Are you already dreaming about summer fun? It’s never too early to start planning for warmer weather. One of the best places to go during the summer is, of course, the beach. But maybe you’re tired of your family’s old standby and want to try something new.
These Mid-Atlantic beaches are well worth the trip. With cute seaside towns, stunning scenery and plenty to do, they’re all great destinations for a beach vacation.
Ocean City, MD
For many Marylanders, going to Ocean City during the summer is a beloved tradition. And it’s well-liked for a good reason: From chic restaurants, to carnival games, to relaxing on the sand, there’s something for all ages on this 10-mile stretch of shore. Thrill seekers will want to spend a day at the historic Trimper Rides theme park and take a spin on the Tidal Wave roller coaster. Foodies won’t want to miss Thrasher’s French fries, an iconic Ocean City treat, and there are plenty of restaurants along the coast that serve up steamed crabs. If you want to get away from the hubbub of downtown, the beach itself is great for swimming, boating, fishing and even parasailing.
ococean.com
Bethany Beach, DE
Bethany Beach offers more of a quiet beachfront experience, but it has a reputation for being clean and family-friendly. Whether you’re swimming, sunbathing or surfing, it’s a relaxing place to spend the day. Once you’re all dried off, take a stroll along Bethany Boardwalk and browse its cozy boutique stores and surf shops. Bethany Beach hosts several fun annual events in the summer, such as the Seaside Craft Show and the Poseidon Festival, where the town is swarmed by pirates, mermaids, luau dancers and other entertainers.
townofbethanybeach.com
Chesapeake Beach, MD
Chesapeake Beach is a bay beach and a railway resort town, with its status as a vacation destination dating back to the 19th century. After a Great Depression -era lull, the town saw renewed interest and major renovations in the early 2000s. Today, it’s a small, cozy town, but it has enough attractions to fill out a vacation. In addition to the eponymous beach, it’s home to Chesapeake Beach Water Park, a kid-friendly splash park with a splash pad, lazy river and water slides.
It’s worth noting that Chesapeake Beach’s main beach, Bayfront Park (aka Brownie’s Beach), is currently closed to tourists, with no update as of press time on whether the beach will reopen in 2025. The town of North Beach, within minutes of Chesapeake Beach, has a beach that’s open to the public.
chesapeakebeachmd.gov
Cape May, NJ
Cape May’s history is evident in its Victorian architecture, with many buildings dating back to the late 19th century. The New Jersey town is considered the first seaside resort in the United States and entertains more than 50,000 visitors every year. Running parallel to the beach, the Cape May Promenade is home to arcades, candy stores and other small businesses, old and new. The area also has a bustling restaurant scene with a large variety of options. There are many activities geared towards animal lovers, including the free-to-enter Cape May County Park and Zoo, boating expeditions for whale and dolphin watching and Jersey Shore Alpacas, a nearby farm populated by friendly alpacas.
capemay.com
State Park Beaches: Assateague State Park, MD, and Delaware Seashore State Park, DE
Some state parks also have beachfront areas, so visitors get the best of both worlds: a relaxing natural experience in the park area and beach fun on the water. Two of note are Assateague State Park, Maryland’s only oceanfront park, and Delaware Seashore State Park in Delaware.
You might not expect to find horses among the kinds of animals you’d see at the beach, but Assateague Island is most well known for its population of wild horses. It’s a dream for any horse lover. Just don’t feed or pet the horses, as they are feral and not used to being around humans. Still, seeing a herd of horses on the sand is a magical experience.
In addition to standard beach activities, Delaware Seashore State Park has a large campground area, so beach guests can easily turn their beach trip into a camping trip. If you don’t like sleeping in a tent or an RV, there are also on-property houses available to rent. The park is home to the Indian River Life-Saving Station, a museum honoring the U.S. Life-Saving Surfmen who rescued people from shipwrecks in the area.
dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/eastern/assateague.aspx
destateparks.com/park/delaware-seashore
