9 Secluded Towns on the Atlantic Coast
From a humble beach town on the periphery of one of the United States' most alluring National Parks to sleepy towns in the heart of the Jersey Shore, and onward to the roaming grounds for some of the country’s last populations of feral horses, your journey will introduce you to the diversity of out-of-the-way travel options available to US citizens. This tour will encompass fine dining and sightseeing, as well as some of the most famous and obscure moments in American History. Come along and explore nine secluded towns on the Atlantic Coast.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine, sits on the eastern coast of Mt. Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park. As one of the first European settlements in the area, Bar Harbor grew around local industries, including fishing, lumber, shipbuilding, agricultural development, and dairy farming. Modern Bar Harbor survives largely off of tourism, exploiting its convenient access to Acadia National Park, which attracts some 3.8 million visitors a year. Acadia’s mountainous terrain and adjacent waterways are an obvious attraction for hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers, and other outdoors people, but visitors need not be world-class athletes to enjoy the park. Park Loop Road provides gorgeous panoramas and innumerable opportunities for viewing native wildlife from a safe distance, while whale watching, bird watching and nature tours can all be booked in town. Nearby Cadillac Mountain is one of the highest points on the East Coast and is ideal for viewing sunrises and sunsets.
In town, visitors will love diving into the history of the area's Indigenous tribe, the Wakanabi, at the Abbe Museum. Bar Harbor also has a vibrant art history attracting a breadth of artists, most notably members of the Hudson River School, whose works, among others, can be viewed at one of the dozen-plus art galleries on Mt. Desert Island. If you are looking for something a little more offbeat, Ghost Tours run year-round downtown. Once you have reached your fill of activities, be sure to stop by the Atlantic Brewing Company for a special treat. If you are staying the night, look to the historic Bar Harbor Inn, which has inspiring views of Frenchman Bay.
Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Located near the North-South Carolina border, Sunset Beach, NC, provides a tranquil respite from the party-hardy atmosphere of nearby Myrtle Beach, SC. While its obvious main attraction is the Sunset Beach Seashore, just a bit west, one will find many a happy birdwatcher trying to find their next feathered friend at Bird Island, home to a nature reserve that features both seashore ecologies as well as dunes and grass, the perfect location to find buntings, gulls, sandpipers, and more. To the north lies Oyster Bay Golf Links for those looking to sneak in a round of golf, and those with their eyes on the sky can enjoy an astronomy show at Ingram Planetarium.
Beaufort, North Carolina
A gem of North Carolina’s Inner Banks, Beaufort was named "America’s Coolest Small Town" in 2012 and with its intriguing combination of natural charm, local history, and southern hospitality, it is easy to see why. Across Taylor Creek from downtown, visitors will find the Rachel Carson Reserve, a protected coastal habitat that provides visitors the invigorating options of hiking and kayaking, or for a more relaxed day, one might stroll and birdwatch or sit by the water and drop in a line for fish. Further across the nearby waterways lies Shackleford Banks. Reachable by boat, this barrier island is known for its wild horses and idyllic beaches.
The North Carolina Maritime Museum will be of interest to seafaring travelers as it explores the state’s aquatic history and is the final home to the infamous pirate Blackbeard’s ship. Downtown Beaufort’s Historic District comprises the original 12-block city plan and features colonial-era architecture lovingly situated along attractive avenues, a site on the National Register of Historic Places. History lovers will also enjoy exploring the Old Burying Ground, a historic cemetery dating back to the 1700s. Pedestrians should take a stroll down Front Street, which runs parallel to Taylor Creek and features stunning vistas, fishing spots, ferry launches, the classic appeal of Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant and Pub, and accommodations with a view at the Inlet Inn.
Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Misquamicut, Rhode Island exudes quintessential, New England beach vacation appeal. Just over the Rhode Island-Connecticut border, this tiny shore town boasts a permanent population of 379, but thousands of beachgoers flock to this quaint town for sun, fun, and Atlantic Ocean waves every summer. Just past the edge of the Long Island Sound, Misquamicut's Atlantic waves prove a haven for body surfers and others alike at Misquamicut State Beach. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the Misquamicut Club for golf, and those who appreciate the nightlife can relish seashore sounds and live music at community institutions like The Andrea, located on the waterfront. Go a little further east on Atlantic Avenue and find the quieter Atlantic Beach.
Edenton, North Carolina
North Carolina’s second oldest town, Edenton is a jewel of the Inner Banks, located on the Albermarle Sound at the mouth of the Roanoke River. Named one of "America’s Prettiest Towns" by Forbes Magazine, this waterside burgh is an excellent jumping-off point for boating, fishing, and bird-watching expeditions. Colonial Waterfront Park is a gorgeous green space that features the town’s signature Roanoke River Lighthouse. Unconventional in its shape, this lighthouse looks like a colonial home on stilts, sitting just a few meters into the Albemarle Sound. The park was also an important part of the rarely mentioned Underground Maritime Railroad, which helped escaped slaves pursue freedom via aquatic routes.
Historic Edenton features a collection of 17th and 18th-century colonial and Victorian houses and buildings, including the Chowan County Courthouse National Historic Landmark. If you are staying over, the Inner Banks Inn is a delightful, historic Bed and Breakfast in downtown Edenton.
Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island, Georgia, is a quaint seaside town on its eponymous barrier island on the Atlantic, perched at the mouth of the Savannah River. Tybee Island displays an attractive blend of history, nature, and culture. The town is surrounded by quiet, uncrowded beaches, including the North Beach, Mid Beach, South End Beach, and Back River Beach, which are perfect for swimming, sitting back and soaking in the sun and scenery, or shoving off for a kayaking adventure. The Pier and Pavilion on Mid Beach provide a great stroll and casting-off point for fishing enthusiasts.
Adjacent to North Beach are the Light Station and Museum and the Fort Pulaski National Monument. The former is a traditional American lighthouse that visitors can climb for broad oceanside panoramas with an adjoining museum that details the history of the lighthouse and island. The latter is a civil-era fort with well-preserved structures and detailed exhibits. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center showcases fun educational opportunities with hands-on exhibits and eco-tours. Seafood lovers will find no shortage of fare on the island with eateries like Wet Willie’s, Pier 16, and the seaside Deck Beach Bar and Kitchen. Hotel Tybee offers beachfront access, a pool, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Lavallette, New Jersey
Lavallette, New Jersey, is the perfect destination for families looking for a quiet beach vacation adjacent to many other booming shore towns. The town itself boasts a permanent population of under 2,000, but it is home to renters who flock to its sandy shores every summer to bask in the glory of the Jersey Shore. On the Atlantic side of town is Lavallette Beach, featuring a short boardwalk as well as sandy dunes and picture-perfect waves, even the occasional dolphin! On the "Bay" side of town lies Hankins Park, a more tranquil beach better suited for very small children who can't hold their own in the ocean (yet).
Lavallette is two towns over from world-famous Seaside Heights, home to the Jersey Shore reality series, but the difference in energy (and population) couldn't be more stark. Families will want to try the ice cream from The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe.
Rockport, Maine
Rockport, Maine, is an unassuming shore town on the rocky coast of West Penobscot Bay. Rockport’s downtown horseshoes around the Rockport Harbor, where you will find a statue of one of the town’s legends, Andre the Seal, a harbor seal adopted by a local tree surgeon that went on to become a vital part of the town, inspiring visitors from across the country, books, documentaries, and even a feature-length film. The nearby Rockport Opera House is a modest venue for live performances and cultural events that looks more like a church or private home than a performing arts center.
Rockport has several peaceful outdoor spots for strolling, wildlife watching, picnicking, and taking in the scenery, including Rockport Marine Park, Kononen Park Beauchamp Point, and Aldermere Farm Ocean Trail. Complete your escape from society with a stay at Samoset Resort, a luxury hotel complex offering golf, tennis, and oceanfront rooms.
Chincoteague, Virginia
Chincoteague is a truly unique town in the Delmarva area of Virginia, spread across several of the region's barrier islands. Its largest claim to fame is its population of feral ponies, highlighted during its annual Pony Swim, also known as the Pony Penning Days, which has taken place the last two weeks of July since the 1800s. The youngest feral ponies are rounded up on nearby Assateague Island and driven across a thin channel to Veteran’s Memorial Park on Chincoteague Island, where they are shown and auctioned. Visitors can view the ponies year-round at the Chincoteague Pony Pen, where neighbors care for and feed the ponies, or at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, where the ponies run feral.
The refuge is also an ideal location for birdwatching, beachcombing, and picnicking. Bill’s Seafood is a Chincoteague institution known for its fried seafood menu, and Island Creamery serves homemade ice cream with one-of-a-kind local flavors. The Refuge Inn provides comfortable lodging near the wildlife refuge and nature trails.
The Atlantic coast encompasses many serene, secluded getaways from northernmost Maine to southernmost Florida, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean. For your next vacation, consider exploring one of these nine hidden gems and the many wonderful attractions that they have to offer. There is an activity in each town for every member of the family, from vigorous hiking and kayaking to relaxing on a beach with a good book. Good food and new landscapes can be found at each new site, waiting to provide a memorable piece of Americana for each visitor.
