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
- North Fork of Long IslandNeighborhoodoffers wine tastings, farm visits, scenic hikes, vintage shopping
- Breeze Hill FarmSightpick up apple cider donuts here
- Orient Beach State ParkTrailThe park is situated at the tip of the North Fork of Long Island.
- Laurel Lake PreserveTrailConserving Long Island's working farms and natural lands…
- Sound View Dunes ParkTrail
- Elsewhere
- The Whaling MuseumMuseumNantucket, United Statesvisit this downtown museum
- The Times VintageSightGreenport, United Statesshop for a '70s shift dress
- Beal & BellSightGreenport, United Statesshop for midcentury-modern coffee tables
- Silver Sands MotelMotelGreenport, United Statesoffers stargazing experience with Custer Institute
- McCall WinesSightGreenport, United Statesbook an exclusive winery tour and tasting
- 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
- The BeachsideHotelNantucket, United States
- FarawayHotelNantucket, United States