I’m a born-and-raised New Yorker who has been vacationing at coastal towns in the Northeast for decades. For years, Cape Cod was one of my favorite destinations. While its beaches, villages, and cranberry bogs are gorgeous, I began to find the seasonal crowds and sky-high prices exhausting.
After sitting in traffic for one too many hours, I gave up and headed to other beachy spots across New England that are just as beautiful as The Cape with fewer crowds, equally adorable town centers, and great hotels.
Meet six Northeast beach towns with plenty of personality that are worthy alternatives to Cape Cod.
In this article
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit's sailboats and lobster traps paint a classic Maine seaside picture.
Marginal Way is its crown jewel, a 1.25-mile paved footpath perched atop dramatic cliffs; I love to meander through bayberry bushes and sea roses here while soaking in expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean. After my hike, I hop on the seasonal trolley that cruises around town, though it’s plenty walkable too.
For some time in the sun, Main Beach enjoys a timeless feel, where kids bury each other in the sand and families toss a frisbee.
Sitting down for a meal of lobster is also a must. The Maine culinary hallmark is well prepared at the casual Perkins Cove Lobster Shack, which serves one of the best lobster rolls in the state. Cap off your evening with a creamy cone at Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream.
Stay: Centrally located Meadowmere has indoor and outdoor swimming pools and old-fashioned lawn games.
Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Located midway between New York City and Boston, under-the-radar Old Saybrook offers authentic New England flavor similar to Cape Cod, only much closer to New York and easily accessible via Amtrak.
As soon as I get off the train, I make a beeline for Pursuit of Pastry, where luscious cupcakes are topped with buttercream frosting. I tote them along to free summer concerts on the town green or to Harvey’s Beach.
I’m hardly the only fan. The town was once home to Hollywood icon Katharine Hepburn, and the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center presents cultural events year-round, plus a small museum that pays homage to her legacy.
If you’re a railway enthusiast, take a ride on a vintage steam train at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, a 10-minute drive from Old Saybrook.
Stay: The Saybrook Point Resort & Marina is located directly on the marina. For a nautical immersion, book the Lighthouse Suite and enjoy views of the Long Island Sound and Connecticut River.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Block Island is a peaceful island sandwiched between mainland Rhode Island and Long Island, New York. Unlike Cape Cod, you won’t find crowds though, even in high season.
To reach it, ride the ferry (most visitors depart from Port Judith) to reach the Old Harbor. Once there, rent a bike or moped from Island Moped and Bike Rentals and explore the island’s 17 miles of roads.
With hundreds of bird species landing here annually, it’s an avian wonderland. Hike the 2-mile Hodge Family Wildlife Preserve trail and you may spot Tree Swallows and Northern Yellow Warblers.
There are also many pristine beaches. Mohegan Bluffs has spectacular views of the Atlantic and Southeast Light lighthouse from the bluff-top overlook. To reach the beach, you’ll need to climb down a long wooden staircase, adding to the seclusion.
Finally, seafood lovers shouldn’t miss an al fresco meal at the Landing at Champlin’s, where green crab bisque and smoked bluefish dip are served against the backdrop of Great Salt Pond. Cap with a treat from The Ice Cream Place, which makes their own hot fudge and whipped cream, for a sundae you won’t soon forget.
Stay: Block Island Beach House has a wrap-around porch overlooking Crescent Beach.
Madison, Connecticut
I’ve been visiting Madison for decades, and it still has the same sleepy feel that it did when I was a kid.
Hammonasset Beach State Park is a winner for anyone who wants to play in the sand and pedal along its maze of wooden boardwalks. Facing the Long Island Sound, the waves are usually as gentle as bathwater, which is a welcome difference from the potentially rough surf at Cape Cod’s ocean beaches. And if you’re visiting with kids, Meigs Point Nature Center’s observation deck and touch tanks present interactive learning experiences.
Compact and walkable, the Historic Town Green is Madison’s leafy centerpiece, with a bountiful farmer’s market held every Friday from May to November. While in town, stroll around a variety of independently owned shops located on and near the main thoroughfare, Boston Post Road.
RJ Julia is a top-notch bookstore that hosts frequent author readings, and at the Madison Cheese Shop, the mother-son owners are wizards when it comes to building hearty sandwiches for your beach picnic. For a refreshing snack, Ashley’s is a beloved ice-cream shop with seasonal flavors like fresh peach and pumpkin.
Stay: Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton sits on a sandy swath of the tidy town beach. Their restaurant, The Wharf, serves exceptional seafood.
Peaks Island, Maine
Maine’s rugged coastline is dotted with thousands of islands, where life moves at a pace set by wind, weather, and tides.
Here, rustic Peaks Island feels a million miles away from any place that’s even remotely urban, though it’s just a breezy 17-minute ferry ride to Portland. It’s also home to a close-knit residential community, with a languid pace that presents plenty of time to watch the tide roll in.
I start my day trip with a cup of coffee and a fluffy cinnamon roll at Peaks Café next to the ferry terminal. For adventure, book a half-day or a 2-hour sunset tour of Portland Harbor on a sea kayak with the competent guides at Peaks Island Kayak. Brad and Wyatt’s Island Bike Rentals is the place to go for bike rentals, and if you want to lean into quirky, the Umbrella Cover Museum is exactly what it sounds like.
Stay: The Docent’s Collection is a hotel with spacious, apartment-style lofts in Portland’s Old Port, a short walk from the ferry terminal.
Salem, Massachusetts
Known for its 17th century witch trials and present-day haunted Halloween happenings, Salem’s appeal goes beyond the spooky.
And while vacationing on Cape Cod is tough without a personal vehicle, Salem is ideal for car-free travelers as hotels, restaurants, and attractions are clustered in the tree-lined downtown.
History buffs shouldn’t skip the Witch House, once the home of witch trial judge Jonathan Corwin. During my visit, I gained insight into the fervor of religious extremism in Colonial America.
And as an art enthusiast, I never miss the Peabody Essex Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Asian art in the United States in a building designed by I.M. Pei.
For added fuel, Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie makes homespun confections like butterscotch drops and wintergreen patties that taste like a stroll down memory lane.
I also make time for Winter Island Park to visit the popular Waikiki Beach. The public park is also home to Winter Island Light, a 19th century lighthouse that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Stay: The Hawthorne Hotel has an old-world ambiance that suits this town.
The Shortcut
Old Saybrook is closer to New York City than Cape Cod is, and it's reachable by Amtrak, no highway traffic required.
Block Island stays crowd-free even in high season, and it's home to hundreds of bird species, so it feels more like a nature preserve than a beach town.
Salem is built for travelers without a car: hotels, restaurants, and attractions all cluster in the walkable downtown.
Peaks Island is just a 17-minute ferry ride from Portland, close enough for an easy half-day trip.
