is where Julia Roberts waitressed at the iconic pizza restaurant in the rom-com of the late 80s, Mystic Pizza. With the vast Mystic River through the heart of town, the Mystic Seaport Museum is a reimagined waterfront 19th-century village with its collection of historic ships, boats, maritime history displays, and hands-on experiences. From Mystic Downtown Marina to the reputable Argia Mystic Cruises, a local company, Mystic Aquarium is a world-class attraction with its beluga whales, seals, and sea lions.

Nestled at the mouth of the river, the downtown area bursts with fun shops like MINE in Mystic, a popular antique store, and great restaurants along the waterfront, like the Mariner. While Mystic Pizza from the movie takes the cake in terms of demand, Red 36 boasts an unbeatable waterfront location to indulge in American cuisine overlooking Mason’s Island. Nearby, the waterfront Mystic Museum of Art flaunts four galleries showcasing a permanent collection and rotating exhibitions, as well as studio classes. Just north, the riverside Peace Nature Sanctuary and the historic Elm Grove Cemetery to the east exude different vibes of quintessence.

Coastal Charm and Cultural Riches Await

Brimming with whimsical charm and laid-back vibes, these towns can match a city in terms of history, culture, vibrant nightlife, and mouthwatering cuisine. From tiny fishing villages to enticing Victorian waterfronts, Cape May is America's first seaside resort with a haunted vibe, a history of pirates, and two vacationing US presidents. Nestled along Florida's Space Coast, there's no better season to visit Melbourne Beach than the summer, when a sea of loggerhead and green sea turtles nest from June through July, and the tiny hatchlings emerge from August through early September.