Regular visitors to this blog may have read the 33 staycation ideas or the top 10 best East Coast family vacation spots. So you know there is a lot to do on the US east coast. However, if you are looking for a family beach vacation, then consider one of these 10 East Coast beaches.
Note: Some of the destinations mentioned may be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Please check with the CDC, the U.S. Department of State, and local tourism boards before traveling. #StaySafe
Table of Contents
Bar Harbor, Maine
This charming seaside town embodies New England’s rugged east coast. Ben Harbor is made for family vacations nestled between the mountains, lakes, and the North Atlantic ocean.
Visitors can find a bit of action & adventure with scenic hikes, kayak, or canoe tours and also do some whale, seal, or puffin watching. Head over to Abbe Museum to learn about the native Wabanaki people or enjoy the local specialty, lobster or relax with an ice cream outside one of the many ice cream shops.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Block Island offers an unforgettable East Coast family beach vacation. With its beautiful stretches of sand and magnificent ocean views, enjoy a multitude of recreational activities.
Hiking, horseback riding, biking, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and bird watching, there is a lot to keep you busy.
Head to Mohegan Bluffs, which is at the base of a set of 141 wooden steps leading down to the to beach. With clay cliffs and a view that reaches Montauk, the eastern tip of Long Island, it is worth the effort to get too.
Fuel yourself with tasty clam chowder & lobster rolls while satisfying your urge to splurge with plenty of shopping opportunities.
Fun Tip: Thanks to the Block Island Glass Float Project, the island is known to have hundreds of glass orbs—see if you can spot some on your visit!
Colonial Beach, Virginia
Halfway between Washington, D.C and Richmond, Virginia, lies a quaint riverside resort town and is a secret East Coach beach destination. Colonial Beach features the second-longest public beach in Virginia. Ideal for new swimmers with its calm waves, it also includes water sports and annual festivals that are fun for the whole family.
There are two state parks nearby where you can catch a glimpse of the mighty bald eagle as they soar overhead. The beach is located within Virginia Wine Country which is great news for you, parents. The most popular accommodation options for families here are beach rentals!
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Just two hours from Savannah, Georgia, you will find Jekyll Island, a 5,700 acres barrier island. It has five unique beaches with miles of paved biking paths, water sports excursions, and a water park. The Island is famous for its nesting sea turtles & hermit crabs.
Popular things to do on the island are guide-led nature walks to exploring the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Try and stay at that iconic Jekyll Island Club Resort while you are there. Rent a house or camp overnight on the beach are also excellent accommodation alternatives.
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Martha’s Vineyard has been the summer playground for the rich and famous for decades and is a short boat ride from Cape Cod. However, compared to the pomp & glitz of the Hamptons, this east coast beach is charming and low-key.
It may be best known for South Beach State Park, it still offers something for all types of visitors. Enjoy its’ beautiful beaches, brightly painted gingerbread cottages, a picturesque lighthouse, and charming hotels. With a variety of beaches, you will find large sandy shores, quiet coves and calm waters perfect for families and even better for little kids.
Printable Kid's Travel Journal
It’s time for your next family adventure―and kids will remember every second of fun-filled adventure. You went WHERE? is packed with journaling prompts and activities so that no memory goes unwritten. Young adventurers can write down everything they see, taste, hear, and more with prompts to guide observations.
Keep this travel journal at the ready to let kids create their very own souvenir for multiple family adventures
When you’re back home and bags are unpacked, your little adventurer can always open You Went Where? and relive every minute of every adventure.
Miami Beach, Florida
It had to be on the list! Miami Beach is everything you’ve heard and read about. But, you have to see it for yourself. You will find that the beach is about as close as possible you can get to the Caribbean without leaving the States.
Stay in one of its boutique or throwback hotels – you’ll also find some of Miami Beach’s finest dining, nightlife, and spas here. Be sure to go for a beachside stroll or to Haulover Park for fishing, bike rides, tennis, or golf. And, of course, Miami Beach’s nightlife always concludes an unforgettable vacation day.
If you’re looking for a more remote and peaceful experience, consider driving or renting a boat to head down to Key Largo or even Key West.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
During the summer Myrtle Beach is your perfect East Coast destination weekend getaway as the picturesque beachfront meets family-friendly attractions. This beautiful destination offers something for everyone with its fascinating museums, several amusement parks, and 50 mini-golf courses. Let’s not forget the oceanfront eateries, and the iconic SkyWheel that stands 200 feet tall!
Along the shores of Myrtle Beach State Park, explore the maritime forest in the dunes or enjoy a trip in the Myrtle Beach Safari. You can also explore Cherry Grove Marsh at the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve.
Additional highlights include The Barefoot Princess Riverboat, Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise, and The Big M Casino.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Indulge at upscale resorts, hit the greens at the world-class golf courses or perfect your tan on Ponte Vedra Beach. This sophisticated city is about 35 kilometers southeast of Jacksonville on Florida’s northeast coast.
With lots of activities like wakeboarding, waterskiing & surfing for adventure seekers, there are also ample opportunities for animal watching. At the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, rent a kayak and look out for the Atlantic bottlenose, West Indian manatees and bald eagles.
Ocean City Beach, Maryland
If you are looking for an action packed family beach vacation, then Ocean City Beach is the place to be! With 10 miles of beaches, there is plenty to do for the whole family, pets included.
Head straight to the 3-mile boardwalk with end to end shops, rides, and places to eat. You can enjoy swimming & sunbathing, surfing, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. You may even spot a few dolphins if you are lucky.
During the summer, there are free family activities every day of the week, including concerts, invigorating bike rides, and movies.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
No East Coast family vacation list is complete without including Virginia Beach.
For starters, King Neptune (all 24 feet of him) welcomes you to the iconic 3-mile long boardwalk. This family vacation beach town offers diverse attractions from biking along the beach boardwalk to Ocean Breeze Water Park, from culinary delights to walking on water on the incredible Oyster Tours.
Make sure to check out the Virginia Beach Aquarium, ViBe Creative District, Marine Science Center and The Town Center.
If your kids are crazy about marine life be sure to check out the Virginia Aquarium or head out on the water for a dolphin or whale-watching cruise.
With tonnes of acres of parkland, wildlife trails, pristine shorelines, and bay waterways to explore, you can be sure you won’t run out of things to see or do.
East Coast Beaches during Summer Vacations
It’s impossible to cover all the impressive East Coast beaches here, but this list will give you a great starting point as you plan seashore vacations this summer.
Now with the pandemic, it would be prudent you stay at home. However, if you can maintain social distancing while at the beach, you should be able to enjoy your vacation this summer.
If you need help planing your itinerary, I can help with that.
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These beaches are so stunning! I’m gonna have to make it to some of them in the future!
I’ve always wanted to visit Rhode Island. Mostly because my long term pen-pal is there. We don’t really have a lot of coastal areas near us and the ones we do have aren’t well maintained.
I hope you visit it and meet your friend soon Myxie!
Wow, these are all such beautiful places. How is the sand in Virginia so yellow? I’ve seen a lot of beaches in my life and I don’t think I’ve ever seen any with such vibrantly yellow sand!
Hi Kez,
It’s because the Oceanfront sand is 95 percent clear quartz, much of which is stained a deep yellow-orange by iron.
So many beautiful beaches to choose from. Love the lighthouse! I live in California so I have only been to one of these beaches but I see more options for my travel bucket list.
I have been to Virginia Beach it is nice out there.
omg these beaches look out of this world, AMAZING!!! I would love to visit each and every one of these beaches.
Lovely beaches and pics, would love to visit them.
Such lovely places to visit. I’ve always wanted to go to Rhode Island as I have a long term pen-pal there!
these beaches look amazing as soon as lockdown fully goes I will have to visit
I would love to hit up the beach sometime soon. But we don’t have the weather for it if I’m honest, it’s been very windy and over cast here.
and that’s why you need to head over to the Caribbean! These places were meant for mortals like us to enjoy the beach!
Beautiful photography. You had me at Bar Harbor Maine since I lived there in the 1970s and loved the state and its friendly people.