Beach trips are one of the most popular ways to spend a family vacation. From Maine to Georgia, the East Coast has hundreds of beaches and vacation destinations. So which beaches are ideal for kids and families? With options for remote beach town lovers to bustling boardwalks, you're sure to find a beach you and your family will love.
Whether you're traveling for a long weekend or a week-long getaway, consider this list of family-friendly beaches along the East Coast for your next family vacation.
1. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is perfect for family-friendly beach vacations. Located east of Norfolk, Virginia Beach sits where the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay meet. Virginia Beach features a three-mile-long beachfront boardwalk, offering plenty of beaches to relax on, activities to enjoy, and restaurants and shops to wander into. You'll find plenty of hotels, resorts and rentals on or near the beach for your convenience.
Whether you're planning a luxurious getaway or a trip on a budget, Virginia Beach has something for the best family beach vacations.
2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular family-friendly beaches because it's easy to access and offers plenty to do for the whole family. Spend the day on the beautiful beaches, then explore the area's various shopping and dining options. Whether you're an avid golfer or just want a friendly game of adventure golf with the kids, you'll find several options here. Attractions like Ripley's Aquarium, water parks, amusement parks and much more along the boardwalk make Myrtle Beach one of the best beaches for kids.
3. Lewes, Delaware
Tucked into Delaware Bay, Lewes Beach offers calmer waters than neighboring beaches and is under lifeguard watch during the summer season. The town of Lewes offers the small-town charm you may be looking for on vacation, with plenty more options just a short drive south to Rehoboth Beach. Lewes Beach is also neighbored by Cape Henlopen State Park, which includes beaches, hiking trails and a fishing pier to explore.
4. Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is across the Delaware Bay from Lewes, Delaware. Cape May is a National Historic Landmark, and it offers various activities for families and kids. Whether simply enjoying the sun, sand and waves or heading out on the water for a parasailing adventure, Cape May has plenty to do for the whole family. You can even take a whale-watching cruise. Aside from relaxing on the beach, there are many restaurants, shops and historic landmarks to explore.
5. Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland, is one of the best beaches for kids, and thousands of families flock to this beach in the summer because of the numerous amenities. Ocean City consists of miles of beaches and a boardwalk lined with hotels, shops, restaurants and activities like adventure golf and amusement parks. The beach is large compared to other destinations, and lifeguards monitor sections of the beach along the barrier island. Even off the boardwalk, there's much to explore as a family.
6. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Rehoboth Beach is a nice coastal town within driving distance of many other Delaware state parks and beaches listed here. Like many other East Coast beaches, Rehoboth has a boardwalk lined with restaurants and shops where you'll find live music on summer evenings. Rehoboth also has many kid-friendly activities like Funland amusement park. Off the boardwalk, you'll find various eateries and vacation rentals to make your vacation your own.
7. Acadia National Park, Maine
You don't always have to go south to visit the beach! If you want to do some extra sightseeing on your family beach vacation, consider traveling to Acadia National Park in Maine. The entire national park is located on an island. As far as beaches for kids go, Sand Beach in the park offers stunning views and calm waters for swimming, though there are many places around the park to enjoy the beach.
When you're not on the beach, go hiking or driving around the island and explore the charming towns nearby. A beach trip to Maine will be unlike any other.
8. Tybee Island, Georgia
Whether spending your entire beach vacation on Tybee Island or day-tripping from nearby Savannah, Georgia, this destination is the perfect beach town for families. Tybee Island's main beaches face the Atlantic Ocean and are all located on the same stretch of beach. In town, you'll find colorful houses, businesses, hotels and rentals, which adds to the beach aesthetic. The island is surrounded by marshland and nature trails, allowing your family to explore the native flora and fauna.
9. Outer Banks, North Carolina
Collectively, the Outer Banks are some of the best beaches for kids and families. The Outer Banks includes numerous beaches along the 120-mile barrier island, like Corolla, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. Many families prefer the Outer Banks because the coast isn't lined with commercial hotels, making many of the beaches quieter and more private. Check out things to do in the area, including climbing the sand dunes at Jockey Ridge State Park or exploring the Wright Brothers Memorial.
You'll also find numerous restaurants and shops to spend evenings in. You may even see wild horses on the beach in some areas.
10. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is notorious for its historic lighthouses and quaint coastal towns. This peninsula hooks out into the Atlantic, creating Cape Cod Bay. Whether on the bay or ocean side, Cape Cod offers stunning views and beautiful beaches. You may even see wildlife like seals and dolphins swimming along the coast. Cape Cod's beach towns have various little shops and restaurants to wander through, too.
For a day trip, you can even take a ferry to resort islands like Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. These islands are famous for being getaways for authors, musicians and other celebrities because they provide privacy.
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