7 Coolest Towns in Atlantic Coast for a Summer Vacation in 2024
Often referred to as the East Coast, the Atlantic Coast of the US, from Maine to Florida, encompasses off-shore islands and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The turquoise waters beckon under the sunny skies along the gorgeous beaches in the cooling ocean's breath. No wonder this stretch is a popular summer vacation destination for coastal strolls, seafood dining, and camping under the star-studded skies.
Manteo feels like the edge of the world on Roanoke Island to get away from it all at the gateway to the Outer Banks, while Nantucket is one of the most unspoiled specks in the ocean, with a pristine beach fringe and scenic, historic lighthouses. From soaking in the sun to sunbathing and breathing the salty air, there is no shortage of cool discoveries along the way—check out the famous boardwalk in the premiering town.
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park has been long favored among locals for small-town escape, christened after the first bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. Nestled in its waterfront splendor, not slumber, between the sparkling Atlantic and the lush landscape with lakes, marinas, and village greens, it holds a special appeal to nature lovers for a serene summer vacation with splashes of excitement. Some know Asbury Park as a haven for crowdless watersports along the pristine beaches, while others come for the cultural enrichment at the coolest spots to hit, like the historic Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre from the 1930s.
From its rich music history to the arts, the historic, famously scenic boardwalk offers a fun atmosphere to mingle overlooking the beach, from one attraction to the next, and summertime performances. Don't miss the Carousel Building, Asbury Splash Park, and, just south, the sprawling Ocean Grove Beach, while Asbury Lanes is a popular concert venue. With accommodations like hotels and B&Bs all along the waterfront, the Empress Hotel features a nightclub and pool, just a hop from quirky attractions downtown that make for a memorable family vacation, like the Paranormal Museum with unusual artifacts through creepy history.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, a real headliner in the Pine Tree State among its small towns, is indisputably cool, from indulgent eats like Side Street Cafe's signature Lobstah Mac and Cheese to the thrilling adventures and epic overlooks in the cooling embrace of the Atlantic on a hot summer day. With no better place to get historically inspired or taste Maine's famous lobster, visitors can wind down post-adventures in style at the family-friendly Central House, an 1800s inn with updated rooms. And if you've got a soft spot for seaside cottages, Bar Harbor has got those too, including the Gilded Age millionaires' ones that survived the fire of 1947.
Originally established as the Town of Eden in 1796, it was the summerscape for the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Pulitzers that you can feel connected to in the scenery they fell hard for, in between one of the nation's best parks and lovely sunsets firing up the Atlantic. Consider the "crown jewel of the north Atlantic coast," Acadia National Park, to reconnect with your inner self and wildlife along the hiking trails and scenic routes, as well as camping for stargazing from the shores. From ghost walks to historic sites and the iconic lighthouse, the town of just 5,500 is quite serene, dispersing visitors among attractions and the vast beaches for lounging with magic in the tidepools.
Brunswick, Georgia
Home to some 15,000 people, this ambient seaside town, just over an hour from Savannah, promises an unforgettable view of the Georgia coastline on a culturally enriching summer vacation. With its awe-inspiring sunrises from the beaches and coastal strolls, it is, in essence, a trip back to simpler times along the tree-lined streets with 200-year-old live oaks and historic architecture. Don't miss the Village Inn and Pub, with converted Spanish-style cottages from the 1930s and balcony seating areas overlooking a pool, which adds a sense of lavish yesteryear vacationing, with breakfast and drinks served at the attached English pub.
Vacationers can enjoy the beachy due time to get their tan in by day and spend an evening over opera or tribute band at the Historic Ritz Theatre. Built in 1899 to house office space for railroad workers as well as retail and the Grand Opera House, the venue is an integral part of the National Register District today, offering an arts center for live entertainment. Just a hop away, St. Simons Island Lighthouse and Museum is a must-see, with the lighthouse keeper's house open to learn about its historical role in the state's seafaring history, including artifacts and the lives of previous tenants.
Manteo, North Carolina
If you've ever wished to experience the edge of the world, Roanoke Island is the place to really get away from it all. Dead center on the island, Manteo, the gateway to the Outer Banks, is home to Bodie Island Lighthouse with tours to the top, while the quaint essence of another one, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, begs to be Instagrammed. From here, the adventurous can explore the Outer Banks with the wild horses of Corolla in the area, as well as easy access to Rodanthe and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, recognized internationally under the Dark Sky. It's easy to get into the ebb and flow of the sea at the Roanoke Island Festival Park, with live events around the shipyard and open spaces for picnics, or at the Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar.
The North Carolina Aquarium and, nearby, the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site are world-class attractions for every taste. Roanoke Island exudes a historic ambiance with sites like Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers National Memorial as the site of the original lost colony, which attracted archaeologists to discover what happened here during the early European settlement. For a relaxing stroll, Elizabethan Gardens features butterfly programs, while to really stretch your legs after months of work, there are plenty of cool trails, including Roanoke Island Marshes Dedicated Nature Preserve. From the historic Mother Vine to the Island Farm, adrenaline junkies can head straight to Nags Head's Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head for hang gliding and the tallest living sand dune on the coast.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Perhaps one of the least naturally spoiled destinations along the Atlantic Coast, Nantucket, a tiny town on the namesake island, is also among the most historically enriching. Whether you're looking for fun in the sun or to work on your tan in serenity, the charming downtown is a hop away from the beaches and the rest of the stunning island, with enough sites and experiences to fill up each blessed vacation day, like the notable lighthouses via historic trails through lush flora. Tipping the island at the north, the historic Great Point Lighthouse, rebuilt in 1986, is sited on the dunes of the Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge, while the red-striped lighthouse on a bluff overlooking the ocean to the east dates back to 1850, with a nearby golf course.
Some of the best beaches—straight from your daydreams behind the work desk—fringe the island's western half. Find Bartlett's Farm in between Cisco and Miacomet Beaches, a 7th-generation family farm growing vegetables, fruits, and flowers on 200 acres of beautiful Nantucket land. Visitors can stock up on seeds at the garden center, browse the market for fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and pantry staples, and see what the farm can whip up for you at the on-site restaurant. From the region's history at the Whaling Museum to the 'Sconset Bluff Walk,' no visit here is complete without savoring fresh seafood and local beers, and while hotels are pricey, Faraway Nantucket is an elegant budget option. Camping is forbidden, so book in advance and don't miss the site of the historic Camp Richard, a scout camp.
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Founded in 1638 as Pocasset, referring to the wide river in the Algonquian language, the Massachusetts Bay colony, the original Boston colony, left a bronze and stone marker Founder’s Brook, inscribed with the Portsmouth Compact. Thus establishing a democratic government. Incorporated two years later and renamed after a town in England, Portsmouth shared government into the 20th century with Newport, just down the barrier island. From public golf courses to marinas and antiques, there's cool scenery for every taste of pursuit, like 15 Point Road Restaurant and Localz Kitchen & Cocktails, for the best waterfront views from the tip. With so much water around, there is a sense of buoyancy in the town, with its lush, rich agriculture.
Greenvale Vineyards, a sixth-generation small batch farm production along the Sakonnet River, integrates a vineyard and tasting room in a beautiful landscape on a hill above the stunning rows of vines and a breathtaking inlet of the Atlantic in the background. During the American Revolution, British general Richard Prescott was captured at the Overing House, while the ruins of Butts Hill Fort reminisce about a delaying action by American forces during the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island. Green Animals Topiary Garden features over 80 topiaries in geometric shapes and animal designs, as well as a remarkable array of bulbs, perennials, and shrubs that burst in seasonal blooms throughout spring. Encompassing the four islands of Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Island, and Hog Island, visitors can island hop for the thrills of adventure.
St. Augustine, Florida
As America's oldest city, St. Augustine rightfully deserves a spot on the cool list as a must-experience at least once and one of the East Coast's best places to spend a summer vacation. Just a small coastal town along the Atlantic Ocean with an abundance of colonial architecture, it bears a world of history on its shoulders, for it was here that the first European settlers planted their roots. Inspiring a cool summer vacation with plenty of adventures, look out for the Castillo de San Marcos, a historic fort with a drawbridge and a gun deck, while Anastasia State Park has trails and a beach. From here, it is all about sunbathing, pleasure swims, and all kinds of watersports to soak up every ounce of the Sunshine State's rays.
As an art mecca with a beach scene and vibrant nightlife, among its many centuries-old attractions, St. Augustine Lighthouse, a key to the city's rich, seafaring past, is a great spot for a picnic and photoshoot against the sparkling Atlantic. Home to the Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, Medieval Torture Museum, and Shipwreck Museum, visitors can imbibe the beach culture of this over-millennia-old city simply by strolling in the timeless ambiance on a gallery prowl with local seafood stops and boutiques. There is no better time to plan than now for the line-up of summertime live music concerts, cultural events, and new excitement for returning visitors.
Brimming with whimsical charm and a laid-back culture, these East Coast destinations will get you there in a breath, let alone an entire vacation. St. Augustine, the oldest city in the US, veils over half a millennia of history through colonial architecture, a scenic lighthouse, and Casillo de San Marcos, a historic fort with a drawbridge and gun decks. Brunswick, home to the Historic Ritz Theatre and awe-inspiring sunrises, another culturally enriching destination, is, in essence, a trip back to the past along its tree-lined streets with 200-year-old live oaks, historic architecture, and the English-style inn.
