Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA town skyline on the Piscataqua River.

The Best small towns on the Atlantic Coast To Chill Out

Are you tired of the commotion and bustle of urban living? Do you long for a tranquil retreat where you can rest and relax? Search no longer than the Atlantic Shore, where you can discover some of the finest small towns to calm down. These towns offer a slower rhythm of life, picturesque beauty, and a range of outdoor activities that will help you re-establish with nature. From St. Augustine, Florida, to Lewes, Delaware, there is a record of the 11 best small towns on the Atlantic Coast to settle. Each town is peculiar and has its own attraction, but they all share one thing in common: they provide a peaceful escape from the bedlam of day-to-day life. So, bundle your belongings and get ready for a restful vacation as we take you on a tour of these best small towns on the Atlantic Coast to chill out.

St. Augustine, Florida

Shops and inns line St. George. Once the main street, it is still considered the heart of the city, via Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Shops and inns line St. George. Once the main street, it is still considered the heart of the city, via Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Dubbed the "Ancient Metropolis," St. Augustine is the oldest occupied settlement in America. Its historical district, cobblestoned roads, and colonial-era structure make it an in-demand tourist destination. Nevertheless, St. Augustine is over an antiquated lesson. The town has water around, including the Atlantic Deep, the Intracoastal Passage, and the St. Johns Stream. People can catch a Twilight Cruise, canoeing, or paddle-boarding. Anastasia State Park is a short journey away and provides an assortment of exterior pursuits, including climbing, angling, and birdwatching. St. Augustine is also home to various beaches, counting St. Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach, which are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing. And if you're after some culture, don't neglect the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, which holds a range of recitals and happenings during the year.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Aerial view of Bar Harbor, Maine
Aerial view of Bar Harbor, Maine

Nestled on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is a picturesque seaside town that affords a magnificent natural display. Tourists can embark on a scenic tour along the Acadia Byway, granting breathtaking sceneries of the cragged seaboard and Acadia National Park. This park is the dwelling of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the East Coast, and holds a diversity of outdoor undertakings, including backpacking, cycling, and canoeing. Voyagers can also take a boat voyage to view whales and other aquatic life or proceed on a lobster fishing escapade. In town, voyagers can roam along the Shore Path, a half-mile promenade that offers spectacular outlooks of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. Bar Harbor is also the abode of several art galleries, boutiques, and eateries that provide fresh seafood and other regional delicacies.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Businesses on Bay Street near the waterfront in the historic district of downtown Beaufort, the second-oldest city in South Carolina, via Stephen B. Goodwin / Shutterstock.com
Businesses on Bay Street near the waterfront in the historic district of downtown Beaufort, the second-oldest city in South Carolina, via Stephen B. Goodwin / Shutterstock.com

Nestled on Port Royal Island, Beaufort is a picturesque town abounding in past and picturesque scenery. Vacationers can promenade along the riverfront greens, which grant incredible vistas of the Beaufort River and the adjacent isles. The hamlet is also dwelling in many ancient locations, among them the Beaufort Arsenal, the Verdier House, and the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Travelers can take a hike to know about the town’s packed past and design. For nature buffs, Hunting Island State Park is a brief drive away and renders a wide array of open-air doings, including hikes, angling, and swimming. The recreation area is domicile to a venerable lighthouse that provides remarkable scenery of the shore.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA townscape
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA townscape

Portsmouth, New Hampshire lies on the Piscataqua River, close to the junction of New Hampshire and Maine. For those who adore the outdoors, the tremendous Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers trekking paths, chances for wildlife observation, and a possibility to traverse the sector's marshy grounds and swamps. The close Prescott Park Arts Festival arranges alfresco concerts and theatrical shows through the summer, making it an ideal spot to relax and take in regional life. Other remarkable destinations in Portsmouth comprise the USS Albacore Museum, the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, and the ancient Portsmouth Brewery, which provides tours and samplings of their locally-concocted beer. With its amalgamation of history and natural beauty, Portsmouth is a must-experience locale for anyone traveling to the Atlantic Coast to chill out.

Chincoteague, Virginia

Wooden pier and hotels next to the pier, via Kosoff / Shutterstock.com
Wooden pier and hotels next to the pier, via Kosoff / Shutterstock.com

Nestled on Virginia's Eastern Coast, Chincoteague is an ideal town for wildlife admirers. Its most celebrated characteristic is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, a habitat to a variety of winged migratory animals, as well as untamed ponies that have stayed on the island for centuries. Explorers can take a guided tour to view the ponies close up or investigate the refuge's plentiful trekking trails. Aside from its natural beauty, Chincoteague also has a delightful downtown area with retail stores, eateries, and galleries. The island is also renowned for its cuisine, particularly its renowned Chincoteague oysters, which get them locally and served at many of the town's restaurants. Chincoteague will not disappoint you.

Cape May, New Jersey

Beach goers enjoy a beautiful day in Cape May, New Jersey.
Beach goers enjoy a beautiful day in Cape May, New Jersey, via Racheal Grazias / Shutterstock.com

Occupying the bottom of New Jersey, Cape May is a bewitching seaside town with a deep-rooted past and plenty of natural magnificence. The town is famous for its gorgeous Victorian construction, which has many in the town and can be appreciated on a relaxed walk through the town's roads. Cape May's coasts are also a great attraction, boasting velvety white sands and crystal-clear waters. Tourists can unwind on the beach, take a dip, or try their skill at angling or crabbing. Avian watchers will adore the Cape May Bird Observatory, which is one of the finest places on earth to observe migratory birds. The city also has a lively edibles and drinks ambiance, with a variety of eateries, pubs, and coffee shops to opt from. Don't miss the opportunity to take a twilight cruise and watch the sun fade away over the sea.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

The entrance of Nantucket, Massachusetts
The entrance of Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket is an exquisite isle off the shoreline of Massachusetts that is famous for its exquisite seashores, traditional lighthouses, and inviting small-town atmosphere. The island's stone-paved roads and endearing cottages will transport you to times past, while the untamed beauty of the isle will leave you breathless. Tourists can devote their days discovering the island's beaches, hiking paths, and sanctuaries, or take a tour of one of the isle's ageless lighthouses. Nantucket is also the home of a prosperous artistic world, with exhibition halls, museums, and playhouses exhibiting the art of local makers. Gourmands will relish the island's gastronomic offerings, which span from fresh seafood to homegrown cuisine.

St. Mary’s, Georgia

Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum, via EWY Media / Shutterstock.com
Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum, via EWY Media / Shutterstock.com

Nestled along the Georgia coast, St. Mary's is a captivating small town steeped in tradition and boasting a plethora of natural beauty. The region is home to the St. Mary's River, which is a well-known location for angling, sailing, and canoeing. Vacationers can also investigate the area's ancient sites, such as the St. Mary's Submarine Museum, which recounts the township's seafaring heritage. St. Mary's also contains several recreational areas and wildlife sanctuaries, including the Crooked River State Park, which provides trekking paths, campgrounds, and breathtaking views of the marshy land. Don't miss the opportunity to take a sundown journey on the river and witness the township come alive as the sun sets.

Rockland, Maine

Aerial view of Rockland Harbor during Rockland Lobster Festival in summer, Rockland, Maine, via Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com
Aerial view of Rockland Harbor during Rockland Lobster Festival in summer, Rockland, Maine, via Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com

Rockland is a diminutive hamlet situated along the middle coast of Maine, recognized for its seafood piscatory and exquisite ports. Tourists can explore the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, which spotlights the annals of the Rockland's beacons and wardens. The Farnsworth Art Museum displays a collection of American artworks, with an emphasis on Maine painters such as Andrew Wyeth. The town's most noted event is the Maine Lobster Festival, a five-day rejoicing of everything lobster that occurs each August. Visitors can revel in lobster sandwiches, and lobster dinners, and even watch a lobster box competition. Rockland is also the habitat of many outdoor divertissement prospects, including trekking in the nearby Camden Hills State Park and canoeing in Penobscot Bay.

Edenton, North Carolina

Aerial View of Businesses on Broad Street in Edenton North Carolina, via Kyle J Little / Shutterstock.com
Aerial View of Businesses on Broad Street in Edenton North Carolina, via Kyle J Little / Shutterstock.com

Edenton is a picturesque small metropolis in northeastern North Carolina, located on the Albemarle Sound. The settlement harbors a copious past, with more than 25 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Tourists can explore the Chowan County Courthouse, constructed in 1767, and the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse. The town also houses the Cupola House, a renovated eighteenth-century plantation home today acting as a museum. Nature fans can delight in angling and canoeing on the sound, as well as mountaineering and cycling on the adjacent trails. The town's waterfront downtown quarter consists of specialty shops, art galleries, and restaurants providing local seafood. So put Edenton on the bucket list next time go to North Carolina.

Lewes, Delaware

Aerial view of the beach town, fishing port and waterfront residential homes along the canal, via Khairil Azhar Junos / Shutterstock.com
Aerial view of the beach town, fishing port and waterfront residential homes along the canal, via Khairil Azhar Junos / Shutterstock.com

Lewes is an attractive coastal town situated on Delaware Bay, known for its traditional architecture and stunning beaches. The town's ancient locality showcases more than 150 ancient edifices, such as the 1792 Lightship Overfalls, which nowadays turned into a museum. Tourists can investigate the Zwaanendael Museum, which exhibits the town's Dutch origins, and the Lewes History Museum, which depicts the town's annals from the seventeenth century to the current. Lewes is also the residence of Cape Henlopen State Park, which provides miles of shorelines, trekking and cycling paths, and angling prospects. The town's city core features an array of boutiques, art display rooms, and eateries serving up fresh fish.

Conclusion

The Atlantic Coast is a delightful abode for many delightful towns, each with its own distinguishing quality and fascination. From the time-honored structures and gorgeous seashores of Cape May to the attractive ports and lobster bashes of Rockland, there's something for everybody in The 11 Best Small Towns by the Atlantic Coast to Chill Out. If you're seeking outdoor ventures, cultural occurrences, or a reviving getaway, these towns are sure to please and motivate you. So get ready to pack the gear and have a plan for Atlantic Coast this summer.

Share
  1. Home
  2. Places
  3. Cities
  4. The Best small towns on the Atlantic Coast To Chill Out

More in Places