The Guide: Three Little East Coast Towns You Must Visit
A curated guide by blogger and traveler Kacey Mya.
The East Coast is different than any other part of the country. From its quaint and charming towns to its delicious seafood and unique historical sites, this often-underestimated part of the country is out there waiting for you to visit.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s a ton you can explore and experience on the East Coast, other than New York City, Boston and other major cities in that part of the country. In fact, the smaller, more alluring towns have proven to be the most rewarding, when it comes to a visit to the East Coast. If you crave a unique destination with a charming and easy-going atmosphere, look no further than these three little East Coast towns — it will be like you’ve just stepped into a Nicholas Sparks novel.
Niantic, Connecticut
Located two hours south of Boston and two hours north of New York City, Niantic features a beautiful main street that runs parallel to the Long Island Sound. Stop for lunch, specialty shopping or a walk along the charming streets by the water. There’s a wide array of gourmet dining choices, several antique shops and a historic past just waiting to be explored. The best part — there’s a beach within walking distance.
McCook Point Beach and Park is a lovely location where you can spend warm, sunny days laying out in the sun, swimming out to the giant raft in the water or having a picnic on the shoreline. During the summer, enjoy the McCook’s Beach Summer Concert Series. Make sure you get ice-cream from the popular beach ice-cream truck, then head on over to Grace, an affordable lifestyle and clothing boutique.
After lunch, head over to Gumdrops & Lollipops Diner — a cute yellow building you can’t miss. It’s like entering Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, with its wide assortment of fudge, candy and over 40 flavors of hard ice cream. Take your ice-cream cone, and walk along the Niantic Bay Boardwalk — also the perfect place to watch the sunset. Later, try dinner at Lillian’s Cafe — perfect for fresh seafood, locally
grown fruits and vegetables and even vegetarian options.
This inviting seaside village is an easily accessible and a great place to spend the day or a few nights. Niantic offers a couple of great bed and breakfasts and inns for out-of-towners, which has made it a sought-after tourist destination. If you’re looking for an underrated charming beachside village, discover your own shoreline secret in Niantic, Connecticut.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Excellent food, great shopping and historical heritage is what makes up Amish Country. There are plenty of things to do in this peaceful country and farmland setting. The Amish are well-known for their simple living, plain wardrobe, horses and buggies and great craftsmanship. Pennsylvania has an estimated Amish population of 59,078 — one of three states with the highest Amish populations in the country. There, you’ll find the oldest Amish population in Lancaster County.
You won’t go hungry in Amish Country because of their undeniable hospitality. Casey Jones’ Restaurant is in a dining car and offers great BBQ. Stockyard Inn is known for its dining experience, that combines old-
world charm and innovative cuisine. Go on Amish buggy rides, tour an Amish dairy farm, a miniature horse farm or a real Amish home that serves homemade root beer. Take a 45-minute ride on a short-line railroad from 1832 and visit the National Civil War Museum.
Amish Village offers a unique opportunity to take a guided tour of the 1840 Amish farmhouse. The 12-acre grounds include a Smokehouse Market and farm animals. Head over to the Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park to enjoy over 35 rides and attractions, live entertainment and Duke’s Lagoon water play area. There’s plenty to do and see in Lancaster, plus a ton of Amish history waiting to be discovered.
Newport, Rhode Island
The Gilded Age mansions, stylish boutiques, beautiful scenery and delicious seafood restaurants make Newport one of the prettiest East Coast beach towns. Go on a 3.5-mile-long cliff walk for breathtaking views of the ocean or go on a tour of lavish homes that were once owned by wealthy families.
Tour the famous Newport Mansions, once owned by America’s wealthiest families. The Breakers is the grandest of Newport’s mansions and was owned by the Vanderbilt family. The 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, has a great hall with 45-foot-high ceilings and
sits on 13 acres.
If you’re looking for serenity, look no further than Newport’s Cliff Walk, where you can take in panoramic ocean views, the cool sea breeze and crashing waves. This is also the perfect spot for a photo op. There’s
also the Newport Art Museum, the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Dining in Newport is a treat, so try one of the new innovative chef-owned restaurants like the laid-back CRU Cafe, a staple amongst Newport locals and vacationers. Belle’s Cafe is a hidden gem located inside an actual shipyard — a place where you can enjoy a lobster roll or create your own breakfast sandwich. After a long day of exploring, relax while you catch the sunset on the patio of The Black Pearl or make a reservation for their Commodore Room.
There is certainly no shortage of fabulous food options in Newport, Rhode Island, but there’s also no shortage of fun events. Check out the many exciting things happening in Newport year-round, like the Annual Newport Winter Festival, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Newport Flower Show, the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival and Bowen’s Wharf Newport Oyster Festival — there is always something happening in Newport, Rhode Island.
The East Coast is no Los Angeles or Miami — your typical vacation spots, but on a visit to the East Coast, discover a quaint and serene environment that’s perfect for a relaxing getaway. Whether with your friends, family or yourself, these three charming East Coast towns offer up a true small-town feel, beaches, exciting events, historical sites, unique mansion tours and so much more. So, get in the car or book yourself a flight to Niantic, Connecticut, Lancaster, Pennsylvania or Newport, Rhode Island. You won’t be disappointed.
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective , an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!
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