10 Most Charming Town Squares In The Atlantic Coast

While there's a time to float down tumbling rivers, zip through beautiful canopies, or explore razor-thin ridges, a charming town square can always serve as a perfect curtain raiser for several of these outdoor experiences. It could be narrow streets lined with moss-draped oaks, storefronts adorned with flower planters, eye-catching murals and other art installations, or even the nostalgic feel of a bygone era. You will enjoy the sight of flip flops padding down breezy streets, indie bookstores with rare classics, and restaurants with side-street patios whipping up decadent dishes. Fortunately, the Atlantic Coast is dotted with many of such town squares, most of which feature shimmering waterfront views. Starting with Newport, Rhode Island, discover the 10 most charming town squares on the Atlantic Coast.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport’s downtown, centered on Thames Street and the heart-gripping waterfront, is charming for its narrow, cobblestoned streets, handsomely preserved colonial and Federal-era buildings, yacht-filled harbor views, and a lively mix of cafés, seafood restaurants, and boutiques. The city’s well-known maritime history and nearby Gilded Age mansions add to the sense of place. Washington Square, a contributing feature of the 250-acre Newport Historic District, was designated a National Historic Landmark in the 1960s.

Eisenhower Park is a great place to sit and relax in the heart of town, especially after exploring charming venues like the Museum of Newport History & Shop, a beautiful treasure trove housed in the 1762 Brick Market building. Meanwhile, the Newport Visitor Center offers many maps, brochures, and helpful pamphlets to help you plan your itinerary. Just outside the door is a small lighthouse that would be great for a fun photo. Ensure you pass by Corner Café, especially if you have a thing for delicious wood-grilled pizzas. Of course, you can't possibly miss checking out the world-famous mansions, arguably the town's most ogled attractions.

Bath, Maine

Bath bills itself as “The City of Ships” for a good reason. With 400 years (and counting) of ship-building history, the breeze here is filled with echoes of enterprising ship builders and courageous exploits on the Atlantic. Brace yourself for a unique mix of shops, restaurants, and museums, as well as a charming waterfront promenade. You will find 19th-century brick buildings, charm-soaked narrow streets, a slower pace, and a friendly pedestrian atmosphere.

There's Library Park, with its flower beds and beautiful shade trees, and the nearby Patten Free Library, a stately building with an inviting interior. Maine Maritime Museum, a short walk from the green, features restored vessels and interactive displays, both of which speak to Bath’s shipbuilding legacy. Also, South End Multipurpose Park features a wide dock into the Kennebec River with lots of benches to sit on, a dirt trail all the way around for strolling, several benches to relax on, and, of course, plenty of water.

Newburyport, Massachusetts

Market Square, also known as “the Bullnose” area, is situated at the intersection of Merrimac River, the aptly named Water Street, and State Street, a lovely stretch speckled with a variety of shops, restaurants, and historic buildings, most of which reflect the city's rich maritime heritage and architectural diversity. The area is today well-known for its Federal‐era brick architecture, walkable appeal, and a bit of nautical charm. There’s the Custom House Maritime Museum, where you can admire different kinds of old-fashioned ships and explore a fun but educational children's area in the basement.

Spend some quiet time at the swoon-worthy Waterfront Promenade Park, a cool place with a boardwalk by the water, as well as plenty of seating to relax and enjoy the views. The nearby Newburyport Harborwalk Rail Trail is another lovely space to stretch your legs, especially for its eye-catching sculptures and murals. Crown the day with a hearty meal on a street-side patio at the highly rated Black Cow, a favorite culinary spot loved for its rooftop deck and ocean views.

Westport, Connecticut

Westport is a picturesque town with quite beauty and beautiful bridges. Westport is set along the Long Island Sound, meaning you should expect a stunning coastline, spell-binding nautical charm, and sumptuous waterfront views. Start your adventure at Hudson Malone, especially if you have a thing for delicious pork chop with a deep brown crust and juicy interior. You can then go to Pasacreta Park, an enchanting retreat by the Saugatuck River, where nature's tranquility and community spirit blend harmoniously.

There’s the Westport Library, a cool spot to hide with a gripping read, several mind-rousing galleries, and the Westport Country Playhouse, a fun spot to catch a mood-lifting matinee. From the sound production quality to the room's amazing acoustics, this venue is the ultimate small-town gem.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort, French for “Beautiful Fort,” was formally founded in 1711, more than 60 years before the penning of the Declaration of Independence. This establishes it as the second-oldest city in South Carolina after Charleston. Take note that Beaufort is fondly known as “the Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands.” The echo of its rich and checkered history still lingers in the salt-tinged air, columned homes, and several historic landmarks, including the Beaufort History Museum and Visitor Center, which showcases over 400 years of Beaufort and Lowcountry history. Expect standard Lowcountry elements like wide porches, large windows, and massive live oaks.

Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park is a cool spot to watch a sunset or see dolphins up close. The immediate years after the Civil War were days of reconstruction, and a timely visit to the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park will satisfy the curiosity of any history nerd. Check if there is a show at the USCB Center for the Arts, and then sit down to some yummy shrimp po-boys at Plums Restaurant.

St. Augustine, Florida

With a settlement history that dates back to the misty 1500s, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States. Its nostalgic charm, therefore, is simply unrivaled. Expect to be blown away by a stunning Spanish Colonial-style architecture, represented by spell-binding gems such as the 200+ year-old Cathedral Basilica.

There are lots of fascinating stories at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, from whose dreamy top you can see miles in every direction, from the city’s bayfront to all of Anastasia Island. You will perhaps want to lock eyes with gators at the 131-year-old St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, or step back into time at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The trick is to punctuate your trip with an incredibly delicious bison burger at the highly rated One Twenty Three Burger House.

Brunswick, Georgia

With its beautiful pocket parks and grid-style streets and squares, Brunswick is always a delight to explore. With much of the original Victorian architecture still intact, you can feel like you are walking straight into the 1900s. However, the views and the feelings are a palpable blend of the new and the old. Hanover Square, named to honor Britain’s ruling House of Hanover during the reign of King George II, is one of the two large squares in Old Town Brunswick that retains its original size and shape. You have to stop and capture the beauty of Lover’s Oak, a much sought-after attraction estimated to be over 900 years old. The tree is steeped in local legend and has a trunk of about 13 feet in diameter.

There is the Ritz Theatre, an iconic venue with a history that dates back to the 1890s. In the unlikely event that you don’t love the shows, you will certainly love the displayed art on the walls. Meanwhile, Ross Waterfront Park features The Liberty Ship Memorial Plaza, a cool spot to see a scale model of a Liberty Ship, which resembles the ones built in the area’s shipyards during the Second World War. For fresh plantains cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong with Indigo Shanty.

Lewes, Delaware

An unrelenting favorite for travelers who like quiet strolls on boutique-filled streets and waterfront dining, Lewes is arguably the most visit-worthy town in Delaware. It is peacefully positioned in the space where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, a stretch that is always endearingly soft and soothing. Don’t forget that the drive along The Lewes Scenic and Historic Byway, which features mesmerizing canalfront views and centuries of history, is an attraction by itself.

Zwaanendael Museum has a mind-rousing garden at the back and lots of interesting exhibits to explore, while Lewes Oyster House, once a coastal gathering space for delicious seafood, especially for the upper working class, serves kickass lobster rolls in an incredibly inviting atmosphere. Check the well-done prints at Peninsula Gallery, then spend the rest of your time at the phenomenal Cape Henlopen State Park.

Camden, Maine

Camden is simply gorgeous. No wonder it is traditionally considered one of New England’s prettiest towns. It is set along the soft and soothing Penobscot Bay and has a stunning Village Green that functions as a tranquil space to drift into bliss. Camden Hills State Park, which spans more than 5,700 acres of Sylvan splendor, is a stimulating public recreation area that overlooks Penobscot Bay. The town has a working harbor filled with fishing boats, a fun spot to mill around, and brush shoulders with locals.

Long Grain is a central location serving familiar Thai fare, such as house-made noodles and stir-fries. The Camden Amphitheater is a fantastic place to take in a summer outdoor concert while enjoying beautiful views of Camden Harbor. Not to be outdone, the iconic Camden Opera House is equally a lovely place to catch a well-presented performance.

Cape Charles, Virginia

With its dream location on the idyllic shores of Chesapeake Bay, which features one of the prettiest bodies of water in the world, Cape Charles is a cut above its many worthy peers. A welcoming waterfront and harbor, a beautiful deep-water marina, and quaint Victorian architecture will blow you away. The beach is lovely and offers beautiful sunsets, while the atmosphere is decidedly warm and friendly.

Start your adventure with fantastic clam chowder at The Shanty, which doubles up as a fun place to enjoy an unforgettable sunset view over the water. You can then turn back the wheels of time at Cape Charles Museum, which offers an enjoyable crash course on the area’s history and socio-cultural heritage. Wash your face in the fresh air at Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve, then crown the day at the Cape Charles Brewing Company, recently voted the Best Brewery on the DelMarVa Peninsula.

Atlantic Charm

Don't think the United States only has soulless towns smudged with concrete jungles and cookie-cutter architecture. The Atlantic Coast is dotted with blissful town squares, some of which are paint-worthy and incredibly charming. Although many locations on the Atlantic Coast may feel average and a bit prosaic, a few towns, such as the highlighted ones, can make the celebrated painter Norman Rockwell grin in his grave. The trick is to know where to look.