3 off-the-beaten-path oceanside destinations for a fall vacation
There’s no better time to enjoy East Coast beaches than in the fall. Gone are the hordes of families, the crowded restaurants, the peak-season prices for accommodations.
Instead, it’s all light sweaters and long walks on the beach without dripping in sweat. The seafood is better (hello, oysters!) and the locals are much happier. If you’re lucky, you might catch a few days warm enough to get a light tan.
If you missed the summer season or just find yourself in need of a little more waterfront time, here are a few destinations that offer the best of autumn beach time.
St. Michael’s, Maryland
Located an hour and forty-five minutes from Washington, D.C., and just over two hours from Philadelphia, St. Michael’s is a great spot for an easy weekend away. It faces, admittedly, not the ocean, but the Miles River, which feeds into the Chesapeake. These calmer waters make it excellent for water activities like kayaking or paddle boarding that are tough on the open waters of the ocean.
Related: 12 fall hotel openings we’re looking forward to for autumn travel
Base yourself at The Inn at Perry Cabin, a luxury waterfront property in a 19th century manor house, or the more casual new hotel The Wildset, run by sister team Allie Balin and K.C. Lager, who also worked on Nashville’s hit restaurant Henrietta Red. The Wildset’s restaurant, Ruse, is the perfect place to enjoy Maryland crabs, as well as other local seafood like tilefish and plenty of oysters. The Inn at Perry Cabin offers bikes and kayaks to guests.
If you’re in need, head to Shore Pedal and Paddle to grab bikes, stand-up paddles boards, or kayaks for an afternoon or the whole weekend. For a longer outing on the water, book a two-hour sailing tour with Sail Selina, or up the ante with a sunset sail (paired with Champagne). Back on land, enjoy spicy blue crab nachos from Gina’s Café, and wash it down with a beer from Eastern Shore Brewing, a local microbrewery.
Nags Head, North Carolina
If your fall beach dreams include miles-long walks on semi-abandoned beaches, with gorgeous sunrises and waves rolling in, then the Outer Banks of North Carolina are your spot. These barrier islands in North Carolina are known for their long, flat beaches with incredible horizons.
Related: Looking to live out your Outer Banks dreams? Here are 5 towns you should visit.
Base yourself at an Airbnb in Nags Head, ideally opting for a spacious condo or house at affordable offseason prices. For the best fall beach vibes, pick a rental with a heated pool or hot tub, and make sure you’ve got a patio overlooking the water, perfect for savoring an end-of-the-day glass of wine or your morning cup of coffee.
When (if!) you get tired of beach walks and gazing at the ocean, head up to Corolla to see the wild horses, believed to be descendants of horses that survived a shipwreck in the 1400s. Grab dinner (or lunch) at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café, a local favorite that offers excellent seafood and nice views of the water. Rent kayaks or jet skis, take a parasailing tour, or go sailing with Kitty Hawk Water Sports, which has something for everything — including tiki boats for a cheesy but fun afternoon.
Cape May, New Jersey
If you’re from the Philadelphia area, Cape May is certainly not considered off-the-beaten-path. But for people coming from farther afield, you might be surprised to learn about the natural beauty and small town vibes of this area just South of Atlantic City.
Related: You can see fall foliage even in or near these big cities — here’s how
If you’re coming from Philadelphia, stop by Sweet Amalia’s Market and Kitchen for a fried oyster roll and some of the best raw oysters in the region, then continue on to the tip of the Cape May peninsula, where you have your choice of affordable, off-season rentals, or cozy hotels like the historic Southern Mansion.
Enjoy a meal on the wrap-around porch, then walk down to the beach and enjoy a stroll without the bother of the summer crowds. Enjoy local seafood at Fish & Fancy Seafood, where you’ll have your choice fried or broiled seafood platters, or taking home your own ingredients for a homemade meal. For something less seafood focused, try out Exit Zero Filling Station, where you’ll find an internationally inspired menu with a specific focus on curries of all kinds. Wherever you go, you’ll be charmed by Cape May’s history, hospitality, and beach-y vibes.
Related: 7 easy Philadelphia escapes you can get to in 3 hours or less
Photo by Eric Peterson/Getty Images
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.