3 Iconic American Beach Getaway Ideas
From the idyllic coastal escape of The Summer I Turned Pretty to the nostalgia of Taylor Swift, here are three dreamy beach escapes for you to see out the rest of your summer. With these destinations, this is the summer you turned fabulous!
North Carolina’s Crystal Coast
Fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty dreaming of their own Cousins Beach escape will find the same nostalgic magic along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. With 85 miles of shoreline, this Southern Outer Banks gem is home to charming waterfront towns, wide beaches perfect for sun-soaked days and summer romance and laid-back vibes that invite slow mornings and bonfire nights.
In Beaufort, wander along the historic streets, dine at waterfront restaurants such as Moonrakers or Front Street Grill and kayak across Taylor’s Creek to Rachel Carson Reserve with Beaufort Paddle to spot wild horses. Enjoy an adventurous afternoon on Cape Lookout National Seashore, exploring the seashore by UTV. On Emerald Isle, rent bikes and ride the scenic 11-mile Emerald Path, take in sweeping views from The Point, and catch a stunning sunset at Bogue Inlet Pier. Stay in one of the area’s dreamy beachfront vacation rentals that rival Conrad and Jeremiah’s summer house, making for the ultimate setting for travelers to make their own coming-of-age memories.
The Hamptons, New York
New Yorkers’ ultimate beach backyard is the Hamptons on Long Island. Spanning 50 miles from Westhampton Beach to Montauk, the Hamptons offer an idyllic coastal retreat perfect for sun-soaked days and time spent with friends, family and summer flings. Coopers Beach in East Hampton invites visitors to relax along its wide, sandy shoreline and crack open their favorite Jenny Han novel. For an adventurous beach experience, Ditch Plains in Montauk is a renowned destination for surfing and paddleboarding.
Explore Montauk Point, the easternmost tip of New York State, where the historic Montauk Lighthouse stands as a must-see landmark. Visitors can channel their inner Cam Cameron and embark on a whale or seal watching cruise tour or visit the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum to learn Long Island’s whaling history. Guests can stay at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, a beachfront favorite, complete with a private beach club, oceanfront cocktails and an ocean-fed seawater pool perfect for a late-night swim.
We all know that Taylor Swift’s Summer getaway is Rhode Island, and Newport, R.I., has long held the title of “America’s Summer Playground.” With its golden beaches, storybook streets, and effortlessly cool coastal vibe, Newport offers the perfect setting for a summer romance. The bustling Bowen’s Wharf and quiet corners of the colonial streets are perfect for igniting the spark with ice cream dates, window shopping and unexpected flirtation playing hide and seek around the historic homes. Need some time to think?
While Conrad is likely to be found wandering the iconic 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, pondering all of life’s hard decisions, Jeremiah may be enjoying long, lazy beach days at Easton’s Beach tossing a football. For the best party outfit that rivals Belly and Taylor’s wardrobe, peruse the local shops and vintage stores like Folklore Vintage on Thames Street.
Castle Hill Inn, located on a peninsula overlooking the ocean, boasts iconic white Adirondack chairs sprinkled across the lawn, bright guest rooms for cozy escapes and classic New England summer events like lobster and clam bakes. Plus, it makes for one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the area, booking up years in advance, giving Belly and those like her plenty of time to sort out love triangles.
