5 of the Best Walkable Beach Towns for a Great Vacation

With the weather heating up and schools closing for the summer, people all over the country are looking for a beach getaway they have been dreaming of all year long! The United States is filled with impressive, walkable beach towns with all of the best attractions like boardwalks, restaurants, shops, and everything in between. If you’ve been searching for the right place to bring your family this summer where all of your favorite activities are just a short walk away, consider one of these amazing places:

1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

If your idea of the perfect vacation is finding your new favorite restaurant or novelty bar, Fort Lauderdale could be the place for you! Located just an hour north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale is a go-to vacation spot for those who love a mix of relaxation and fun. The Fort Lauderdale Beach area has over seven miles of pristine shoreline and with North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard just across the street, you’ll never run out of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops to visit during your stay.

For those who want to spend their days on the sand or in the water, Las Olas Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach Park are the spots to visit, but there are plenty of other attractions within walking distance to consider! Fort Lauderdale’s Central Beach area is also home to the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, the International Swimming Hall of Fame, an escape room, and dozens of local vendors that offer water excursions and rentals like deep-sea fishing, boat tours, and so much more.

2. Bar Harbor, Maine

This unassuming New England getaway provides visitors with the quiet but fun coastal vacation they’ve always wanted. Bar Harbor is nestled in breathtaking Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island and has all of the charm vacationers are searching for in Maine when planning their next trip to the ocean. Enjoy the cozy town beach and walk the streets filled with great seafood restaurants, local shops, and more.

For those who want to explore even further, Acadia National Park is a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a variety of activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing charters. Not to mention, there are also other beach opportunities on the island like Sand Beach, Echo Lake Beach, and Seal Harbor Public Beach.

3. Santa Monica, California

Situated west of downtown Los Angeles is beautiful Santa Monica that has everything a family will want and need out of a California vacation. Santa Monica Beach is three miles long with ample room to spread out and enjoy the sun with access to a number of incredible attractions like the Santa Monica Pier which includes space for fishing, Pacific Park amusement park, the Looff Hippodrome Carousel, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.

The pier and beach aren’t the only attractions within walking distance. The beach also has a great outdoor gym that locals and travelers love, Barnard Way Linear Park offers walking paths and benches along the water, beach rentals can be found close by through local vendors, Ocean Front Walk is a paved pathway that is dotted with great restaurants, shops, volleyball courts, and Tongva Park offers a modern space with play areas for kids to enjoy.

4. Key West, Florida

Key West is the tropical beach destination that many travelers dream about. This city island is just over seven square miles, meaning that everything you could want or need is just a short distance away. Its most popular beaches include Higgs Beach, Smathers Beach, and Simonton Beach where you’ll find soft sand and comfortable waters with nearby bars and water rentals to make the most of your time there!

Key West has ample water rental and excursion opportunities and you won’t want to miss the opportunity to spend more time in the crystal clear waters. When you find yourself wanting to spend time on land, Key West has activities like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Dry Tortugas National Park, Mallory Square for live entertainment, and Duval Street where there are a number of restaurants, bars, and nightlife to explore.

5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

One of the biggest draws to iconic Myrtle Beach is its proximity to all things fun! Not only can you utilize the miles of beach with plenty of room to spread out, but Myrtle Beach is also known for the dozens of restaurants, shops, bars, nightclubs, lounges, and other entertainment just beyond the sand where you can enjoy a meal and drink, or shop to your heart’s content without having to walk far.

The fun doesn’t stop there, either! Myrtle Beach was designed for convenience and families love Myrtle Beach for its various forms of entertainment like Broadway at the Beach, Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, and Myrtle Waves Waterpark.

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