Recommended Hotel: Mainsail Motel & Cottages. 1. In fact, the calm conditions make this one of the best east coast beaches for families, too. Plentiful lifeguards, changing rooms, picnic areas, free parking, showers, and restrooms are also ideal. Recommended Hotel: Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott. One of our favorite east coast beaches. Close to Chincoteague’s Main Street, Marina Bay Hotel & Suites features an upbeat modern décor with splashes of aquamarine and orange complemented by nautical accents and geometric wooden accents. Where to stay: The Sea Spray Resort is perfect for families, with an outdoor pool, family rooms and BBQ facilities. “ Wicked bad staaaahms,” they’ll say. From coastal islands like Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard to the sprawling swaths of sand in the South, here are the best beaches on the East Coast for … But, there are still a few secluded beaches on the Atlantic Ocean where you can find privacy in a beautiful beach town. Recommended Hotel: Echo Motel & Oceanfront Cottages. Fernandina Beach on Florida’s Amelia Island, a barrier island with 13 miles of beaches, is tailor made for families. Offering a combination of blue skies and slow crashing waves, the picturesque beaches along Florida’s 360-mile east coast shoreline give you plenty of opportunities to enjoy a day of fun in the sun. From wild ponies and whale watching to boardwalk carousels and pirate museums, these East Coast beaches for families are what vacation dreams are made of. The Most Affordable Places to Live on the East Coast 1. It’s gorgeous, and definitely one of the best Gulf Coast beaches for families. Then take them to Palace Playland, New England’s only beachfront amusement park where the rides range from mild (like a carousel and spinning teacups) to totally wild (with names like the Adrenaline and Power Surge). This one is a bit of a drive but absolutely worth it! You can explore the 200 miles of pristine beaches or admire the wild horses in Corolla! Families can explore salt marshes that teem with birds and wildlife unique to Georgia’s coast. Delight to dishes like lavender glazed duck with confit shallot, celery root and porcini conserva. We love visiting the beach on vacation, and luckily, there are so many beautiful East Coast beach destinations for families. The iconic pier brims with restaurants, shops and entertainment at this kid-friendly destination along the Space Coast. Book a spacious, airy yellow-and-white striped beach tent with loungers so you can kick back while the kids play on the beach and in the surf. Check out these top picks for the best family beach vacations from Virginia to Florida and up the Gulf Coast. Today, with more than 100 miles of beaches to explore and home to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Outer Banks attract families, surfers, skim-boarders, campers, nature lovers, and 4X4 aficionados. © Copyright 2020 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. From coastal islands like Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard to the sprawling swaths of sand in the South, here are the best beaches on the East Coast for a … About eight miles from Gin Beach, Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is a year-round resort on the Atlantic that’s been a popular getaway since it opened in 1926. There are lots of golfing options on Hilton Head Island, whether you prefer a regulation course or one of the miniature variety. Secret Beaches of the East Coast. 6 Essential Tips for Taking Your Family to an All-Inclusive Resort. Book the cottage, a tree-shaded three-bedroom home and settle in for your stay. Unlike other beaches, quartz contributes to 99 percent of the sand here – and to beautiful effect. Rent king-sized daybeds at The Beach Club on Gurney’s 2,000-foot private beach and order fish tacos to nosh on. U.S. https://www.familyvacationcritic.com/best-east-coast-beaches-for-families/art Even if you arrive early and find a perfect spot, in an hour or two, you will be so close to families arriving later that social distancing is compromised. The east coast of the United States has so many beautiful beaches, from the rocky coast of Maine to the aquamarine waters of Florida and plenty in between. Let the kids travel back to the past (and get ice cream) at Historic Cold Spring Village or check out all the cool aircraft on view at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum. Grab some of the beach chairs and umbrellas that are complimentary for guests to rent and make a beeline for the beach or the outdoor pool. Panama City Beach offers a whopping 27 miles of white, sugar-sand quartz beaches that can be reached by almost 100 access points. There are a number of stunning beaches along the coast from Maine to Florida. Age-by-Age Guide to Planning a Family Trip. The gold coast is known for being a city on a beach, which is a sight to see in itself. A beachfront hotel that’s close to Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach and Fort Clinch State Park, Seaside Amelia Inn is handily located on Amelia Island. Round out your family vacation at the Things you buy may earn us a commission. Best East Coast Surfing . Base yourself here for a classic Cape Cod family vacation. Although Congress Hall opened in 1816 as the first seaside resort in the U.S., its updated décor skillfully blends modern and traditional style with a rich color palette of greens, reds, browns and blues. The boardwalk is great for biking or pedaling a surrey and it’s one of the few boardwalks that welcomes cyclists at all times, with separate lanes … The east coast of the United States boasts some of the most elaborate, fantastical, holiday spirit boosting places in the world. Here you can float down the lazy river and swoosh down the water flume or just splash happily in the water. The boardwalk, which runs a full mile, is hyped as another of the East Coast's best and offers plenty of activities for the kids, eclectic shops for parents, and restaurants for the whole family. During the summer catch a game at the Ballpark, where the Old Orchard Beach Surge play as part of the Empire Professional Baseball League. Enjoy views of the Atlantic from the top of the 100-foot-tall Ferris wheel at Atlantic Fun Park or make a splash on the Sea Serpent and Vortex slides at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. North Carolina is home to top notch colleges, bustling cities, fun towns tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, and some of the best beaches on the East Coast. This much-loved family vacation destination is home to 10 miles of free public beaches that are watched over by lifeguards every day throughout the summer. Our mouths drop open in awe as we watch the wild Chincoteague ponies of Assateague Island canter along the beach, leaving hoof prints in the sand. Six restaurants mean there’s something to please even the pickiest palates. The 10 Best Beaches for Families The 10 Best Beaches for Families By Karen Cicero November 09, 2014 Skip gallery slides. The Outer Banks is a connected community of unique beach towns that offers uncrowded beaches, fantastic restaurants, and, most importantly, one of the friendliest atmospheres on the East Coast. Catch a movie on the beach during the summer or visit the Watch Hill Lighthouse Museum to see how keepers lived and worked. Take the funicular railway to the top of … Visit her website at bethluberecki.com or find her on Instagram. And if you need more action, it’s just a short drive to the more bustling boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Beaches. I’ve put together a list for all my fellow beach lovers of the best family friendly beach resorts in the southeast. In the early 1800s, Cape May was a Victorian town through and through, compete with quaint shops and inns, relaxing bicycle paths, and a picturesque boardwalk and beach. One of the most famous city beaches in Europe, La Concha Beach, is also one of the best beaches for familes. These 16 popular beaches along the East Coast's 2,000-plus miles of shoreline include activities for families, surfers, naturalists and other beachgoers to enjoy. Parents will love the historic charm and Victorian architecture of this coastal city that’s been dubbed “America’s oldest seaside resort.” Kids will love all the beach options, from the City of Cape May’s classic Jersey Shore beaches to the more wild sands at spots like Cape May Point State Park. Best East Coast Beaches for Families. Jacksonville, FL. No matter their ages, there are endless activities on the sand and sea where the youngins can burn off some energy, whether it’s flying kites, a game of … Recommended Hotel: Villas Of Amelia Island. It’s just one of the spots you’ll find along the Old Orchard Beach Boardwalk, which also offers all kinds of all-American eats and shopping opportunities. Hawks Cay in The Florida Keys. The Conservancy also leads an after-dark tour to check out what island animals might be doing at night. Head to any of them for an idyllic family beach vacation. Best Beaches on the East Coast: Dewey Beach, Delaware, Photo: Courtesy of gravescreative - Fotolia.com East Coast Beaches: Ogunquit, Maine , Photo: Courtesy of alwayspp - Fotolia.com Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts , Photo: Courtesy of jiawangkun - Fotolia.com #13 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S. A few beaches sit within Santa Barbara, California's city limits: East, West, Arroyo Burro and Leadbetter. These resorts all have something for everybody to make for a memorable stay! To fan the flames of your beach fever, we’ve put together a list of the best east coast beaches for families. Credit: Michael Warren/Getty Images From Maine to Florida, here are the best sandy stretches from each state that has its toes in the Atlantic. We rounded up our top 8 beaches on the East Coast for families, whether you’ve got older kids, little ones, or are looking for a little calm. You won’t ever hear your kids complain about being bored in Old Orchard Beach, where there’s seven miles of sand they can run and play on. Save FB Tweet. A bike ride around the island will help work up an appetite for good seafood and a few scoops of ice cream at the Sugar Shack. Best East Coast Beaches for Families Few vacation places are as perfect for bringing the kids as the beach. Other choices for family fun include mini-golf, go-carts, and the Gran Maze at Coconut Creek Family Fun Park, a human labyrinth that’s the size of a football field. The beaches of Palm Coast, Florida offer 19 miles of soft sand and warm waters. The 7 Best Family-Friendly Beaches Along the USA East Coast Bass Hole, Massachusetts. If you'd rather a place of your own, try The Lookout by Beachside Management, a chic modern apartment with air-con and a private pool. U.S. Selections were based off editorial research of locations that are well-regarded as being kid-friendly, have family-oriented activities and attractions, and an abundance of vacation homes for rent. From the bustling boardwalks and beaches of Ocean City, Maryland, to the quiet sandy stretches and gentle waters of Montauk’s Gin Beach, these East Coast beaches and hotels have something special for everyone. Part of the celeb-loved getaway spot the Hamptons, this town on the South Fork of the eastern end of Long Island is home to Cooper’s Beach, which has appeared multiple times on “Dr. Nicknamed “Hollywood East,” Martha’s Vineyard is one of the more fashionable East Coast beaches. For decades, the soft, clean sands of Maine’s Ogunquit Beach have drawn families to its three-mile-long expanse on a peninsula flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and the Ogunquit River. She enjoys exploring destinations close to home and farther afield with her husband and teenage daughter. 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