Summer is the time when beach towns really shine, with iconic boardwalks, outdoor dining, quaint shops, water activities, and sandy stretches of land perfect for relaxing in the sun.

Ahead are some of the top-ranked beach towns across New England, perfect for a weekend getaway.

Provincetown

Commercial Street in Provincetown.

Located on the northern tip of Cape Cod, visitors in Provincetown can explore shops and art galleries, dine at seaside restaurants, and relax on gorgeous beaches. Provincetown, often called P-town, was named one of the best small beach towns in America by TripsToDiscover.com. Provincetown was also named among 15 trending destinations in the U.S. by Tripadvisor, and Expedia travelers named it among the 10 friendliest towns in America. The destination is also one of 7 beloved LGBTQ destinations in America, according to Conde Nast Traveler. Check out 5 things to do in Provincetown.

Eastham

Eastham is billed as the gateway to the Cape Cod National Seashore because more than one-third of the town falls within the National Seashore. Travelers at the National Seashore can visit beaches, as well as historic sites, lighthouses, and hiking and biking trails. Stacker named Eastham the best beach town in Massachusetts. Travelers can visit the National Seashore’s Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach, as well as other beaches. Coast Guard Beach was recently named among the top 10 beaches in America by “Dr. Beach.”

Nantucket

A view of the Brant Point lighthouse on Nantucket.

The island of Nantucket, with its pristine beaches, cobblestone streets, seaside restaurants, and quaint shops, was named one of the most “magical” island getaways in the U.S. by Country Living, and Siasconset Beach was named among the best island beaches in the world by Conde Nast Traveler. Check out 5 things to do on Nantucket.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor, Maine.

The accolades keep pouring in for Bar Harbor, a coastal town in Maine named among the 15 most beautiful beach towns in the world by Travel + Leisure. It is also America’s best small town, a title it has held for the past three years with U.S. News & World Report. Bar Harbor, the gateway town to Acadia National Park, is “the perfect example of that blend of human-made and natural beauty,” wrote Travel + Leisure.

Ogunquit, Maine

Ogunquit, Maine is a laid-back New England getaway named one of the most underrated travel destinations for 2025 by AAA. It offers a charming village, beaches, shopping, restaurants, museums, a near century-old theater, water sports, and more. Ogunquit Beach, a 3½-mile stretch of white sand, is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the U.S. by travel publications. Discover three low-cost ways of having fun in Ogunquit.

Hampton Beach, N.H.

The boardwalk at Hampton Beach in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Who doesn’t love a beach boardwalk? And Country Living named Hampton Beach’s boardwalk among its picks of classic beach boardwalks that are “all about summertime nostalgia.” The boardwalk includes seaside restaurants with decks overlooking the ocean, a free outdoor live music venue, old-school arcades, and little beach shops. The boardwalk was once named the best boardwalk in America by Coastal Living. If you go, check out the new Tiki Taxi transporting beachgoers around this season.

Narragansett, R.I.

Narragansett Town Beach in Rhode Island.

When we asked readers for the most beautiful beach towns in New England, Bob from Stoughton chose Narragansett, R.I. The town has been named the best beach town in New England by Boston Globe readers as well. The town “never disappoints,” wrote Travel + Leisure. Visitors discover soft sand beaches, restaurants, shopping, bed and breakfasts, and water activities. Narragansett Pier Marketplace, across from Narragansett Town Beach, offers more than a dozen stores, restaurants, and more.