10 Ideal Atlantic Coast Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2025
The US Atlantic Coast, also known as the East Coast, is home to a long list of destinations ideal for a memorable three-day weekend. Plenty of these destinations are small and far from the region’s bustling cities, making them ideal for a relaxing weekend getaway. The Atlantic Coast holds some of the country’s priceless jewels, from historic to natural. This is in addition to great weather, which is defined by abundant sunshine and mild winters. In addition, the Atlantic Coast has the largest share of the best beaches in the US, and these towns host some of these iconic beaches. From Kennebunkport, Maine, to Montauk, New York, check out these 10 Atlantic Coast destinations ideal for a three-day weekend in 2025.
St. Augustine, Florida
A three-day weekend in St. Augustine is sure to be a blast, especially for lovers of history and culture. As the oldest continuously inhabited European-established town in North America, this town has had a long-running existence and is now packed with ancient structures such as the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the US, built between 1672 and 1695. Weekend travelers are invited to tour this historic structure and catch beautiful views of the Matanzas Bay, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean.
Even more exciting, St. Augustine has several quaint walkable streets like the pedestrian-only St. George Street, which offers shopping, dining, and a step back in time with its historic structures and attractions. On this street, weekend travelers will come across things such as the Oldest Wooden School House, built in the early 1700s, and the Medieval Torture Museum, which offers an immersion into the chilling history of medieval punishment. As a coastal town, St. Augustine also has beautiful beaches, one of which is Crescent Beach, an ideal spot to spend some weekend time fishing, swimming, surfing, and relaxing with gorgeous coastal scenery.
Meanwhile, St. Augustine has some pretty cool hotels that are attractions in their own right. The Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel is one of them and a recommended place to stay for a weekend vacation. This majestic hotel embodies the charms of the Gilded Age with its impressive Victorian architecture. It also features a fitness center, a pool, and a restaurant serving American fare, among other amenities. It is within walking distance of most of the town’s top attractions.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach is an excellent destination on the Atlantic Ocean for a memorable three-day weekend. For starters, the town has amazing hotels where one can enjoy comfort alongside coastal scenery. Located right on the oceanfront, the SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Smyrna Beach is one such hotel, featuring rooms and suites with ocean views, as well as amenities including an outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center.
New Smyrna Beach is also packed with attractions to fill up a three-day weekend, and the Smyrna Dunes Park is one of the most popular. This park is a slice of paradise, featuring a beach and a boardwalk offering impressive views of dunes and local wildlife, as well as access to a fishing pier and picnic shelters. The park is also an amazing place for bird watching. Apollo Beach is another exciting attraction in New Smyrna Beach, and one of the few places in the US where one can enjoy true beach relaxation, without clothes.
Elsewhere, the Canal Street Historic District will keep weekend travelers busy with its tree-lined streets featuring a mix of specialty shops, restaurants, and attractions like the New Smyrna Museum of History, which preserves and interprets the long history of the town, from its establishment in 1768.
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is an architecturally stunning and historically rich town in South Carolina’s Port Royal Island. The second-oldest city in the state, founded in 1711, this town is an exciting place to spend a three-day weekend, with some of the country’s top historic attractions, like the Beaufort National Cemetery, established in 1863 for fallen Union soldiers. The Beaufort Historical District, particularly, will delight travelers as it features streets with Spanish moss-covered oaks and a huge concentration of historic structures, reflecting various architectural styles, including Federal and Greek Revival.
Notable structures to admire in this historic district include the 1804 John Mark Verdier House on Bay Street and the Rhett House Inn in Craven Street. Notably, the Rhett House Inn was built in 1864 and served as many things, including a hospital for injured soldiers, before becoming one of the best hotels in the area today, featuring authentic Southern breakfast, antique furnishings, and decor, and a spacious courtyard with a fountain.
Away from the history, weekend travelers to Beaufort have the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to picnic with the views, shop, dine, or catch a festival. Nearby, the Hunting Island State Park offers many more activities and scenery. This park is by far the most popular in South Carolina, featuring five miles of pristine beaches, the famous Hunting Island Lighthouse, and over eight miles of trails, offering access to the coastal habitats and the wildlife that inhabit them.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a bustling resort city right on the Atlantic Coast, perfect for a three-day weekend full of premium entertainment and coastal fun. Here, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk alone will keep weekend travelers occupied for hours as it is lined with shops, restaurants, and famous attractions, one of which is the SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. Standing at 187 feet, this observation wheel was once the tallest of its kind in North America, and remains an iconic attraction offering impressive views of the Atlantic and downtown Myrtle Beach.
Near the boardwalk sits Broadway at the Beach, another bustling attraction that can keep visitors hooked for hours. Covering a 350-acre area, this entertainment complex is home to a variety of shops, world-class restaurants and hotels, and unique attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium and Hollywood Wax Museum, where one can get up close to life-sized replicas of movie stars and pop culture icons. Notably, Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the premier attractions in South Carolina, featuring an impressive collection of marine creatures, from fish to sharks, sea turtles, and more, all offering a memorable aquatic adventure.
As if all that’s not enough, Myrtle Beach is on the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of soft sandy shoreline, meaning endless beach fun for weekend vacationers. This town has some of the best hotels in the country, but a top option for weekend travelers is the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grand Dunes. This highly-rated, all-inclusive hotel sits right on the oceanfront and has multiple outdoor pools and a top-notch spa, among other luxurious amenities.
Montauk, New York
Montauk, one of the smallest towns in New York, also happens to be an incredibly exciting destination for weekend coastal getaways. Positioned on the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound, this town is full of incredible attractions, including some of the state’s best beaches, like the soft sand Ditch Plains, which is a paradise for surfing. The Kirk Park Beach is another great beach in this town, and a great spot to relax and enjoy the waves on a weekend.
Perhaps even more exciting, this town is home to the 862-acre Montauk Point State Park, where one can lose track of time fishing, hiking, surfing, and picnicking. The park even hosts the impressive Montauk Point Light, the oldest in New York State, and a great spot from which to enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound. In the downtown area, food establishments like 668 The Gig Shack are available to make the weekend memorable with delicious seafood, BBQ, and more.
As for where to stay, weekend travelers seeking something unique can head to Montauk’s Hither Hills State Park to experience oceanfront camping. For a more cozy experience, however, the Montauk Blue Hotel is recommended. Also located on the oceanfront, this hotel offers easy access to top attractions, alongside amenities such as an indoor pool, hot tub, free parking, and oceanfront sundecks.
New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Synonymous with Block Island, New Shoreham is one of the favorite weekend destinations in Rhode Island. It is located right in the Atlantic Ocean, around nine miles from the mainland, making it the perfect coastal escape. On a three-day weekend in this island town, travelers can head to the 200-foot Mohegan Bluffs to admire the ocean and climb down over a hundred steps to relax and sunbathe on the beautiful beach at the base.
Alternatively, beach lovers can head to the Mansion Beach for a more secluded experience and opportunities to surf, as it experiences amazing waves. Those who love hiking can hit the Clayhead Trail for a five-mile round-trip featuring views of thickets, the bluffs, and the ocean. Notably, New Shoreham has a rich maritime history and now hosts a few lighthouses, including Block Island Southeast Light, one of the most architecturally stunning lighthouses in the country, and a must-visit for weekend travelers.
More interesting attractions to check out in New Shoreham include the North Light, which dates to 1867, and Abrams Animal Farm, home to interesting animals like kangaroos, emus, camels, and alpacas. A stay at the family-run Old Town Inn is a top choice for weekend travelers to Block Island, as it has cozy rooms, beautiful gardens, and warm hosts.
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Narragansett is a charming town where history and coastal allure combine to offer unforgettable experiences. Located on Narragansett Bay, an inlet of the North Atlantic Ocean, this town is ideal for a three-day oceanside weekend, especially as it hosts Narragansett Town Beach, one of Rhode Island’s best beaches and a hot spot for surfing, swimming, and picnicking. Narragansett also has more amazing beaches, including the Roger W. Wheeler State Beach, where families with young children can enjoy safe and fun experiences. Those who love hiking have a few trails to enjoy, like the one-mile out-and-back Black Point Trail, which winds through beautiful trees, along the ocean, and past an abandoned mansion.
As for history buffs, Narragansett has a few historic attractions, like the 1810 Point Judith Lighthouse, one of the state’s cutest lighthouses, and a fun place for storm watching. Narragansett is also known for The Towers, a stunning dating to 1883, when it was part of a bustling Narragansett Pier Casino. Today, it is a great place to catch shows and social events, and it is also a picture-perfect spot with awesome views of the ocean and Shingle-style architecture.
For a more memorable three-day weekend in Narragansett, the Break Hotel is a recommended place to stay. The hotel is architecturally stunning, located near the town’s beaches, and features amazing amenities such as a cozy sauna, heated saltwater pool, and an ocean-view rooftop bar.
Kennebunkport, Maine
The Cottages at Cabot Cove in Kennebunkport alone are worth a weekend vacation to this town. This establishment is more than a hotel; it is also an incredibly charming attraction, surrounded by lush gardens, trees, flowers, and grasses. Most of the cottages on the property are cozy and feature patios with chairs, allowing one to sit and enjoy the scenery for hours without getting bored. In the fall, particularly, the views are simply magical.
Kennebunkport has plenty of other incredible things to delight weekend travelers, including some cool beaches, like Gooch’s Beach, which has a sandy shoreline and great waves. The town’s Ocean Avenue is also an exciting attraction, where travelers would love to spend the weekend. This avenue is a great place to hike or drive with scenic views of the ocean, the rocky coastline, and historic homes such as Walker’s Point Estate, which has served as the summer home of the Bush family for over a century. Parsons Way is also on this drive, offering an opportunity to walk along the rugged Maine Coastline.
Camden, Maine
Camden is an adorable little town on the Gulf of Maine, and an ideal place for a three-day weekend full of scenery and adventures. This town is where you can find Camden Hills State Park, one of the coolest places to hike in the US. Covering a 5,700-acre area, this park can take up a great deal of the weekend as it has over 30 miles of trails, including the 1.1-mile round-trip Mount Battie Trail that winds through a forest and leads to a summit with the famous views of Penobscot Bay and downtown Camden. Camden Hills State Park also offers opportunities for camping, rock climbing, and wildlife watching.
Back in town, weekend travelers can picnic with waterfront views and catch shows at the Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheater. The Camden Opera House is another cool place to enjoy entertainment, including live music, films, and dance. Meanwhile, Camden is home to the Camden Snow Bowl, one of New England’s top ski resorts, featuring a variety of attractions from mountain biking and ski trails to scenic chairlift rides with impressive views of the ocean.
As for accommodation, Camden has several world-class hotels to please weekend travelers, with the Camden Windward House being among the best. This hotel is highly rated, located close to the town’s top attractions, and features clean, smoke-free rooms, complimentary breakfast, and on-site parking, among other great amenities.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is one of the Atlantic Coast’s jewels, nestled on Mount Desert Island. Here, weekend travelers will wish time moves more slowly as the town is the gateway to Acadia National Park, a 47,000-acre recreation area with rugged coastlines, dense woodlands teeming with wildlife, dozens of trails, and towering peaks. One of the best ways to explore this park is by riding on the Park Loop Road, which stretches 27 miles and leads to several points of interest, including Sand Beach, a rocky beach with consistent waves, and Schooner Head Overlook, where impressive views of the ocean can be enjoyed. Park Loop Road also offers easy access to some of Acadia’s top trails, one of which is the Cadillac Summit Loop, a popular 0.4-mile trail on the park’s highest peak with breathtaking scenery.
Besides Acadia, Bar Harbor has more things to fill up a three-day weekend, like the Shore Path, a 0.7-mile trail that follows Frenchman Bay and presents dreamy ocean views. Weekend travelers can also get on a boat tour to explore the town and the surrounding island from the water. To best enjoy all of these experiences, a stay at one of the town’s best hotels is in order, and the West Street Hotel is a great choice. This boutique hotel sits elegantly on the waterfront, where it features a fitness center, fine dining, tennis courts, and a rooftop pool with impressive bay views.
Forge Unforgettable Experiences in These Atlantic Coast Destinations
The Atlantic Coast has attracted people from all over the world for hundreds of years to its beautiful beaches, maritime habitats, and abundant sunshine. Today, this beautiful coast remains a paradise, with towns that are ideal for memorable three-day weekend vacations. Whether you are seeking a relaxing experience with the endless sounds of the waves or thrilling coastal endeavors, these towns on the Atlantic Coast are ideal places to visit. As with most coastal areas, the Atlantic Coast experiences extreme weather, especially in the fall and winter, so be sure to check the weather of any preferred destination before visiting.
