6 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In Atlantic Coast
America's Atlantic Coast (the East Coast) stretches from the idyllic landscapes of New England to the pearly white soft-sand beaches in the Sunshine State. With changing tides, geography, and weather, there's a beach scene for everyone. The further south you go, the more tourists you will likely encounter. For something different, wander off the beaten path.
There are two sides to each coin. Beyond the bustling boardwalks, crowded beaches, and buzzy nightspots, these six retain calm vibes, without being lackluster. On the contrary, with the sea scent tickling your nostrils long upon approach, each will fill your soul with wanderlust and deep-seated nostalgia at departure.
Corolla, North Carolina
Part of the linear, sand-swept island, Corolla will sweep you off your feet. Home to one of the last remaining wild beaches in the US, herds of Spanish stallions roam this Outer Banks' northernmost appendix. The quaint fishing village established in the 1800s on a spit is popular among wildlife enthusiasts and off-roaders. From sand roads to rugged dunes, score a beachfront bungalow with views of the horsies right outside your window. Wild Horse Adventure Tours is a convenient way to get close to the beauties.
Lined by historic residences, the swanky 1920s Whalehead Club offers tours of the ornate mansion with vintage furnishings. Whether you're a die-hard beach fan or exploring Currituck Banks Reserve, the visitor center is your best guide to the wildlife habitat across acres of wetlands, beaches, and forests. Between rental services and delicious bites, snap a selfie by the brick 1873 beacon, Currituck Beach Lighthouse, with a 220-step staircase. Farmer's Daughter Corolla and Kitty Hawk Kites sell unique souvenirs.
Avalon, New Jersey
Between the Atlantic and the Great Sound, Avalon feels cut off. Moreover, its slogan, Cooler by a Mile, refers to the mile further jut-out than others, and if you walk the beach jetty, it is like being one with the ocean. Along Avalon Dunes and Beach Trail, it is common not to see another soul, while Avalon Seawatch—Cape May Bird Observatory calls for an intimate gathering among migrating birds over this shoreline. Though the stately dunes must stay in their untouched state, the beautiful white-sand beaches are free to enjoy.
Exuding Pleasantville vibes, the locals lead leisurely lives, enjoy fishing, and chill on decks in a light sea breeze and pretty views. Hop aboard the Miss Avalon Fishing Fleet for a cruise with dolphin sightings. A rental from Hollywood Bicycle Center will take you along the boardwalk, past the island's large, well-spaced homes, and down Dune Drive, the main artery with unique stores and restaurants. For another angle, intracoastal waterways and inlets backing Ocean Drive are fun to navigate via a kayak from Moran’s Dockside.
Brewster, Massachusetts
Bordering the calm, scenic Cape Cod Bay, more vessels departed here to sail the world in the mid-1800s than any other US town. Today, the friendly locals will point you to all the notable sights, like the 19th-century Brewster General Store, a nostalgic gathering place. Historic sea captains’ mansions and estates lining Main Street rub shoulders with galleries, fine eateries, and boutiques. Brewster’s Drummer Boy Park centers around the 1795 Old Higgins Farm Windmill, while the nearby Stony Brook Mill dates to the 1660s.
From concerts and craft fairs at the park to the herring run upstream in spring, it is hard to miss the 30-foot Scargo Tower, built in 1901, with a spiral staircase to climb for panoramic views. You'll likely spend days along the soft-sanded Breakwater Beach. At low tide, "Brewster Flats" reveal sandbars and creature-teeming tidal pools for nearly a mile into the bay, North America's widest. The 1900-acre Nickerson State Park extends its woodsy welcome with a large campground amidst trout-fishing ponds, biking, and hiking trails.
Edisto Beach, South Carolina
Edisto Beach defines simplicity as the key to a happy life. Ringed by slick sandy beaches, the closest urban center, Charleston, is over an hour away. Downtown is unblemished by high-rises, with calm colors that blend into nature. Starting along Bay Creek Park next to the bobbing boats in the marina, take a fishing charter, an eco-tour, or a kayak out to explore the island's snaking arteries. The enclosing Edisto Beach State Park offers wildlife trails, a top-rated campground, and a sunny boardwalk directing you to the beachfront.
Shops cluster the eastern end of the Beachfront Palmetto Boulevard, and local talent convenes for the popular Bay Creek Arts and Craft Market on Wednesdays in April through October. It is a hop from relaxing on the beach to locally owned book, ice cream, and beach stores. Score a set of cool crystals or shark teeth at My Native Dreams. The tropical-themed McConkey's Jungle Shack serves comfort food across a park with a gazebo. Elsewhere is the world-class serpentarium with reptiles at indoor and outdoor gardens, feedings, and shows.
Port Clyde, Maine
The largest New England state is roughly the same size as the other five combined. Known for its rugged coastline, adventures begin along the scenic Hwy 1 that makes it all attainable. Turning onto High St., Port Clyde is the outermost point along Maine's midcoast in the Penobscot Bay Region. Take note of Drift Inn Beach upon approach, a sandy, walkable stretch with rocks, frequent high tides, and tide pools at low tide. Few travel this far into quite a postcard. Ask locals the time, and they will go into the tides or lobster boat schedules.
No wonder—the fog rolls in thick. Framed by frigid waters and rocky shores that convey drama, Port Clyde exudes warmth from within. It is rugged, small, and impossibly charming, with a seafood market, coastal wildflowers, and galleries. The circa 1858 Marshall Point Lighthouse, featured in Forrest Gump, offers a keeper's house and a seasonal museum with a gift shop. After a seafood feast at Black Harpoon, including Maine lobster, unwind at Seaside Inn. It is right next to the ferry line that services the historic Monhegan.
Southport, Maine
Connected by a bridge to the mainland, Southport offers a real reprieve next to Boothbay Harbor. Unblemished by tourism, there's no defined downtown, but several restaurants, campgrounds, and a resort at the northern edge upon entry. It is home to the 1800s Burnt Island Light on its own 5-acre island that you can spy on along wooded and coastal hiking trails, and take a living history tour of. The top-rated Gray Homestead Oceanfront Camping offers the best access to this and other isles, like Squirrel Island Historical Society.
There's a marina and an inn at the southern tip, and all is connected by the looping Hendricks Hill Rd. With a general store and rentals available, Southport feels like an unwritten book to fill the pages with the best vacation memories. Hendrick's Head Lighthouse is part of the Hendrick's Head Preserve, with a dog-friendly rocky beach where you can swim. The view of the lighthouse is spectacular at sunset due to its western orientation. Whether you're tide-pooling at the beach or taking a crack at other islands, no time will be enough steeped in history and serenity.
Peculiarly, serene escapes are gaining popularity, like Southport. From secluded Maine towns to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, wander off the beaten path with lower tourist crowds, unobscured views, and more laid-back vibes.
Seafood is a given, not to mention scenic drives, vibrant culture, and nightlife. Regardless of recreational preferences, each town opens up like a postcard with a variety of cool water sports and coastal trails against the breathtaking Atlantic.
