These gorgeous beaches worth visiting are filled with beautiful views and rich history.
With over 95,000 miles of shoreline, the United States is filled with beautiful beach towns. Breathtaking beach views line both coasts, with great destinations dotting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Gulf of Mexico and even landlocked lakes.
From small towns to large tourist hotspots, U.S. beach towns are rich with history. The oldest beach towns in the United States have been the locations of military forts, trading posts and even the sites of infamous pirate lore. Their beautiful views have led these locations to become popular over the centuries for the vacations of past presidents, famous authors and popular celebrities.
More than just sandy shores and salty water, beach towns have so much to offer visitors. Some have quaint coffee shops, antiquing and intimate eateries. Others boast amusem*nt parks and family-friendly attractions. And their miles of waterfront access make them go-to destinations for boating, fishing and even whale or dolphin watching. These seven historic beach towns have been go-to travel destinations for tourists and locals alike for hundreds of years.
1
Cape May, New Jersey
America's oldest beach town, Cape May, became a vacation destination in 1766. Philadelphians would travel by stagecoach, sloop, schooner or horse-drawn carriage to make it to the beach. Building their tourism, Cape May added lodging by 1834, drawing in visitors from a further radius, including New York and Washington D.C. and later built its first 300-person hotel in 1842. A growing hotspot, the beach town become home to pavilions, ballrooms, and delicious seafood.
2
Revere Beach, Massachusetts
Known as America's first public beach, Revere Beach opened in 1896. The beach town was also home to one of the largest roller coasters in the whole country until the amusem*nt park was closed in the late 1970s. Spanning about three miles, Revere Beach is located just north of Boston.
3
Ocraco*ke, North Carolina
Ocraco*ke began to flourish in the 18th century when fishers, farmers, pilots and mariners all moved to the area to maintain the waters. Ocraco*ke is also known for being the location where Blackbeard the Pirate did a lot of his looting and ultimately met his demise in the harbor. Visitors to Ocraco*ke today come for the fishing, the beach and the town's annual fig festival.
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4
Key West, Florida
Take a long drive down the coast of Florida and you'll find yourself at the southernmost part of the continental United States. Settled by Juan Ponce de León in the 16th century, Key West began to grow in popularity in 1823 when it was deemed a port of entry for the U.S. and forts were constructed as the Navy, Marines and Army took post there.
Over the centuries, Key West continued to grow as a military hub, saw the decline of the local shrimp industry, and welcomed famous writers like Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. To this day, Key West is still a popular tourism destination for tourists who want to enjoy the beach, learn military history and eat the region's namesake, key lime pie.
5
Pensacola, Florida
One of America's oldest colonies, Pensacola was conquered by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. The city changed ownership many times over the years. Take yourself back to the early days of Pensacola with historic tours and visits to the beach.
Set on the Gulf Coast, there's so much to do in this military town—including dolphin watching boat trips, museum tours and plenty of arcade and amusem*nt centers.
6
Astoria, Oregon
While many may recognize this Oregon coast town as the setting of the popular 1985 movie The Goonies, its history dates back to the 17th century. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains and a hub for fur trading in the 19th century. Today, visitors enjoy walks along the beach and historical landmarks like local museums and the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.
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7
Newport, Rhode Island
A beach haven for America's elite, Newport has served as the summer chill spot for celebrities, politicians and historically wealthy moguls like the Vanderbilts. These families' mansions still line the coast and add to Newport's draw as a present-day tourist attraction. Visitors can also enjoy taking in the picturesque views of the water along the town's 3.5-mile cliff walk.
Emily Rochotte
Freelance Writer
Emily Rochotte is a freelance writer and social media manager covering lifestyle, travel and wedding content.
