The results are in!
The folks at Boston.com, based exactly where you’d suspect, held a fun competition.
Bracketing 32 New England beach towns, over 10,000 travelers voted for their favorite picks.
There were some huge surprises rounding out the top 4, but only 2 states were represented: Massachusetts, a state I can never spell on the first try, and Maine, a state I’d be deeply concerned about if I couldn’t spell.
Any way you slice it, some of the East Coast’s most charming hideaways are tucked away in New England and well worth a visit, whether the names ring a bell or not.
Locals in the know may regret casting their votes because we’re set to reveal New England’s top 4 beach destinations, starting with fourth place and working our way up.
4) Eastham, Massachusetts (Cape Cod)
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It’s no surprise Cape Cod is a summer hotspot, drawing anyone from average Joe’s like me to A-list celebs renting out posh beachside digs.
But there’s a lot more to the Cape than chaotic boardwalks with overpriced ice cream — there’s a quiet side.
To that, we say welcome to Eastham.
Think windswept dunes, lighthouse views, bike trails, seafood shacks, barking seals offshore, and long sandy beaches that feel more untamed than resorty.
Whether resorty is a word is your call. I’m just a writer…
Eastham is truly blissful, scenic, and just developed enough to feel like vacation without losing its quintessential New England charm.
3) Edgartown, Massachusetts (Martha’s Vineyard)
We all know Martha’s Vineyard is the type of place not to pack extra swimwear, but extra credit cards , just in case.
There’s no hiding its bougieness — also a questionable word.
Summer here is all about strolling Main Street shops, grabbing seafood, biking toward Katama, beach-hopping at South Beach, and taking the Chappy Ferry over to Chappaquiddick.
Edgartown is absolutely gorgeous, but it does feel expensive from the get-go with its fancy shmancy whitewashed homes with meticulously manicured lawns and hydrangea-lined streets.
That said, if you’re a summer splurger, there are few better places across the States. Beaches here are phenomenal and always clean, especially the island of Chappaquiddick (a.k.a. “Chappy”).
Although we’re big fans of Fuller Street Beach, a quaint little hideaway just minutes from the “action” of this small town.
2) Bar Harbor, Maine
As someone who has visited this side of Maine for an extensive time, I gotta say this one tracks.
Bar Harbor is not only a worthwhile getaway on its own but a springboard to Acadia National Park, a wondrous nature adventure any time of year.
Obviously, summertime is where Acadia’s shimmering shoreline really shines — well worth the price of admission.
As for the town itself, this town is Maine’s big ticket, even more so than Portland, since there’s so much to offer.
It’s more outdoorsy than Edgartown and more dramatic than Eastham, and feels more quintessentially Maine than other popular towns with rustic lobster shacks and unabashed nautical decor.
If there’s one must-do here, it’s a puffin tour held from May to August. We recommend Bar Harbor Whale Watching Co., which, as you guessed, also offers amazing whale-watching tours.
1) Ogunquit, Maine
Maine’s best-kept secret won’t be a secret forever.
Just across the New Hampshire state line lies a town often passed through on the way to Portland, but not often a mainstay except for locals in the know.
But those very locals have spoken by crowning Ogunquit as New England’s top coastal must-visit.
This tiny town is undeniably Maine as well, with hand-painted lobster signs for a buttery lobster roll fix, yet more beachy and walkable than Bar Harbor.
The main draw is Ogunquit Beach, a long stretch of soft white sand backed by photo-worthy dunes.
Next best is arguably Footbridge Beach, a quieter oasis earning a high 4.7 stars on TripAdvisor — not that little ol’ Ogunquit is ever too rowdy.
There’s not a huge variety of places to stay here, but we like Beachmere Inn — a 3-star waterfront hotel in the heart of town that feels like a steal of a deal, especially if places like Martha’s Vineyard aren’t your jam.
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