6 of the Most Overlooked Towns on the Atlantic Coast
Take a trip down the eastern seaboard of the Atlantic Coast from Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, to Indialantic, Florida, and discover six of the most overlooked towns that offer a unique blend of charm, history, and natural beauty. With stops in Alma, New Brunswick, Eastport, Maine, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, and Sea Bright, New Jersey, these lesser-known destinations, each has its own story to tell along the scenic Atlantic shoreline.
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
Set along the scenic shores of Mahone Bay, this picturesque town is renowned for its charming waterfront, the iconic "Three Churches of Mahone Bay,” and vibrant arts community with numerous studios, craft shops, and galleries like Northern Sun or Whiskey Jack, showcasing the work of local artists. An inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, Mahone Bay is 56 miles southwest of Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia.
Mahone Bay, and much of Atlantic Canada, was initially inhabited by the Mi'kmaq, an Indigenous people with a rich cultural and historical connection to the land. The Mi'kmaq traditionally relied on hunting, trapping, and fishing in the bay's sheltered waters, where fish were plentiful. Learn more about the town’s history and the Mi'kmaq people at the Mahone Bay Museum.
Visitors to Mahone Bay can’t leave without indulging in at least one meal of fresh-caught Nova Scotian lobster in local restaurants and eateries, like Rebecca’s Restaurant and Oh My Cod. For overnight visitors, the Kitch’inn is a boutique inn and wine bar on Main Street, next door to Betty’s at the Kitch, which serves wood-fired pizza and more wine.
Alma, New Brunswick
Alma, New Brunswick, is in Fundy National Park on the Bay of Fundy. Without question, Alma's main attraction is its proximity to the Bay of Fundy, where visitors can witness the awe-inspiring phenomenon that is the world's highest tides. The tides can rise and fall by as much as 52 feet twice a day, creating dramatic changes in the coastal landscape and revealing hidden sea caves, rock formations, and marine life. The bay is also renowned for its rich marine biodiversity, making it a popular destination for whale-watching excursions. Visitors can see humpback, minke, and fin whales in their natural habitats.
The village is tucked amid lush forests, rolling hills, and pristine rivers, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with numerous hiking trails, scenic lookouts, and picnic areas. Popular activities include hiking along the Fundy Footpath, which offers stunning coastal views, and exploring the park's waterfalls, such as Dickson Falls and Laverty Falls. Be aware that the Fundy Footpath is a 25-mile, four-day challenging hike that is better than a one-day outing or an overnight camping trip. Don’t forget to include a visit to a local restaurant to try local seafood, especially lobster, scallops, and smoked salmon caught in the calm waters of the Bay of Fundy.
Eastport, Maine
Eastport, on Moose Island in Maine, is part of the Passamaquoddy Bay in eastern Maine. It is the easternmost town in the United States, making it a unique destination for visitors. Adding to its quirky charm as the easternmost point, the annual Eastport Pirate Festival is known far and wide. It celebrates the town's pirate heritage with costume contests, live music, and family-friendly activities.
Despite its remote location, Eastport offers stunning coastal scenery, a vibrant arts community, and attractions like the Tides Institute & Museum of Art (TIMA) on the Passamaquoddy homelands, which belong to the Indigenous First Nations tribe in northeastern North America.
Eastport has a rich maritime heritage dating back to its days as a bustling fishing and trading port in the 19th century. Visitors can explore historic sites like the Old Sow Whirlpool, the oldest known tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere. It is called the Old Sow because of the grunting sounds the whirlpool reportedly makes when active. It is a popular attraction for kayakers and tourists interested in this powerful natural phenomenon, although navigating the area around the pool requires caution due to the strong currents and swirling waters.
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Manchester-by-the-Sea has a rich history dating back to the colonial era. It started as a small fishing village but became a summer playground for the rich during the late 19th century. The town boasts several historic sites, including the Trask House, built in 1823, and the Manchester Historical Museum, where visitors can see historical artifacts, period furniture, and fine art. The streets of downtown Manchester-by-the-sea are lined with colonial-style homes, boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants. 35 Beach serves New England cuisine with Italian and Japanese influences, while Captain Dusty’s has been serving ice from a shack on Beach Street since WWII.
Despite its small size, Manchester-by-the-Sea has a vibrant cultural scene, with art galleries, music venues, and community events throughout the year. Singing Beach, one of the town's most popular attractions, features pristine white sand that makes a singing sound when walked on and clear blue water. White Beach is known for its view of the Boston skyline and gorgeous sunsets. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities for recreation in Manchester-by-the-Sea, with activities that range from swimming and sunbathing to sailing, boating, kayaking, and fishing in the waters of Manchester Harbor and Massachusetts Bay. The town hosts an annual outdoor summer concert series at Masconomo Park, featuring live music performances by local and regional artists.
Sea Bright, New Jersey
Sea Bright is a pretty coastal town along the Jersey Shore, 50 miles south of New York City and 80 miles east of Philadelphia. The town is known for its stunning beaches, soft sand, rolling dunes, and picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean. Sea Bright Beach is the town's main beach where you can swim, sunbathe, surf, and beach comb—this is a beach town, after all. There’s a small 170-foot boardwalk behind Woody’s Ocean Grill, which is as good a reason to stop for Woody’s famous vodka-infused orange crush.
Away from the beach, visitors can explore nearby parks and nature reserves, such as Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area and Hartshorne Woods Park. The Twin Lights State Historic Site is worth the short drive. Initially constructed in 1862, the lighthouse was used as a beacon to warn of approaching French warships. Today, it is a national landmark with a panoramic view of New York City from atop the two towers.
Indialantic, Florida
The perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of Florida's larger beach destinations like Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach, Indialantic is a small town of about 3,000 residents with a superb beachfront location known for its incredible ocean views, beautiful sunsets, and unique attractions. Indialantic sits on a barrier island along Florida's Space Coast, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon. It is a popular surfing destination with crystal clear waters, reliable waves, and ideal conditions for novice and experienced surfers. Shop for boards, gear, and rash guards at Longboard House and Surf Style. On Indialantic’s small boardwalk, BB’s Beach Bar is the place to go après surf for a bloody mary oyster shot or an icy grapefruit margarita.
Visitors to Indialantic can indulge in calmer water sports, such as stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing in the waters of the Indian River Lagoon, as curious manatees look on. Anglers can cast their lines for various fish, including redfish, snook, and trout, while birders can point their binoculars skyward for glimpses of diving brown pelicans, soaring ospreys, and great blue heron.
Far from the crowds, these six coastal towns allow visitors to unwind and reconnect with nature. Beyond relaxation, exploring overlooked towns fosters a deeper understanding of diverse coastal landscapes and the communities that live there, creating lasting memories that make traveling along the Atlantic coast an experience to remember.
