Visit the Nation’s 8 Best Beach Towns for Families

We’ve put together a list of eight of the best beach towns for families. These are places you can go to relax, be with your loved ones, make some memories, and get a good dose of sun and salt for your soul.  

1. Ipswich, MA

Located on Boston’s North Shore about an hour outside of the city, Ipswich is an idyllic spot to bring the family. When you visit Ipswich, you’ll definitely want to make a day or two of the popular Crane Beach. Boasting over 1,000 acres of conservation land, the area has endless sandy trails through the dunes and a sweeping guarded beach with lots of great boogie boarding waves. 

A long boardwalk brings you from the parking lot (where you will find concessions, clean restrooms and showers, and even a gift shop) out to the expansive beach, where you can find plenty of space if you’re willing to walk beyond the summer crowds. Grab some cold Italian ices from the cart as it goes by, and enjoy splashing in the tide pools that form at low tide. The parking is more expensive than most places, so stick around for the gorgeous sunset to get the most bang for your buck. 

Besides the beach, there are plenty of things to do in this quaint seaside town. You can pick flowers and see the animals at Appleton Farms and roam the mansion and grounds of the Crane Estate. Its proximity to the endless attractions in Boston, such as the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and the Children’s Museum make it one of the best beach towns for families to visit. 

Visit the Trustees website for more information and the latest Covid updates.

Here is a list of BabyQuip providers around Ipswich that can help you with baby gear rentals.

2. Eastham, Cape Cod, MA

There are actually 15 towns that make up Cape Cod, plus the neighboring islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. This makes it impossible to choose just one “best” beach town for families to visit! Each town offers different (and amazing!) experiences so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time in the itinerary to pop around and check out the dynamic coastline. 

That being said, one favorite pick is the town of Eastham where you will find historic First Encounter Beach. The Pilgrims landed here first before they voyaged onward to their final destination of Plymouth, thus the name. Nestled on the bayside of the Outer Cape, First Encounter features a beautiful beach abutting a vast salt marsh. Natural entertainment for the kiddos is everywhere you look! At low tide children will love to run all over the flats searching the tide pools for hermit crabs and minnows.  High tide brings deeper water and more opportunities for boogie boarding and playing in the small waves. 

No matter what the tide, be sure to walk to the southern end of the beach to Bees River, a water playground for kids and grownups alike. Bring along floats for everyone and let the current sweep you over 100 yards down the beach! Access mats run from the parking lots down the trails to the beach, so it’s easy to roll a wagon full of beach gear to your spot. There are bathrooms available, but the only nourishment comes from the ice cream truck that pulls through every hour or so. 

Other highlights in Eastham include Fort Hill for hikes, The Red Barn for pizza, arcade, and mini golf, and Ben & Jerry’s for ice cream.

Visit the Eastham Chamber of Commerce website for more information as well as Covid updates.

Here is a list of BabyQuip providers around Cape Cod that can help you with baby gear and beach gear rentals.

3. Corolla, Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks are a series of white sand barrier islands stretching for over 100 miles off the coast of North Carolina. There are tons of options for beautiful beaches here, but one community that stands out is Corolla. Located in the northern part of the Outer Banks, Corolla offers all of the amenities but still feels laid back. 

At Corolla Beach you can load the family and all of your gear into a 4WD vehicle (rentals are available) and drive north for miles, enjoying the pristine landscape and spotting wild mustangs that roam the area! Consider renting a beach house to fully embrace the experience; many families have made a tradition of returning to the same vacation rental year after year. 

More local recommendations: grab a breakfast sandwich from Lighthouse Bagels or rent surfboards from Corolla Surf Shop.

Check out outerbanks.org to learn about the area and get the latest Covid updates.

Here is a list of BabyQuip providers in the area that can help you with baby gear and beach rentals.

4. Isle of Palms, South Carolina

Further down the east coast you will find more breathtakingly beautiful barrier islands, including the six mile-long Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Isle of Palms is another perfect option for a family vacation. The beaches are open to the public and they are nice and wide, so even on crowded summer days you can find space. 

Kids will enjoy being able to walk out into the water (it stays shallow for quite a ways out) and playing in the gentle surf. You can find restaurants and other amenities right along the beach too, especially if you are at Isle of Palms County Park. Not only are there food options, there are also showers, restrooms, public grills, and even a playground. 

The town has a laid back vibe, with a couple of hotels and many options for Airbnbs. Many visitors opt to stay at the Wild Dunes Resort where family-friendly amenities abound. Think pools, bike rentals for local trails, even a relaxing massage at the spa for the grownups if you can manage to sneak off. 

Beautiful and historic Charleston is only a 20-minute drive, and it’s been ranked the #1 US city for seven years in a row by Travel & Leisure readers, with something for everyone. However,  you can find everything you need right here—and that makes Isle of Palms another one of the best beach towns for families.

Visit the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website for more information.

Here is a list of BabyQuip providers around Isle of Palms Beach that can help you with baby gear and beach rentals.

Related articles:

• 20 Coronavirus Travel Tips to Keep Your Family Safe
• 5 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in the US
• How to Take Socially Distanced Vacations
• Get Baby Gear Cleaning While You Are On Vacation

5. New Smyrna Beach, Florida

New Smyrna Beach definitely deserves a spot in our list of best beach towns for families! Located on the Central Atlantic Coast of Florida about 60 minutes northeast of Orlando, NSB is packed to the gills with options for fun family activities.  You will of course want to spend most of your time here enjoying the beautiful white sand beach and warm ocean waves! In some spots the hard packed sand allows you to load up the car and drive right out to a spot; you don’t even need four wheel drive! 

Other fun activities include renting bikes, strolling around and checking out the shops, grabbing an ice cream, and hitting up the playground at the 27th Avenue Beachfront Park. The nearby Halifax River, home to dolphins and manatees, offers scenic boat tours that the whole family will love!

Visit the New Smyrna Beach Visitors Center website to learn about the area and get Covid updates.

Here is a list of BabyQuip providers around New Smyrna Beach that can help you with baby gear rentals.

6. Anna Maria Island, Florida

Featuring over seven miles of sugary sand beaches, another pick for one of the best beach towns for families is Anna Maria Island. This spot has huge family appeal due to its “Old Florida” feel and vacation critics consistently include it in their rankings. Strict building codes have prevented the influx of high-rise condos and chain stores that usually prevail in stunning oceanfront areas like this one, so things feel a little old-fashioned in a wonderful way. 

Walk down any one of the many public paths along the shoreline to the stunning turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We highly suggest checking out the northernmost beach, Bean Point, which is perhaps the most stunning of area beaches. Parking here is limited but if your family is up for it, it’s only a 15-minute walk from nearby Bayfront Beach where there is a free parking lot. 

A couple of places to put on the to-do list: Tide Tables for some fresh seafood on a marina and the Coquina Baywalk for a quick nature walk teeming with wildlife.

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce website provides more info about the area, as well as Covid updates.

Here is a list of BabyQuip providers around Anna Maria Island that can help you with baby gear and beach gear rentals.

7. San Diego, California

Southern California is famous for its endless beach options, and San Diego manages to offer a plethora of other attractions as well. Legoland, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and Old Town are just some of the many must-sees for families with young children. 

One special beachy spot that is especially family-friendly can be found along the San Diego coastline. The picturesque neighborhood of La Jolla, a vibrant community bustling with locals and tourists all enjoying the steady flow of Southern California sunshine. 

La Jolla Shores is a  beach featuring about a mile of soft white sand, a boardwalk perfect for roller skating, an adjacent playground, and a park made up of rolling green lawns ideal for picnics and cartwheels. The area offshore is protected as an underwater state park which allows for plenty of marine life as well as opportunities for water sports. 

Around the bend you will find a series of tidepools to climb over and explore. Discoveries will vary with the tide, but be on the lookout for everything from sea anemones to sea lions. Grab up one of the public firepits and let the kids toast some marshmallows as you watch the sunset. Parking in the area is free, but get here early for a good spot. Bathrooms, showers, and lifeguards up the family-friendly factor even more as one of the best beach towns for families!

The City of San Diego’s website has more info as well as Covid updates.

If you need any baby or beach gear rentals in this area, our San Diego Quality Providers are here to help.

8. Kauai North Shore, Hawaii

Less visited than other Hawaiian islands, Kauai North Shore stands out as a perfect beach destination for families. The horseshoe-shaped shore of Hanalei Bay stretches for almost two miles. With its warm blue water, peaceful stretches of soft sand, and towering volcanic mountains it is arguably one of the most beautiful places on the planet. No guidebook photo truly captures the brilliance of the different shades of green and abundant rainbows. 

In the center of the bay you will find Hanalei Beach Park, a spot that is ideal for families, offering all of the basic amenities including restrooms, showers, and picnic areas. Kids love to swim, snorkel, and play in the waves. Its calm waters make it a great place for beginners to try out surfing and stand up paddle boarding. 

Once you’ve had your fill of fun in the sun, be sure to head into town for a delicious shaved ice treat and a romp at the Prince Albert Park Playground! Be sure to head west and explore the hiking and boating in the breathtaking Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park too!

Click on this link for Hawaii-Guide.com to learn about Kauai, and also get Covid updates.

Here is a list of BabyQuip providers on the island that can help you with baby gear and beach gear rentals.

These pics are just a few of the best beach towns for families to explore. It was impossible to include all of the amazing options! Tell us what beach towns you absolutely love in the comments below. 

Happy and safe travels!