7 Offbeat Atlantic Coast Towns To Visit In 2025
Want to go on an adventure in 2025 along the Atlantic Coast? There are all sorts of towns filled with laid-back life to find. You could enjoy the calm of river towns in Maine or experience the unique beach vibes in South Carolina. These towns have great food, beautiful outdoors, and friendly locals to connect with. Besides typical beach and boardwalk attractions, these locations offer peaceful kayaking routes and visits to vintage diners, among other different adventures, while still maintaining that traditional seaside appeal. Get ready to slow down and soak it all in with seven offbeat Atlantic coast towns to visit in 2025.
Stuart, Florida
If you are dreaming of reeling in a sailfish, 2025 might be the year to do it, and there is no better place than Stuart. The town has long been considered one of the best places to fish for sailfish, especially in the winter. If fishing is not for you, this coastal town is full of things to do. The Elliott Museum is a great spot, with its vintage car collection as one of the highlights. There is also the House of Refuge Museum, where you can learn cool facts about the town's sea travel history.
After, stroll along the streets in Downtown Stuart, a place where hometown appeal meets artsy style. One of the highlights is the Lyric Theatre, and the 1926 building still holds shows and performances of all kinds in its comfortable corners. Lastly, head out to the nearby ocean and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. This 57-acre environmental learning center sits right near the Atlantic Ocean. Here you can walk scenic nature trails, feed stingrays in the touch tank, or watch sea turtles.
Cape Charles, Virginia
When you come to Cape Charles, you will quickly notice all the golf carts driving around town. Golf carts are legal on most streets and widely used by locals. Renting one is a practical way to explore everything from the marina to the bakery to the beach, especially during summer. 2025 is no better year to explore the Cape Charles Historic District. With grid streets and over 500 historic buildings, you can walk past preserved homes and the old train station.
How does a museum and a drink sound? At the Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center, you can see all sorts of interesting tidbits about the area's train and boat history. The location has a bunch of old artifacts from the area to learn about. Next, go to the Cape Charles Brewing Company. They make great beer and have food and live music in a place everyone can enjoy. Head over to Cape Charles Beach if you want to chill and enjoy the Chesapeake Bay. This local spot has calm waves, shallow water, and parking just by the sand.
Slaughter Beach, Delaware
Slaughter Beach is not as busy as some other commercialized locations by the sea, with a quiet and untouched feel to it. Despite that, its beaches are well-known. That is due to it being a safe haven for horseshoe crabs, and starting in May and June, these ancient creatures come together in massive groups to lay eggs. So what better time to come see them than in 2025? When horseshoe crabs come, it is also time for the Red Knot Festival, an event celebrating migrating red knot birds, which dine on the horseshoe crab eggs on their long trip.
There are other outdoor adventures to try out when you are in town. Adjacent to the town lies the Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve, a 108-acre tidal marshland teeming with wildlife. There is a boardwalk for everyone to enjoy, and it lets you see things like marsh wrens, ospreys, and other local species. Afterward, go to the DuPont Nature Center, which is just north of town. You can learn there about the natural world of Delaware Bay. When you are there, you can see informative displays and learn about places to watch wildlife, and study unique plants and animals in the area.
Waldoboro, Maine
Life has a slow, peaceful quality here in Waldoro. That quality really shines when you discover its delicious meals and peaceful atmosphere. When visiting Waldoboro, head to the Fawcett's Antique Toy and Art Museum, but get ready for some serious nostalgia. With all these vintage toys and pop culture items, you will likely see some items from your own past. It also would not be a stop to Waldoro without stopping at Moody's Diner, a location institution since 1927. Get ready for homestyle cooking and classic pies.
After a good meal, walk over to the Old German Meeting House, which has been standing since 1772 and shows how deep the town's German roots run. In 1794, residents moved it across the frozen Medomak River piece by piece to its current location. Speaking of the river, with the town sitting alongside the Medomak, you have all sorts of chances to do things like kayaking or fishing. And of course, with the Atlantic Ocean right at your doorstep, you have the tranquil beauty of the sea.
Folly Beach, South Carolina
Ignore the name, coming to this South Carolina town is no folly. From mermaid statues in the front yard to tiki bars and art cars, there is a relaxed, counterculture atmosphere here. It feels more like a bohemian surf town than a fancy southern resort. The town and the area near it are called the Edge of America and are well-known for top-notch surfing opportunities on the East Coast. A surf spot called 'the Washout' draws both novice and professional surfers.
Folly Beach's allure shines in spots like Bert's Market. This corner store is open all day and night, and offers healthy stuff like organic kombucha. Even late-night snackers can find goodies at three in the morning. Then there is Chico Feo, a bar with an open backyard vibe. They serve an array of tasty food and drinks, including tacos. After spending time in town, head out to either (or both!) Folly Beach County Park and nearby Morris Island have some uncrowded nature escapes to partake in. You might even see some dolphins in the surf.
St. Marys, Georgia
You might already know about St. Marys solely based on their nearby population of wild horses. St Marys is a gateway to Cumberland Island, home to the Dungeness Ruins, remains of what used to be a grand Carnegie manor. As you explore around the property, untamed horses stroll the island, giving a dreamlike mix of human history and Mother Nature. Back in town, you can walk through the St. Marys Historic District, a collection of heritage buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. One special building to check out is the Orange Hall, a grand house showing off 19th-century Southern style.
Another option is to explore the St. Marys Submarine Museum, where a working periscope and decades of naval artifacts bring underwater history to life. There is also the St. Marys Waterfront Park, which invites slow boardwalk strolls. Boats drift past while locals gather near sunset to swap stories on benches.
Avalon, New Jersey
Avalon sits on the northern end of a seven-mile barrier island and tends to draw repeat visitors who come for open space, not spectacle. It is also one of the best places in the region to see dunes. This New Jersey town is an offbeat choice focusing on quiet routines and preserved landscape. When you come to Avalon, walk along the Avalon Dunes and Beach Trail to see forested dunes and dune swales. If you take the trail, it heads through maritime forest and ends at a quiet, natural beach.
How does kayaking sound? On the bay side, the town has access to calm waters where paddlers can move through the inlets without much boat traffic. Or another option in town, the Avalon History Center offers a close look at the town’s past, with all sorts of maps, photos, and local records arranged in a space that really makes you feel the region’s heritage. If you feel like a quiet walk, Avalon's half-mile boardwalk stretches from 21st to 32nd Street. This path, full of beauty, gives you a view of the ocean and also leads to the beach.
In Conclusion
In 2025, travelers looking for something outside the big cities along the Atlantic Coast can find it in these lesser-known towns. Here, character, nature, and history come together in ways that feel both inviting and unexpected. From quiet rivers to happening local culture, each of these cool, offbeat towns offers a rich way to connect with the coast. So, no more waiting. Start planning your trip now and uncover the side of the Atlantic Coast that most travelers miss.
