From Maine to Florida, the East Coast is home to some beautiful stretches of coastline, amazing views, and of course, remarkable beach towns. Whether you’re looking for a summer hotspot full of excitement and entertainment and brimming with crowds, or want to escape to a quieter small town this season, the shores on the East Coast have a little something for everyone. From charming, historic New England towns to tropical Southern getaways, there is so much to explore this summer.
There are 14 states that make up this stretch of the US, and each one has its own atmosphere, climate, and culture. From Cape Cod to the Florida Keys, the Atlantic Seaboard is home to a wide variety of vacation destinations. Here are 14 of the best East Coast beach towns in the US.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Much of Maine’s Mt. Desert Island is covered by Acadia National Park—home to climbs like Cadillac Mountain and a sophisticated system of carriage roads financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. But on the island’s northeast corner, charming Bar Harbor is a destination in its own right. Skirting Frenchmen Bay, Bar Harbor began drawing visitors as far back as the mid-19th century when some of the Hudson River School, a group of artists that included the likes of Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, were taken with Maine’s Down East landscapes. Still picturesque, Bar Harbor is now a full-fledged tourist town with a bustling main street, whale-watching tours, and of course, easy access to Acadia.
Where to stay in Bar Harbor: