The East Coast’s 4 Cheapest Beach Destinations This Summer

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Take it from me, who lives in California — the Atlantic is better in a lot of ways.

San Diego may have swept me off my feet like those weird romance novels my Mom used to read, but the East Coast draws me back each year for blue waters I can actually swim in without feeling like I’m at risk of frostbite.

With a little help from fellow travel experts at Yahoo! Travel, we’ve compiled a list of the East Coast’s most affordable beach destinations this summer.

To make it more interesting, we’ve excluded Florida entirely, leaving seemingly everyone and their mother’s favorite sunny getaway in the rear-view so you can embrace more adventure with some unexpected beach havens you may not have considered otherwise.

Without further ado, here are 4 East Coast paradises that surely won’t break the bank, starting with the lowest hotel rates and working our way up without busting your budget.

1) Ocean City: Maryland’s Beloved Summer Playground

Be sure to check the latest Travel Alerts before your trip.

We all know Maryland and crabs go hand in hand, but our favorite sea creatures gotta come from somewhere, right?

Whether Maryland is the South or not is another debate, but there’s no denying it’s a bona fide beach destination despite being known more for its deep-rooted history in timeless towns like Annapolis and of course, the scenic Chesapeake Bay, where their famous crabs are largely caught and freshly served.

But Maryland’s Atlantic side tells a different story in summer, when Ocean City becomes an East Coast hotspot with 10 miles of sandy shoreline, a fun-filled boardwalk perfect for date nights and family outings, and classic seaside thrills from arcades to amusement rides.

We won’t sugarcoat it — Ocean City becomes packed by mid-day, but you can venture off to North Ocean City for more elbow room.

Hotels average $150 per night with rates tending to double for luxury splurgers.

Travel Off Path’s pick: The Spinnaker Hotel — perfect location, great reviews and just slightly above than Ocean City’s average rates

2) Ogunquit, Maine: Umm…Where?

You know Portland and Acadia National Park, but Maine still feels like one of America’s last frontiers, being so tucked away in the Northeast.

Many beach towns are locally beloved, but nowhere near mainstream, typically welcoming fellow New Englanders and Canadian tourists.

Ogunquit lies just north of the New Hampshire border, making for a grand welcome into the Pine Tree State.

Before you hit the more popular Kennebunkport, the map-dot town of Ogunquit is one you shouldn’t skip, where there are fewer lines for lobster rolls.

Beaches here have been touted by many experts as some of the best coastlines in the country, yet still feel isolated enough not to feel overly touristy with its cozy inns over flashy resorts.

The one downside is that parking near Ogunquit’s beaches can sting in peak season, with Main Beach Lot reaching $50 per day and Footbridge Lot close behind at $45.

The good news is hotels average just $190 per night and rarely top $250, leaving extra wiggle room for fresh seafood and souvenir trinkets.

Travel Off Path’s pick: Rockmere Bed & Breakfast — classic New England charm, sweeping Atlantic views, and reasonable rates hovering around $200 per night in June

3) Virginia Beach: The East Coast’s Most Family-Friendly Getaway

Believe it or not, Virginia isn’t just a popular road trip adventure — it’s growing by rail too, with new reports claiming Amtrak Virginia had a record year.

One of those stops (via bus, nonetheless) is Virginia Beach. No matter how you get here — drive, ride, or fly — you’re destined for a sunny beach town that’s fun for all ages.

Whether it’s a visit to Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center or Adventure Park, or simply spending a day splashing through the waves of its vivid blue shoreline, the kiddos will sleep well at night.

But it’s not just a playground for kids; the grown-ups can play too with oceanfront rooftop bars, fresh seafood spots, and breezy nights along the boardwalk and Live! On Atlantic concerts from time to time.

Hotels here are averaging $230 per night.

Travel Off Path’s pick: Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront — prime Atlantic Avenue location, sweeping ocean views, rooftop drinks at Sky Bar, and rates that hover near $200 on select dates through June

Better yet, Virginia Beach is largely considered safe to visit despite other Virginia coastal towns like oddly named Newport News not feeling the same.

See our real-time Safety Index below, giving a current ranking of 80/100:

4) Myrtle Beach: The East Coast’s Most Reliable Beach Escape

This list may feel like a Battle of the Ferris Wheels — and to a certain degree, it is.

Most of these destinations are a boardwalk bonanza, with Ogunquit being the lone exception as more of a relaxing hideaway made for recharging.

If there’s one beach escape that fits the bill, it’s certainly Myrtle Beach, one of the most reliable know-what-you-get destinations anywhere stateside.

That’s why there are so many repeat visitors, with Myrtle being their summer anchor year after year.

Of course, one of those very reasons is pricing — it’s largely one of the most affordable coastal destinations in the country and has been for decades.

Unfortunately, you can’t fly here with Spirit anymore, but every other budget airline flies here, from Allegiant to newcomer Avelo.

While we’re not saying Myrtle Beach has South Carolina’s best beaches, it’s chock-full of thrills, no matter if it’s your first vacation or one of those that come back each summer.

Yahoo! Travel states “accommodation prices typically range from $180 to $335”, meaning the average is $257 per night — the highest on our list but still fair for a summer hotspot.

Travel Off Path’s pick: Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront —spacious oceanfront suites with full kitchens, walkout beachfront balconies, free breakfast, and rates that can float around $200 on late June dates

Now take this quiz to find your perfect East Coast match!

Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 44 countries and written over 1500 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.