The Atlantic Coast's 10 Most Laid-Back Towns
Laid-back towns line the Atlantic Coast from Maine to the Florida Keys. Classic New England fishing villages and Victorian seaside resort towns provide coastal views with a nod to the past. From Cape Porpoise Harbor in Kennebunkport to the Tybee Island Light Station outside Savannah, the Atlantic Coast is packed with towns that know how to slow the pace. In Edgartown, white picket fences and the Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse set a calm island tone. In Chincoteague, marshes, wild ponies, and quiet seafood spots make it easy to spend the day outdoors. Farther south, places like Pawleys Island Beach, trade crowds for breezy shorelines and long seafood lunches. These towns below are perfect for relaxation.
Kennebunkport, Maine
The coastal town of Kennebunkport is located along the Kennebunk River on the Atlantic Coast about 30 minutes from Portland. It features classic Colonial and shingle-style architecture. Large porches invite you to sit back and relax. In town, Kennebunkport’s maritime history as a shipbuilding village shines through its activities and attractions.
The classic fishing village at Cape Porpoise Harbor is home to the 1833 Goat Island Lighthouse. Lobster boat tours offer insight into the lobster industry. The Seashore Trolley Museum has vintage trolley cars, rapid transit trains, and motor buses. Stroll Ocean Avenue with its scenic views of the Bush family compound at Walker’s Point. Mabel’s Lobster Claw serves classic Maine lobster rolls and fried shrimp.
Edgartown, Massachusetts
Edgartown, Massachusetts, is a quiet seaport on the eastern side of Martha’s Vineyard. It is located just off the coast of Cape Cod between Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound. It can be reached by a 45-minute ferry boat ride from Woods Hole on mainland Cape Cod. The former whaling port has a walkable downtown area decorated with white picket fences and classic Cape Cod architecture.
The Edgartown Harbor waterfront walk features views of historic homes, sailboats, and the Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse. Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, on Chappaquiddick Island, is a laid-back destination to walk among nature and tour the 1893 Cape Poge Lighthouse. It is just a 5-minute ferry ride away. Mytoi Japanese Garden, also on Chappaquiddick Island, is a peaceful location for landscaped gardens. Stone and sand pathways lead the way to flowering shrubs and pine forests.
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Narragansett, Rhode Island, offers a laid-back Atlantic Coast vibe through its scenic beaches, Gilded Age history, and distinctive shingle-style architecture. It is approximately 45 minutes from Providence, making it easy to reach yet pleasantly removed from the city center.
The Port of Galilee is the place to find a whale-watching or fishing charter, as well as a variety of seafood restaurants. Narragansett Town Beach and Roger W. Wheeler State Park are popular places for swimming and nature viewing. The Towers stone landmark is a scenic reminder of the town’s Gilded Age history. The octagonal 1816 Point Judith Lighthouse is not open for climbing, but it makes a wonderful photo opportunity.
Cape May, New Jersey
Colorful Victorian homes lead the way to scenic beaches in Cape May. It became a popular seaside resort town in the early 1800s. The pedestrian-only Washington Street Mall area offers convenience and walkability with its mix of shops, restaurants, and the nearby Museum of Fine Arts and Popular Culture.
Cape May’s natural attractions pair perfectly with its historic side. It is known as one of the best birdwatching locations in North America for its variety of warblers, herons, and egrets. The Cove and Sunset Beach are popular stretches of sand. Delaware Bay is ideal for whale and dolphin-watching tours. The Cape May Lighthouse and its 199 steps offer both an active and scenic afternoon.
Chincoteague, Virginia
Chincoteague is located on the island of the same name along Virginia’s Eastern Shore. It features scenic trails, secluded beaches, and unique annual events. Kayak through the marshes at Curtis Merritt Harbor and Refuge Marsh Creeks to spot oyster beds. Keep it low-key by going crabbing and clamming. You can rent bikes to pedal around town. A small downtown area offers a collection of seafood restaurants, ice cream shops, and art galleries.
The small island of Chincoteague, approximately 7 miles long and up to 3 miles wide, is next to the Virginia side of Assateague Island. Assateague is home to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and its wide beaches and wild ponies. The annual Chincoteague Pony Swim, in operation for more than 100 years, happens in late July. Wild horses are rounded up and swim over from Assateague Island to Chincoteague, where they are auctioned off during Pony Penning Week. The auction serves as a way to control the herd size.
Hatteras, North Carolina
Hatteras is in Dare County near the southern end of Hatteras Island. It is approximately 60 to 90 minutes from the middle of the Outer Banks in Nags Head. Hatteras is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which is approximately 70 miles long. Scenic beaches and large dunes are found along the seashore. Waves can be surf-worthy one day and low-key the next. Pamlico Sound has some of the best conditions for kayaking.
The Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry provides transportation to the remote Ocracoke island. The black-and-white swirl striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick beacon in the US. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is home to exhibits on Civil War history, the Hatteras Lifesaving Station, local piracy, and the region’s many shipwrecks.
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
The Lowcountry resort community of Pawleys Island delivers a coastal “shabby chic” look with beach cottages decked out in cedar siding and wraparound porches. The Historic District has 18th- and 19th-century structures built on brick or wooden pilings for coastal protection. Pawleys Island even celebrates the most laid-back of furnishings, the hammock. Pawleys Island Hammock Company uses a design process that has been a hit since 1889.
Pawleys Island Beach and the nearby Litchfield Beach are favorites for swimming and sunbathing. Other activities include salt marsh crabbing, kayaking, and fishing. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and the Founders Club at Pawleys Island are additional ways to relax while practicing stances and swings.
Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island has a coastal setting with wide beaches, salt marshes, and quiet streets. The barrier island is about 20 to 30 minutes east of Savannah. Bicycles are commonly used for transportation and recreation. There are rental options and scenic trails around the island. Colorful shops on Main Street bring the island vibe to life. The Crab Shack has waterfront views and an ample seafood menu.
The Savannah River and the Atlantic Ocean make it easy to take dolphin tours and fishing boat charters. The North Beach Birding Trail is frequented by birdwatchers who enjoy the songs and colors of purple sandpipers, plovers, and northern gannets. The Tybee Island Light Station, originally established in 1736, has scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Learn about local marine life at Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Interactive exhibits offer a chance to get up close to loggerhead sea turtles and other animals.
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach is located along the northernmost point of Florida’s coast on Amelia Island. It is approximately 45 minutes from Jacksonville. This laid-back town blends beach vibes with 13 miles of coastline and salt marshes. Multiple blocks of Victorian-era buildings line the cobblestone and brick streets of the Amelia Island Historic District.
Fernandina Beach is known as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in the US. The region has been under the rule of eight countries over the centuries, including France, Spain, and England.
Fort Clinch State Park is home to miles of nature trails, quiet beaches, and a Civil War fort. Bicycling and horseback riding on the beach allow you to enjoy the sea breeze. Take it easy with a sunset cruise on the Amelia River or a nature walk at Egans Creek Greenway.
Marathon, Florida
Marathon is about an hour from Key Largo and Key West. Like the rest of the Keys island chain, it features several small islands that make up the approximately 10-mile-long town. Henry Flagler’s railroad history plays a major role in the town’s laid-back aesthetics. The Overseas Railroad was a 128-mile rail track that connected mainland Florida to the Keys. Sections of it can be seen along the Seven Mile Bridge, which connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys.
Marathon boasts a strong boating and nature scene alongside its railroad past. Sombrero Beach is a small area with gentle waves and shallow water. Offshore, Sombrero Reef is popular for snorkeling and diving excursions. The 1,000-acre Curry Hammock State Park is famous for migrating peregrine falcons. The park protects mangrove swamps and seagrass beds. The Turtle Hospital rescues, rehabilitates, and releases sick or injured sea turtles. The Dolphin Research Center offers an opportunity to observe resident dolphins while learning about marine conservation.
Laid-Back Atlantic Coast Towns
These Atlantic Coast towns are easy places to slow down. The north features rocky shorelines, fishing villages, and cool ocean views. Farther south, barrier islands, beaches, and nature preserves create a quieter pace. In the South and the Keys, palm trees, warm water, and marine wildlife add a more tropical feel. No matter the setting, each town offers fresh seafood, scenic waterfronts, and simple ways to unwind.
