9 Most Charming Towns In the Mid-Atlantic
As the geographic region integral to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the formation of the Continental Army that won the American Revolutionary War, the ratification of the United States Constitution, and central to much of the Civil War, the mid-Atlantic states are brimming with historical significance. Adding to their old-world charm, many small towns have retained and restored historical architecture from the 1700s and 1800s and embraced historical preservation, tours, and re-enactments as part of their culture and tourism industry.
Soak in the history as you board a tall ship in Chestertown, Maryland, visit West Virginia’s first African-American college on the Harpers Ferry Black Heritage Walking Tour, or visit a Victorian-era ice cream parlor in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. Appreciators of the outdoors and arts will also find their niche in the mountainous or seaside landscapes and the vibrant theatre and arts scene these towns offer. These charming towns are a great place to start your mid-Atlantic adventures.
Ithaca, New York
As a true college town, people flock from all over to study at the famous Ivy League school: Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Even with the annual influx of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed students, this town remains small and charming. Stroll the university grounds and admire the mix of historic and modern buildings and stunning views of Lake Cayuga. And you don’t have to go far outside of town to see why Ithaca is world-famous for its waterfalls, with over 100 falls within 10 miles of downtown! With so many waterfalls, Ithaca is also rich in swimming holes. A summer trip is the perfect time to pack your suit and join the locals for a dip to beat the humid mid-atlantic heat.
Cape May, New Jersey
Despite being the country's oldest vacation resort destination, and a mecca of cultural offerings, the town of Cape May, New Jersey maintains its down-to-earth charm. You can easily explore the quaint and colorful Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian-only walkway that serves as the town square. With lush gardens, old-fashioned gas lamps, and various boutiques and restaurants, this street is the definition of charming. And it's not just the human-built aspects of Cape May that give it that magical ambiance. Regarded as one of the best birdwatching spots in the world, visit the Cape May Bird Observatory during fall and spring; you’ll have the unique opportunity to see thousands of birds migrating along the Atlantic flyway.
Chincoteague, Virginia
What could be more charming than an island full of ponies? Chincoteague, Virginia, is renowned for the feral ponies of the same name, which some believe are descended from shipwrecked Spanish horses on the way to Peru in the 16th century. Pop over to the nearby Assateague Island, where the ponies reside in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, where you can also climb or photograph the imposing 142-foot Assateague Lighthouse. While you’re living out your childhood dreams of visiting islands of ponies, add to the fantasy by renting bicycles and riding down to the beach, stopping in at the Island Creamery ice cream parlor for small-batch treats.
Chestertown, Maryland
The epitome of 1700s east-coast charm, you’ll feel you’ve left the 21st century as you walk brick-lined sidewalks and climb aboard authentic tall ships. A major port of entry during colonial times, home to Washington College, one of the first chartered colleges in the sovereign United States, and to this day, and brimming with 18th-century homes, you’ll be awash in the history this town is steeped in.
A visit to the Historic District and a self-guided tour of the Historical Society of Kent County will feed into your understanding and imaginings of a time long gone. To fully appreciate the 1700s lore, take a trip on the 1768 Sultana schooner, where you can explore the crew’s quarters, and even help steer and raise the sails. Stay fueled during your historical adventures with a trip to the Chestertown Farmer’s Market for fresh local produce, seafood, and classic Chesapeake Bay cuisine.
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Not only the oldest town in West Virginia (founded in 1762) but voted one of the “coolest” small towns by Budget Travel, Shepherdstown is full of eclectic intrigue. Like in many east coast towns, history buffs will be enthralled with the civil war battle sites, museums, year-round re-enactments, and federal-style homes found in the Shepherdstown Historic District. Those whose tastes lean more towards the arts than history will enjoy the vibrant theatre community, and should plan their trip to coincide with the summer Contemporary American Theatre Festival.
History and art aside, Shepherdstown is perhaps most well-known as the most haunted town in America. With a bloody history during the civil war and beyond, it's no wonder that many believe that the ghosts of soldiers, duellers, and others persist in the town to this day. Embark on the Shepherdstown Mystery Walk to be regaled with ghost stories and find out where to encounter (or avoid!) these paranormal occurrences.
Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania
Named for the water gap (a river that cuts through a mountain ridge) that separates Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it's easy to see why this town is renowned for its outdoorsy scene. The only place in Pennsylvania with full thru-hiker support for hikers on the Appalachian Trail, the town of Delaware Water Gap truly knows the meaning of small-town hospitality. Even if you aren’t outdoorsy, this town has plenty to offer. Hop on the Pocono Historic Trolley and take a narrated tour of iconic locations. One of them is the Historic Castle Inn, a 1906 build that has been restored and is now full of cute boutiques as well as an authentic Victorian-era ice cream parlor.
Kitts Hummock, Delaware
Home to a species that lived through the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs and to legends of buried pirate treasure, this delightful town is like something out of a fairy tale. Found just East of Dover, Kitts Hummock, Delaware, is a small beach town popular with tourists in the 1800s and more of a hidden gem for tourists today.
Visit in May or June to witness the spectacle of spawning horseshoe crabs covering the beach, with migratory birds trailing above, hoping for a meal. While the birds dine on these chelicerates (more closely related to spiders than crabs), check out the local seafood yourself at nearby JP’s Wharf, a quaint and scenic seaside restaurant.
Lake George, New York
Known as the origin site of the Original American Vacation, folks in the mid-1800s flocked to Lake George in the Adirondacks to try their hand at the rugged camp life described in William H. Murray’s Adventures in the Wilderness. Although the area has grown a lot since Murray’s day, much of the historic charm remains. You can still take a steamboat cruise on the "Queen of American Lakes," witnessing the beauty of this majestic waterbody, its islands, and the surrounding mountains.
You can still hike and camp in relative remoteness in the Adirondacks, but now you have a plethora of restaurants, wineries, and pubs to choose where to unwind. Try the Common Roots Brewing Company and support a community and sustainability-minded family-run business.
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
The teeniest of small towns, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is home to around 285 people, but don’t let its size fool you; this town is brimming with fascinating history. One of the town’s claims to fame is as the site of abolitionist John Brown’s 1859 raid on the US Armory in a (sadly, unsuccessful) attempt at overthrowing slavery in the area, noted by some as the spark that ignited the civil war. The town became and remains an important site in black American history, and was one of the most visited leisure destinations for African Americans in the 19th century.
In addition to visiting the historic John Brown Fort, make sure you take the Harpers Ferry Black Heritage Walking Tour, which focuses on the experiences and significance of the lives of working and middle-class African Americans in this town itself and the civil rights movement at large. The tour includes stops at Storer’s College, West Virginia’s first African-American college, with the remaining buildings dating back to the late 1800s and 1900s.
Whether you’re looking to dive deep into the history that America was founded upon, explore the wondrous landscapes of the Adirondack and Appalachian mountains, or dine on unique Atlantic cuisine, you will find no shortage of charm in these small mid-Atlantic towns. Despite the increasing expansion of populations on the Atlantic Coast, many quaint and little-known gems still exist in these mid-Atlantic towns, just waiting to be visited and appreciated by avid travelers like you.
