9 Best US Beach Towns You’ve Never Heard Of and Haven’t Thought to Visit — Until Now
Ella Fitzgerald is constantly reminding us of how easy the livin’ is in summertime while the Beach Boys explain just how good the vibrations can be in the USA for snowbirds. We have a massive variety of beaches in America and a growing perception of what classifies as a beach.
Midwest folk will fight for their right to call the Great Lakes beaches, while Floridians will laugh at any non-ocean coast. New England and the Pacific Northwest each think they have the most charming shores, while Southern California and the Carolinas bring the surf, sand, and sun. At the end of the day, the US has more beach towns than we know what to do with, and hopefully, this list opens your eyes to your next destination that’s a little more unexpected, less crowded, and more memorable.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Getting picked up from the ferry by a horse-drawn carriage might seem like a grand romantic gesture, but on Mackinac Island, it’s just everyday life, and in fact, your only transportation option beyond biking or hiking. The entire town will transport you back to the Victorian era, and without cars and the sounds of traffic, Mackinac Island brings quaint to a whole new level. Residing in Lake Huron between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsula, and while you may not find the most idyllic white sand (a commonality with Midwest beaches), there are still plenty of places to cool off, grab a kayak, and explore. Beyond water sports, some of the must-dos include eating your weight in fudge, drinking your cares away at the Pink Pony, and exploring the lavish Grand Hotel before retreating to one of the many cozy b&bs. If you are looking to really go back to a simpler time, plan a trip around the yearly stone skipping festival, where professional stone skippers (yes, you read that right) travel to compete on the Fourth of July.
Where to Stay in Mackinac Island
Bradenton Beach, Florida
Florida may beckon a slew of spring breakers and snowbirds, but there are still beaches in the Sunshine State unbeknownst to the crowds. Bradenton Beach is located at the southernmost tip of Anna Maria Island, right off of the Gulf Coast. The town is known for its Bridge Street Pier, which was part of the original bridge to get on the island, but has since been shortened to a prime fishing spot. This place offers you everything from kayaking with dolphins and manatees to more non-traditional water sports like horse surfing (yes, you read that right). The most popular beach in town is Coquina Beach, located right next to the downtown area, so restaurants and shopping are walkable and enjoyable.
Where to Stay in Bradenton Beach
Capitola, California
It’s hard to believe there’s a beach in California you haven’t heard of, but does Capitola ring any bells? Somehow, it’s managed to stay under the radar, formerly as a tent camp turned resort getaway. Located near Santa Cruz, right on the Monterey Bay, this town is lined with beautiful Venetian cottages, the wharf, and cable car. Whether you are an avid surfer or simply a curious bystander, head over to Pleasure Point to witness the “famous surf breaks.” Otherwise, grab your suit and shades and head out to Capitola City Beach or New Brighton State Beach.
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is another beach town that’ll transport you back to a different decade. Downtown is full of Victorian homes, some haunted, some “not.” And despite being down the block, the quaint ambiance will have you questioning if the gym, tan, laundry crowd of the “Jersey Shore” was filmed on the same coastline. Cape May is a more quiet beach town, perfect for a romantic getaway or family retreat. One of the cooler aspects of their beaches is the “Cape May Diamonds,” small pieces of quartz in place of sand that shine bright like a diamond. Not bad, New Jersey, not bad.
Surfside Beach, Texas
While most don’t think of Texas as a beach destination, it has one of the longest coastlines of any state and is equally ripe for snowbirding. Galveston is where the parties are at, but neighboring Surfside Beach in Freeport is a sleepy little surf town that’s part of a five-town community called Brazosport, essentially giving you five destinations for the price of one. Located an easy hour and a half drive from Houston, Surfside is an easy escape from city life. This town, in particular, is known for two main places: the beach and the jetty, which is a mecca for fishing and crabbing the Gulf.
Rockport, Massachusetts
Living in the shadow of Cape Cod and Nantucket, Rockport is an easier (1-hour) drive from Boston, making it an ideal east coast day or weekend trip. With one of the largest art colonies in the country, a myriad of inns and B&Bs, and all of the coastal-inspired shops you can imagine, the town attracts all kinds of guests. While most of the coastline is rocky and better suited for a leisurely walk, Front Beach and Long Beach are good spots to get your tanning fix.
Bandon, Oregon
With mountains as a backdrop, the beaches of the Pacific Northwest are unlike anywhere else in the States. The city is often called Bandon-by-the-Sea, a Southern Oregon gem and is considered a mecca for cranberry production. The perfect day in Bandon consists of berry picking, walking along the beach, renting a crab pot to shoot your luck at catching dinner, and likely ending at Tony’s Crab Shack for dinner. The most iconic spot in town is the Face Rock Viewpoint to watch waves crash against this massive rock formation, and every year, this spot gets a facelift with “Circles in the Sand,” a sort of art installation of circle labyrinths in the sand.
Amelia Island, Florida
Amelia Island is a dreamy and unexpected spot for your next beach vacation with charming resorts, golden sands, and horseback riding right on the beach. On Florida’s Atlantic shore, a mere 30 miles away from Jacksonville, the island has 13 miles of fairly quiet beaches and a historic downtown area that is often compared to that of Charleston or Savannah. There are luxury resorts, but Amelia Schoolhouse Inn is a converted schoolhouse-turned boutique hotel if you are looking for more unique sleep.
Where to Stay in Amelia Island
Ogunquit, Maine
Since Ogunquit translates to “Beautiful Place by the Sea” in the language of the Natives, you are pretty much guaranteed to be in awe of the beauty and nature of Maine. Ogunquit Beach is a 3.5 mile stretch of sandy heaven with the surf as mellow as can be. Part of the beach is attached to the Ogunquit River, allowing for tubing or kayaking. Perkins Cove and Marginal Way are two areas to seek out for strolling, sunning, and shopping. The cuisine on the scene is lobster and lots of it, with two of the go-to restaurants being the Lobster Shack and Ogunquit Lobster Pound Restaurant.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!