Maine and NH Make List for Best East Coast Beaches

It's nice to see Maine and New Hampshire get the love for their amazing beaches.

Often, when lists are made of great beaches, Cape Cod is hard to move on from. Don't get me wrong, they are lovely, but why go so far when Maine and New Hampshire have some of the best? Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, landed in the top 17 beach towns on the East Coast by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire - #3

READ MORE: 7 Miles of Paradise: Did You Know Old Orchard Beach is Maine’s Longest Beach?

Hampton Beach beat out places like Cape Cod. At number three, this is what Conde Nast Traveler magazine said about Hampton Beach.

It's the perfect place to spend your days walking up and down the stretch of beach and visiting the exciting boardwalk. Hampton Beach is a particularly great vacation spot for families, where kids and parents alike can spend their days sunbathing, swimming in the gorgeous waters, or enjoying a beachside picnic. Walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the classic seaside vibes while you pop into arcades, saltwater taffy stands, souvenir shops, ice cream parlors, and spots with live music.

If you are a Mainer, two beaches in Maine made the top of the Conde Nast best East Coast beaches list, too.

Kennebunkport, Maine - #2

Here's what Conde Nast said about Kennebunkport, Maine.

For the iconic, charming New England feel, head to Kennebunkport for your next coastal getaway. This tiny village is home to around 3,500 year-round residents, but as a popular summer destination, its population almost triples in size during the warmer months. Head to Kennebunkport’s Dock Square for some imaginative shopping, or get a bite to eat at one of their delicious restaurants (you're in Maine, so might as well try the lobster). It's a little over 30 minutes away from Portland by car, so it's the perfect beachy break from the vibrant city's bustling life.

The number one best East Coast beach, though, belongs to the number one place on a lot of lists, Bar Harbor.

Bar Harbor, Maine - #1

Conde Nast loved Bar Harbor's versatility as a charming Maine town.

Much of Maine's Mt. Desert Island is covered by Acadia National Park—home to climbs like Cadillac Mountain and a sophisticated system of carriage roads financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. But on the island's northeast corner, charming Bar Harbor is a destination in its own right. Skirting Frenchmen Bay, Bar Harbor began drawing visitors as far back as the mid-19th century when some of the Hudson River School, a group of artists that included the likes of Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, were taken with Maine's Down East landscapes. Still picturesque, Bar Harbor is now a full-fledged tourist town with a bustling main street, whale-watching tours, and of course, easy access to Acadia.

This is such good news/bad news for us Mainers. We love these places too, but sometimes it's best to visit in the 'off season'.