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The results are in!
The folks at Boston.com, located exactly where you’d expect, had a fun contest.
Among 32 New England beach towns, more than 10,000 travelers voted for their favorite choices.
There were some big surprises rounding out the top four, but only two states were represented: Massachusetts, a state I could never spell on the first try, and Maine, a state I would be very concerned about if I couldn’t spell.
Any way you look at it, some of the East Coast’s most charming hideaways are tucked away in New England and are definitely worth a visit, whether the names ring a bell or not.
The locals who know may regret casting their votes because we are going to reveal this New England’s Top 4 Beach Destinationsstarting with fourth place and working your way up.
4) Eastham, MA (Cape Cod)
Make sure you check travel warnings and safety levels before booking your trip.
It’s no surprise that Cape Cod is a summer hot spot, attracting everyone from average Joes like me to A-list celebrities who rent out chic beach digs.
But the Cape has much more to offer than chaotic promenades with overpriced ice cream; there is also a quiet side.
To that we say welcome to Eastham.
Think windswept dunes, lighthouse views, bike pathsseafood restaurants, barking seals off the coast and long sandy beaches that feel more untamed than resort-like.
Whether resorty is a word is your decision. I’m just a writer…
Eastham is truly blissful, quaint and developed just enough to create a holiday feel without losing its quintessential New England charm.
3) Edgartown, MA (Martha’s Vineyard)
We all know that Martha’s Vineyard is the kind of place where you don’t pack extra swimwear, you pack extra credit cards, just in case.
There’s no hiding its bougieness – also a questionable word.
Summer here is all about strolling through the shops on Main Streeteating seafood, cycling towards Katama, beach hopping at South Beach and taking the Chappy Ferry there Chappaquiddick.
Edgartown is absolutely beautiful, but it feels expensive from the start, with its chic, whitewashed houses with carefully manicured lawns and hydrangeas-lined streets.
That said, if you’re a summer lover, there are few better places in the United States. The beaches here are phenomenal and always clean, especially Chappaquiddick Island (also known as “Chappy”).
Although we are big fans of Fuller Street Beacha quaint little getaway just minutes from the “action” of this small town.
2) Bar Harbor, Maine
As someone who has visited this side of Maine for any length of time, I have to say this song is.
Bar Harbor is not only a valuable retreat in its own right, but also a springboard to Acadia National Park, a wonderful wildlife adventure any time of year.
Evidently, In the summer, Acadia’s glittering coastline really comes into its own – definitely worth it entrance fee.
As for the city itself, this city is Maine’s big draw, even more so than Portland, because there is so much to offer.
It’s more outdoorsy than Edgartown and more dramatic than Eastham, and feels more quintessentially Maine than other popular towns with rustic lobster shacks and unashamedly nautical decor.
If there’s one thing you need to do, it’s a puffin tour held from May to August. We recommend Bar Harbor Whale Watching Co., which, as you guessed it, also offers great whale watching excursions.
1) Ogunquit, Maine
Maine’s best-kept secret won’t stay a secret forever.
Just across the New Hampshire state line is a town that is often passed on the way to Portland, but isn’t often a mainstay except for the locals who know about it.
But those same locals have spoken Ogunquit is crowned the top must-visit on the New England coast.
This small town is also unmistakably Maine, with hand-painted lobster signs for a buttery lobster roll, yet more beachy and walkable than Bar Harbor.
The main draw is Ogunquit Beach, a long stretch of soft white sand surrounded by photo-worthy dunes.
The next best might be Footbridge Beach, a quieter oasis that earns a whopping 4.7 stars TripAdvisor – not that little Ogunquit is ever too rowdy.
There isn’t a wide variety of places to stay here, but we love it Beachmere Inn – a three-star waterfront hotel in the heart of the city that feels like a bargain, especially if places like Martha’s Vineyard aren’t your thing.
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