Every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day, limitless New Yorkers flock to the Kiawah and Kennebunkport’s of the Eastern seaboard. They diligently look at those la-di-da locales off their listing, curtsying to their inner prep schooler. But you, expensive reader, realize higher. So this summertime, seek shelter upon a lido much less traveled. For swimming, shorefront motorbike rides, boat tours, and more, read on for our 5 favorite picks for neighborhood-ish beach holidays.

And do these small towns a want — don’t inform your buddies.

Spend the summer season at these secret East Coast beach cities 1

Often ignored for New England’s Marthas and Capes, the Granite State boasts 18 miles of coastline ripe for cruising, whale-looking, and birding galore, just shy of 4½ hours from NYC.

Plop yourself down at Hampton Beach, a quintessential seaside town with sufficient lobster shacks, clam stands, and fried dough joints to make you second-guess that bikini. Stay in a single day at the storied Wentworth using the Sea (from $389) at the island of New Castle (one of the country’s oldest settlements), or the least prevent through to dine at its SALT Kitchen & Bar.

Another strong wager is the Great Island Inn (from $199), a circa-1920 clapboard residence that’s a two-minute stroll to the ocean’s area.
Westerly, RI

About one hundred forty-five miles out of doors the city, slip into excursion mode with a dip inside the water at Misquamicut Beach or Napatree Point Beach & Conservation Area, in which you’ll additionally need to deliver your binoculars alongside for birdwatching.

If you’re touring with children, make a detour after Napatree to the Flying Horse Carousel, stated to be the united states’ oldest platform carousel. For your hotels, e-book the Ocean House (from $755) inside the posh Watch Hill neighborhood, simply steps from the shoreline, or the Margin Street Inn (from $three hundred), two amazing houses at the Pawcatuck River.

Wherever you live, simply ceremonial dinner at Olympia Tea Room, “well-known no longer fancy” since 1916.
Branford, Conn.

Mission No. 1: Rent kayaks or paddleboards at Branford River Paddlesports to meander across the Thimble Islands. Rather no longer feel it for your biceps the following day? Book a sightseeing cruise aboard the Sea Mist. Either way, reward yourself with a round at Stony Creek Brewery, a waterfront beer garden with food vehicles aplenty.

When you’re finished, take a kayak or a vehicle to the Kelsey House Bed & Breakfast (from $205), a bayside homestead with a wraparound porch that’s simply begging for your latest ebook membership study. All this, approximately an hour and forty-five mins far from Manhattan.
Bristol, four hours from the metropolis, lies Bristol, with bragging rights to the oldest Fourth of July parade inside u . S. A ., inaugurated in 1785. Though considering the city was settled in 1680, that’s almost the modern generation. Channel the days of yore at Mount Hope Farm B&B (from $one hundred ninety), perched on 127-soul-restorative acres.

Come for the assets’ history (George Washington became a visitor!) — live for the region’s stellar seafood (the newly reopened Bristol Oyster Bar and a dockside meal at Quito’s are musts). By day, camp out at Walley Beach or visit Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum. We daresay the latter, a forty-five-room, English-style manor home brimming with antiques and artwork, is Little Rhody’s high-quality-kept secret.