9 Most Hospitable Towns On The Atlantic Coast
The Atlantic Coast spans the eastern United States from Maine to Florida. Along this vast area, you will find welcoming towns with breathtaking coastal views, rich history, and charm. Whether you are looking for a lively destination packed with excitement or a quieter, more serene retreat in a small town, the Atlantic Coast has something for everyone. Check out these nine hospitable towns on the Atlantic Coast.
Bar Harbor, Maine
About a five-hour drive from Boston, Massachusetts, and just 50 miles from Bangor International Airport, the town of Bar Harbor is a gem of the Atlantic Coast. This unique town also provides access to Acadia National Park, among the top ten most visited national parks in the United States, spanning 49,000 acres and containing 125 miles of hiking trails. The town of Bar Harbor is situated on Mount Desert Island in Maine, and its rocky beaches and ocean cliffs have attracted thousands of tourists for centuries.
Bar Harbor is more than just a tourist destination, however. Lobstermen, boat builders, scientists, and artists all call the town home. The College of Atlantic, one of the top liberal arts colleges in the US, is also housed in Bar Harbor.
Accommodations in Bar Harbor include bed-and-breakfasts like Primrose Inn on Mount Desert Street; and your choice of lodging at Edgewater Motel, Cottages & Suites on Old Bar Harbor Road. You may opt to camp in Acadia National Park's designated campground areas, which include lean-to shelters for rent.
Berlin, Maryland
Ten miles west of the bustling seaside town of Ocean City, Maryland, you'll find the smaller, quieter Berlin. Berlin is preferable to many who are looking for a quieter experience on the Atlantic Coast. It is about 130 miles from both Baltimore and Washington, DC.
The Main Street of Berlin is so welcoming that filmmakers have used it in major motion pictures. 1998's "Runaway Bride" featured the Atlantic Hotel and downtown shops in Berlin's historic district. "Tuck, Everlasting" in 2002 also used Berlin as its backdrop, renaming the town Treegap. Today, visitors will enjoy the quaint stores such as Victorian Charm and eateries like The Sterling Tavern found in downtown Berlin.
The afore-mentioned Atlantic Hotel on Main Street is a haven for weary travelers who crave some of Berlin's unique history. Other accommodation options in Berlin include Holland House Bed and Breakfast on Bay Street and The Inn Berlin on Harrison Avenue.
Cape May, New Jersey
The oldest seaside resort in the United States, the town of Cape May, New Jersey was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. It is filled with 19th-century Victorian-style homes and picturesque architecture. One of the best ways to see the town and learn about its history is to take the Historic District Trolley Tour. Two homes that should not be missed are the Physick Estate and the Cherry House.
Cape May's iconic lighthouse, built in 1859, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you climb to its top, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay.
Lodging options in Cape May range from bed and breakfast inns, such as Southern Mansion on Washington Street, to family-oriented guest houses, like 931 Beach Guest House on Beach Avenue. While it is about a two-hour drive from Philadelphia and about a three-hour drive from New York City, a visit to the welcoming town of Cape May is definitely worth the time and effort.
Chatham, Massachusetts
A town situated on Cape Cod, Chatham, Massachusetts, is a quaint, out-of-the-way village that receives thousands of tourists each year. Settled by the English in 1656, the town flourished in the years following the American Revolution, as fishing, agriculture, and maritime enterprises took hold. Chatham is about 85 miles southeast of Boston and 35 miles south of Provincetown.
One of Chatham's most popular tourist sites is the Lighthouse Beach Overlook Area and the Chatham Lighthouse, which still operates 24 hours a day. Chatham's Old Village Historic District is just a few steps from the lighthouse and overlook, and contains more than 300 properties on the National Register of Historic Places.
A range of accommodation options exists in Chatham. They include the waterfront Chatham Bars Inn on Shore Road, Chatham Tides on Pleasant Street, and Pine Acres Compass on Main Street.
Chincoteague, Virginia
The remote Atlantic coast town of Chincoteague is about three hours from Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland, and two hours from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Chincoteague is a wildlife-lover's paradise, with less hustle and bustle than traditional beach towns. The Pony Penning, an event for which Chincoteague is famous, takes place each summer and involves a pony swim across the Assateague Channel, followed by a pony auction.
Even if you can't visit Chincoteague during the Pony Penning, plenty of wildlife is awaiting you year-round at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, on Assateague Island, featuring 37 miles of undeveloped beach. Fishing, clamming, and kayaking are other popular pastimes in this small town.
Campgrounds, hotels, and vacation beach homes are all found in Chincoteague. Check out Garden and Sea Inn Bed and Breakfast on Nelson Road for more private accommodations. If you want to stay by the water, you might prefer Snug Harbor Marina and Resort on East Side Road.
Lewes, Delaware
The quiet Atlantic beach town of Lewes, Delaware, on the Delaware Bay, is home to the northernmost beach in the First State, as well as to Cape Henlopen State Park. Lewes draws thousands each year who crave its slower pace and serene atmosphere. Lewes is about 80 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 87 miles from Baltimore, Maryland.
The above-mentioned Cape Henlopen State Park is attractive to many who visit for its 5,000 acres and six miles of unspoiled coastline. Delaware's only publicly-owned wild beach, Beach Plum Nature Preserve, is found within the park, which is also home to shorebirds and horseshoe crabs.
A variety of accommodation choices exist in Lewes. Those who enjoy retro and home brew might book a room at the Dogfish Inn on Savannah Road (which can be combined with tours of Dogfish Head Brewery for additional fees). If you prefer a bed and breakfast, try The Towers Bed & Breakfast, housed within a steamboat Gothic home on NW Front Street.
Mystic, Connecticut
A small town on the Mystic River, which flows into Fishers Island Sound, Long Island Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean, Mystic, Connecticut is a charming coastal maritime village that welcomes thousands of visitors annually. Mystic is 134 miles northeast of New York City; 100 miles southwest of Boston, Massachusetts; and 50 miles south of Providence, Rhode Island.
The Mystic Seaport Museum, one of the largest maritime museums in the US, features a recreated 19th-century seafaring village. Another popular spot for visitors is the Mystic Aquarium, filled with beluga whales, penguins, and sea lions. Check out Olde Mystick Village, a shopping area that resembles a 1720s New England seaside village.
The Inn at Mystic provides elegant accommodations on 14 acres off Williams Avenue. The Whaler's Inn Hotel of Mystic, on Main Street, offers a variety of room and suite choices in the Main Inn and other buildings such as the Stanton House, the Hoxie House, and 1865 House.
St. Augustine, Florida
Just 40 miles from Jacksonville, Florida, the town of St. Augustine is on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Florida. It was founded in 1565 by Spanish settlers and is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the US. St. Augustine is a rare blend of history, charm, and coastal beauty for travelers seeking culture, relaxation, and a change from the norm.
The streets of St. Augustine are full of history. Of particular interest is the Colonial Quarter, featuring living history exhibits and costumed interpreters. Another historical site of note is Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish fortress that provides spectacular coastal views.
Accommodation choices in St. Augustine range from bed-and-breakfasts such as the Southern Wind Inn on Cordova Street, to contemporary chain hotels like Hilton Garden Inn St. Augustine on A1A Beach Boulevard.
Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Known as the "Family Beach," the town of Surfside Beach, South Carolina, is a part of the Grand Strand along the Atlantic Coast. Just nine miles south of the busier Myrtle Beach, visitors love the small-town, laid-back, welcoming vibe of Surfside Beach. It was the first autism-friendly certified destination in the country, making it welcoming to those with sensory processing differences as well. Surfside Beach runs two miles along the Atlantic Coast and features houses, hotels, condos, restaurants, and shops.
Surfside Beach Fishing Pier is one of the town's most popular areas. Visitors stroll along and enjoy the coastal views or fish off the 814-foot-long concrete pier. Kids will enjoy a visit to All Children's Park on 10th Avenue, with two playgrounds and a picnic area. All ages can look forward to visiting Fuller Park on Surfside Drive, with its lighted tennis courts, picnic area, and playground.
A variety of vacation rental homes are available throughout Surfside Beach if you prefer quieter accommodations. Check out Harrison Realty Co. on Highway 17 South for more information. Another popular lodging option is Grand Palms Resort, on Grand Palms Resort Drive, just off Highway 17.
Pack your bags, fill the tank with gas, and set off for an Atlantic Coast getaway. These nine towns are ready to welcome your visit at any time of the year. Whether you choose the family-friendly Surfside Beach or the historic maritime village of Mystic, the beach is calling your name.
