9 Incredible Beaches to Explore Across the US

Jul 11, 2024

It’s almost the weekend, and all we can think about is cutting loose, kicking back, and relaxing at the beach! There’s something so freeing and rejuvenating about the crisp air, the sound of the sea birds calling, the sand between our toes, and the cool, refreshing water that really makes Summer special. Today, we’re sharing our picks for beautiful beaches to explore all across the US. When you’re planning your next road trip, try using one of these getaways as a starting point! They’re worthy of a star place in your itinerary, offering pristine beaches, unique wildlife, and ample entertainment for all ages. So what’re you waiting for? Let’s wave goodbye to the 9 to 5 and embrace that free feeling of life on the road!

9 Amazing Beaches You Must Visit Across America

Seabrook Beach in New Hampshire

This pristine beach on the southernmost portion of the New Hampshire coastline offers soft white sand beach, serene relaxation and privacy, and pristine water for swimming or surfing. While its parking is only accessible to residents and their guests, if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot here, it’s one of the state’s best beaches! You’ll want to pack an umbrella and beach chairs or a sun shelter for a little respite from the summer skies, but it’s a great family friendly beach with far less foot traffic than Hampton Beach. Fishermen in the area recommend night time and early dawn to do some surf fishing during high tide.

Sachuest Beach in Rhode Island

During the summer this is one of the area’s most popular beaches with well-groomed sand and clear waters. Although Summer is bustling, there’s ample room to enjoy the beach with your family without overwhelming crowds cramping your space. The water is calm, sparkling clean, and perfect for swimming, and in the off-season it’s prime real estate for surfing. You’ll find plenty of souvenirs like rocks, sea glass, and seashells to take home as mementos! Local birders love this spot, citing the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge at the eastern end of the beach as a great place to do some year-round birdwatching! Plus, there’s lots of opportunity for anglers to enjoy prime fishing, including a special permit for night fishing the local striped bass.

Long Beach Island in New Jersey

Affectionately known by locals as LBI, this favorite New Jersey white sand beach spot is known for the charming Barnegat Light area with its scenic lighthouse and beachside state park. There’s miles of shoreline to enjoy with natural sand dunes and seabirds, plenty of boating and fishing, and plentiful swimming opportunities. Families love visiting the Fantasy Island area for traditional carnival rides, arcade games, and boardwalk entertainment. There’s also a charming downtown area with ample shopping and stores, as well as delicious eateries.

Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland

This barrier island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia is known for its wild horses and ponies. But that’s not all it has to offer! The beaches here are far less crowded than the nearby Ocean City, and there are numerous nature trails and boardwalks to enjoy as well. As far as the eye can see you’ll find blue skies and beautiful white sand, and if you look hard enough along the shoreline you’ll find beautiful seashells to collect, too. You’ll want to make sure you have your camera ready when you’re here, as it’s not unusual to see a group of wild horses and even a scampering young foal trot along the beach, boardwalks, and marshes!

Folly Beach in South Carolina

Just south of Charleston is the beautiful Folly Beach area, prime real estate for wildlife such as pelicans, Wilson’s plover, loggerhead sea turtles, and more. It’s also famous for its incredible boardwalk and the East Coast’s second-largest fishing pier, stretching 1,000 feet into the ocean. The beach is not only great for swimming and surfing, but there are other adventures to enjoy such as Kayaking and Paddleboarding , the Folly Boat eco-tours, the South Carolina Aquarium, and the Caw Caw Interpretive Center. The surrounding area also offers incredible educational entertainment such as science, history and kid-friendly museums, as well as immense options for shopping and live entertainment.

Amelia Island in Florida

The southernmost entry in the Sea Island chain of barrier islands is located off the Northeast coast of Florida. With 13 miles of pristine open beaches to the east, and stunning salt-marsh estuaries teeming with wildlife and seabirds to the west, this is a lush paradise of beachside heaven. You don’t need a car when you visit, as modes of transportation include bikes, horses, golf carts, and Segways instead, and of course, walking is a great option, too. You’ll love spending time at the beach here for swimming, surfing, and picnicking with your loved ones and friends. Locals love surfing near Amelia Pier and Fernandina Beach Pier due to the huge waves swells and warmer water temperatures.

Kohler-Andrae State Park in Wisconsin

The stunning golden sand beaches of Kohler-Andrae State Park are just one of the many features of this natural preserve on the shores of Lake Michigan. You’ll find sparkling, shimmering lake water to swim and fish, as well as beautiful boardwalk trails to tread on your way to some majestic nature hiking and wildlife spotting. Locals love traversing the beach trail through the dunes year round, which is a beautiful 2-mile hike along the shores of the Lake. Small watercraft are permitted, but it’s worth noting that there isn’t a boat launch here. As an added bonus, though, there is a pet-friendly picnic and swimming area here at the park! There is also plenty of room for sunbathing and relaxing in the summer air if you’re not keen on swimming or hiking.

North Beach in Racine Wisconsin

This gorgeous area offers ample space, with more than 50 acres of sandy beach along the 2,500 feet of shoreline along Lake Michigan. It’s perfect for families, providing you plenty of space to play, lounge in the sun, and of course, go swimming! The “Kids Cove” playground is perfect for families to enjoy a little extra energetic playtime, as well as sand volleyball courts for some friendly competition.

Cannon Beach in Oregon

This incredible beach offers misty tree lined cliffs that border the beautiful sandy shoreline with jetties and beautiful rock formations to explore. Take a trek around through the local trails and you’ll notice plenty of coastal wildlife from sea stars to elk to puffins! While you’re in the area, you certainly want to take advantage of the local whale watching tours, with nearly 18,000 gray whales calling the area home during their bi-annual migrations (Mid-March to Mid-April, and Mid-December to Mid-January). The downtown area is also an art enthusiast’s dream destination, filled with 15 outstanding art galleries to visit and shop.