8 New England beach towns are among the best on the East Coast

Eight of the loveliest beach towns on the East Coast are in New England, in accordance with Conde Nast Traveler.

The journey publication launched an inventory of 20 East Coast beach towns worth a visit and included Oak Bluffs, Nantucket, and Rockport in Mass.; Newport in R.I.; Bar Harbor and Kennebunkport in Maine; Hampton Beach, N.H.; and Madison, Conn.

Known for its colourful gingerbread homes, Oak Bluffs on the island of Martha’s Vineyard is “straight out of a storybook,” Conde Nast Traveler wrote.

On the island of Nantucket, “the food, shopping, and walking around is great, but where Nantucket really shines is on the shore,” in accordance with the publication. “For a day trip or quick overnight, Jetties Beach is ideal because it’s walkable from ‘town,’ the center of the action.”

Rockport is house to Halibut State Park, which the publication referred to as a “can’t-miss natural gem,” in addition to Motif No. 1, billed as the most painted constructing in America (Motif No. 1 Day, an annual pageant celebrating the construction, takes place on May 16).

Bar Harbor, Maine is “a full-fledged tourist town with a bustling main street, whale-watching tours, and of course, easy access to Acadia,” wrote the publication.

For an “iconic, charming New England feel,” vacationers can discover Kennebunkport the place Dock Square is filled with buying and eating places, wrote Conde Nast Traveler.

At Hampton Beach, N.H., guests can “walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the classic seaside vibes while you pop into arcades, saltwater taffy stands, souvenir shops, ice cream parlors, and spots with live music,” wrote the publication.

Visitors in Newport get pleasure from lavish museums, famous the publication: “Ten enormous, historic mansions—once the summer homes of the Vanderbilts, Nevada silver heiresses, and other Westerners of unimaginable wealth—remain standing along the famous cliff walk.”

Finally, Madison, Conn. is “somewhere where you can truly get away from it all,” wrote Conde Nast Traveler, with 4 seashores and an “adorable” downtown.

What’s your favourite New England beach city? Help us crown the best beach city by voting in our Battle of the Beach Towns bracket, working via May 18.

Kristi Palma

Travel author

 

Kristi Palma is the journey author for Boston.com, focusing on the six New England states. She covers airways, inns, and issues to do throughout Boston and New England. She is the writer of the award-winning Scenic Six, a weekly journey publication.