These days, America’s little Coast communities are getting a lot of attention. Beyond the bright lights of cities like Boston and New York, tourists are increasingly drawn to less crowded destinations that provide better access to the outdoors. People are now seeing a different side of the nation, one with more space to breathe.
To help you narrow down your options, we’ve produced a list of some of the greatest little towns on the East Coast, whether you’re searching for an easily accessible domestic getaway or a new place to call home.
City of Aurora, New York
Aurora is the smallest and most beautiful of all possible stars. This little town on Cayuga Lake is just over four hours from both New York City and Philadelphia and Coast is home to fewer than 700 people all year round.
The Inns of Aurora is a premium boutique resort where you can kick up your feet and take in the beautiful lake views from your own private fireplace and semi-private balcony. You may go kayaking, get a private yoga lesson, or just relax in an Adirondack chair with a glass of wine and a view of the ocean. Head north to Union Springs and schedule a wine tasting at Heart & Hands Wine Company, or head south to Aurora for a bite to eat and a drink at Fargo Bar & Grill.
In Massachusetts, on Martha’s Vineyard
This island off the coast of Massachusetts is often visited, and once you get there, you’ll understand why. There are six little settlements on the island, and they all provide their own unique experiences. Or, go to Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, a barrier beach with a sandy beachfront, miles of hiking trails, and the historic Cape Poge Lighthouse, and spend the day lazing by the ocean.
Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg
It’s exciting to think of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address to exhausted men on the battlefield that marked a turning point in the Civil War. In Gettysburg, one of the most historically important communities in the United States, that’s just the way things are Coast.
Even if you’re not into history, you should still include Gettysburg on your list of places to visit. Stay at the Union Hotel in the heart of the city and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the comfort of your room. Relax with a handcrafted beverage at the Mason Dixon Distillery after a day of sightseeing.
Locale: Mystic, CT
As befits its location on the Atlantic, this coast community enthusiastically embraces and celebrates its nautical heritage. You may take a tour up the river in a traditional wooden motorboat, or hire a paddleboard and get some great aerial views of Mystic. Take a stroll along the river park as the sun sets, and then treat yourself to seafood at Red 36, a restaurant with a great terrace right on the water.
Maine town of Kennebunkport
Although summer is peak season for tourists to this seaside town, it is nevertheless worth a trip at any time of year. Goose Rocks Beach and Arundel Beach have miles of sandy shoreline perfect for sunbathing, while the Seashore Trolley Museum has rebuilt antique streetcars you may ride if the weather turns chilly. Either way, you should finish the day off with a walk around Coast town and a lobster roll.
South Carolina’s Beaufort
Hilton Head Island in South Carolina is where most visitors stay, but Port Royal Island is as stunning. The island community of Beaufort, in particular, has a phrazle fascinating historic core. Dinner at Saltus River Grill, then ice cream at YoYo’s and a stroll along the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park? Sounds like a perfect evening to us!
North Carolina’s Steamy Hot Springs
The natural hot springs in this region inspired the town’s name. Visit the natural springs and the organic fields in between relaxing in your cabin Coast at Broadwing Farm. After you’ve refilled your water bottle, you may go for a stroll around the town’s little downtown and get a drink at the Iron Horse Station, or you can hit the trail and hike a section of the Appalachian Trail.
New Jersey’s Cape May
The beaches of Cape May, a tourist destination in southern New Jersey, are the main attraction. However, before setting up camp, you should see the town’s historic Victorian homes Coast and shop for beach essentials on Washington Street Mall. Dedicate a morning to making the ascent of 199 stairs to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse before you depart. The stunning vistas are well worth the hike.
New Hampshire’s Meredith
In the fall, when the leaves change colours, Meredith is one of those East Coast villages that is almost too adorable to stomach. However, the attractiveness of this lakeside neighbourhood is not limited to the season’s greenery. The community of Mount Washington is on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee at the base of the White Mountains. Paddling out to adjacent Stonedam Island in a kayak and then enjoying a sunset supper cruise on the ship sounds like the ideal Meredith day to me.
Florida’s Marathon
Marathon has some of the best beach conditions of any city in the world. The town consists of 13 islands, which in itself is already quite fantastic, and it also has Coast easy access to a reef, world-class deep-sea fishing, and a wide variety of eateries right Coast on the ocean. Marathon, being a port city, naturally offers several beaches suitable for loggerhead turtle breeding.
