Plan a family weekend getaway to one of these beautiful East Coast beaches where you can relax with ocean views and let your kids have fun surrounded by water. Our list includes secluded islands, popular beach resort towns and other beautiful family-friendly options in every state along the East Coast of the United States. Here are the best East Coast beaches (other than Florida beaches listed in this separate article).
Best Beaches in Georgia: Tybee Island
Tybee Island is a popular retreat among Savannah residents as well as out-of-town guests. Families will find plenty of fun at Tybee Island's parks, some of the best East Coast Beaches, and playgrounds. Island visitors can enjoy watersports, venture along miles of biking and hiking trails, or lounge on the beach. Arts and culture are also a central focus on Tybee Island, and Tybee Post Theater are welcoming to visitors. Local events such as festivals and parades also pay tribute to Tybee Island's unique heritage. Visiting families will find plenty of options for accommodations as well as dining.
Best Beaches in Rhode Island: Newport
Best known for its annual music festivals, Newport has a lot more to offer in addition to fantastic jazz and folk music. Those who love nature will find the environment is perfect for walking and enjoying the out of doors. Whether watching birds in the 325 acres of the Norman Bird Sanctuary or walking the famous Cliff-Walk, the bucolic environs of Newport will relax and invigorate. For family oriented fun, Easton Beach offers opportunities for numerous water sports, a skate park, seasonal free concerts and a snack bar, a children’s playground, and many other beach oriented activities.
Best Beach in New Jersey: Ocean City
Ocean City has a wealth of outdoor activities and entertainment options to keep visitors with or without children busy for days. Trained lifeguards consistently patrol the eight-mile stretch of pristine shoreline, home to some of the best East Coast Beaches. There are restrooms and changing areas directly on the beach. The Ocean City beach is also an alcohol-free area. The boardwalk is another exciting area for visitors of all ages. During summertime family nights, children can get their faces painted or participate in karaoke. For times when the weather is poor, Ocean City holds indoor activities like storytelling, arts and crafts, and indoor sports. Parents can stay entertained with Ocean City's wide range of dining and shopping options. Ocean City also seeks to be a budget-friendly destination, so families can find a variety of options for accommodations.
Easiest Beaches to Get to in Massachusetts: Cape Cod
A beautiful island, Cape Cod boasts miles of sandy seashore, and it is also a nature lover’s destination with its marshlands, forest, and freshwater ponds. A visit to Cape Cod can mean lying on the beach, a trip to a working cranberry bog, gallery hopping, whale watching, dining at great restaurants or a night on the town. Shopping and dining are two of the favorite pastimes of visitors.
Variety in these areas means just about any taste or budget can be accommodated. Lighthouse tours, chartered fishing cruises, and bicycle trail rides are also in abundance on the island. Cape Cod is home to some of the best beaches on the East Coast.
Most activities for the whole family: Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers not one but three beaches where families can play and relax. These beaches are Resort Beach, Sandbridge Beach, and Chesapeake Bay Beach. All are family-friendly, and each has a unique feel. Resort Beach is great for high-energy activities and provides a wide array of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The pace of life at Sandbridge Beach is a bit more relaxed. It is surrounded by oceanfront vacation rentals and long walking paths. Chesapeake Bay Beach is very family-friendly. Its long boardwalk provides visitors with beautiful views of the bay, First Landing State Park, and Cape Henry Lighthouse. No matter which beach guests choose to enjoy, there are an abundance of accommodation options to fit every budget throughout Virginia Beach.
Chesapeake Bay is part of the Virginia Beach area. It is particularly popular among families because of its stunning views of nature and wealth of family-friendly activities. First Landing State Park and Cape Henry Lighthouse are two of its most popular attractions. The state park contains lagoons and a variety of rare plants, and there are areas for fishing, boating, and picnicking, and there are plenty of walking trails visitors can use to explore different parts of the park.
The park also has cabins and campground space for rent. At Cape Henry Lighthouse, guests can learn a bit about the history of shipping and military activities in the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse is located on a military base, so it's important that guests over the age of 18 bring a form of ID when they visit.
Most secluded beach near New York City: Montauk
Montauk is a small beachside community well-known for its sandy beaches, abundance of wildlife, and outdoor recreation scene. Some of the most popular land-based activities in Montauk are mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, tennis, and golf. The waters surrounding Montauk are perfect for almost every water-based activity imaginable, including SCUBA diving, snorkeling, kite surfing, kayaking, and sailing. Visitors also have plenty of options for dining, shopping, and family-friendly entertainment in town. There are a series of beautiful hotels for guests to choose from, and camping is available in certain parts of Montauk as well.
Best beaches in Delaware: Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach is a favorite spot among East Coast vacationers because of its great hotels, a long boardwalk, lavish homes, and numerous entertainment and dining options. Shoppers will also love the abundance of tax-free stores in the area. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a wealth of activities to try, including kayaking, surfing, walking trails, nature cruises sailing, and more.
There are activities to entertain families with children of all ages year-round. Parades, contests, and 5Ks are among the most popular get-togethers in Rehoboth Beach. Special celebrations, including an Elvis festival, a pet festival, and a film festival, also take place throughout the year.
South Carolina beach with most attractions: Myrtle Beach
Known for its beautiful resorts and 60 miles of waterfront, Myrtle Beach attracts a number of visitors from all over the globe throughout the year. Watersports, including boating, surfing, and fishing, are very popular among Myrtle Beach visitors. Families also enjoy strolling along the boardwalk, riding the 200-foot-tall SkyWheel, and playing on one of the area's 50 mini golf courses. Other forms of family-friendly fun in Myrtle Beach include visiting historic ships, taking a pirate cruise, driving Go Karts at the Broadway Grand Prix track, or taking an ATV for a spin in the backwoods of South Carolina. Out-of-town visitors will find that Myrtle Beach has plenty of accommodation options to suit everyone’s needs.
Best beach in Maine: Kennebunk
Kennebunk and Kennebunkport in Maine have long been a destination of America’s well-heeled, but today they have something for everyone. Known for not only it’s stunning, white sandy beaches but also for its world-class shopping, Kennebunkport is a delight to the eyes. With small specialty shops, numerous art galleries, whales, and homes of the rich and famous, the available sights are numerous and varied. Though all seasons in the Kennebunk are full of activities and sightseeing opportunities, this area of the country is truly at its best during the fall when nature paints the trees in oranges, golds, and reds.
Second best beach in Georgia: Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island has an abundance of spectacular natural areas that draw thousands of visitors each year and is home to some of the top beaches on the East Coast. The island's fragile environment includes marshlands, maritime forests, and beaches. Jekyll Island is also home to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a facility dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles and their habitat. Bird spotters can see all sorts of bird species on Jekyll Island, including the bright pink-colored Roseate Spoonbill. Alligators and crocodiles that rest quietly in the marshland areas also occupy the island. Jekyll Island offers various types of accommodations to visitors, including hotels, resorts, villas, and vacation rentals. Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a luxury place to stay on the island.
Best beaches in Maryland: Ocean City
With more than 100 free activities geared toward families, Ocean City is among America's best places for a family vacation. The beach provides plenty of room for fun on land and in the water. Some family favorites include movie nights on the beach, the Family Beach Olympics competition, beach volleyball, and parades and special functions that take place throughout the year. Festivals celebrating everything from art to kite flying are held on a near-weekly basis. For out-of-town visitors, Ocean City has a wide selection of attractions, hotels, vacation rentals, bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds available. There are also dining, entertainment, and shopping options to fit every budget.
Best in New Hampshire: Hampton Beach
Family friendly fun is in abundance in Hampton Beach, NH. The only sandy beach on the New Hampshire coast, Hampton Beach is the area’s premiere destination for seekers of sun and fun. Fun comes in the shape of children’s arcades, clam shacks, carnival food vendors and all the traditional beach activities.
The area’s plethora of accommodations virtually insures an affordable beachfront stay. Festivals throughout the season celebrate sailboat racing, sand sculpting, and kite flying, among many other activities. In the summer, nightly concerts are offered at the Seashell outdoor music venue.
Best island beaches in North Carolina: Ocracoke Island
Located off the coast of North Carolina, Ocracoke Island appeals to visitors of all ages. The island has 16 miles of undeveloped beaches. There is plenty of room for relaxation, but visitors can also take advantage of the great windsurfing, parasailing, and kite-flying conditions that are part of the Oracoke Island experience. Guests will also see plenty of wildlife and marine life during their stay, and more than 400 bird species have been spotted in recent years on Oracoke Island. In the Oracoke Village there are plenty of places for tourists to dine, shop, and stay.
Best beach for couples in Rhode Island: Block Island
A visit to this small island off the shore of Rhode Island takes you back in time and back to nature. Over 40% of Block Island remains undeveloped, and those parts that are developed provide a very laid-back, easy-going vacation destination. 17 miles of beautiful beaches and rolling green hills provide gorgeous backdrops for leisurely bicycle rides or a paddle boarding adventure. A focus on seafood permeates the dining opportunities on Block Island with local favorites including clam cakes and fish sandwiches. BI’s culinary offering is not limited to just seafood, however, and visitors will find a variety of choices, including at least one microbrewery.
Best South Carolina beaches for couples: Kiawah Island
Located just a little more than 30 miles from the Charleston Airport, Kiawah Island is a popular spot among vacationers. Visitors enjoy pastimes such as relaxing by the beach, golfing, watersports, dining, shopping, and more. Marshlands and thick forests contribute to the uniqueness of Kiawah Island's environment, and the area is also rich in wildlife and sea life.
The 10,000 acre island is home to more than 300 bird species, 18 types of mammals, and 30+ species of reptiles. With only 1,400 permanent residents and plenty of space for exploring, Kiawah Island is the perfect place for families to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Kiawah Island Resort is a popular place to stay for families.
Most romantic town beach in Maine: Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a village perched on the seaside rocks of Mount Desert Island. Located in quintessential Maine, Bar Harbor is perfectly situated for whale watching tours, scenic shore walks, lighthouse touring, and many more of the activities that have made Maine a vacation destination for generations. A highlight of any trip to Bar Harbor is a visit to Acadia National Park and the famous Sand Beach. As most beaches and shorelines in this area of Maine are dominated by rock, this nearly 300-yard-long beach provides a lovely, sandy spot from which to enjoy the sea and mountains simultaneously.
Most luxurious and secluded beaches for couples, Nantucket, Massachusetts
Few places in the United States can claim to be more historic than Nantucket. In fact, the entire town of Nantucket is a National Historic District and provides the opportunity to walk through streets mostly unchanged since the 1850’s. Visitors will find the town is filled with small, boutique shops and gourmet, chef-operated restaurants. Renting a bicycle on which you can tour the small town and its waterfront is a perfect way to enjoy the charm of this national treasure. If you tire of the history and architecture of the area, a respite on one of the island’s 10 beaches is the prescribed activity.
Best New Jersey beach for families: Wildwood Crest
Wildwood Crest is a great beach in New Jersey to visit with kids. Aside from having beautiful coastal areas, Wildwood Crest keeps families safe by staffing its beaches with trained lifeguards during the peak months for tourism. Alcohol, dogs, and fires are not permitted on the beach at any time.
Surfing enthusiasts have a designated area called Rambler Beach where they can surf without disturbing swimmers. In the summer months, Wildwood Crest offers plenty of events to help bring families together. Concerts, fitness classes, and massive yard sales are commonplace occurrences for this close-knit town. Visitors will find plenty of choices for accommodations, dining, and entertainment during their stay at Wildwood Crest.
Best South Carolina beach with kids: Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island is home to nature preserves, gorgeous beaches, and a range of kid-friendly activities. Outdoor adventurists can enjoy the Island's miles of bike trails as well as its endless array of watersport options. To see deer, alligators, foxes, and other animals, visitors can pay a visit to Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge or Sea Pines Forest Preserve.
Both areas offer ample room for wildlife spotting and hiking. For a taste of local history and art, families can head to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina or to the Coastal Discovery Museum. Younger kids will find plenty of fun at the Sandbox Interactive Children's Museum. Lastly, parents and adults can wind down at one of the island's jazz clubs, The Jazz Corner.
Best Delaware beach with kids: Dewey Beach
Dewey Beach is a combination of a beach and a bay along the Delaware coast. Dewey Beach has plenty of options for outdoor activities, a lively nightlife scene, and lots of family-friendly events.
Best Maine for adventure: Ogunquit
Ogunquit (Video), the “beautiful place by the sea,” is an aptly named gem on the Southern Maine coast. A destination for artists since the 19th century, Ogunquit continues to attract people from all over the world, who enjoy its seashore and beautiful light. Though many people come to visit the galleries and shops in town, many others are drawn here to visit the famous beach. Ogunquit beach provides 3 miles of white sandy beach and grassy dunes. Perfect for shell hunting, body surfing, or simply a day lying in the sun, Ogunquit beach is one of the top beaches in the country.
Massachusetts' most famous beaches: Martha’s Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is the largest island in New England and in many ways feels like a world unto itself. Though accessible from the mainland, the island has remained a quaint and individual destination, offering diverse attractions restaurants, hotels, shops and of course beaches. This is the perfect destination for those looking for owner-operated dining and shopping opportunities. In addition, it offers a variety of experiences at numerous price points, making it an oasis for those looking for 5-star dining or family and budget friendly options. The beautiful beaches are, of course, popular, and opportunities for boating and other water sport activities are abundant.
Best romantic North Carolina beaches: Bald Head Island
Bald Head Island (Video) sits two miles off the coast of Southport, North Carolina. It is a popular NC island destination among day trippers and long-term travelers because of its unspoiled beaches, forest preserve areas, and temperate weather. The island offers plenty of family-friendly outdoor activities, and there are also several historical sites on Bald Head Island that visitors can see as part of the Historic Island Tour. They can also visit the Smith Island Museum or participate in a treasure hunt with the island's performing troupe at the local sail shop. For accommodations families can choose from motels, hotels, or beachside condominiums and homes.
Best Connecticut day trip beach: Bridgeport
For those taking a family-friendly day trip to the sea, Seaside Park in Bridgeport is a unique location. Combining history and nature, Seaside Park boasts a 3-mile long beach in a park originally designed in the 1860’s. The beach has gentle waves, making it easy for swimming and safe for children. Walking the length of the park to its western tip will bring adventurous nature lovers across the breakwater rocks and into the nature preserve of Fayerweather Island. The entirety of Seaside Park and its development and preservation are largely credited to the famous circus man P.T. Barnum, and it is a beautiful place to spend the day communing with Connecticut’s seashore.
