Top 14 Beach Towns on the East Coast
We’re dreaming of moving out of our grimy cities and visiting or moving to an idyllic coastal town where we can ride our bikes to the grocery store. We want the salty air, the crashing waves, and the sand between our toes. So, we’re ranking the best beach towns on the East Coast in preparation for our golden years.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t about the best beaches; it’s about the best beach towns. Coastal towns have a special aura that comes from being so close to the ocean. From historic and quaint New England towns down the coastline to Florida’s colorful cities, these are the East Coast beach towns calling to us.
1. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket’s reputation speaks for itself. This idyllic island is a popular summer destination with an upscale beachy atmosphere. From the white lighthouses to the blue harbors, it’s picture postcard-perfect. Many adore the destination because of the well-preserved architecture and historic appeal. Whether you’re a wealthy resident or a sun-seeking tourist, Nantucket never disappoints. If you look up “coastal charm” in a dictionary, you’ll find cheery Nantucket.
2. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Another East Coast island that delivers stunning ocean views and enchanting coastal vibes is Hilton Head. This is like the Nantucket of the South, with weather-worn boardwalks, massive vacation homes, and cozy beaches. Its only advantage over Nantucket is that the weather is more beach-friendly all through the year. It also offers some unique natural elements, like palm trees and willowy oaks.
3. Bar Harbor, Maine
Maine’s extensive shoreline is teeming with lovely beach towns like Bar Harbor. Much like Nantucket and Hilton Head, this town feels like you’re on the set of a seaside Hallmark movie. It stands out because of the exceptional restaurants like the Bar Harbor Inn which serves up the freshest seafood on the planet. If you want to experience a yummy-yummy-yummy lobster roll, Bar Harbor is the destination for you.
4. Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City has a different vibe. While just as captivating as the picturesque spots above, Ocean City is kinda kitschy and retro. The charming Ocean City Boardwalk has little rollercoasters, carnival games, and corn dogs — all the things a boardwalk should have. That’s not to say that Ocean City Beach isn’t wonderful, but the boardwalk is the real draw.
5. Chatham, Massachusetts
Here’s another Massachusetts town that rich people love and we can fantasize about moving to. Chatham sits toward the end of Cape Cod and is terrific for strolling past 18th-century buildings while imagining you’re the main character in a romantic summer sleeper hit. With pristine lighthouses, divine seafood, and a quaint — but affluent — vibe, it’s an exquisite beach town. You can visit teeny museums, climb winding lighthouse stairs, or simply relax on the clean beaches.
6. Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is another East Coast beach town full of wealthy folks — they seem to have a monopoly on the most exquisite beach spots. Since it sits on Aquidneck Island, it seems private.With yachts, sailboats, and anchor statues everywhere you look, the naval vibes are potent. You’ll also see some of the most breathtaking beach mansions in the country and enjoy a level of envy you’ve never known.
7. Cocoa Beach, Florida
Heading down the coast to what’s known as “America’s basement”. Florida rests on a massive limestone shelf — an ancient seafloor that forms the Southeast very foundation, hence the nickname. But even in this stretch, we’ve got a gem like Cocoa Beach. This destination is more comparable to Ocean City, with its grand boardwalk, tiki taverns, and famous Cocoa Beach Pier. This town is all about that surf life. And once you see the curling waves and clear water that’s bluer than the sky, you’ll understand why. You can live out all your Point Break and Blue Crush dreams — but on the East Coast.
8. Madison, Connecticut
Madison is another cozy town with a classic mix of restaurants and shops, and ample green spaces that make for a terrific beach town. Where other New England beach towns fall short in space, Madison excels. The two-mile-long shoreline on Long Island Sound means there’s room for everyone to set up umbrellas and stretch out on the sand.
9. Nags Head, North Carolina
Nags Head sounds like a horsey berg. Why it was named this, we’ll never understand — perhaps it has to do with a pirate legend? — but the town is anything but nagging. It’s a delightful destination with windswept sand dunes, soft sand, and homes situated on boardwalks that extend over the sea. This Outer Banks location is the kind of place you visit once and want to stay forever.
10. Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island combines the allure of New England beach towns with Georgia’s relaxed charisma. It boasts over five miles of public beaches where people surf, sunbathe, and swim. And once again, this is another hotspot for the rich and famous, including celebs like Sandra Bullock. We assume she’s a fan of the quintessential Southern crab boil because there’s no shortage of places to crack into fresh crab covered in Old Bay seasoning.
11. Rockport, Massachusetts
Rockport is another endearing Massachusetts town and has world-class, buttery lobster rolls. The town is also famous for its fried clams, fried scallops, and grilled haddock. Foodies should mark this on their maps. As the name implies, many parts of the shoreline are rocky, but that doesn’t erase the magic of the brightly painted houses that sit right on the water’s edge. It’s a sleepier destination than other East Coast beach towns, but so compelling.
12. Siesta Key, Florida
Siesta Key has one very distinct element. Its sand is almost 100% quartz, giving the beaches a pearly white hue and powdery texture that is simply magical. Many praise it as the finest sand in the world. The city has a touristy atmosphere in the most wonderful way possible, with a friendly aura that’s so welcoming — especially to visiting out-of-towners. Sometimes upscale beach destinations have an exclusive, you-can’t-sit-with-us energy, but not Siesta Key!
13. Montauk, New York
Why visit NYC when you can escape to Montauk? Similar to Rockport and Bar Harbor, it’s known as the East Coast’s prime fishing spot. It claims to have the most saltwater fishing records of any US port. That’s unverified, but we’re uninterested in raining on their parade. Beyond casting a line, Montauk is also awesome for leaping off sand dunes, visiting lighthouses, and sailing over the waves and over the sea. We prefer its uncomplicated vibe over the Hamptons’ snotty attitude.
14. Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Old Orchard Beach is a bit like the kitschier places mentioned — Ocean City and Cocoa Beach. It has an adorable Ferris wheel, the famous Old Orchard Pier, and boardwalks that seem to go on for miles. You can get your thrills at the amusement park or find tranquility on seven miles of sandy shoreline. The dark turquoise waters offer some of the best swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, even if it’s a tad chilly.
