9 Towns on the Atlantic Coast With The Best Downtown Areas In 2024
The Atlantic Coast is the easternmost coastline of the United States and stretches from Florida to Maine. The coast has many charming towns, activities, and historic sites. The atmosphere and climate vary broadly from the South's subtropical climes to the North's frigid winter months. No matter where they are geographically, these nine towns had the best downtown areas in 2024.
What sets these downtown areas apart is their accessibility to major attractions, historic architecture, and live venues. Although the small towns have a lot to offer, the downtowns have an ambiance that makes them stand out. The downtown areas also have an eclectic food scene, which is the best way to cap off a day of exploring the sites and attractions in town.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest inhabited town in the United States, founded in 1565. The historic district is as old as the town, and most roads are pedestrian-only, with the heart of the district being St. George Street. The road has inns, shops, and the famous Columbia Restaurant. The notable Castillo de San Marco fort is across from St. George Street and has live reenactments, a changing of the guard ceremony, and firing the cannons daily.
The historic area has many museums, such as the Oldest Schoolhouse, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and the Fountain of Youth. Downtown and the rest of the town come alive during the Nights of Lights Festival from November to January. Three million white Christmas lights adorn the town, and many visitors walk around the town and revel in the glow of the lights. Several bed and breakfast inns, like the Augustin Inn and St Francis Inn, are downtown, making a visit more memorable.
St. Marys, Georgia
St Marys, Georgia, borders Florida and is a quaint and charming coastal town with a diverse and classic downtown. There is much to see and do downtown, such as visiting the Submarine Museum or enjoying the day at Howard Gilman Riverfront Park. The two-story submarine museum showcases the submarine history and St. Mary's role in Naval history. The park includes a gazebo, a stage, and a fountain that is available to rent for large events.
Another downtown landmark is the Oak Grove Cemetary, established in 1788. Ancient oaks and Spanish Moss lend a tranquil atmosphere to the historic cemetery, the oldest in Georgia—some headstones date to 1801. Downtown St. Marys is also known for its culinary scene. Restaurants include Southern River Walk and All Foods Matter. The fare ranges from coastal seafood to Southern comfort food.
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort, South Carolina, is a coastal town on Port Royal Island with a vibrant and historic downtown area known for shopping. Along with the jewelry shops and boutiques, downtown has a lively arts and theater section. The University of South Carolina Beaufort Center For The Arts has several shows yearly, from history revues to the Beaufort Orchestra.
Downtown also has several art galleries, such as the Atelier on Bay and Green Herring Art and Framing. The historic section centers around Bay Street, a commercial district parallel to the Beaufort River. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1969. The antebellum and other vintage structures add beauty and charm to Beaufort, and it is one of the best downtowns to walk through on the Atlantic Coast.
Nags Head, North Carolina
Located on the famed Outer Banks, Nags Head is known for its gorgeous beaches and oceanfront rentals in the downtown area. Nags Head became the Outer Banks' first resort town, and 150 years later, it is still one of the most popular vacation towns on the 13-mile stretch of coast. The downtown area has diverse shopping and dining options like Absolutely Outer Banks, which hosts art classes and showcases local artwork.
The dining scene is fantastic and includes something for every palate. Basnight's Lone Cedar is a landmark seafood restaurant that serves fresh catch and drinks daily and is the signature way to cap off a busy day in town. Nags Head will host many live events in 2024, like the Watermelon Festival, Pirate Festival, and the annual Kites With Lights. The latter festival is the annual Christmas event celebrating the Outer Banks' aviation history.
Onancock, Virginia
Onancock, Virginia, is a small port town between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. The Onancock Creek became an important maritime stopping point between Baltimore, Maryland, and Norfolk, Virginia. The pleasant and walkable downtown has tree-lined streets and many Victorian homes. One vintage home was converted to a bed and breakfast inn, The Inn at Onancock.
Another notable downtown inn is the Charlotte Hotel. The historic boutique motel, built in 1907, is only four blocks from the Onancock River and offers eight luxury rooms and a restaurant. The sleepy town wakes up on the weekends when live music can be heard at most restaurants, or a live theater production can be seen at the North Street Playhouse.
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Havre de Grace is a historic coastal town in Maryland with one of the best downtowns on the coast. There is always something going on downtown, and plenty of attractions celebrating the town's history. Museums include Concord Point Lighthouse and Keeper's House, the Havre de Grace, and the Decoy Museums. The Opera House is also home to the Cultural Center, and hosts live events weekly.
Seasonal events, such as First Fridays from May to December and a weekly Farmer's Market, are held throughout the year. Another fun event is the Graw Alley Art Party on August 2nd. It is a pop-up music and art event where guests can interact with artists as they create their work. Havre de Grace's downtown has done a great job combining its rich historical legacy with fun and modern events.
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a traditional port town on the Northern Atlantic Coast in New Jersey. The Lighthouse is the most prominent feature, but the town is famous for its Victorian-style homes and a magnetic downtown. The cobblestone streets downtown give way to the Washington Street Mall, which attracts shoppers from all over. Shops that make up the mall include the quaint Out of the Past Antiques, Patricia Rainey Studios, and the Cape Atlantic Book Co. There are several luxury bed and breakfast inns in the historic downtown area and trendy restaurants to satisfy any palate.
The 1871 Mason Cottage is an elegant inn in the heart of downtown, and shops are within walking distance. The Mooring is downtown and only one block from the beach. Both of these inns exemplify the elegant classiness of Cape May and are within walking distance of many attractions and restaurants. The restaurants include 410 Bank Street, Beach Creek Oyster Bar and Grille, and the elegant Grana BYOB.
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Bruce Springsteen helped put Asbury Park, New Jersey, on the map by playing gigs at the Stone Pony alongside Jon Bon Jovi. It is also famous for its downtown area. The eclectic shops run the gamut from antiques at The Antique Emporium and glass-blowing demonstrations at Robert Legere Design Center and Salt Design Co. Visitors can also check out Indie Films at Showroom to take a break from the summer heat.
Downtown centers around Cookman Avenue, a short walk from the famed Asbury Park Boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean. The trendy culinary setting offers fare from Italian Nachos at Crust and Crumble or Ethiopian and Dominican Republic cuisine at Ada's Gojjo. The food scene is one of the biggest draws of Asbury Park, but everything downtown is within walking distance from the beach, which makes it one of the most coveted destinations on the Atlantic Coast.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine, is a classic Down East coastal town on Frenchman's Bay. It was once a summer destination for the rich, and many mansions can still be seen on West Street. Main Street and the rest of downtown are filled with colorful clapboard buildings, lending a coastal charm to the area. There are shops with large windows and restaurants like The Stadium that offer Maine's signature sandwich, the lobster roll.
After a morning of shopping and dining, the next best thing is to explore Shore Path, established in 1881, which winds around the harbor and ends at the pier. Other historical sites downtown include the Village Burying Grounds, a cemetery since 1790, and the 1932 Criterion Theater. The old-fashioned marquee is an inviting sight when it is lit at night. Bar Harbor is a unique mix of heritage and progression and should be visited by any visitor to Maine.
The Atlantic Coast is steeped in history, majestic scenery, and amazing small coastal towns. Most, if not all, of these towns' makeup is found in the downtown areas. Towns like St. Augustine, Florida, Bar Harbor, Maine, and Mystic, Connecticut, are historic seaports with modern amenities. Asbury Park has a booming culinary landscape, and Nags Head has one of the most charming downtowns on the Outer Banks.
The best way to visit these areas is by walking; many offer guided tours. Havre de Grace has so many attractions that exploring the town with a vehicle seems superfluous. One of the best things about Onancock, Virginia, is the cozy bed and breakfasts in the heart of downtown. Live events make these the best downtowns to visit in 2024, where visitors can hear live music or attend a festival like the Pirate's Festival in Nags Head.
