Visiting America’s East Coast is a fantastic opportunity to discover its rich history, cultural diversity, and scenic beauty. The region is home to historic cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., where you can explore landmarks and museums that narrate America’s past.
The east coast also boasts a stunning coastline with beaches, picturesque lighthouses, and beautiful national parks like Acadia, which are perfect for outdoor adventures. Exploring by car is, of course, one of the most popular ways of traveling in America, but travel experts also highlight train travel as a great way of hopping along the east coast. It’s a particularly good way of avoiding the traffic in popular destinations such as Cape Cod.
However you decide to travel, making time for some of the breathtaking beaches is a must.
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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Famous for its wide sandy beaches and vibrant boardwalk, Myrtle Beach is a popular destination for families and beachgoers. The boardwalk features a variety of attractions, including amusement parks, arcades, and the iconic SkyWheel, reaching a height of 87 feet tall and providing breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding area. You might catch a glimpse of some of the nearby championship golf courses – another reason the area is so popular.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Boasting hundreds of miles of sandy coastline, Cape Cod is known for its picturesque dunes and charming coastal towns. Beautiful beaches include Nauset Beach (great for watching the sunrise) and Race Point Beach, but you’ll be spoilt for choice on this peninsula, with all sandy spots offering quintessential New England coastal charm. Food lovers will delight in Cape Cod’s culinary scene too, which obviously features fresh seafood, but particularly for its famous clam chowder and lobster rolls.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
This string of barrier islands features stunning beaches like Cape Hatteras and Nags Head, perfect for adventure and exploration. In fact, Outer Banks is a bit of a paradise for active travelers with excellent conditions for water sports, including surfing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing, thanks to its consistent winds and waves. The area is also a haven for kayaking and paddleboarding, with calm sounds and inlets to explore.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Another destination boasting a lively boardwalk and miles of sandy shores, Virginia Beach is a great spot for both relaxation and entertainment. The area is also rich in history, with sites like the Cape Henry Lighthouse and the Military Aviation Museum providing a glimpse into the past. Be sure to check out the variety of festivals and events throughout the year, from music festivals to art shows, because there’s always something exciting happening. The fireworks on the fourth of July are particularly magical.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Known for its charming neighborhoods and family-friendly atmosphere, Rehoboth Beach offers a classic beach experience where you can enjoy its clean sands, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and building sandcastles. The Rehoboth Beach Bandstand hosts free concerts throughout the summer, adding a musical backdrop to your seaside adventure. After a busy day, food enthusiasts will enjoy the diverse dining options too, from fresh seafood to gourmet cuisine, as well as the local craft breweries and wineries for the adults.
Besides the sun, the sand, and the beautiful view from the beach, we all shall agree that the rhythmic sound of waves, the vastness of the water, and the calming shades of blue create a soothing environment that encourages us to relax. Oceans, lakes, and rivers – referred to as “blue space,” offer a unique sense of tranquillity and well-being.
These natural spaces not only provide an escape from daily stress but also have been shown to boost mental health, reduce anxiety, and promote feelings of peace and rejuvenation. Whether it’s a walk along the shore or simply gazing at the horizon, blue spaces offer a refreshing connection to nature.
With all the benefits, it’s no surprise that beaches are popular places to hang out with friends and family even on sunny winter days!
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Anyway, have you visited any of the beaches mentioned above? While I am gathering my thoughts on whether I should share some of the beaches on the West Coast of America that I have been to before on my next post, I hope this article has given you some ideas about the beaches on America’s east coast. If you have other beach recommendations, feel free to share them in the comment box below!
