12 Atlantic Coast Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets
The coast of the Atlantic Ocean runs along the eastern edge of the United States, from Cobscook Bay in Maine to Fort Zachary Taylor in Florida. Along this rugged path of lighthouses, beaches, waterways, and islands, there are a plethora of small towns with some of the most phenomenal downtowns. From the Zwaanendael Museum in Delaware to the Harborwalk in South Carolina, many of these main streets inside these unique small towns even possess their own distinct flair for the local culture. From Kennebunkport, Maine, to Mt. Dora, Florida, here are twelve Main Streets within twelve Atlantic Coast towns that might just be perfect for those who appreciate active, happening downtowns.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Situated halfway between Portsmouth and Portland, the picturesque town of Kennebunkport displays a wealth of culture and heritage, all within a small package called Maine Street. Home to a plethora of art galleries, like Northlight Gallery on nearby Ocean Avenue, and several museums, like First Families Museum, located right on Maine Street, there is much to experience downtown.
Downtown Kennebunkport is home to several annual festivals as well, including the Kennebunkport Festival and the Christmas Prelude. The Christmas Prelude provides kids with caroling and fireworks, ending with Santa Claus on a lobster boat at the Nonantum Resort on Ocean Avenue. The Kennebunkport Festival honors guests with the best food and wine available in the area every year in June. There are even several famous local chefs participating.
Camden, Maine
Downtown Camden, consisting of several streets, including Chestnut Street and Washington Street, has its own flair of the unusual, though its Main Street is actually situated well to the west of downtown. From Mechanic Street Barbershop to Page Gallery, this small section of Camden offers a bit of everything to visitors. There are even several fine restaurants in the area, like Mixed Greens and Long Grain.
Downtown Camden is also home to a plethora of architectural wonders, as well as several awesome coastal festivals. High Street Historic District consists of a variety of old buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Downtown Camden and downtown Rockland also get together every year for the Maine Windjammer Festival, with a build-a-boat race, fish relay races, and lobster-crate races.
Rockport, Massachusetts
The “main street” within the town of Rockport, Massachusetts runs from Lattof Farmhouse Kitchen to Dock Square along the edge of Sandy Bay. Forty miles northeast of Boston, this particular “main street” is home to several cultural attributes that attract visitors regularly, including Granite Shore Gallery and the Rockport Art Association & Museum, at least in the category of fine arts.
Downtown Rockport and Main Street are also known for their seafood restaurants, especially Brackett’s Oceanview Restaurant and Fresco’s Seaside. Some awesome inns, like Captain’s Bounty on the Beach, are also located just off Main Street. And, if you happen to be visiting in October, Rockport’s HarborFest is an excellent way to celebrate the year’s harvest with food vendors, local musicians, and even a window-display contest downtown.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Out along the tip of Cape Cod, quaint Provincetown has an excellent Main Street. Unfortunately, akin to many of the small coastal towns above and below, this main street goes by a different name. Aptly called Commercial Street, this downtown thoroughfare has a plethora of restaurants and inns. The Lobster Pot and the Pilgrim House both have access to a fantastic view of Provincetown Harbor.
A couple of other awesome attractions, the Spinnaker Exhibit at the Center for Coastal Studies and Packard Gallery II both call downtown Provincetown home. The Spinnaker Exhibit allows for students to interact with a preserved whale skeleton while developing an understanding of the importance of marine culture. Packard Gallery has art featuring three of the best artists in the area, Anne, Leslie, and Cynthia Packard.
Jamestown, Rhode Island
Floating in the center of Narragansett Bay, on Conanicut Island, Jamestown has a phenomenal main street, though it is actually called Narragansett Avenue. Named after the bay, Narragansett Avenue offers that sense of heritage to those who choose to visit through several great cultural attributes, including the Jamestown Historical Society Museum and the Jamestown Fire Museum.
Narragansett Avenue is also well known for hosting some awesome festivals. One of the most popular festivities of the area include the Jamestown Holiday Stroll. Jamestown Holiday Stroll is held every December, ending with the lighting of the tree.
St. Michaels, Maryland
The small town of St. Michaels is located along the western bank of Chesapeake Bay. Though this picturesque town has only around a thousand permanent residents, St. Michaels still possesses a wealth of history, through many great venues along Talbot Street, its version of Main Street. The Classic Motor Museum and the St. Michaels Museum are two such awesome fonts of historical knowledge.
Downtown St. Michaels also holds a variety of events and festivals annually. Along with the Farmers Market happening every Saturday from April through November, summer concerts are held in Muskrat Park from May through August. There is even the Antique & Classic Boat Festival every Father’s Day, with fun and excitement for fathers everywhere.
Lewes, Delaware
Just above Cape Henlopen State Park, the small town of Lewes is home to a truly phenomenal downtown. Several awesome historic attributes align Savannah Road, which is Lewes’s version of Main Street, like Zwaanendael Museum and Cannonball House Maritime Museum. Zwaanendael, situated just off Savannah Road, honors the first European settlers from the Netherlands in 1631.
Cannonball House, the building holding the maritime museum, is the only structure in Lewes to be bombed and still survive through the War of 1812. There is also the Blue Water House, if you are looking for some unforgettable lodging. It is located on Market Street and offers excellent service, comfy rooms, and even breakfast the next morning.
Chincoteague, Virginia
The only town on Chincoteague Island, the town of Chincoteague, Virginia is home to a Main Street that is truly unforgettable. From Chincoteague Bay RV Resort to Toby Island Bay Oyster Farm, Main Street has a plethora of excellent attributes that promote an even better downtown. The campground supports not only RVs and glamping tents but also has cottages, a zero-entry pool, a fishing pier, and a scenic boardwalk.
Downtown Main Street in Chincoteague is also home to an abundance of awesome seafood restaurants, like Bill’s, and comfortable resorts, like Island Motor Inn. There are also several great stores and attractions on Main Street, from the Capt. Timothy Hill House to the Fireman’s Carnival, which occurs every March. There is truly something for everyone on this Main Street in Chincoteague.
Southport, North Carolina
Concealed behind Oak Island and Bald Head Island, along the Atlantic coast of North Carolina, the quaint town of Southport has a particularly interesting downtown, and it is based on North Howe Street, its version of Main Street. Running from the Moore Street Oyster Bar to Woodside RV Park, North Howe Street has a wealth of great stores, like Cat on a Whisk and the Christmas House.
Downtown Southport is also home to a variety of awesome restaurants and inns, for those who wish to spend more than a day exploring downtown. And Southport Smoke House, a premier BBQ restaurant, is situated right on North Howe Street. And it is only a few blocks from Robert Ruark Inn, one of the best bed & breakfast inns in town.
Georgetown, South Carolina
Rather than have a single “main street,” Georgetown, forty miles to the southwest of Myrtle Beach, has the entire Georgetown Historic District. From the banks of Sampit River to Church Street, downtown Georgetown contains some awesome attributes. The John and Mary Perry Cleland House from the first half of the 18th century, the Kaminski House from 1769, and the Rice Museum can all be found here.
Downtown Georgetown is home to several other museums as well, like the Gullah Museum and South Carolina Maritime Museum. While the Gullah Museum features the culture of the Gullah Geechee, speaking about the history of the land, the Maritime Museum has honored the maritime heritage of the area since 2011 with exhibits and rare photographs of maritime history.
Darien, Georgia
Twenty miles north of St. Simon’s Island, the small town of Darien is home to a downtown section that is worth visiting. Consisting of several streets, including Fort King George Drive and North Way, downtown Darien has a plethora of great attributes. From creative shops like Sugar Marsh Cottage to elegant restaurants like Skipper’s Fish Camp, the unique choice of local culture is alive in Darien.
The tiny yet quaint town of Darien also has some unique festivals that take place downtown. The Blessing of the Fleet takes place at Waterfront Park, along the banks of the Darien River, with arts & crafts, food vendors, live music, and even a parade. Scottish Heritage Days occur in the beginning of March, with everything from musket & cannon firings to a battle reenactment.
St. Augustine, Florida
Forty miles south of Jacksonville, picturesque St. Augustine has an awesome “main street,” though it is situated on the west side of downtown and is called St. George Street. St. George Street and others, like Spanish Street and Cordova Street, support some of the best attractions in town. The Lightner Museum, the Art Association, and the Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum are all in this area.
And, if you are in northern Florida in February, there is the St. Augustine Spanish Wine & Food Festival to check out. This phenomenal festival features local chefs, savory Spanish dishes, and craft wines. Plus, if you wish to spend the night, Agustin Inn Bed & Breakfast offers great service and comfy beds. And the Collage, a premier steak & seafood restaurant, is right around the corner.
Though there are several awesome attractions within cities of the Silver State, like Reno, Sparks, and Las Vegas, the tranquil towns spread out across Nevada are worth considering, especially if you appreciate active, happening downtowns without the crowds cities tend to produce. From art galleries, antique stores, and museums, to festivals and events occurring right on the streets of downtown, small towns in the state of Nevada are where the best downtowns can be found. There is even a variety of comfortable lodging and dining choices on the main streets of these twelve towns, following along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
