The 9 Best Laid-back Beach Towns in the Northeast (2024)

Shelter Island, New York

Accessible only by ferry, Shelter Island, the Hamptons’ quiet next-door neighbor, is the perfect seaside retreat. The island is nestled between the two forks of Long Island and known for its unspoiled beaches and beautiful manor houses. This summertime enclave maintains its rustic charm with a population of only about 3,000 and almost a third of the land preserved by the Nature Conservancy. Spend your day lolling on the beaches, or rent a sloop and try sailing around the Peconic Bay (a Shelter Island rite of passage).

If you’re looking for a place where you can easily venture out on a paddleboard in the morning and spend the evening sipping summer co*cktails, then stay at the Sunset Beach Hotel. This hip boutique hotel from André Balazs has stylish guest rooms, all with private terraces and beach views. Or, just up the road is the intimate and charming Shelter Island House, a 19th-century hotel with 11 rooms elegantly styled to encapsulate the perfect coastal hideaway. Grab an ice-cold IPA at the on-site bar after a long day at the beach or go for an evening swim in the outdoor pool.

Long Beach, New York

The rolling sand dunes and boardwalk here make for a perfect escape from the summer crowds and heat of Manhattan. Long Beach has evolved into a bustling coastal retreat but still holds fast to traditions like eating fried clams and digging into Italian ices on a hot day. An hour-long train ride from Penn Station, the barrier island is teeming with classic eateries and quirky shops. Even without a car, you can cruise along the boardwalk and ride around town on a bike.

Hotels in Long Beach come in short supply, making it a better day trip than an extended getaway. But if you find one afternoon of relaxing on the beach isn’t enough, book a stay at Allegria Hotel right on the boardwalk. When you get hungry, hit up Jordan Lobster Farms just over the Long Beach Bridge. This hidden gem remains a favorite for Long Island locals seeking fresh lobster rolls and crisp fried clams or shrimp served with house-made co*cktail sauce (warning: it has a kick). The restaurant overlooks a pier where the daily catch is brought in. If your sweet tooth is pining for an afternoon treat, grab some soft serve with sprinkles at the famous Marvel Frozen Dairy.

Madison, Connecticut

Tucked away off the I-95 between New York and Boston, you’ll find the picture-perfect beach town of Madison. Residents try to keep this coastal gem hush-hush but can't seem to keep the idyllic scenery, trendy shops, and great restaurants entirely under wraps. Just a quick drive from the town center is Hammonasset Beach State Park, which has two miles of pristine beach on Long Island Sound.

If you're staying overnight, Madison Beach Hotel has 32 guest rooms, many of which come with balconies overlooking the water, and a renowned spa perfect for squeezing in some R&R. In terms of food, Bar Bouchee is one of the best restaurants in Madison. The intimate space is decked out in classic French bistro design complete with tiled floors and woven Riviera chairs. The menu changes seasonally, but the cuisine is always Gallic-style gourmet.

Mystic, Connecticut

This small town found fame as the location where Julia Roberts tied on an apron as a waitress in "Mystic Pizza." Yes, the real Mystic Pizza that inspired the film still stands, but since then, Mystic has cultivated a reputation as a beach-adjacent foodie destination. The closest beach to Mystic's lively epicenter is Williams Beach Park, a perfect family spot with a playground and calm waters. But there are plenty of other public beaches to visit within 20 miles of the village.

If you want to stay overnight, the notable Whaler’s Inn is an easy walk from the downtown shops and restaurants and has a sublime view of the Mystic River. The complex has five buildings, but the most sought-after rooms are in the Hoxie House, where each corner room is equipped with lush leather sofas and cozy fireplaces. Oyster Club's freshly shucked shellfish delicacies are just across the bridge from the inn. Otherwise, there's the Captain Daniel Packer Inne, a relic kept intact since 1756 with seafood dishes that match its coastal atmosphere.

Newburyport, Massachusetts

With a rich nautical history dating back to the 17th century, Newburyport is the ultimate New England coastal town with classic colonial architecture and quaint mom-and-pop shops. Once the main port for ship building in the Northeast, the small city is perfect for seafaring aficionados. Check out the well-known Custom House Maritime Museum, where an entire gallery is dedicated to meticulously crafted model ships. A 10-minute drive down the road is Plum Island Beach, where you can search for shells along the tidal creek or lounge under an umbrella by the sand dunes.

Blue – Inn on the Beach is one of the best places to stay on Plum Island, with its crisp and clean rooms overlooking the water. After a sufficient amount of time on the sand, try the award-winning and local favorite Brine for dinner. It not only serves up fresh market oysters but also specializes in an array of crudo dishes and caviar. And for sugar fiends, the wafting smell of freshly made hand pies from Buttermilk Baking Company is hard to resist. The bakery’s legendary peach muffins have people from near and far lining up at its door every summer.

Brewster, Massachusetts

Brewster is a laid-back alternative to Chatham or Provincetown that doesn't skimp on Cape Cod charm. It has fewer hotels and bed-and-breakfasts than its coastal neighbors but can still offer serene beaches, dynamite seafood, and epic whale watching. The big kahuna of hotels here is Ocean Edge Resort, a historic Victorian mansion on a bluff overlooking the scenic Cape Cod Bay. The hotel is on more than 400 acres of land and has a well-manicured golf course as well as pools, tennis courts, and walking trails to explore. Guests can book a room in the main building or opt for a villa. For dinner, try the refined takes on classic seafood dishes at the Brewster Fish House. Just get there early — this popular spot doesn't take reservations.

Block Island, Rhode Island

On this island, cars are scarce and bikes are plentiful. A quick ferry ride from New London, Connecticut, or Newport, Rhode Island, this 7,000-acre island is the perfect antidote to congested Nantucket. The northern part of the island remains untouched and is home to wildlife rarely seen on the mainland. On the southern half, you’ll find the quaint town of New Shoreham, which houses most of the hotels and eateries. This island might have a tiny population (around 1,000, to be exact) but in the summer the small oasis comes alive with festivals and sailing regattas.

A five-minute walk from Ballard's Beach, Hotel Manisses is the place to stay. The exterior of the 19th-century building is reminiscent of Victorian manor houses, with lovely details like gilded mirrors and claw foot tubs in its 17 guestrooms. Besides the hotel's on-site restaurant, one of the best on the island, another spot for upscale dining is Eli’s, which also has delicious co*cktails and ocean views. The Dark 'n Stormy should always be the drink of choice here.

Ogunquit, Maine

Named by the Abenaki tribe to mean “beautiful place by the sea,” Ogunquit is known for its picturesque barrier peninsula and historical significance as both an artist’s colony and fishing village. Closer to the rest of the East Coast than other popular Maine destinations like Kennebunkport or Portland, this bustling town is great for a weekend getaway. Not only is it a creative enclave with a plethora of galleries and boutiques, but it’s also the home of the Ogunquit Playhouse, with its highly esteemed theater productions.

Cliff House, Ogunquit’s top hotel, is located on the rugged Bald Head cliff with spectacular views. It contains a coffee shop with locally brewed blends and Nubb’s Lobster Shack, which serves classic Maine fare like lobster rolls. And speaking of lobster rolls, Perkins Cove’s Lobster Shack has some of the freshest around. The place is also known for its New England chowder.

Castine, Maine

Pristine sandy beaches might be scarce in this small waterfront village, but Castine makes up for it with its plentiful water activities and rich seafaring history. Kayaking and sailing are ideal because of Penobscot Bay’s calm waters and small islands. There are also old military forts and the scenic Dyce Head Lighthouse to explore.

Castine has become a smorgasbord of eateries and pubs. Inside the Pentagoët Inn, hands down one of the most charming places to stay in Castine, you'll find hearty ales and an eclectic atmosphere at Mister's Pub. As impeccably decorated as the Victorian inn that houses it, the pub is packed with antiques and travel trinkets, so you feel like you’re in a café far away from coastal Maine.