The Best Coastal Towns In America

When looking to finally get some relaxation, there's no better place for a getaway than someplace by the water. And with more than 95,000 miles of coastline, the United States is home to plenty of picturesque seaside and lakeside escapes just waiting to be discovered.

Whether you're looking for a colorful tropical destination or a quaint and quiet waterfront town, you don't necessarily need a passport for your dream beach vacation. Cruise ports, barrier islands, whaling towns and resort cities can all host some of the best trips, provided you book the right hotels and know all the best places to eat, shop and party. These towns provide the best coastal getaways in America.

The prettiest town in the state of Oregon is home to only about 1,700 people, but more than 750,000 visitors descend on the coastal town every year. Looming over the water at 235 feet, Haystack Rock is an icon of its wonderful beach, with low tide revealing starfish and other marine life near its base. To dry off, you can visit the charming shops and food spots that line the streets of Cannon Beach's downtown, and for a more active time, you can check out the nearby Ecola State Park, popular for hiking and camping due to its gorgeous landscape.

North Carolina's most underrated tourist spot is located in its Outer Banks, known for its long beachfront. Nags Head not only has great beaches, but it's also particularly well-known for its sand dunes, notably Jockey's Ridge, the largest sand dune on the East Coast, which is also surrounded by the state's most visited park. At Nags Head, you'll also find many popular fishing and crabbing piers, as well as plenty of opportunity to go mini-golfing or take part in other family-friendly amusement attractions with features like go-karts and bumper cars.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is situated on California's Monterey Peninsula, known for its picturesque architecture and breathtakingly scenic views that make it one of the world's most romantic spots. Cafés, inns, art galleries and restaurants make the quaint town perfect for exploration, and Carmel Beach's leash-free policy extends to many hotels and restaurants so that your furry friend can join you for a bite after a walk on the beach. You can also enjoy the beach by car by cruising down Scenic Drive, or you can take on the famous 17-Mile Drive that runs through town and along the Monterey Bay coast.

The resort city of Galveston is located on Galveston Island off the Gulf Coast of Texas, 45 miles southeast of Houston. A popular cruise port of call, Galveston is a great beach destination that's perfect for history lovers, with six historic districts that are home to more than 60 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places (including many survivors of the historic and devastating 1900 hurricane and flood). In the Strand National Historic Landmark District, you'll find Victorian-era buildings that have been converted into lovely antique stores, art galleries, historical exhibits, museums and restaurants.

Paia is a small town situated on the northern coast of Maui, and the first on the Hana Highway when heading eastbound towards the equally beautiful American town of Hana. Known to some as "The World Capital of Windsurfing," it's close to multiple top windsurfing spots such as Spreckelsville and Ho'okipa. You won't find any resorts in Paia, which enhances its small-town feel, but you will find some classic Hawaiian cuisine and wonderful art galleries.

Situated on a beautiful, placid blue lake of the same name in northwest Idaho, Coeur d'Alene is a great spot for boat rides and water sports, as well as hiking and other outdoor activities thanks to the dense Coeur d'Alene National Forest. Check into the Coeur d'Alene Resort, the best hotel in the state, for a quiet getaway featuring an award-winning spa, great dining options and plenty of natural beauty.

Located on the northeast tip of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend is known not only for its scenic beauty but also its many picturesque Victorian-era buildings and strong maritime culture, as evidenced by the many independent boat builders and maritime-related crafts and businesses. Arts and culture are quite prized here as well, and the city hosts many yearly events such as the Kinetic Skulpture Race, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, the Rhododendron Festival, and Jazz Port Townsend, a jazz and blues festival.

Enjoy a subtropical vacation on the Alabama coast in the resort city of Gulf Shores. Get in touch with nature by renting a boat, lounging on the beach or taking a hike through one of many wildlife trails. Other popular activities include extreme watersports, mini-golfing and checking out the waterfront, where you'll find great Southern cuisine and seafood. Located right on the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores is also known for its party scene, as it has great nightlife and frequent concerts throughout the year.

One of the most underrated small towns in America, Sitka has a population of less than 10,000, a benefit to the teeming wildlife that calls the area home. Located in the Alexander Archipelago of Alaska's panhandle, the city-borough is home to the state's oldest national park, and sits at the edge of Tongass National Forest, the largest in the country at 16.7 million acres.

A popular New England cruise port in Maine, Bar Harbor is a great place to enjoy both land and sea. Go hiking, biking, bird watching or mountain climbing at Acadia National Park, which includes Cadillac Mountain, known for its breathtaking views. You can also take to the marina and go on a tour that will take you to see puffins, seals, whales and more. The sea also has much to offer in the way of its pristine beaches and fresh seafood, particularly the Maine-style lobster rolls.

A law requiring all lakefront properties to allow for a bit of their land to be used as part of a path encircling Lake Geneva ensures that you can enjoy a nice stroll around the water (no bikes allowed). Located on the southern border of Wisconsin, Lake Geneva is a popular Midwest destination, especially for locals of the Chicago and Milwaukee areas. Rent a boat or go sailing or parasailing, and check out the cute shops offering all kinds of locally made trinkets and goods to take home.

Just a little more than 700 people live in Chesapeake City, a picturesque town located on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in Maryland. The trees lining its lovely waterfront make for an especially photogenic sight in the fall, and it's also home to many 19th-century homes and buildings, some of which have since been turned into amazing B&Bs, top-tier restaurants and even local history museums.

Lake Placid in upstate New York offers something to do year-round, from winter sports to summer lounging. Superb opportunities for hiking and camping can be found in the high peaks of the Adirondacks that surround the village, and the town itself has plenty of cozy cabins as well as a fun main street with plenty of food and shopping. The beautiful lake it's named after offers plenty of water activities, and you can also take to the multiple nearby waterways for canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.

Just 3.5 miles wide and 14 miles long, Nantucket is an island situated 30 miles off of Cape Cod that's long served as a getaway for the rich and famous and tourists alike. The Massachusetts town's environmental initiatives have resulted in 36 percent of the island local wildlife being officially preserved, and you can also get to know the marine life at the local aquarium.

Get lost in the Camden Hills, where you can enjoy New England's natural scenery on a mountain bike, or take to the nearby beach where you can swim or set sail. The beautiful harbor of Camden, Maine, is marked by the postcard-worthy Curtis Island Lighthouse, and if you head downtown, you'll find plenty of lovely small shops and restaurants.

The only established town on Mustang Island, a barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Texas that stretches 18 miles long, Port Aransas is home to just over 4,000 people but swells to 60,000 or more during the summer. Fishing and birdwatching are popular endeavors, and you'll also find kayak paddling trails to explore the surrounding waters. Spring brings spring breakers, as well as April's Sand Fest, where competitors sculpt impressive sand castles in a festival filled with live music and great food.

Clearwater is home to the best beach in America, as well as multiple festivals throughout the year and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to famous dolphins Hope and Winter (the latter of whom has a prosthetic tail). Part of Florida's Tampa Bay Area on the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater is also a great place to enjoy the arts at the historic Capitol Theatre or local nature and wildlife at the Moccasin Lake Nature Park, making for an amazing American weekend getaway.