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Are beach vacations always expensive?
- While many travelers associate beach vacations with high costs, there are plenty of affordable options in the United States.
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Are there budget-friendly beach getaways in the U.S.?
- Yes! The United States has dozens of beach destinations that cater to solo travelers, couples, and families without breaking the bank.
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What are some affordable activities at beach destinations?
- Visitors can enjoy non-motorized watersports, hiking, biking, and exploring as cost-effective alternatives to pricey resort stays.
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What types of beach experiences can travelers find?
- For adventure seekers, California offers surfing.
- In Maine, travelers can experience tide pooling.
- Florida is a great place for snorkeling and other water-based activities.
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What can visitors expect from these affordable beach towns?
- Many U.S. beach towns provide scenic views and budget-friendly activities for a memorable seaside getaway.
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1. Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, otherwise known as Surf City U.S.A. is a destination for surfers of all ages and abilities. Lessons and equipment rental are available for individuals and groups at the Banzai Surf School, an accredited member of the National Surf Schools & Instructors Association. Beachgoers who would rather catch some rays than catch a wave can stretch out on a beach towel along 10 miles of award-winning sandy shoreline. Beach volleyball is a popular waterfront sport and tournaments are held throughout the year. For bicycle rentals and burger baskets, tourists can hit one of the concession stands along the beach.
2. Virginia Beach
With pet-friendly beaches, local brewery tours, and adventurous watersports, Virginia Beach is the ideal place for a family to find their own adventure. Visitors can navigate the city with a bike rental or take a stroll on the 3-mile boardwalk. Visitors looking for a tranquil place to unwind will find it at Chesapeake Bay Beach with its calm tide and lighthouses. For those looking to surf, kayak, or hike, Sandbridge Beach encompasses the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park, two natural spots that are great for the nature-inclined. Visitors who want fresh seafood will enjoy going on an educational and fun oyster tour with a local.
3. Mexico Beach, Florida
Mexico Beach, Florida is a small, lively coastal city in Bay County, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, known for its mile-long wonderful white sandy beaches, slow pace of life, and the nostalgic vibe of Old Florida. They made sure that the development is restrained and that everyone has a wonderful view of the beaches unobstructed by massive concrete towers. The stores are small, there are charming mom-and-pop eateries and boutiques, the waters are crystal clear, and the nature is lush and unspoiled. You can spend your time fishing, diving, swimming, shelling, kayaking, and parasailing, or you can stretch out on a beach chair under a colorful umbrella and enjoy a good book. Nature lovers can take one of many eco tours and go looking for ospreys, bald eagles, endangered sea turtles, or dolphins. There is always some festival to make things lively, such as the Fourth of July Best Blast on the Beach, Music in the Park, Beach Blast Triathlons, Gumbo Cook-Off, Art & Wine Festival, and Christmas Celebration of Lights.
4. Cape May
History buffs will have plenty to see and do in Cape May. America’s first seaside resort town has over 600 well-preserved Victorian-era buildings, some of which now welcome guests as bed and breakfasts. Themed trolley tours led by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities are a popular activity for those who want to learn more about the fascinating history of this charming town. The “Painted Ladies” overlook the promenade and Cape May’s Convention Hall, which offers a year-round schedule of activities and entertainment. Past the promenade are miles of sandy beaches where visitors can soak up the sun.
5. Cannon Beach
This seaside village has a well-deserved reputation for being home to the best beach on the Oregon Coast. Its natural beauty even led to National Geographic listing it as one of the most beautiful places in the world! If beauty inspires art, it’s no wonder that Cannon Beach was also named one of America’s best art towns, and art enthusiasts will love the numerous festivals, galleries, and displays. Sculpture of a different kind can be seen at the town’s annual sandcastle contest held each June. Food is an art form itself, and the cafés, microbreweries, and restaurants serve up a selection of fresh seafood and local specialties.
6. Delray Beach
Delray Beach has nearly 2 miles of inviting sandy beaches along Florida’s Gold Coast. Watersports enthusiasts can rent equipment right on the beach or along Atlantic Avenue, the city’s main thoroughfare. Everyone from snorkelers to surfers will find a place that caters to them. The city’s parks and recreation department maintains more than 40 public parks and facilities that are open to residents and tourists including pools, sports fields, skate parks, tennis courts, golf courses, dog parks, and playgrounds that offer affordable fun for everyone! Dining options in downtown Delray Beach range from food trucks to four-star restaurants.
7. Dennis Port
Once home to sea captains and ship builders, Dennis Port Village is now known for its coffee shops, boutiques, markets, and sandy south side beaches that overlook Nantucket Sound. This quaint village invites visitors to eat at one of its many New England-style restaurants and enjoy a post-dinner concert on the Village Green. Dennis Port is also a popular spot for windsurfers and kite boarders, who use the southwesterly breezes along the sound’s shoreline to their advantage. Overnight guests who want a true Cape Cod experience can stay in one of Dennis Port’s cozy bed and breakfasts or charming inns.
8. Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach prides itself on its laidback retro vibe. Casual beachfront restaurants and coffee shops set the tone for a relaxing vacation in this Atlantic Coast town. Even the local winery is on the beach. Residents and visitors have free access to the municipal fishing pier and more than 6 miles of sandy shoreline. Nature lovers can hike the Coastal Strand Trail to get an up-close look at the local ecosystem. Visiting the local art galleries and gift shops are a great way to while away an afternoon before heading back to the beach for an evening cocktail and live entertainment.
9. Harwich
Set among the cranberry bogs it’s well known for, Harwich delivers an authentic Cape Cod experience with bonfires on the beach, boating, and baseball. The village has six fresh water beaches and 17 saltwater beaches along Nantucket Sound. Permits for bonfires are issued by the Recreation and Youth Commission. Boats can be rented with or without a captain at NautiJane’s in East Harwich for a relaxing day at sea. Sports fans can spend an afternoon watching the Harwich Mariners take on another team from the Cape Cod Baseball League followed by a casual dinner of local favorites at Brax Landing in Harwich Port.
10. Molokai
The longest white sand beach in Hawaii can be found on “The Friendly Island” of Molokai. Most everything in Molokai revolves around the water. From snorkeling to scuba diving to surfing, watersports are the favorite activity of locals and tourists alike. Equipment rentals, instructors, and guides can be found near Kaunakakai Harbor. Landlubbers have many land-based activities to choose from as well, including hikes in the Kamakou Preserve or biking along the Waikolu Outlook. Guided mule rides in the uplands is another unique family-friendly experience. Hand-crafted souvenirs to remember your trip to off-the-beaten-path Molokai are available at small stores throughout the island.
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