We love visiting the seashore on trip, and fortuitously, there are such a lot of lovely East Coast seashore locations for households. Whereas many of those are inside simple driving distance for us to go to, there are some which can be extra of a household trip vacation spot.
Listed here are a few of the finest spots for East Coast seashore holidays. Did we miss your favourite finest East Coast seashore cities? In that case, depart us a remark beneath.
Disclosure: We’ve visited a few of these locations for gratis for assessment. This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order/click on by way of one in all these hyperlinks might end in a fee paid to us at no extra price to you. All opinions are our personal.
Finest East Coast Seashores for Households
Massachusetts Seashores
My dwelling state of Massachusetts options quite a lot of nice seashores for households. Most individuals instantly consider Cape Cod for Massachusetts seashore holidays and with good motive.
Cape Cod options miles of shoreline crammed with nice Atlantic Ocean seashores and the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore Park. These are among the many finest east coast seashores for households. As well as, there are many different enjoyable household actions on Cape Cod, together with the Cape Cod Rail Path, the Cape Cod Baseball League, and the Cape Cod inflatable park.
Whereas there are numerous choices, a few of our favorites are Previous Silver Seashore in Falmouth, Smugglers Seashore in Yarmouth, and the seashores of Provincetown and the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore. These quintessential seashore cities supply scrumptious seafood eating places along with seashores and are a lot enjoyable.
There are additionally the islands – Nantucket and Martha’s Winery. These islands are extra of a trip spot and probably not a day journey, however they’re excellent summer time trip locations. If you happen to plan to go to one in all these locations, I’d advocate that you just plan an extended journey of three days or extra.
Nantucket and Martha’s Winery supply extra than simply seashores and get very busy in the summertime. You’ll wish to e book your trip rental dwelling or resort nicely upfront. The ferries additionally e book up upfront – particularly the automobile ferries.
If you’re focused on extra of an island day journey, the Boston Harbor Islands are an important possibility. These islands, that are a part of the Nationwide Park system, are accessible by way of public ferry. A few of them have seashores and are nice for a day journey if you’re visiting Boston for the day or dwell regionally.
North of Boston, you’ll discover Cape Ann. Cape Ann affords lovely seashores which can be nice for a day go to. Once we go to the seashore in the summertime, usually we’ll head north fairly than south.
Seashores on Cape Ann embrace Good Harbor and Wingaersheek Seashores in Gloucester. Parking heaps for these seashores are likely to replenish very early on the weekends and on scorching days, so go early.
One of the best: Our decide in Massachusetts is Previous Silver Seashore in Falmouth (keep on the Sea Crest Seashore Lodge). It’s a gorgeous stretch of seashore that features a public seashore in addition to the half in entrance of the resort. The Sea Crest affords chair service so that you’ll really feel pampered the entire time you’re there. It’s an off-the-cuff seashore resort that’s nice for households.
Our decide is the Sea Crest Seashore Lodge
- Positioned proper on the seashore
- Indoor and out of doors swimming pools
- Chair and umbrella service
- Seashore bar with meals
If you’re visiting the world on trip, you may see opinions of Cape Cod lodges right here.
Maine and New Hampshire Seashores
Whereas many individuals consider the northern New England states of Maine and New Hampshire as ski locations, they’re additionally nice East Coast seashore locations.
One in every of my favourite seashores to go to is Ogunquit, positioned in Maine proper by the New Hampshire border. Ogunquit is a vibrant seashore neighborhood with lodges (just like the Meadowmere, the place we stayed), an area summer time theater program, retailers, eating places, and extra.
When you may go to Ogunquit for the day, I’d undoubtedly advocate staying there for not less than one evening. It’s a very enjoyable city, and there’s so much to do.
North of Ogunquit is another Maine seashores, together with Kennebunk and Acadia Nationwide Park. Simply understand that the water temps of those seashores by no means get excessive, even in August.
In New Hampshire, on the Massachusetts border, you’ll discover Hampton Seashore. This space consists of lodges, eating places, and different household actions like mini golf and arcades. As a result of New Hampshire doesn’t have a lot Atlantic shoreline, this actually is your solely possibility for a New Hampshire ocean seashore.
You possibly can mix visits to each Ogunquit and Hampton Seashore with different widespread household locations within the space, like Portland, Maine, Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth, NH.
One of the best: Our decide in Maine/New Hampshire is Ogunquit. The city affords a trolley, eating places, lodges, and retailers, and is so walkable. You gained’t wish to depart.
Our decide is the Meadowmere in Ogunquit
- Walkable to seashore, retailers, eating places
- Pool and thermal spa
- Household rooms
See lodges in Hampton Seashore right here.
Rhode Island Seashores
I grew up in Rhode Island, and I undoubtedly didn’t admire the beautiful seashores till I bought older. Though Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US, it boasts an spectacular 384 miles of shoreline.
Many guests to the world like visiting the seashores of Newport and Newport County. These embrace Goosewing Seashore in Little Compton, Easton’s Seashore (additionally referred to as First Seashore) in Newport, Second and Third Seashores in Middletown, and Fort Adams State Park (in Newport).
On the opposite aspect of the state, you’ll discover much more seashores and seashore cities. These embrace Misquamicut State Seashore in Westerly, Scarborough Seashore in Narragansett, and Narragansett City Seashore in Narragansett.
This space of the state is a gorgeous trip vacation spot for a low-key seashore trip. There are numerous trip leases within the space. Since Rhode Island is a small state, you may simply go to your complete state throughout your trip.
Along with the mainland state, Block Island has turn out to be a well-liked summer time trip vacation spot. Block Island is a really small island, however it has some enjoyable actions for households.
One of the best: As a local Rhode Islander, it’s robust to decide on only one. If you’re on the lookout for the perfect sand and water, I’d advocate Goosewing Seashore in Little Compton, RI. It’s extra of a drive, however is value it!
See Newport lodges right here.
Mid-Atlantic Seashores
The mid-Atlantic space of the US additionally affords some seashore locations for households. Just like the seashores in New England, the mid-Atlantic seashores are extra widespread in the summertime months, because of the climate.
In Maryland, you’ll discover Ocean Metropolis Seashore, which is free and affords a 3-mile boardwalk. Ocean Metropolis Maryland hosts occasions within the metropolis, together with fireworks, seashore Olympics, and extra.
Rehoboth Seashore is positioned in Delaware. It affords a one-mile boardwalk that hosts actions all year long. Each Ocean Metropolis Seashore and Rehoboth Seashore are repeatedly listed on “better of” seashore lists for each the US and the East Coast.
I lately returned from a trip to Bethany Seashore Delaware. This seashore city affords the Bethany Seashore Boardwalk, which borders the general public seashore.
The boardwalk space is dwelling to many eating places and retailers, in addition to a bandstand that provides common summer time programming. It’s a enjoyable space and an important place to spend a summer time trip.
A bit additional south is Virginia Seashore. This city, named for the seashore, is dwelling to a number of totally different seashores.
Virginia Seashore is a enjoyable seashore neighborhood providing many scrumptious eating places and an aquarium. You would have a enjoyable household trip right here.
One of the best: We love Virginia Seashore as a result of there’s a lot to do within the space. Along with the seashore, I like to recommend visiting the implausible aquarium.
Our decide is the Bethany Seashore Ocean Suites
- Location proper alongside the boardwalk
- Suites with kitchenettes
- Indoor/out of doors pool
- Household actions
Southern Seashores
The southern states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia are dwelling to many widespread seashores. As you head south, seashore season is longer. So, these spots might be nice seashore locations even within the late spring.
Barrier islands similar to Tybee Island, the Outer Banks, Kiawah Island, Daufuskie Island, Jekyll Island Georgia, and Hilton Head Island supply seashores in addition to household actions, eating places, golf, and extra.
One of the best: We cherished our go to to Tybee Island. It’s close to Savannah, so it’s excellent for a day journey. But, it has such a enjoyable environment with scrumptious eating places. If you wish to keep proper on the island, we advocate getting a trip rental as a result of there aren’t many lodges.
Florida Seashores
The Sunshine State is understood for its seashores on either side of the state. On the East Coast of Florida, you’ll discover Atlantic Ocean seashores, whereas the West Coast options the white sand seashores of the Gulf of Mexico.
There are such a lot of lovely seashores in Florida, so you will have loads of choices. With a number of world-class theme parks, nature actions, and different issues to do in Florida, you may mix a seashore journey with an extended Florida trip.
Seashores on the East Coast of Florida embrace the barrier island Amelia Island, Daytona Seashore, Hollywood Seashore, and South Seashore. Amelia Island is a enjoyable household journey vacation spot as a result of there are a number of resorts (together with the Omni Amelia Island Plantation) that embrace many actions that enchantment to youngsters.
On the Gulf Coast, the seashores have lovely white sand. We lately spent spring break on Clearwater Seashore and cherished the gorgeous seashore. It’s been rated the highest seashore in the US, and I can perceive why. Go to within the spring for the extremely enjoyable Sugar Sand Pageant.
Destin and Fort Walton are two different Florida seashore locations widespread with households. Beloved by Southerners, these seashores are a little bit of a hidden gem with others.
With hotter climate than the remainder of the East Coast, Florida seashores are extra of a year-round vacation spot (though they are often chilly within the winter months and early spring/late fall).
One of the best: In a state crammed with beautiful seashores, Clearwater Seashore stands out. It affords sugar-white sand seashores, household festivals all year long, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, scrumptious eating places, and dozens of resort choices.
