Mother’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to show appreciation than by treating mom or the… Candidate filing week began today at 8 a.m. and declarations of candidacy and full payment must be received by 5… Washington state lawmakers on Sunday approved a $77.8 billion two-year budget to fund schools OCEAN CITY — Neighbors may be fed up with the ugly appearance of the empty lots on 16th Street and Haven Avenue that used to be home to a car dealership but that doesn’t mean they’re keen on spending $1 million to beautify them for the summer tourism season Ocean City Council tabled a contract April 24 that would have made improvements to the site that has been vacant for years due to legal battles and contamination cleanup The resolution was for $1.012 million for Lexa Concrete of Hammonton which was the lowest responsible bidder among seven vying to do work on the vacant site that is just north of the Ocean City Free Public Library between Haven and Simpson avenues Ocean City acquired the site after a few years of legal wrangling with the owners The city was going to buy the site for $9 million in 2018 but was blocked after taxpayer group Fairness In Taxes (FIT) raised objections and initiated a successful petition drive that killed the deal the city ended up spending $20 million to get the property from the Klause family The final vote from City Council on the last expenses for the acquisition came in early 2024 but work had already begun on environmental cleanup because of the Chevrolet dealership that operated there for years The city spent another $7.2 million this past January after a legal battle over adjacent lots along 16th Street the city acquired from John Flood through eminent domain The city has solicited ideas for how to best use the site but there have not been any decisions made.  Speaking during public comment at the start of last week’s meeting resident Susan Cracovaner said it is “unconscionable” that no decisions have been made on what to do with the site after all the years the city has been dealing with it She said the city was going to burden taxpayers with another $1 million expense with the promise of more costs to come.  Third Ward Councilman Jody Levchuk said he wasn’t going to pull the resolution for the contract from the consent agenda for further dicussion He said he hadn’t seen a schematic of what was planned with the latest contract.  “It’s years this has been going on,” Levchuk said He agreed something needed to be done there and he was sorry for the neighbors who had to look at the blight but said “we’re in a little bit of a budget crisis here.” Mayor Jay Gillian said there would be a Town Hall meeting to discuss the final plans for the site but he was just trying to clean it up for the neighbors before the summer tourism season Second Ward Councilman Keith Hartzell did ask for the resolution to be pulled from the consent agenda He said he would vote against the contract Fourth Ward Councilman Dave Winslow and At-large Councilman Sean Barnes both suggested the measure be tabled Both were concerned with how much of the contract would be for temporary improvements and how much of it was for permanent improvements such as sidewalks and curbing Business Administrator George Savastano said the lion’s share — 80 to 85 percent — is permanent He said they haven’t advanced a final plan for the site because there have been so many ideas offered for it He and the mayor both noted they could not improve the site until the environmental cleanup was finished.  “We could not do anything until we got the green light,” Gillian said “They didn’t want us to lay anything down on the site until we got the approval from the DEP,” Savastano added said he was fine with having more discussion about the ordinance but the city has a responsibility to the neighbors who have to look at it every day “We do have to allocate some money there because we own it and it looks horrible,” he said Winslow said tabling the contract for two weeks would allow council members to be more comfortable with it Council President Pete Madden responded that since Savastano explained at least 80 percent of the $1 million contract was going to permanent work they should move forward with it so it could be completed before Memorial Day.  Savastano said he thought all the council members had seen the plans sending it to me in a text message is not conducive to me getting a yes for a million dollars on something we’ve been talking about for years,” Levchuk said He said he was fine waiting for two weeks so he could learn more and get feedback from his constituents “We’re damned if we do or damned if we don’t.”  If the council tabled the contract and approved it two weeks later construction work would be taking place during the summer season kickoff over Memorial Day weekend He tried to get a resolution to move forward – STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff Somers Point: Do something about eyesore gas stations ATLANTIC CITY – Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman was indicted by an Atlantic County Grand Jury Wednesday on multiple counts related to allegations of failing to notify authorities about parental abuse of a student The child reportedly is the daughter of Atlantic City Superintendent of Schools La’Quetta Small and Atlantic City […] 2 seed LINWOOD — The South Jersey Group III girls basketball opener Feb 26 was typical Ocean City-Mainland Regional — neither team in this cross-bay rivalry wanting to cede an inch multiple lead changes and the victory hanging in the balance until […] and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Make a splash on International Mermaid Day with the Eastern Shore's very own Mermaid Tasha located mere steps from the historic Boardwalk at 217 South Baltimore Ave. is set to host special guest Mermaid Tasha on March 29 from 10 a.m Mermaid Tasha will read from her book "Mermaid Tasha’s Mission." Participants will also have the chance to see a puppet show about the history and legends of mermaids Tickets are $15 per child. With each ticket purchase, participants will receive a special, hand-crafted mermaid tail blanket, according to https://www.ococean.com/ Children under the age of 1 and adults do not require a paid ticket and thus will not receive a mermaid tail blanket This program is designed for children 10 and under OCEAN CITY'S NEWEST MUSEUM: Ocean City to get grand new museum on Boardwalk soon: Take a look inside the restored bank Tasha Haight is a PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer and the owner of Mermaid Tasha LLC who can frequently be found swimming at hotels and waterparks across the Eastern Shore She has been mermaiding professionally since 2017 ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRINGFEST: Ocean City's 2025 Springfest: All to know about live music, transportation & floral garden MARYLAND WOMAN OF THE YEAR: True trailblazer: Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw is Maryland Woman of the Year 2025 Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com. Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show appreciation than by treating mom or the… Candidate filing week began today at 8 a.m., and declarations of candidacy and full payment must be received by 5… Washington state lawmakers on Sunday approved a $77.8 billion two-year budget to fund schools, state prisons, mental health services, homeless… READ MOREPedestrian dead after being hit by city bus in Ocean Shoresby KOMO News Staff — A pedestrian died after they were hit by a city bus in Ocean Shores Thursday morning according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) The incident happened on SR 115 near milepost 1, said WSP Public Information OfficerKatherine Weatherwax in a post on X when our kids were small and we lived in Spokane our annual camping pilgrimage would include Mount Rainier National Park and continue on to spend three days in Olympic National Park in the far northwest corner of the state of Washington It’s a land of icy glaciers and lofty peaks southern terminus of the ferry system that takes one across to Vancouver Island and using the Washington port city as base of operations to explore nearby Olympic National Park a logging capital and a gateway city to the national park just miles away as well as tourist Mecca with plenty of shops and fine restaurants Favorite eateries in town include Kokopelli Grill Next Door Gastropub and Smuggler’s Restaurant near or part of the Port Angeles Coho Ferry and Black Ball Ferry Line terminals The Olympic Peninsula is popular year-round (and just two hours west of Seattle) rainforest and wild coast combining to create a spectacular wilderness park intertidal animals and fish weather pounding waves and winds eagles and gray whales are frequent visitors to the parkland The park protects the largest old-growth forest in this part of the United States Rainfall averages from 40 to 240 inches annually glaciers carve U-shaped valleys and brilliant wildflowers cover sub-alpine meadows in the spring and deep into summer At Port Angeles we stopped first at the park’s Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and found the road open (though with possibility of new snow!) so we headed up the hill for a quick tour of Hurricane Ridge and it’s almost 360 degree view of snowy glaciers and distant ocean vistas and abundant wildflowers rewarded out 17 mile drive to the Ridge our destination was Neah Bay and Cape Flattery the furthest point northwest in the contiguous United States a well-kept small porttown with a delightful general store/combination museum old church and a several-block-long historic district; it’s worth a stop to tour the general store and museum and grab a snack We paralleled the Straights of Juan de Fuca and stopped above Clallam Bay for a scenic view of the coast stretching westward It’s a view of old-growth forest along this rugged coast dissected  by wild rivers like the Elwha crashing into the sea At Neah Bay, home to the Makah Indian Reservation, we visited the general store to buy a  day pass for our time at the Cape Flattery area (the Makah tribe has sovereignty, hence our national parks pass does not apply). Explorer James Cook sailing north up the wild coast in March 1778 noted in his log: “There appeared to be a small opening which flattered us with the hopes of finding a harbour.. On this account I called the point of land to the north of it Cape Flattery.” Six miles of winding road past Neah Bay we found the Cape Flattery parking area where the light drizzle of the day continued The trail to the cape started paved and wide at first becoming a path and boardwalk through an emerald-green we reached several overlooks with marvelous views of the cape looking both north and south through the drizzle was barely visible through the light rain and fog of the stormy day we had visited the four corners of the US: the border fence in San Diego we could have explored the park more to the south we continued further south to a favorite destination Kalaloch Lodge is right on the ocean for delicious food or lodging; just a mile north is Kalaloch Campground with 170 campsites half of them fronting on the ocean we would carry a big sheet of clear plastic Here you can walk along the rugged coastline for miles; get a tide table and watch for alien life in tide pools Other historic lodging includes the Lake Quinault Lodge and the Lake Crescent Lodge; the park also offers eight year-round campgrounds with several others either seasonal or primitive campgrounds Excursions into the Hoh and Quinault Rain Forest on the parks west and southwest sides allow short or longer hikes into the deep rainforest mosses and trees nurtured by up to 80 inches of rain annually make for a forest canopy seen nowhere else Olympic National Park is about 890 miles or a 15-hour drive; or Contact Tim, tviall@msn.com; Happy travels in your world. Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheol, right, and Tanee Sangrat, the Thai ambassador to Korea, pose for a commemorative photo at the shipbuilder's Seoul office in central Seoul on March 11. [HANWHA OCEAN] To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts. United StatesChevron Francesco Vaninetti/GettySave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date Stay here: The Rockaway is a small boutique hotel within walking distance of the beach Its laid-back atmosphere and luxury amenities make it a hidden gem among the pastel condos and houses lined up by the beach the best way to explore this remote park is by diving into the water The 100-square-mile park is comprised of seven small islands Visitors will be acquainted with the Florida Keys reef system—one of the largest in the world With more than 6,000 species in the Florida Keys travelers will have the chance to get up close and personal with the vast assortment of bird There is no entrance fee while using the park during the day but if you plan to camp Guests can enjoy the outdoor heated pool and hot tub each of the rooms feature a private terrace with ocean views Stay here: To fully embrace your Big Sur vacation, you can’t find a hotel more iconic to the area than Post Ranch Inn The views here are truly unparalleled—there are even skylights in the rooms so you don’t have to leave bed to do some stargazing Tucked into the Bahia Honda Key is Calusa Beach where palm trees and white sand stretches as far as the eye can see The calm azure waters are perfect for scuba divers and snorkelers looking forward to catching glimpses of the marine life You’ll want to make sure you secure your spot early in the day so you can catch Florida’s famous sunsets Florida where there’s a lot more foot traffic and friendly faces Grand Haven City Beach is a sought after summer destination for Midwesterners looking to spend time on the lake The 48-acre park mostly consists of white sandy beaches It's a must that visitors stay to catch an unobstructed view of the Michigan sunset from the pier—it makes the trip worthwhile Stay here: Grand Haven is a cozy beach town and the pink trimmed Harbor House Inn embodies that making it an easy 15-minute walk to the beach and surrounded by quaint storefronts and local eateries and a Mediterranean climate that makes it a year-round destination After enjoying some water sports and trying to spot the beach’s sunken ship at low tide make sure to head to Coronado’s Dog Beach at the north end of the island—a favorite with those who wish to let their pup run off-leash Stay here: The landmark hotel associated with the beach, Hotel del Coronado was built more than a century ago and continues to impress with Queen Anne-style architecture and its on-site shops and restaurants the drive to Hanalei Bay Beach takes you on a scenic road through beautiful towns that are well worth the journey Stay here: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (a 2024 Gold List winner) is at the top of our list for any Hawaiian getaway the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City have designated areas of the beach as one day “surfing areas” The transition from day to night is easy in Ocean City the boardwalk is the place to be (and has been since 1902) It’s lined with everything you could imagine—resturants no boardwalk would be complete without a ferris wheel Stay here: The DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront is located downtown The exterior has a very classic ’50s flare but the interior has been renovated and has competitive amenities: a gym Getting there is part of the adventure: It can only be accessed by parking in one of 21 tiny turn-offs along a bumpy unpaved road in the middle of the island’s western National Wildlife Refuge (formerly off-limits as a U.S or book a trip with one of the island’s operators to check out its secret underwater spots Stay here: El Blok is one of our editor-approved favorites and furniture that wouldn’t look out of place in a SoHo boutique Stretching the length of more than 15 city blocks but big enough to carve out your own little peaceful section of sand Stick close to the locals around SoFi (South of Fifth) and you should be fine And while most visitors choose to exclusively work on their tans don’t miss the chance to swim in the warm turquoise ocean: Even in the winter months Stay here: Your best bet for a quality hotel in the heart of South Beach lies on 15th Street, at elegant beachfront boutique property, The Betsy South Beach. AlabamaWhen it comes to iconic American beaches you can never go wrong with Gulf Shores: a white sand beach that’s washed over by iridescent blue-green water Surfers and boogie boarders will find smooth Along the coastline you’ll find heaps of volleyball nets souvenir shops and picnic pavilions for those looking forward to grill season Stay here: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel is a beachfront resort with 350 rooms the property boasts over 40,000 square feet worth of indoor and outdoor space so travelers don’t have to worry about crowds thanks to its water views and ample space to set up a tent for the night Stay here: Agua Norte makes a terrific home base for exploring these parts of Lake Superior FloridaFlorida’s panhandle is known for it’s breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico The serene atmosphere is out of a storybook with the sugary white sand that meets the serene waves that flow across the Emerald Coast While beach goers are no stranger to the fauna that make appearances in the water Henderson Beach State Park has walking trails that give a rare view to Florida’s unique ecosystems with a special look into the conservation efforts being taken You can purchase park passes for $6 per car Stay here: After a long day in the sun, you’ll want to treat your skin to much needed aftercare. The Henderson Beach Resort has an onsite spa that has a menu filled with facial GeorgiaOne of the Golden Isles along Georgia’s Atlantic coast Jekyll Island is a seven-mile-long stretch of marshes and Spanish moss One of its star attractions is the prehistoric-looking Driftwood Beach the site is dotted with gnarled and weathered trees that double as excellent photo backdrops—just be sure to visit at low tide Stay here: Jekyll Island Club Resort was considered one of the most exclusive resorts in the world in the early 1900s (past guests included the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers) and it honestly still looks pretty darn great a century later South CarolinaWe can’t get enough of Kiawah Island gated community less than a one-hour drive from Charleston International Airport The island’s East Beach and West Beach stretch for 10 combined miles along the Atlantic; and while most of the shoreline is privately owned you can find public beach access at Beachwalker County Park near the island’s far southern end and you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas Stay here: One of the best places for an active vacation is The Sanctuary Hotel Caladesi Island State Park is a truly untouched piece of Gulf Coast paradise Get a taste of desert island life by strolling on the pristine white-sand beaches and hiking the paths tucked away in the dunes—you may even spot some sea turtles and shorebirds along the way Stay here: It takes under 10 minutes to drive up to Caladesi from Sandpearl Resort a lovely property on Clearwater Beach Island with spacious rooms and balconies affording some seriously epic sunset views Visitors can reach the beach via a boardwalk at the end of Pope Avenue where they can then enjoy soft sand and calm waters that are great for swimming (surfers should look elsewhere) and well-maintained restrooms are all part of the allure—especially for families Stay here: The Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort ranked the highest of Hilton Head’s many properties in our latest Readers’ Choice Awards survey—and it’s a quick 12-minute drive from Coligny Beach MauiHonokalani Beach is one of the most photographic spots on Maui The spot is defined by its jet-black sand (which is actually made up of tiny lava pebbles) which stands out beautifully against the bright blue ocean and green You can also find seaside lava tubes and sea caves tucked along the shoreline—it’s wild Stay here: You can’t beat the ocean views and private tranquility at Hotel Wailea and seeing the 235-foot Haystack Rock protruding out of the water is worth the drive alone Stay here: One of the prettiest ocean retreats on the West Coast, Stephanie Inn offers direct views of Haystack Rock Stay here: The Virginia Hotel is a favorite of our readers thanks to super comfortable beds and a great in-house restaurant but it still manages to feel fun and laidback Instead of neon signs and intrusive beach traders Those views of the Diamond Head crater certainly don’t hurt either Stay here: Just south of Waikiki Beach is the Kaimana Beach Hotel and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Diamond Head TexasMustang Island State Park is an almost eerily pretty (and clean) swath of land on the Gulf Coast complete with a Texas-sized roster of activities: trails for hiking and cycling car-free beaches for relaxing and watching the sunset spend the night at one of the many campsites or rent a kayak and venture the 20-mile-long Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail Stay here: The best option here is to take advantage of one of Mustang Island’s 48 water and electric campsites (all 1/3 mile from the beach). But if you absolutely must stay in a hotel, Corpus Christi’s Omni Hotel is about a 30-minute drive west of the state park as the beach also offers incredible views of the sunrise and gorgeous rocky coastlines the beach is open to dogs from mid-October to mid-April Stay here: Just a 45-minute drive from Boston, we recommend making the capital city your home base and day-tripping to Singing Beach. Boston has tons of great properties to choose from, but we’re fans of XV Beacon and The Envoy Hotel from the Outer Banks to the South Carolina border—and nearly all of it is accessible beachfront It’s difficult to pick the state’s absolute best stretch of sand it’s extremely accessible: directly off I-40 from the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle about 10-20 minutes from Wilmington (where there is an airport) We also love the wide array of activities available here from kayaking and surfing to biking and golfing It’s an ideal spot to spread out your towel with your family and there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby if you need a break from the sun Stay here: A newly opened retreat located right by the water, Trailborn Surf & Sound has all the beach views and curated activities you could want Stay here: Just a 10-minute drive from Ruby Beach, Kalaloch Lodge boasts the best location in the national park Stay here: White Elephant is an excellent choice for families or groups of friends who want a space of their own the beach is the perfect spot to explore after an early breakfast in Bar Harbor Choose from two hiking trails—the mostly flat Great Head Trail and the more adventurous Beehive Loop—both of which afford stunning ocean and mountain views Stay here: For accommodations, choose from one of the many excellent Airbnbs near Acadia National Park and sharks are just a few ways to connect with ocean life while visiting Stay here: The historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, Autograph Collection sits right on the shore and has private beach club access for those looking for more solitude. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Also: Aberdeen falls to T-Birds; Elma sweeps Hoquiam; Pe Ell-Willapa Valley routs Raymond-South Bend Also: Hoquiam a man down in one-goal loss to Rochester Bulldogs catcher hits three-run home to beat Warriors 7-6 OCEAN CITY — Be the first to track sand across the floors in the stunning new duplex at 1804-1806 Central Ave the two-story Goldcoast beauty is extra tall sporting cathedral ceilings stretching up about 12 feet in the great room on each floor Combined with the open layout and multiple windows “This masterpiece offers unparalleled craftsmanship,” listing agent Disston Vanderslice said The duplex is on the bay side of the street offering an eastward view toward the ocean from decks the width of the home which has brick foundation columns and horizontal planks at ground level A new concrete sidewalk leads to wide composite steps ascending to the covered porch of 1804 Central Ave The front entrance features a pastel aqua door that’s 9 feet tall with the transom but still more than 2 feet short of the wood plank ceiling Wood Bahamas shutters provide shade and an interesting aesthetic element matching the trim on the railings and repeated inside on the steps A walkway down the south side leads to the private entrance to 1806 Central Ave private elevator and stairs leading up to the home airy space with a cathedral ceiling sloping down to each side Double sliding glass doors open onto the deck which is partially covered to provide the option of sun or shade.  Light wide-plank flooring runs throughout the great room The sitting area takes up the south side of the space offering a place to relax and maybe watch some television or read when not lying on the beach playing in the ocean or shopping on the boardwalk A double window in the front and two flanking the gas fireplace set in a shiplap wall provide natural light.  The first-floor unit has a wetbar with a wine refrigerator and beverage cooler in the corner where the stairs ascend to the second floor The top unit makes up for it with a powder room just around the corner in the hall leading to the bedrooms and walk-up rooftop deck The dining area is in the front north corner where a wicker basket-like chandelier hangs from high above Another set of windows on this side provides a view of the rising sun Overflow seating is offered at the center island where a quartz countertop hangs over providing space for barstools White Schrock cabinets with more quartz countertops line two walls where stainless-steel Thermador appliances include a two-door refrigerator with a freezer drawer an undercounter microwave in the island and a dishwasher to the right of the deep rectangular sink A hallway leads straight back from the great room up a half-flight of stairs in the lower unit White solid-core doors with matte black hardware line both sides opening into spacious bedrooms on the left and right and a hall bathroom are situated along the rear of the home and have access to a shared porch providing a perfect place to watch the sun go down on another great day at the shore The primary suite has a private bath with a two-sink vanity and tiled shower with a swinging glass door “Developers Dan and Jamie Samia went the extra mile with every detail of this home “This is a home that I’m extremely proud to be a part of and know that buyers will be blown away with the attention to detail and finishes.” Each of the homes has a private garage large enough for two cars There also is room for one car each in the parking area off the alley Ocean City is one of the most popular shore resorts on the East Coast featuring a 2.5-mile-long oceanfront boardwalk filled with hundreds of shopping as well as miles and miles of pristine beaches There also is an award-winning downtown business district centered on Asbury Avenue and a watersports district around Third Street on Bay Avenue is centrally located between the Northend starting at North Street and the Southend ending at 59th Street It is highly residential but peppered with mom-and-pop shops and features some of the most amazing beachfront properties on the island The duplex is listed for $3.674 million or individually — first floor $1.749 million, second floor $1.925 million — with Disston Vanderslice and Jeffrey Pagano of Grace Realty. Call (609) 675-1575 or (609) 231-3425 or email disston@gracerealty.com or jeffreypagano@gmail.com for more information or to set up an appointment to see these wonderful homes. Mainland Mustang girls South Jersey swim champions OCEAN CITY — Dr. Christian Angelillo took over as superintendent of schools in Ocean City this summer. To give the community a better understanding of the man who will lead the education for students from Ocean City, its sending districts of Upper Township, Sea Isle City and Longport, and the nearly 200 School Choice students […] OCEAN CITY — The stunning beachfront home at 2900 Wesley Ave. in the island popular Goldcoast section is fantastic both inside and outside. The 2,300-square-foot, multilevel home offers five bedrooms and three bathrooms with an upside-down design that provides sweeping beach and ocean views from the main living areas. Located at the end of Wesley […] Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Oleg Albinsky/Getty ImagesSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors There are 14 states that make up the United State's East Coast; each with its own distinct feel, climate, and culture. From the hot, sandy beaches of Florida to the rocky harbors of Maine there are so many beautiful stretches of coastline to pick from (and so many beach towns worth exploring) Whether you're looking to lay out on the sand in summer or prefer walking along the water spotting wildlife and collecting rocks the shores of the East Coast have a little something for everyone historic New England towns to tropical Southern getaways no matter your vibe there's so much to explore We've compiled a list of some of the best beach towns to go to on this side of the Atlantic coast From Cape Cod to the Florida Keys the Atlantic Seaboard is home to a wide variety of vacation destinations Here are 17 of the best East Coast beach towns in the US This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date Much of Maine's Mt. Desert Island is covered by Acadia National Park—home to climbs like Cadillac Mountain and a sophisticated system of carriage roads financed by John D charming Bar Harbor is a destination in its own right Bar Harbor began drawing visitors as far back as the mid-19th century when some of the Hudson River School a group of artists that included the likes of Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church were taken with Maine's Down East landscapes Bar Harbor is now a full-fledged tourist town with a bustling main street so it's the perfect beachy break from the vibrant city's bustling life where kids and parents alike can spend their days sunbathing Walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the classic seaside vibes while you pop into arcades Where to stay in Oak Bluffs and Martha's Vineyard: Like Oak Bluffs, Newport is a beach town known for its houses historic mansions—once the summer homes of the Vanderbilts and other Westerners of unimaginable wealth—remain standing along the famous cliff walk The most famous two are The Breakers and Rosecliff The Newport mansions famously earned the ire of writer Joan Didion who wrote in her essay The Seacoast of Despair “To stand in the dining room of ‘The Breakers’ is to imagine fleeing it in lieu of the Great Gatsby-esque lawn parties of yore where swans roamed the grounds Newport attracts visitors of all stripes for events such as the Newport Folk Festival Fishing boats moored in Cape Porpoise harbor at sunrise with boat passing by in blurred motion, Maine, USAGetty ImagesMadison, ConnecticutSteer away from the crowds and head to Madison, Connecticut, for a beachside vacay without quite as much noise and fanfare. Just under two hours from New York City by car Madison is about the same distance as the Hamptons This isn't exactly the place the see and be seen but it is somewhere where you can truly get away from it all—even if just for the weekend Between the beautiful beaches (there are four to choose from) and adorable downtown you'll find plenty to do for a couple of days and come back home far more rested and relaxed than if you headed to the frantic energy of some of the more popular summer hotspots The final stop on the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk is appropriately known as the End it really does feel like the edge of the world (Although some residents of Long Island’s furthest out town argue that if you really think about it it’s actually the Beginning.) Montauk feels more remote and low-key than its luxurious Every visit to Montauk should include a stop at the Montauk Point Light House which was commissioned by President George Washington in 1796 and the panoramic views from the top are out of this world “The narrow peninsula at Cape May acts as a bird funnel bringing in songbirds during their spring and fall migrations legendary Higbee Beach offers front-row seats to a feathered fashion show… With a little luck each in its own colorful costume.” Sign us up so it's perfect for a quick trip away from the city this isn't the place to go for a quiet but is perfect to experience the hustle and bustle of a classic summer town worth a visit just to explore the history and see the picturesque neighborhood on the water Others claim they were left long ago by pirates Still others say they are runaways from mainland farmers The quaint beauty of Chincoteague includes trails for hiking cross over on a bike to the Maryland side of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Nags Head is a beach town on the Outer Banks a group of barrier islands and spits sandwiched between mainland North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean It's known for its sand dunes in Jockey Ridge State Park which comprise the tallest true sand dune system on the East Coast Hundreds of shipwrecks nearby—caused by the region's shifting sands and heavily trafficked waters—have given the surrounding waters the moniker “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” and the nearby USS Huron is a popular scuba dive site Where to stay in Nags Head and the Outer Banks: While it's not too far from the aforementioned Pawleys Island, Myrtle Beach will feel worlds away from the slow small-town atmosphere of the other quaint town This popular summer destination boasts bigger crowds than its neighbor and has a wide assortment of entertainment Aside from the deliciously warm weather and miles of beaches to traverse Myrtle Beach is also home to a great many golf courses and an iconic boardwalk with a massive 187-foot-tall Ferris Wheel