8 Small Towns on the Atlantic Coast to Visit for a Weekend Getaway
The scenic Atlantic Coastline, spanning the eastern shore of the United States, is not short of paradise. It spans 2,000-plus miles of beautiful beaches, scenic seas, delicious food, and amazing wildlife from Maine all the way to Florida. Big cities like Boston, New York, and Miami adjoin the Atlantic Ocean, but there are also many smaller communities, perfect for a coastal weekend getaway. From stunning waterside views to rich cultural landmarks, these towns are full of exciting opportunities. Moreover, what they lack in humans is what they make up for in turtles, eagles, and dolphins. Let’s look at some of the best Atlantic towns with a weekend's adventure, from Lubec in Maine to Ocean City in Maryland.
Isle of Palms, South Carolina
With plenty of outdoor charm, do not let this South Carolina community escape your grasp. Isle of Palms is a scenic barrier island and technically a city despite having just about 4,400 residents. Residents and tourists who prioritize serenity over superfluity have access to seven miles of pristine beaches in and around town. After sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and kayaking, they can head into town for ocean-themed eateries like Coconut Joe's, The Dinghy, and Lawrence's Seafood Company. After the meal, head over to the northeastern end of the island to find Wild Dunes, a resort covering 1,600 acres of hotels, condos, pools, and sporting areas. With comfortable rooms and great service, it is an ideal place to stay for your weekend vacation. If by small chance you need something that you cannot find on Isle of Palms or Wild Dunes, Charleston is around 30 minutes away.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Rehoboth Beach has barely a thousand residents but millions of annual visitors. People come from all over New England for refreshment, whether at the town’s famous beaches or bars. For beachgoers, Rehoboth's beach spans one and a half miles and is serviced by a one-mile boardwalk lined with such businesses as Sandcrab Beach Bar, Obie's By the Sea, Grotto Pizza, and Victoria's Restaurant at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel. The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel is an excellent property for tourists, with views of the ocean and an outdoor area for relaxation.
While the beach and boardwalk shine, there is much more to enjoy in Rehoboth Beach. As one of the top LGBTQ+ vacation destinations, the town hosts Diego's Bar & Nightclub, Purple Parrot Grill, and Pride Weekend, scheduled for July 18 to 21, 2024. Visitors wanting a more rustic retreat can check out Delaware Seashore State Park or Cape Henlopen State Park.
Lubec, Maine
Lubec is the northernmost and easternmost place on this list, and it is also the easternmost place in the continental United States. Its milestone is the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, built in 1858 and striped like a candy cane. Visitors today can take photos along the coast, explore the lighthouse, and check out the keeper’s house, which is now a museum. After getting a taste of this easterly lighthouse, weekenders can drive north to Lubec proper for brews at Lubec Brewing Co. and views of Canada. After some snacks, continue out onto the coast and if you're lucky, spot an Atlantic white-sided dolphin or bald eagle. After the fun, tourists can retreat to The Inn on the Wharf or Cohill’s Inn for a waterside stay. Unlike other beach towns, Lubec attracts early birds. Testament to this, if you wake up before anyone else, stop by West Quoddy Station to be the first person in America to see the sunrise.
Emerald Isle, North Carolina
A gem of North Carolina, Emerald Isle is a beach town with a family-friendly atmosphere. Some 3,800 residents plus a flurry of tourists enjoy 12 miles of south-facing coastline, which offer swimming, sunbathing, fishing, surfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, cottage living, and sand castle building. Beyond the normal activities, Emerald Isle Beach also offers sea turtle spotting during the nesting season of May to August (a volunteer-run sea turtle patrol keeps them safe). Emerald Isle is part of a thin but long barrier island called Bogue Banks that also contains the communities of Atlantic Beach, Indian Beach, and Pine Knoll Shores. If you cannot find aquatic creatures at Emerald Isle, hop over to Pine Knoll Shores for the North Carolina Aquarium, whose residents include two river otter brothers, Pee Dee and Rocky. As the day comes to an end, tourists can choose between Contentment - Shorewood Real Estate and the Queen of the Sea lodging for amazing views and rooms.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown is a hub of culture, nature, and entertainment at the tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. When it comes to the cultural side of town, Provincetown hosts the site where the Mayflower landed in 1620. The site is commemorated with the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, which receives thousands of visitors annually. But most modern pilgrimages to Provincetown are for fun beaches like Herring Cove Beach, quaint shops like Cabot's Candy, and the scenic Provincetown Dunes. Those who wish to spend a weekend in town can choose from numerous accommodations, including White Porch Inn Art Hotel, Crowne Pointe Hotel & Spa, and Land's End Inn, which was used for season 10 of American Horror Story.
Juno Beach, Florida
There are many vibrant seaside towns in Florida, but few like Juno Beach. This community in Palm Beach County has around 4,000 residents and is much sleepier than its noisy neighbors. To this end, it beckons relaxed travelers looking for a quaint yet scenic weekend getaway. Cozy attractions include Papa Kwans Coffee Shop, Sea Sunrise Boutique Bungalows, and the Juno Dunes Natural Area. If you thought Emerald Isle was crawling with sea turtles, Juno Beach is, from April through October, one of the world's most densely nested loggerhead sea turtle beaches. This is largely due to its dedicated conservationists and largely undisturbed beaches. After a wonderful time with the turtles of Juno Beach, walk down Donald Ross Road for plenty of fun opportunities. Whether you want to grab some dinner at the Thirsty Turtle Seagrill or end the night at the Holiday Inn Express, the possibilities are endless.
Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island is a wonderful retreat with the sand Savannah is missing. Located about 20 minutes from Georgia's fifth largest city, it is a barrier island and community with just over 3,000 residents and three miles of beaches. You can dry off the water and knock off the sand at the Tybee Island Light Station & Museum, Tybee Island Marine Science Center, which boasts interesting exhibits and information. On the other hand, tourists looking for a snack or nap can opt for The Crab Shack and the Royal Palms Motel, both known for their great ambiance. But Tybee's most wonderful attraction has to be the pod of bottlenose dolphins that lives offshore. Captain Derek's Tybee Dolphin Adventure can help you see these creatures in their natural habitat.
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland, is an extremely undersized city in the off-season but a megacity in the summer. During the peak season, the local population goes from roughly 7,000 residents to 350,000 as the temperature rises, which equates to about eight million yearly visitors. Dwarfing even Rehoboth's legendary boardwalk, the Ocean City Boardwalk is three miles long and provides excellent sights of the beach and ocean and excellent bites via Fisher's Popcorn, Dolle’s Candyland, and Thrasher's French Fries. Ocean City also has excellent rides at Splash Mountain Water Park and Jolly Roger Amusement Park. But if you prefer a low-key weekend, visit during spring for less crowded beaches but still tolerable weather, plus fun festivals like Springfest and the Maryland International Kite Expo. You can stay right on the beach at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort.
Takeaway
The Atlantic Coast is teeming with life, from humans to fish to palm trees to sea turtles. In many coastal towns, humans overdraw the lifeblood, but not in Isle of Palms, Rehoboth Beach, Lubec, Emerald Isle, Provincetown, Juno Beach, Tybee Island, or Ocean City (especially outside of tourist season). These communities are so small that there is enough activity for everyone. As such, a single weekend can provide a lifetime of memories.
