Cape May, New Jersey
Boasting the title of the US’s oldest seaside resort, Cape May in New Jersey is home to the most extensive collection of beautifully preserved Victorian buildings outside of San Francisco.
So much so that in 1976, the entire town was designated a National Historic Landmark.
If you just walk its streets and shorefront populated with colorful ‘painted ladies’, you’ll be delighted if you’re a history or architecture lover, and savvy foodies won’t be disappointed either.
This coastal town is also very well known as the ‘culinary capital of New Jersey’ by The New York Times. Cape May offers an eclectic and classy dining scene as well. You can even stay true to the town’s Victorian origins by seeing the sights from a horse-drawn carriage.
9 thoughts on “The US’s 16 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns”
I grew up in Old Greenwich, CT with Tod’s Pt., now called Greenwich Pt. It’s about 64 acres of beautiful beaches, hiking trails, picnic areas & a lovely view of the New York City skyline. No place could be better.
Went there in the 1980’s. Too expensive!
Where is Charleston, SC on the list ?
Visited 17 years in a row…July 4th week is great!….found a great inn 4 miles south of town…great seafood, shops. As a veteran loved the July 4th parade. Go back every year.
I love Cape May and their lovely “Painted Ladies”. The Victorian homes are beautiful; so glad to see them preserved. The beach is wide and not as crowded as other NJ beaches. My favorite beach town. Enjoyed the most in off-season without crowds.
There are a lot more coastal places on the east coast that are so beautiful, and not mentioned. Kennebunkport, Maine. Hampton Beach, NH. Boston.
I absolutely agree with Sanibel and Carmel! I love both of these locations and I hope to visit each of them again.
This is not the list I would have created. You entirely miss all the charming MA costal towns with the exception of Edgartown. Not one town in CT and only 2 towns in ME. Looks to me like the author has spent very little time in New England.
Coastal towns are the most beautiful, and the most desired places to live—-BUT, in a few decades these coastal areas will be taken back into the seas, even the cliff places.