Perfect Destinations For A New England Coastal Drive

There’s something magical about cruising along the New England coast, where rugged shorelines meet charming seaside towns.

From Massachusetts to Maine, Rhode Island to Connecticut, these states offer some of the most breathtaking coastal views in America. Pack your camera, grab some snacks, and get ready to explore these must-visit spots on your New England coastal adventure.

1. Martha’s Vineyard – Massachusetts

Reaching this island paradise requires a quick ferry ride, but the journey is worth every minute. Martha’s Vineyard welcomes visitors with its colorful gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs and dramatic clay cliffs at Aquinnah.

Cycling around the island offers the perfect pace to absorb its charm. Rent a bike in Vineyard Haven and pedal to Edgartown, where white-trimmed sea captains’ homes line the streets near a picturesque harbor.

Did you know the movie Jaws was filmed here in the 1970s? The fictional Amity Island scenes were shot primarily in Menemsha, a working fishing village where you can still enjoy the freshest seafood imaginable while watching boats come and go with the day’s catch.

2. Nantucket Island – Massachusetts

Cobblestone streets and weathered gray-shingled buildings transport visitors back to whaling days on this enchanted island. Nantucket sits 30 miles offshore, making it feel worlds away from mainland hustle.

Summer visitors flock to Surfside and Cisco beaches for perfect waves and soft sand. The Whaling Museum on Broad Street tells fascinating stories of the island’s maritime history through artifacts and a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling.

Sunset at Madaket Beach on the western tip offers unrivaled beauty. Before leaving, climb the steps of First Congregational Church for a panoramic view of the harbor, or rent a Jeep with oversized tires to explore the secluded eastern beaches where wild cranberries grow in sandy soil.

3. Portland Head Light – Maine

Standing tall since 1791, this iconic lighthouse has guided countless sailors safely to shore. Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth represents everything people love about Maine’s rugged coastline dramatic rocky shores, crashing waves, and maritime history.

The adjacent Fort Williams Park provides perfect picnic spots with lighthouse views. Watch lobster boats heading out to check their traps while ships enter Portland Harbor in the distance.

Photography enthusiasts arrive at dawn for magical light conditions as the sun rises over the Atlantic. Winter visits offer equally stunning scenes when snow and ice create a stark contrast against the dark ocean. The small museum inside the former keeper’s quarters tells fascinating stories about the lighthouse’s long history protecting Maine’s mariners.

4. Acadia National Park – Maine

Where mountains meet the sea, Acadia offers some of America’s most spectacular coastal scenery. The 27-mile Park Loop Road provides access to key attractions like Thunder Hole, where incoming waves create explosive sounds in the right conditions.

Hiking Cadillac Mountain rewards you with first sunrise views in the United States (from October through March). The historic carriage roads, funded by John D. Rockefeller Jr., offer car-free biking through forests and past crystal-clear lakes.

Jordan Pond House serves their famous popovers on the lawn overlooking pristine waters. When tide is low, walk the natural land bridge to Bar Island from downtown Bar Harbor just be sure to return before high tide covers your path back! The park’s diverse ecosystems support over 40 different mammal species, including moose and black bears.

5. Kennebunkport – Maine

Presidential connections and seaside charm blend perfectly in this upscale coastal town. Kennebunkport gained worldwide fame as the summer home of the Bush family at Walker’s Point, where world leaders have gathered for decades.

Dock Square buzzes with activity as shoppers browse boutiques housed in converted sea captains’ homes. The Clam Shack, perched on a bridge over the Kennebunk River, serves what many consider Maine’s best lobster roll simple, fresh, and unforgettable.

Cape Porpoise Harbor offers a more authentic fishing village experience just minutes from downtown. Early risers catch fishermen unloading their daily haul while herons wade in the shallows. For beach lovers, Goose Rocks Beach stretches for three miles of perfect white sand, a rarity on Maine’s predominantly rocky shore.

6. Bar Harbor – Maine

Gateway to adventure, Bar Harbor balances natural wonders with small-town hospitality. Though technically part of Acadia National Park’s surroundings, this charming town deserves its own spot on your coastal itinerary.

Shore Path offers an easy waterfront stroll past grand summer cottages (local term for mansions) built during the Gilded Age. The town green hosts farmers markets and concerts throughout summer months, creating a festive atmosphere.

Whale watching tours depart regularly from the town pier, offering chances to spot humpbacks, finbacks, and minke whales. When hunger strikes, try popovers at Jordan Pond House or lobster at Stewman’s Lobster Pound. History comes alive at Abbe Museum, showcasing Wabanaki culture through indigenous art and artifacts that tell the story of Maine’s original inhabitants.

7. Newport Cliff Walk – Rhode Island

Gilded Age mansions on one side, crashing waves on the other Newport’s Cliff Walk delivers an only-in-America experience. This 3.5-mile trail combines natural beauty with architectural splendor as it winds along the eastern shore of Aquidneck Island.

The Breakers, summer cottage of the Vanderbilt family, stands as the most impressive of many mansions visible from the path. Rough passages in the southern sections offer adventurous hikers dramatic views of waves smashing against rocks below.

Wildflowers bloom along the trail throughout spring and summer. Look for purple beach pea and golden rod among native species. The 40 Steps, a stone staircase descending to the water, marks the spot where mansion servants once gathered on their time off to socialize away from employers’ watchful eyes.

8. Watch Hill – Rhode Island

Understated elegance defines this coastal village where celebrities and regular folks enjoy similar pleasures. Watch Hill sits on Rhode Island’s southwestern tip, offering views of three states from its beaches and headlands.

The Flying Horse Carousel, America’s oldest continuously operating merry-go-round, delights children with brass rings to catch. Taylor Swift owns a magnificent oceanfront mansion here, though locals politely give her privacy when she’s in town.

Napatree Point extends like a finger into the ocean, creating a natural preserve with dual-facing beaches. East Beach stretches for miles with perfect sand and gentle waves. Before leaving, climb Bay Street’s hill to the Ocean House hotel’s verandah for refreshments with a view that encompasses Block Island Sound and the Atlantic beyond.

9. Portsmouth Harbor – New Hampshire

Maritime history comes alive in New Hampshire’s only seaport city. Though the state claims just 18 miles of coastline, Portsmouth makes the most of its waterfront location where the Piscataqua River meets the Atlantic.

Strawbery Banke Museum preserves an entire neighborhood with buildings dating from 1695 to 1954. Living history demonstrations show visitors what life was like for early settlers through World War II.

Harbor cruises reveal lighthouses and forts that once protected this strategic port. Market Square buzzes with energy as shops, restaurants, and pubs occupy buildings that have stood for centuries. The Portsmouth Brewery, New Hampshire’s original brewpub, offers perfect refreshment after exploring the waterfront. For literary fans, the childhood home of John Paul Jones, father of the American Navy, stands preserved near downtown.

10. Hampton Beach – New Hampshire

Summer fun reaches fever pitch at this classic New England beach town. Hampton Beach represents the quintessential American seaside resort with its boardwalk, casino ballroom (actually a concert venue, not a gambling establishment), and weekly fireworks.

The wide sandy beach stretches for miles, offering plenty of space even on crowded summer days. Master sand sculptors create incredible temporary art during the annual June competition, drawing thousands of spectators.

Evening concerts at the Seashell Stage provide free entertainment throughout summer. The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival in September marks the unofficial end of summer with over 50 restaurants serving their specialties under tents along Ocean Boulevard. Whale watching tours depart regularly from the harbor, offering chances to spot humpbacks, finbacks, and the rare North Atlantic right whale.

11. Mystic Seaport – Connecticut

America’s maritime past thrives at the nation’s leading maritime museum. Mystic Seaport Museum recreates a 19th-century coastal village with more than 60 historic buildings and four National Historic Landmark vessels.

The Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat, stands as the crown jewel of the collection. Built in 1841, this wooden whaleship sailed 37 voyages before retiring to the museum.

Skilled craftspeople demonstrate traditional maritime trades like cooperage, shipsmithing, and sailmaking. Children love climbing aboard the Joseph Conrad, a full-rigged 1882 training ship permanently moored at the museum. Just downriver, Mystic Pizza gained fame from the 1988 Julia Roberts movie of the same name.

12. Old Saybrook – Connecticut

Colonial heritage meets coastal beauty in one of Connecticut’s oldest towns. Old Saybrook sits where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, creating a strategic location settled by Europeans in 1635.

The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, known locally as “The Kate,” honors the legendary actress who lived in the Fenwick section of town. Main Street offers shopping in buildings that have stood for centuries, while Harvey’s Beach provides a perfect swimming spot with gentle waves.

Fort Saybrook Monument Park commemorates the original settlement with informative displays about colonial life. Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse, accessible only by boat, guards the river mouth. For nature lovers, the 1,000-acre Great Cedars Conservation Area offers hiking trails through diverse ecosystems including Connecticut’s largest remaining stand of Atlantic white cedar trees.

13. New London Waterfront – Connecticut

Maritime heritage flows through this historic port city’s veins. New London’s strategic location on the Thames River and Long Island Sound has shaped its identity since colonial times.

The Custom House Maritime Museum tells stories of the city’s whaling past and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which calls New London home. Ocean Beach Park offers a mile of golden sand with a boardwalk, Olympic-sized pool, and amusement rides reminiscent of earlier eras.

Cross Sound Ferry provides service to Orient Point on Long Island, making this a potential jumping-off point for further coastal adventures. Fort Trumbull State Park preserves a 19th-century fortification with panoramic river views.

14. Cape Cod National Seashore – Massachusetts

Miles of pristine sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see at this natural wonderland. The Cape Cod National Seashore spans over 40 miles of Atlantic-facing beaches, marshes, ponds, and uplands.

Walking the scenic trails here offers glimpses of wildlife you won’t find elsewhere. Don’t miss Race Point Beach in Provincetown, where you might spot whales from shore during migration seasons.

History buffs will appreciate the old lighthouses dotting the landscape, especially Highland Light in Truro. The visitor centers at Salt Pond and Province Lands provide excellent orientation to make the most of your visit to this coastal treasure.

15. Block Island – Rhode Island

Just 12 miles offshore, this peaceful island feels like stepping back in time. Block Island’s lack of chain stores and traffic lights creates an atmosphere of simplicity that’s increasingly rare in today’s world.

Mohegan Bluffs offer breathtaking views from 200-foot clay cliffs above the Atlantic. The 184 steps down to the beach below reward brave climbers with a secluded stretch of sand and dramatic scenery.

Bicycling the island’s 16 square miles reveals hidden beaches and nature preserves. The Nature Conservancy calls Block Island one of their “Last Great Places” due to its ecological significance. Southeast Lighthouse, built in 1875, stands sentinel on the southern tip, while the North Light guards the opposite end where seals often sun themselves on offshore rocks during cooler months.