8 Most Laid-Back Small Towns on the Atlantic Coast
Commonly called the East Coast, the Atlantic Coast, aka the Atlantic Seaboard, covers 14 states. Each with its own climate and culture, from Maine to Florida, the charming towns vibe to their own ocean tide. From Milton's cozy embrace in sunflower and lavender fields to one of the nation's oldest beach towns in South Carolina, you can also soak up the 80s pop culture and New England charm in Mystic.
With laidback vibes for every taste, Tiverton is a coastal country town on the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay, along the Sakonnet River, and Mount Hope Bay at its head. Fort King George State Historic Site is the oldest English fort on Georgia's coast, in the state's second-oldest town. The first, Mount Desert Island town, flaunts the doorstep of Acadia National Park, a wilderness unlike anywhere on Earth. Find the most relaxed small towns on the Atlantic Coast for your next escape from the big city.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Never failing to mesmerize loyal tourists, Bar Harbor stuns new visitors who have heard rumors about its deep blue harbor. A real summertime hit with families, hit the pristine waters on a swim, a post-hike dip, or splice the tranquil surface like a knife with views of the dauntingly quiet surrounding Acadia National Park. This one-of-a-kind world's natural wilderness carries the name of the former French colony as well as the type of forest in New England and the Empire State. Flaunting endless trails through mature tree growth, including white pine, sugar maple, and beyond, Mount Desert Island is a canopied neverland of piling wonders. From its iconic Thunder Hole to the gorgeous Cadillac Mountain, you are jet set to explore right from the lively fishing village on the same island.
The whole area subdues your overhyped senses with pristine lakes, breathtaking ocean vistas, and a removed-from-it-all feel. Exuding New England vibes, Bar Harbor welcomes visitors to taste the seafood, explore the coast, and take the Bar Island Land Bridge. The scenic Ocean Trail is perfect for hiking, biking, or kayaking along. Take a whale-watching cruise or catch the sunset among the seals from the shore at Frenchman Bay. Abbe Museum showcases the culture of the native Wabanaki people with various exhibits and events. From the historic Agamont Fountain to the John B. Ells Pier, grab a coffee with a snack at the most popular Side Street Cafe, steps from your afternoon hangout along the grassy, central town square with benches, a gazebo, summer concerts, and the national park information center.
Darien, Georgia
Darien, a historic huddle tangled within waterways, wildlife islands, and vineyards, is Georgia's second oldest town. With Darien Creek flowing to the west and the mighty Altamaha River to the south, there is something for everyone to have a good time under a great climate while exploring the multifaceted town along a paradisiac slice of the Atlantic coastline. Many enjoy leisurely boating with Georgia Tidewater Outfitters, which includes nearby beaches and nature tours, while Altamaha Coastal Tours offers a kayaking adventure through the nearby marshes. The historic district paints the backstory in architecture, while Fort King George State Historic Site is the oldest English fort on Georgia's coast, rebuffed for tours with a museum and nature trails.
Take a peek into the local lifestyle through the Darien Heights neighborhood and taste the sweet life over some handmade chocolates from the charming Sugar Marsh Cottage Speciality Confections. Next to Vernon Square, the waterfront Skipper’s Fish Camp is a favorite joint for a quick seafood snack. From the cozy Darien Lions Club Park to Boone's Seafood, a marketplace, stop by the Butler Island Plantation, just south, for a stroll around the stately building. B & J's Steaks & Seafood hosts a laidback atmosphere to join the locals and fans from around the region for a casual feast of fried shrimp delicacies, steak entrees, or daily buffet specials, while Darien Waterfront Inn is a popular stay with maritime views.
Milton, Delaware
Tranquility, fun, and adventure unite in one of the Atlantic Coast's most scenic small towns on the banks of the Broadkill River, minutes from the Delaware coast. Calling to relax mind, body, and soul, each site is honey to the eye, and the experience is sensually evoking. Full of guilty pleasures, from seafood to tasty craft beers and scented lavender fields, Milton attracts families and culture fans alike. Lavender Fields Farm sells fresh and infused products, while Milton Memorial Park features trails for a morning jog or an afternoon bike ride. Seek insights at the Milton Historical Society, steps from the serene Milton Fishing Pier to relax with a fishing rod or take in the sunset. The delightful Milton Theatre is a hop from a hopping evening at Tequila Real, overlooking two ponds with outdoor seating.
Wrapped around the charming Wagamons Pond, it's hard to imagine a more laidback town for a natural sojourn in the embrace of the surrounding sunflower fields. Strolling its manicured streets with porches and gardens through Mill Park and past the public library induces a tug for an old coastal vacation. And even if you are not getting your body tattooed, stop by the Broadkill Tattoo Company & Gallery for unique art. Meanwhile, Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant awaits you for the ultimate riverside feast, while the sizable Dogfish Head Milton Brewery is a hit with its brewpub, hearty food, beers on tap, and tours. Taste more local bounty during the annual Crab Festival in the summer, in between kayaking on the nearby waterways of Edward H. McCabe Preserve.
Mystic, Connecticut
Rocking around the picturesque Mystic River to the beat of the Atlantic waves, Mystic delivers an enthralling experience for mariners and nature lovers. What could be more laidback than your favorite feel-good movie of the late 1980s? Visit with your girls or a special someone to relive the best moments of "Mystic Pizza" by the ocean. Mystic Seaport Museum is a world-class institution reimagined as a 19th-century village, with historic ships, a museum, wildlife trails, a pond, and grounds for picnics. Just east, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center offers close-ups with frogs and turtles, plus a wildlife rehabilitation center and forested trails. Break for a thematic lunch at Oyster Club, a creative boat-to-table New England seafood in a rustic-chic space with a zinc bar and deck.
Home to landmarks like the Haley Mansion, the historic seaport town offers to explore the coastal beauty via kayaking and sailing adventures, both guided and self-navigated. Resonating its New England vibes and pop culture against the historic architecture and two waterfronts, the quaint downtown area bursts with fun and cultural attractions. For dinner, the airy harborfront Red 36 serves an elevated, seafood-centric American menu on a deck overlooking proud sails, while the rustic-chic Engine Room offers comfort food, craft beer, and a large Bourbon selection. That hand-shaped island in your sphere of vision? Mason's Island is a short drive to its Kitchen Little for American breakfast or seafood at sunset in homey digs with marina views from the patio.
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Home to about 150 year-round residents, this skinny island is just 30 minutes away from the bustling Myrtle Beach. Dating its settlement days to the 1700s, Pawleys Island is one of the nation's oldest beach towns. Flaunting eight pristine beaches, like Pawleys Island Beach, the long stretch of golden sand and impressive coastal views beckon friends for a weekend trip or a romantic couple escape. Staying tranquil through the summer, take a stroll along the Historic District, the serene trails at Pawleys Island Nature Park, or hit the nearby Hammock Shops Village. From 2nd Street Public Beach Access to Parlor Doughnuts, stop by Fresh Market or Christopher's Fine Jewelry if looking for a very special gift or planning a proposal.
The splendorously remote feel extends to kayaking adventures along the Pawleys Island Creek and the vast Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club. Take advantage of the top guides at North Island Fishing Charters to catch your own and cook beachside over an evening fire and views of the beating waves against the skeleton-like Pawleys Island Pier. Pawleys Island Tavern is a lively, down-home joint offering pub grub and live blues music dressed in tchotchke-covered environs. Frank's & Frank's Outback welcomes patrons into a cozy dining room and its casual, candlelit garden for globally inspired food, while Pawley's Raw Bar serves sandwiches, boiler pots, and tacos, plus a raw bar in a funky, low-key maritime-inspired atmosphere.
Swansboro, North Carolina
Home to the aptly named Hammocks Beach State Park and its breathtaking beaches, this picturesque harbor town hosts a lounge-worthy atmosphere. But, offering an expansive boardwalk hiking trail plus a historic downtown, you will want to do anything but lie around. Treating you to a unique village vibe with world cuisine and many town greens, Swansboro, as relaxing as its name, inspires wanders in the salty sea breeze. From Olea Mediterranean Kitchen to the dog-friendly Riverview Park with boardwalks and interpretive signage, observation shelters, and picnic tables, the town hosts regular local events like the Arts by the Sea Festival.
Swansboro Municipal Park features a playground, while Swansboro’s beaches are long stretches of pristine white sand, tall dunes, and bright blue waters. You won't have to exert yourself at Candy Edventure—just resist going overboard—nor will you regret driving up to Bamboo Asian House for some of the best sushi in your life in a low-key, dimly lit authentic Japanese outpost. Serving tempura dishes, hibachi, and lunch specials, it is perfect to recharge after wet and dry adventures away from the weekend bustle downtown. Attracting fishers and boaters as much as hikers, enjoy camping and golfing in the warmer months, and the top-rated Swansboro Recreation Center in the cooler season.
Tiverton, Rhode Island
Are you in the English countryside or New England? Nudging up against the Massachusetts border, on the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay, is the farming town of Tiverton. With barns and the Sakonnet River, this country coastal community boasts outdoor beauty and cultural wonderments for every taste, like one-of-a-kind local boutiques and eateries. From Coastal Roasters, explore the next-door Ft. Barton Woods. Adjacent to Little Compton and overlooking Aquidneck Island, also called the Island of Rhode Island, on the other side of the river and Mount Hope Bay at the north, Tiverton is a jetset to exploring the area.
Established in 1694, the bygone era prevails through the iconic Tiverton Four Corners, the historic heart. Take a stroll along its prized collection of shops and galleries, often in historic 18th-century buildings among gray-shingled homes and winding stone walls leading you to the Atlantic. Tiverton's unique composition, the north-to-south granite ridge, at 170 feet over the bay, lends a disconnected feeling from the rest of the state. Flaunting two beaches on the Sakonnet River, the cool breeze blows along the lifeguarded Fogland Beach, with fishing areas and wildlife trails for nature observation. Grinnell's Beach is a windsurfer's turf with river views and Portsmouth shoreline, plus amenities and a children's playground.
Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Home to around 25,000 residents, with places like Chase Garden Creek Salt Marsh and Center Street Marsh, Yarmouth feels afloat. Tangled amid creeks and marshes along Massachusetts' rugged coast, this often overlooked town enchants from the first glance. Staying blissfully peaceful even through the summer, Yarmouth is on the radar among those who know of its expansive Seagull Beach with endless sea views and a lighthouse. Flaunting a small sweep of sand and shallow waters, the beach in Grays Beach attracts families, paddlers, and hikers with its long boardwalk over marshes. Heading east along the Main, the family favorite Taylor-Bray Farm offers close animal interactions and pretty country views. Steps from Hallet’s Mill Pond Bridge, dine outdoors at Jack's Outback Restaurant.
Nearby, the Lighthouse Keeper's Pantry is an adorable cafe for baked goods, lunch sandwiches, and even gifts. Blessed by the expansive Atlantic Ocean, Yarmouth is a vessel carrying a plethora of beauty and complex history, inhabited for thousands of years by the Wampanoag people, an Algonquin group, among the first tribes to encounter European colonists. Dive into the region's pirate history at the Whydah Pirate Museum, while Edward Gorey House features original artwork, photographs, and first editions in the quirky artist/author's former home. From the euphoria-inducing beaches to the GJK Viewpoint at sunset, follow the presidential family's footsteps during the time spent on Cape Cod. Learn more at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum with multimedia displays and rotating exhibits.
From the dauntingly quiet wilderness around Bar Harbor to the off-beaten path of Yarmouth along the rugged Massachusetts coast, the laidback feel begins and ends at the freeing ocean vistas. Take a stroll through the old-timey hearts for seafood treasures, architecture, and vibrant attractions. Mystic, a historic seaport, and Hollywood star features a world-class aquarium.
Beyond the towering sand dunes in Swansboro or the Seagull Beach in Yarmouth, spreads the countryside, state parks, forests, lakes, and mountains, with ponies, other wildlife, fauna, and birds. So, get ready to soak up some seriously stunning ocean views, plus summertime camping and entertainment in the quieter seasons.
