3 Charming Beach Towns Named The East Coast’s Most Affordable Summer Escapes

If you’re like me and constantly on the prowl for the best vacation spots to save a pretty penny, the folks at Work + Money took a deep dive for us, providing the top beach getaways to save some serious cash.

Where summer went, I have no idea, but there’s at least another solid month and a half of sunshine across most of the U.S., and we all know the Atlantic provides some of the most beautiful shores and warmest waters to enjoy a picture-perfect beach day.

The East Coast is always buzzing come summertime, from Maine’s treasure trove of charming seaside towns to the depths of the Florida Keys, seeming worlds away.

We at Travel Off Path handpicked a few affordable East Coast beach destinations you’ll actually want to visit from Work + Money’s insightful list.

3) Maryland’s Serene Oasis: Choose Ocean Pines Over Ocean City

With a name like Ocean City, it better be an awesome beach escape, right? It is, and certainly lives up to the hype as one of the Northeast’s top sunny vacation spots to splurge on a vacation rental, indulge in Maryland’s renowned seafood, and waste away from 9-to-5 stresses.

As popular as it’s become, there’s a better place for your wallet just across the Isle of Wight Bay, making for convenient access to Ocean City without the bustling boardwalks and sea of crowds.

Ocean Pines is a sleepy town with far better rates and a scenic waterfront of its own, though many locals and visitors still venture over to Ocean City to enjoy the vibrant Atlantic over the calm bayside.

Rather than spend your whole paycheck in Ocean City, Work + Money claims you can book weeklong stays for $1,000 In Ocean Pines and take an easy 22-minute drive to the beach.

For further savings, consider having dinner here too or taking part in aquatic excursions. Pines Point Provisions is set along the glistening bay, serving up cheap, yet delicious eats.

Their nearly perfect 4.9 Google rating speaks for itself. An ice-cold $3 beer paired with a $10 Old Bay Sausage Sandwich has me salivating just thinking about it.

2) Savannah’s Hideaway: Welcome To Wilmington Island, Georgia

Savannah is a good idea no matter what time of year, but the secret has long been out on one of America’s most timeless cities.

That being said, most often you hear about the epic eats, European vibes, and intangible Southern charm, but not much about Wilmington Island.

While Georgia boasts a scenic coastline speckled with clusters of little-known islands, Wilmington Island is one of the best for Savannah tourists looking to mix up ample beach time and city sightseeing.

Though quite a bit higher than Ocean Pines, Work + Home claims travelers can score spacious vacation rentals for $1,700 per week, which is pretty much on par with Savannah, but with far fewer crowds.

In fact, Wilmington Island for is more known as a quiet haven for retirees and fishermen, boasting a vibrant marina and waterways brimming with estuarine marshes, where you can visit the top-rated Oatland Island Wildlife Center for just $5.

While Wilmington itself isn’t known for beach vacations, nearby Tybee Island certainly is, making for a great base for ample beach days spent at Tybee or deep-diving into all the delights Savannah has to offer.

1) Hampton: Virginia’s Chesapeake Secret

No, we’re not talking about the Hampton Inn — we’re talking about the quite possibly Virginia’s best-kept secret, especially as neighboring Norfolk experiences a record-breaking summer with half a million visitors in June alone!

If Virginia’s coast is on your radar this summer, consider Hampton. This bayside city is not only affordable for accommodations, but also attractions such as the Virginia Air & Space Science Center and Fort Monroe National Monument.

As you can imagine, hugging the renowned Chesapeake Bay, known for sourcing some of the most savory seafood, Hampton is a fantastic city to treat yourself to a nice dinner to cap off a nice beach day on crowd-free shores away from bustling Virginia Beach and Norfolk’s newfound popularity.

While Work + Home didn’t specify your weekly budget, many name-brand hotels are under $100 per night, including the trendy Element Hampton Peninsula Town Center in late August and September.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.