Though the Northeast is sometimes associated with harsh winters and record-breaking cold temperatures, the warmer months and sprawling coasts can provide the perfect atmosphere for a cheap beach vacation that won’t overheat you (or your wallet). So put aside those plans to head down to Florida and look closer to home — we’ve got a list of nearby beach towns that might surprise you.
Madison, Conn.
A quiet Connecticut getaway, Madison is not well-known by most tourists, so restaurant, lodging and entertainment prices aren’t driven by a high tourist demand.
Hammonasset Beach State Park is your one-stop shop for outdoor summer activities; swim and lounge in the sand on the beach, fish and hike the walking trails, or visit the Meigs Point Nature Center to have hands-on experiences with native animals.
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Main Street, aka Boston Post Road, is lined with independent shops and boutiques, family-owned restaurants and historic buildings, such as the crown jewel of the town, R.J. Julia Booksellers. The charm of this town is a welcome respite from everyday life.
Wells, Maine
Though Maine is as north as the Northeast gets, it isn’t all chilly temperatures. Its coastline is home to a number of beaches, 7 miles of which are in Wells.
When you’re not swimming, zipping on a personal watercraft or just enjoying the sun at one of four beaches, you could be kayaking or canoeing up the Webhannet River, or shopping at the antique stores along Route 1.
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Just a short drive away is Ogunquit Beach, a popular tourist destination in Maine. But since Ogunquit is so popular, the restaurants, hotels and shops nearby can get pricey. Staying in Wells ensures that you enjoy all of the views without breaking the bank.
Dennis, Mass.
As far as New England beach vacations go, it doesn’t get any better than Cape Cod. One of the more inexpensive areas, Dennis lies right in the middle of the peninsula.
In Dennis, you decide which kind of beach you’d like to swim at — beaches with the mild waters of the Cape Cod Bay, like Mayflower Beach, or the even calmer waters of the Nantucket Sound, like at West Dennis Beach.
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The best part about Dennis is its proximity to everything else on the Cape. Whether you prefer the wilder waves of the Atlantic Ocean on the lower Cape or a more historic getaway like Falmouth on the upper Cape, Dennis is central to it all.
Hampton, N.H.
The waters in New Hampshire are quite cold for some, but this beach town has enough for you to do even if you don’t care to swim.
Enjoy fresh seafood at any of the eateries along Hampton State Beach, go to the Casino Cascade Water Slide or take the family to the Blue Ocean Discovery Center, where the little ones can get up-close and personal with marine life.
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Treat yourself to breakfast or lunch and watch the planes at the Hampton Airfield Airfield Cafe, which features an open deck cafe decorated with an aviation theme.
Weekend Road Trips in the Northeast
Looking for a weekend getaway? The Northeast is full of fascinating museums, natural beauty, quirky destinations and more. Just hop in the car and head out on one of these road trips.
Go now!Cape May, N.J.
With its sprawling beaches and quaint Victorian architecture, Cape May is perfect for family vacations.
Not far from the coast are attractions like the Cape May Lighthouse, Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, Willow Creek Winery and more. Also nearby are campgrounds, which provide cheaper lodging options for vacationers.
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Just north of Cape May is Jersey Shore Alpacas, where visitors can meet and feed alpacas on a tour of the farm. It’s an inexpensive way to be sure that your vacation is memorable.
Narragansett, R.I.
A cheaper alternative to Newport, Narragansett also has beautiful beaches, plenty of opportunities to sample local seafood and a number of historic landmarks.
When you’re not swimming and soaking up the sun at Scarborough State Beach or Narragansett Town Beach, check out the Point Judith Lighthouse for a spectacular view of the coast. Then, head to Galilee for a bite to eat as you watch boats leave the harbor.
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The Block Island Ferry leaves from Point Judith, giving you the perfect opportunity to day trip on the island and enjoy a relaxing ride on the way there.
Booking Your Cheap Beach Vacation
While vacationing nearby will save you from airfare, location isn’t the only factor to consider when you want to save. Reserving your hotel several months in advance will generally get you a lower price. AAA members also get discounted rates at thousands of hotels whenever they book.
Share your tips and tricks to having a great vacation without breaking the bank in the comments below.
This article has been updated and republished from a previous version.
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I’m sure you already know that you can’t swim anywhere on Cape Cod; a favorite haunt of great white sharks. There are signs warning you on every beach…but there are plenty of sights and things to do that don’t involve getting in the water.
It is true that there are signs warning you of great white sharks, but it’s not true that you can’t swim and that you’ll be in constant danger. Just be aware–if you see seals stay away. They’d rather eat seals than you. If you look closely at the signs on the National Seashore Beaches you will see that the times sharks are most active is OCTOBER (last time I looked). Shark fears are way overblown–just hear what naturalists say, rather than focus on every shark sighting on the news.
Every location has parking fees that can be quite high, limited spacing or residents only. They are also quite crowded! Thanks but no thanks.
This list is not great… There are so many other beaches that have better and cheaper parking, availability and isn’t overcrowded.