Condé Nast TravelerAug 6, 2026
Summer Might Be Coming to an End, But These East Coast Beach Towns Thrive in the Fall
Where to find the locals' summer, from Nantucket to Cape May.
24 things in this story
- The Times VintageSightshop for a '70s shift dress
- Beal & BellSightshop for midcentury-modern coffee tables
- Silver Sands MotelMoteloffers stargazing experience with Custer Institute
- McCall WinesSightbook an exclusive winery tour and tasting
- Elsewhere
- The Whaling MuseumMuseumNantucket, United Statesvisit this downtown museum
- North Fork of Long IslandNeighborhoodLong Island, United Statesoffers wine tastings, farm visits, scenic hikes, vintage shopping
- Breeze Hill FarmSightLong Island, United Statespick up apple cider donuts here
- Orient Beach State ParkTrailLong Island, United StatesThe park is situated at the tip of the North Fork of Long Island.
- Laurel Lake PreserveTrailLong Island, United StatesConserving Long Island's working farms and natural lands…
- Sayle's SeafoodRestaurantNantucket, United Statesgrab bay scallops starting in October
- Mitchell's Book CornerSightNantucket, United Statespop into this downtown shop
- Sconset Bluff WalkTrailNantucket, United Stateswalk to Sankaty Head Lighthouse for coastal scenery
- Sankaty Head LighthouseSightNantucket, United Statesdestination of the Sconset Bluff Walk
- Batacular Bike RaceFestivalNantucket, United Statescoincides with Nantucket Conservation Foundation's Fall Festival
- Nantucket Conservation Foundation's Fall FestivalFestivalNantucket, United Stateslate October event with a bike race
- Middle MoorsNature reserveNantucket, United Statesbeautiful loop for biking during the Batacular Bike Race
- Bartlett's FarmSightNantucket, United Statesvisit this farm for pumpkins and winter squash
- Mabel'sRestaurantKennebunkport, United StatesMabel’s Lobster Claw in Kennebunkport is a classic Maine restaurant serving a variety of seafood from fried clams to…
- Alisson’sRestaurantKennebunkport, United StatesLocated in the center of Dock Square, Alisson's has been a Kennebunkport tradition since 1973.
- Tyler Brook PreserveNature reserveKennebunkport, United Statesexperience fall foliage from this river-lined preserve
- Rachel Carson Wildlife RefugeTrailKennebunkport, United Statesfilled with wildlife in cooler months
- Sound View Dunes ParkTrailLong Island, United States
- The BeachsideHotelNantucket, United States
- FarawayHotelNantucket, United States
