7 Cutest Small Towns on the Atlantic Coast To Visit In 2024
With warm waters, beautiful lighthouses, and interesting history, the Atlantic Coast is a fantastic place to learn more about American history, have fun in the sun, and more. Outside the cities of Baltimore, Boston, New York, Miami, and Washington, DC, there are smaller towns that are just as vibrant and have the comfort of a less packed location. All these destinations have fewer than 50,000 people, stunning landscapes, and amazing histories for the whole family to experience the Atlantic coast.
From the Golden Isles of Brunswick, Georgia, to the shores of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, you will want to visit these cutest towns on the Atlantic Coast in 2024.
Brunswick, Georgia
If you feel a sense of awe with coastal sunrises, then Brunswick might be the place for you. With about 15,000 friendly residents, a spectacular coast, and deep history, this a location to visit. Just an hour from Savannah, Brunswick is where you can experience a coastal getaway with 200-year-old live oaks and a historic ambiance.
When going to Brunswick, staying at the Village Inn and Pub is almost a requirement. The inn is made of converted Spanish-style cottages built in the 1930s. Balcony seating areas with pool views provide a spot to sit after grabbing breakfast or maybe go down to the English pub attached to the inn for food after visiting the town during the day.
While visiting the area, you could have the opportunity of watching an opera or tribute band at the Historic Ritz Theatre, a member of the National Register District, built in 1899. The original intent of the Historic Ritz Theatre was to house retail locations, the Grand Opera House, and offices for the railroad managers. Now, the historic theatre and arts center uses the space for live performances, films, and more.
Before leaving, you must visit the St. Simons Island Lighthouse and Museum. With the ability to go to the top, you get an unforgettable view of the coastline, learn about the history of the lighthouse, and can even wander the house to learn about the lives of the residents. The museum staff are very knowledgeable about the artifacts and lives of previous tenants. Brunswick is just the place to get your summer tan while experiencing coastal Georgia in a small town.
Annapolis, Maryland
If you are looking for a town with views of the Chesapeake Bay, access to soft shell crab, and a great history, Annapolis might be the place for you. Founded in 1649, Annapolis currently has a population of about 40,600 people, making it a charming small town to visit in 2024. Annapolis has the further benefit of being about an hour from Washington, DC, and less than that from Baltimore, Maryland.
When looking for the best crab cakes, head to the Boatyard Bar and Grill. Founded in 2001 by a Chesapeake Bay native, the restaurant is known for its crab-based recipes. An extra benefit is that when you fall in love with their crab food, you have the option of shipping it anywhere in the United States.
Beyond the delicious seafood, Annapolis is a fantastic location for those interested in maritime history. The Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park has interesting exhibits with maritime-inspired artwork and interactive exhibits for everyone to appreciate. The museum also hosts educational events and local tours that could be fun for the whole family. Inquiring with the US Naval Academy may gain you access to their museum, which focuses on the history of the academy and seapower. This museum has two floors and has limited access, so it is recommended that you confirm ahead of time.
If maritime history is not what you were looking for, Annapolis has plenty of other sites, from the Banneker-Douglass Museum on African-American history, the historic Reynolds Tavern, or the many ghost tours in Annapolis. Before leaving Annapolis, you have to get some of the best ice cream in the town at the Annapolis Ice Cream Company, to finish your trip.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Three hours from Portland, is the town of Bar Harbor. With a population of just over 5,500 and landscapes you could, and probably have, put in a calendar, Bar Harbor is the coastal location of your dreams. Originally established as the Town of Eden in 1796, it became Bar Harbor in 1918.
Complete with ghost walks and historic locales, Bar Harbor was a place for the seaside cottages of millionaires in the Gilded Age. Many of those cottages are gone, burned down in a fire in 1947, but a visitor might feel connected with the past Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Pulitzers that stayed there, having been attracted to the landscape like moths to a flame.
If you are hoping to reconnect with your inner self, experience the outdoors at Acadia National Park. Considered the "crown jewel of the north Atlantic coast" Acadia National Park has miles of hiking and driving trails, camping, stargazing, exploring tidepools, or visiting the lighthouse and memorials in the park. Acadia National Park is home to species of animals ranging from bald eagles, beavers, harbor porpoises, and seals among many others.
After all the hiking in nature, consider getting some of Side Street Cafe's signature Lobstah Mac and Cheese or share a Lobstah Bowl with friends while deciding what to eat, to make sure you get a chance to taste one of Maine's famous lobsters. If staying the night, consider reserving a room at The Central House, an inn built in the 1800s that has welcomed guests since 1887 with historically inspired, updated rooms to stay in comfort while feeling like you are in a different century.
Salem, Massachusetts
When Halloween comes, Salem goes all out for October, but that is not the only time a lover of the occult, believer in magic, or skeptic can go. Salem provides the opportunity to learn more about the Salem colony and the individuals convicted of witchcraft. Furthermore, Salem is located less than an hour from Boston, making it easy to visit from the city.
While walking about the town, you might find yourself seeing a statue in the middle of Lappin Park. The Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery in the popular show Bewitched is astride a broom with a crescent moon on her back, a contentious sight for locals but still considered a strong aspect of Salem culture.
After finding the statue, visit a few of the museums on witches. The Witch Dungeon Museum includes tours and reenactments of the 1692 trial; the Salem Witch Museum provides a stronger understanding of the social processes behind the trials; and the Corwin House, also called the Witch House, includes tours and a deeper understanding of life in early Salem and Jonathan Corwin, the judge that proceeded over the Salem Trials.
When getting hungry, consider eating at the Dire Wolf Tavern with their Wolf Burger. If that is too heavy for you, consider tasting New England clam chowder or a lobster bisque at Turner's Seafood at Lyceum Hall, getting the full experience of Massachusetts.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Less than 60 miles from Norfolk and Richmond, Williamsburg is an accessible town with a long history. Williamsburg has many attractions, including historical, amusing, and more. Furthermore, Williamsburg has a population of less than 16,000 people, but many tourists visit Busch Gardens or Colonial Williamsburg.
Because of its vibrant past, Williamsburg has Colonial Ghost Tours and is close to the Jamestown Settlement for visitors to see. There is also the Virginia Musical Museum and the Wagsters Magic Theatre for those interested in the local arts. After partaking in the arts, consider eating a blackened Cajun-style catfish or Jefferson's southern sampler dinner at The Jefferson Restaurant.
If you are interested in history, consider the Watermen's Museum on the history of Chesapeake Bay from pre-colonial times to today; fantastic for the whole family. The Watermen's Museum hosts music, dancing, and boatbuilding programs. There are kayaking and paddleboarding events and kids' camps focused on pirates, archaeology, and more. For those hoping to spend a day outside, head to the York River State Park. Among the estuaries that you can explore are colonial and native artifacts, fossil beds, and more. Picnic shelters and boat ramps make this an option to get on the water before lunch.
Manteo, North Carolina
Manteo is a gateway to the Outer Banks, giving access to Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The town is one of the best spots to learn about the early history of European settlers, located on Roanoke Island. The island is where the original lost colony was located, and archaeologists worked to grasp a better understanding of what happened for years. A visitor might stroll through the Elizabethan Gardens or go to one of the butterfly programs.
For those interested in an outdoor trip, there are plenty of trails on the island. The Roanoke Island Marshes Dedicated Nature Preserve has a few such trails, and another is Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head, known for hang gliding and being the tallest living sand dune on the coast.
For those wishing to feel like they are on the edge of the world, visit Bodie Island Lighthouse to take a tour to the top during the summer months. For those looking for quaint pictures for social media, there is the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Manteo. Stay a while to explore the Outer Banks by looking for the wild horses of Corolla, or head to Rodanthe and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, an internationally ranked dark sky.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Settled in the mid to late 1600s by English and Dutch, Rehoboth Beach has, in the past, marketed itself as a beach destination for those living in the Washington, DC metro area. Rehoboth Beach is also small, with a population of a little under 1,200 people, making it feel inviting and hospitable.
In nearby Lewes, a replica of the Dutch city hall, the Zwaanendael Museum, focused on the history of the region. The museum includes exhibits on maritime and social history. An online exhibit also includes beach-going in the area while under the Jim Crow laws. The Zwaanendael Museum focuses on the history of the Dutch Zwaanendael Settlement. The Lewes History Museum is also a great location to learn more about the area, with accessible photographs, maps, and more. Back in Rehoboth Beach, you will also find the Anna Hazzard Museum and Rehoboth Beach Historical Society & Museum.
After visiting local history museums, a visit to the Eden Restaurant may be in order before heading to the beach. The Eden provides upscale dining options such as pan-seared day boat scallops and broken arrow ranch antelope tenderloin before a Parisian apple tart. Finally, relaxing on Rehoboth Beach makes the town a perfect spot for those wishing to visit.
An Atlantic Coast Trip
From Brunswick to Bar Harbor, Manteo to Williamsburg, there is no place as amazing to visit as the towns on the Atlantic coast in 2024. A visit to the coast might bring the thrill of Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, magic in Salem, and the spot where the first colony settled on the Outer Banks. Pack your bag and reserve a room in one of the cutest towns on the Atlantic coast.
