8 Towns on the Atlantic Coast with Vibrant Downtown Areas
The Atlantic Coast may be most famous for its many large cities and hubs of industry, fashion, arts, and politics that line the I-95 corridor. However, hidden between these metropolitan hubs are many small towns whose downtowns are just as vibrant as those populous state capitals'. In these towns, you can experience everything from exciting boardwalks in Maryland to epic shopping in Cape May, New Jersey. Check out the top towns on the Atlantic Coast with vibrant downtowns!
Camden, Maine
Incorporated in 1791, Camden is a quiet Maine coastal town of roughly 5,000, where charm abounds. Featuring a historic downtown waterfront filled with small recreational and fishing vessels, the promenade is lined with family-owned restaurants focusing on local seafood specialties, as well as bookshops, cafes, art galleries, and other boutique shops, not to mention local brewery favorite Sea Dog Brewing Company. Staying the night? We recommend the Lord Camden Inn. The nearby Camden Opera House offers art lovers a unique historic venue where they can enjoy concerts, plays, and films. For the outdoorsy type, the Camden Snow Bowl, just a few short miles from downtown, provides a winter haven for skiing, snowboarding, snow-tubing, and a toboggan chute, all with beautiful hilltop ocean views. In sunnier seasons, Mt. Battie offers lovely panoramas of the adjacent mountains and Penobscot Bay.
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a jewel of the Jersey Shore. This East Coast icon, found at exit 0 on the Garden State Parkway, has hidden treasures galore. This town鈥檚 historic district will grab visitors鈥� attention with its candy-colored Victorian-era homes and charming streets. The Washington Street Mall provides a pedestrian-friendly shopping district with unique stores and dining options, including local icon Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard, which serves up classic flavors of this seaside favorite like butter pecan and cotton candy. The Cape May Lighthouse overlooks the beachgoers relishing their fun in the sun, but alas, was not able to save the concrete troop carrier, SS Atlantus, whose ill-fated hulk still peaks ominously through the waters off Cape May Pointe. With so much to do in Cape May, we recommend a night or three at the Hotel La Mer Beachfront Resort, allowing you plenty of time to enjoy all that this classic Jersey beach town has to offer
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a vibrant destination at the tip of Cape Cod that attracts visitors with its unique blend of culture and natural beauty. Renowned for its artistic heritage, the town boasts cultural attractions like the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, showcasing local artists and historical exhibitions. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Cape Cod National Seashore, offering miles of pristine beaches and scenic trails. For an exceptional dining experience, The Mews Restaurant & Cafe stands out, serving delectable seafood with stunning waterfront views. Provincetown is also known as an LGBTQ+ mecca, featuring themed weeks like Trans Week, Two Spirit Weekend, and Leather weekend, attracting members of the queer community from across the globe.
Beaufort, North Carolina
Once voted 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Coolest Small Town鈥� by readers of Budget Travel Magazine, Beaufort, the fourth oldest town in North Carolina, is a gem of the Inner Banks. It is equally attractive to history buffs and outdoors adventurers. The Rachel Carson Reserve sits on an island across from downtown Beaufort and features many trails across a well-preserved morsel of North Carolina鈥檚 Maritime forests and marshes. For an intimate look at historic downtown Beaufort, enjoy a walking tour of the many historic sites, including a downtown collection of restored homes and public buildings from the 18th century, there are also double decker bus tours of downtown鈥檚 historic sites for those looking for a more relaxed experience. For those staying a few days, the Beaufort Hotel offers modern seaside accommodations with gorgeous views and large green spaces for soaking up that North Carolina sun.
Georgetown, South Carolina
Sitting at the intersection of the Winyah Bay and the Sampit River, Georgetown is a relic of the genial south, founded in 1729 it is the third oldest town in South Carolina. Those looking to soak up the local history would be wise to explore the Kaminski House Museum, an ideal archetype of the classical Georgian style of architecture; this antebellum house is open to the public for tours and is preserved much in the way it would have been found in the 18th and 19th century. The nearby Rice Museum offers visitors a look into South Carolina鈥檚 long history as one of the earliest centers of domestic rice cultivation. By evening, you might be ready to take to the historic Georgetown Harborwalk down the banks of the Sampit River and soak in the classic Southern scenery.
Edenton, North Carolina
Edenton is another pearl of North Carolina鈥檚 Inner Banks, with a downtown rich in historical landmarks, cozy cafes, and antique shops. Sitting centrally in downtown Edenton, The Edenton State Historic Site includes numerous colonial-era homes, churches, and municipal buildings like the Chowan County Courthouse, built in 1767. The nearby Cupola House offers a singular look inside one of these stately early colonial homes. A mere two blocks from the Cupola House and historic district, the town abuts the Albermarle Sound, and check out the Roanoke River Lighthouse as you look out upon the Edonton Bay.
Rockport, Massachusetts
Rockport, Massachusetts, is a classic New England seaside town located at the tip of the Cape Ann Peninsula in Northeast Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. Rockport鈥檚 downtown is known for its artsy vibe, local craftsmanship and small-town maritime feel. Creatives will find plenty to love in the colorful tableau of brightly painted boats and buildings. The famed Motif #1 is an iconic fishing shack known for being one of the most frequently painted buildings in the US, and its image is reproduced in innumerable images. IF it's fresh air and the sea breeze you seek, Rockport will not disappoint with several public beaches spread across the town's shoreline and Halibut Point State Park offering walking trails with stunning views of the rocky shoreline. Bearskin Neck is a scenic stretch of road that extends from the end of Rockport Harbor to Main St. and provides an idyllic stroll past quaint shops, galleries, and restaurants specializing in locally caught seafood.
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City is perhaps the closest to what the mind鈥檚 eye sees when it thinks of Atlantic Coast Beach town. Its iconic 2.9-mile boardwalk, flanked by ample soft sandy beach on one side and souvenir and novelty shops on the other, is as if out of a movie. The Jolly Roger Amusement Park features several exciting locations, including a water park, a one-of-a-kind go-kart track, and, of course, the beach ends with towering neon-outlined Ferris wheel and surrounding rides and entertainment, including the Ripley鈥檚 Believe-It-Or-Not Museum. For those who prefer a slightly slower pace, just a stone's throw from the amusement park, the city鈥檚 pier offers fishing by day and stunning breezy sunsets by dusk.
As varied as the New England Fall leaves, the menu of a quiet seafood restaurant, or the palette of a modern art masterpiece, the small towns of the Atlantic Coast offer many hidden joys and spontaneous adventures. These quaint small towns offer endless scenic vistas of pristine nature, historic homes and buildings, museums of many kinds, and activities for all ages, seasons, and passions. Pack the car or ride the rails; adventure awaits!
