7 Small, Nostalgic Beach Towns for a Relaxing Vacation

These quaint towns offer laid-back charm and smaller crowds for your next beach getaway

people driving in a yellow car toward the beach

A summer getaway to a small beach town could be a pick-me-up. Saugatuck, Michigan, located along the shore of Lake Michigan, is referred to as the Art Coast of Michigan.

Julien Capmeil

Gigi Ragland,

AARP

Published August 01, 2025

A visit to a small beach town in a beautiful location is a mood enhancer. Studies in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and Scientific Reports have shown that a simple beach walk can help reduce anxiety, which can lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Just being near the water is calming. According to the 2025 AARP Travel Trends survey, most travelers 50-plus agree that getting away is good for their health, with 47 percent looking to relax and rejuvenate on vacation.

A summer getaway to a small beach town could be just the pick-me-up. Here, we provide an assortment of small beach towns where you’ll find most of the shops and restaurants are locally owned and less commercial than their larger counterparts. Populations tend to be underwhelming in a good way, with the smallest at 700 and the largest at 30,000 full-time residents. Each place allows you to slow down and enjoy a throwback to simpler times. You’ll find maritime-rich gems hugging the northeastern Atlantic coast; the South Atlantic’s wildly scenic, remote island shores; the quiet, placid beauty of a lakeside beach; and a westward selection of spectacularly scenic small beach towns that span the Pacific Coast. There’s a nostalgic beach respite for all tastes.

a lighthouse surronded by trees and houses near the water

In North Carolina’s Outer Banks, wander the grounds of Ocracoke Lighthouse.

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Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

Maritime history runs deep on Ocracoke, a small, southern Outer Banks island settled by sailors, pilots and fishermen. Even pirates frequented its shores, including the legendary Blackbeard. Beachcombers might find it hard to choose between exploring 16 miles of undeveloped, quiet beaches that stretch along the protected Cape Hatteras National Seashore and visiting historic spots that reflect the island’s maritime heritage. A few days should give you time to do both. The walkable harborside village is about a mile in either direction, making it easy to visit locally owned shops, restaurants and memorable locations. Head to the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum or the Ocracoke Island Discovery Center to learn more about island life and local lore. And wander the grounds of Ocracoke Lighthouse, one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the nation; it’s closed for climbing, though.

Indulge in water activities, such as paddle-boarding or kayaking, in Avila Beach, California.

Courtesy Highway 1 Road Trip

Avila Beach, California

This Central Coast gem, set within a sheltered cove along the San Luis Obispo County coastline, recalls the classic California laid-back beach town vibe of the 1970s. With less-crowded beaches and an old-fashioned promenade perfect for morning or evening strolls, Avila Beach offers a relaxing seaside vacation. You’ll find plenty of beachside restaurants, family-run shops and galleries to visit within the walkable town before or after water activities. Fish from the pier, or try paddle-boarding or kayaking the calm waters for a chance to view otters and sea lions. Out of the water, consider a visit to the Central Coast Aquarium or the Point San Luis Lighthouse, which was founded in 1890. On Fridays through August, enjoy the farmers market on the promenade for fresh local food and entertainment from 4 to 8 p.m.

people sitting in a small boat at a dock as a man unravels a rope

A trip to Gloucester, Massachusetts, is a chance to see the nation’s oldest seaport.

Alamy Stock Photo

Gloucester, Massachusetts

Founded in 1623, this waterfront harbor town lays claim to the country’s oldest seaport. Gloucester has retained much of its colonial style, showcasing examples of colonial and Queen Anne architecture. Here you can step back into a bygone seafaring era. Visit sites and buildings that predate the Revolutionary War. Tour the William Haskell House, a restored 1680 residence. Explore the Rocky Neck Art Colony, one of the oldest working art colonies in America. Walk the Art Trail to see 15 waterfront colonial sites. Visit the Maritime Museum for guided tours of the waterfront. Schedule a schooner sail. Take a self-guided walking tour of the Gloucester Harborwalk, where 42 story posts line the 1.2-mile path, noting the community’s rich maritime heritage.

people walking on a sidewalk near storefronts

Galleries and locally owned shops in Saugatuck, Michigan, feature work by local and national artists.

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Saugatuck, Michigan

It’s easy to see why this picturesque beach town is called the Art Coast of Michigan. Its scenic location along the southeastern shoreline of Lake Michigan has been inspiring artists since the early 1900s. The pretty lakeside beaches and towering sand dunes have enchanted artists, writers and performers for years. The Great Lake and Kalamazoo River setting of Saugatuck offers a respite from city life. The old-fashioned ambience remains a fixture of the town, reflected in locally owned shops, eateries, lakeside inns and cottages. Walk along Butler Street to peruse galleries and boutiques showcasing local and national artists. Attend a theater performance or a concert, visit an art fair or take a studio tour.

cannons near a building overlooking the ocean

Fernandina Beach, Florida, is located on Amelia Island in the northeast part of the state.

Courtesy of Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Consider Fernandina Beach for a relaxing vacation that features unique origins, nature and quiet beaches. Once a bustling seaport centuries ago, this old-world town in northeast Florida on Amelia Island is dubbed the Isle of Eight Flags. It’s the only location in the U.S. to have had seven countries claim it (Spain claimed it twice). You can get a sense of the countries that occupied the area through the varied architecture, dining options, museums, tours and beaches. Learn more with a one-hour tour in the Eight Flag Gallery at the Amelia Island Museum of History. Book a trolley tour or an electric carriage ride. See dolphins, birds and wild horses on a river cruise while the guide talks of local lore. Dine on cuisine from around the world, a nod to the Eight Flags influence.

Kites are a big deal in Long Beach, Washington, the home of the World Kite Museum and the Washington State International Kite Festival.

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Long Beach, Washington

This seaside town is aptly named. The uninterrupted beach stretches 28 miles down the coastline to Oregon and holds the title of world’s longest continuous peninsula beach. The slow-paced atmosphere of this walkable town evokes the spirit of simpler times. A stroll along the half-mile wooden boardwalk that winds along the beach dunes is popular among locals and visitors, especially at sunset. Rest on a bench and take in the view of the Pacific Ocean. Walk a portion of the paved 8.5-mile Discovery Trail, named for Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery; the duo ended their expedition in Long Beach. Fly a kite on the beach with the locals. Buy your own at the gift shop at the World Kite Museum, where 1,500 kites from 26 countries are on display.

a closeup shot of lobster, onion rings, a burger and clams

Kennebunk, Maine, has sandy beaches, a quaint village ambience and seafood.

Courtesy Maine Office of Tourism

Kennebunk, Maine

This small town represents one of the state’s most popular slogans: “Maine: The way life should be.” You can translate that as “a chance to slow down and enjoy an abundance of natural beauty.” Kennebunk has been a popular summer vacation spot for over a century, attracting people seeking peaceful, sandy beaches, open natural spaces and quaint village ambience. For sun, surf and strolls, head to the local beaches. Rent a free beach wheelchair to take with you from the Parks & Recreation Department. Take a guided tour or rent bikes, kayaks or stand-up paddle boards. Peruse the downtown galleries and antique shops.

Discover more about Kennebunk’s Historic District at the Brick Store Museum. For a taste of local flavor, enjoy some lobster rolls and blueberry pie.

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Gigi Ragland is a Colorado–based travel writer whose work has appeared in National Geographic Travel, Condé Nast Traveler, The Saturday Evening Post, The Denver Post and many other publications.

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