Summer Might Be Coming to an End, But These East Coast Beach Towns Thrive in the Fall

Every year, summer seems to whip by faster than the last. For those who refuse to let go, I’m here to remind you: Your favorite East Coast beach towns are just as good—if not better—in the fall, when the tourist clamor quiets down, and you’re left with breezy shorelines bathed in autumnal light. Ask anyone who grew up on the East End of Long Island or the coast of Maine, and they’ll tell you September is the start of the locals’ summer. In fact, there’s an entire language dedicated to the comings and goings of tourists: Nantucketers wave goodbye to the “washashores,” while Jersey Shore residents have a cheeky thing or two to say about the exodus of “bennies” or “shoobies,” depending on the region.If you love pretending you're not a tourist, then fall is the time to hit the beach. While the towns below hit their stride in the summertime, they offer a pleasantly slower pace in the cooler months, transforming into prime birdwatching havens and destinations for quirky festivals. There are also certain activities, like Gilded Age mansion tours in Newport, Rhode Island, that become much more attractive when they're not overrun by crowds. Plus, you'll often find better availability when it comes to hotels and rentals, in addition to discounted rates at this time of year, so you’ll likely score a better deal, too.Ready to plan your next great escape? Read on for a selection of East Coast beach towns to visit from September through November, as well as editor-approved places to stay in each one.North ForkNantucketKennebunkportCape MayRehobothNewportChincoteagueEmerald IsleTybee IslandAmelia IslandThe off-season is an ideal time to enjoy North Fork's nature preserves. GettyNorth Fork, Long IslandOften billed as a less swanky alternative to the Hamptons, the North Fork of Long Island has all the makings of a fall getaway. From Riverhead to Orient, there’s ample opportunity for wine tastings, farm visits, scenic hikes, and vintage shopping. Pick up apple cider donuts at Breeze Hill Farm before taking a brisk trek through any one of North Fork’s idyllic nature preserves—Orient Beach State Park, Sound View Dunes Park, and Laurel Lake Preserve are some of our favorites. Greenport is where you’ll want to spend your money, whether on a ‘70s shift dress at The Times Vintage, or a midcentury-modern coffee table at Beal & Bell. Over at Silver Sands Motel, a rejuvenated 1950s retreat, you can take part in a stargazing experience led by the astronomers from the Custer Institute and Observatory right on the property's sand (with warm blankets, hot cider, and beach fires) or book an exclusive winery tour at McCall Wines, which concludes with a sampling of estate-grown wines in a restored 1787 barn (normally closed to the public).Where to stay in the North Fork:The beaches of Nantucket are far less crowded in the fall. GettyNantucket, MassachusettsIf there's one reason to visit Nantucket in the fall, it's the start of bay scallop season (beginning around October for recreational farming, and November for commercial), so be sure to grab a few bivalves at Sayle's Seafood. Fall temperatures on Nantucket sit around the 65-degree mark, making it an ideal time to stroll downtown and pop into Mitchell's Book Corner or the Whaling Museum. Take the Sconset Bluff Walk to Sankaty Head Lighthouse to see the coastal scenery in a different light, surrounded by golden beachgrass. Or, if you’d prefer to get around the island via pedal, the Batacular Bike Race, which coincides with the Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s Fall Festival in late October, is a beautiful loop through the trails of the Middle Moors. A visit to Bartlett’s Farm, the oldest and largest family-owned farm on the island, is a must-visit, home to fields of pumpkins and winter squash. As far as hotels go, the new kids on the block, The Beachside and Faraway, are both offering fall deals where you can get 15% off two nights or more beginning in August.Where to stay in Nantucket:Whether it's summer or fall, it's always a good idea to go fishing in Kennebunkport. GettyKennebunkport, MaineYou can still get a lobster roll from Mabel’s or Alisson’s come October, don’t worry! In classic New England fashion, Kennebunkport becomes flush with orange, red, and yellow trees in the fall months, and you can experience the very best of them from the river-lined Tyler Brook Preserve or the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge (filled with wild turkeys, migrating birds, and a pocketful of deer in the cooler months). To plop yourself right on the banks of the Kennebunk River, book a stay at The Yachtsman Hotel & Marina Club, where you can enjoy up to 50% off the daily standard rate on any stay between November 1 and 15, in honor of Kennebunkport Resort Collection's Hotel Week.Where to stay in Kennebunkport:In the fall, Cape May's Victorian-style homes offer spooky charm. Richard T. Nowitz/GettyCape May, New JerseyWith its Victorian-style homes and ghost-occupied hotels, Cape May can be pretty spooky in the off-season—but in a good way. If you’re enchanted by the paranormal, you can’t leave without taking a tour through the haunted 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. The annual Victorian Weekend takes place October 9–12, during which you can peek inside Gothic Revival and Queen Anne homes, while the Exit Zero Jazz Festival spans October 22–25 (bookable through The Virginia Hotel). If you’re more swayed by nature, you’re also in luck: Observe raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl making their fall migration from spots like Cape May Point State Park or Higbee Beach. Cape May Brewery, a highlight at any time of year, becomes especially lovely in the fall, when you can perch outside sans sweat and enjoy seasonal craft beers. In terms of where to stay, The Grand Hotel is offering discounted midweek rates and resort credits from September to December. For something a bit cozier, check out our list of the best Cape May Airbnbs.Where to stay in Cape May:Make sure you stick around for Rehoboth's Sea Witch Festival in October. GettyRehoboth, DelawareWith a vibrant boardwalk selling saltwater taffy and tie-dyed T-shirts, Rehoboth has rightfully been dubbed the nation’s summer capital. But there are a lot of perks to visiting in September: Parking becomes free, “The Point” in Cape Henlopen State Park opens around Labor Day, and hotels like The Bellmoor Inn & Spa offer all kinds of discounts, from advance-purchase rates to spa packages. And the happenings don’t subside at the season’s end. Case in point: the one-of-a-kind Sea Witch Festival, which takes place from October 23–25 and includes costume parades, a scarecrow trail, and live music and horse shows on the beach. Don’t miss the iconic Hilda, a green sea witch float, gracing the town!Where to stay in Rehoboth:See the beach from the vantage point of a Gilded Age mansion. Jon LovetteNewport, Rhode IslandDuring September and October, Newport’s three-and-a-half-mile Cliff Walk and iconic Ocean Drive are surrounded by fall foliage, while Queen Anne Square gets loaded with hundreds of pumpkins. Pretend you’re a member of The Gilded Age while sauntering (crowd-free) through The Breakers, Marble House, or The Elms, then head to Newport Vineyards for a taste of spiced wine, or Escobar’s Highland Farm to get lost in a corn maze. Fall-friendly activities abound at The Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection, from Sunday roasts and New England chowder workshops to an introduction to the art of tasseomancy (tea leaf readings).Where to stay in Newport:September in Chincoteague promises wildlife sightings and ideal beach weather. MandD/GettyChincoteague, VirginiaOver in Chincoteague, you won’t get the bustling boardwalk of Rehoboth or the Gilded Age splendor of Newport, but you will experience serene, untouched nature. The area is famous for its annual Pony Swim in July, during which wild Chincoteague ponies swim across a channel, but you can still get your horse girl fix in the fall at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, where the ponies freely roam around. It’s also prime birdwatching season, when waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans pay a visit to the island. An escape to Chincoteague is what you make of it, and whether you’re staying at a cozy cottage or a beachside inn, you’ll likely deem this stretch of coastline an underrated East Coast stunner.Where to stay in Chincoteague:Fall is prime time for breezy nature walks on Emerald Isle. GettyEmerald Isle, North CarolinaNorth Carolina’s Crystal Coast is known for its pristine white sand beaches and clear blue waters. The jewel in the crown, Emerald Isle, offers an abundance of outdoor activities in the shoulder season, from fishing off of Bogue Inlet to biking through Emerald Isle Woods Park. The North Carolina Seafood Festival, held in nearby Morehead City (October 2–4, this year), is another reason to make your way down south, whether you’re interested in fish-frying demonstrations or oyster shucking contests. The Beaufort Hotel, located a few towns over, is offering up to 15% off on stays during the months of September and October, but if you’ve got the whole family in tow, a spacious townhouse on Emerald Isle Beach might be your best bet.Where to stay in Emerald Isle:The Tybee Island Lighthouse is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former keeper. GettyTybee Island, GeorgiaRanked as one of the best US islands in our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, Tybee Island is just under a 30-minute drive from Savannah, Georgia, so you can easily split your time between the two destinations for a fall getaway (is there a spookier time to visit Bonaventure Cemetery than in October?). But Tybee Island has its own fair share of ghostly attractions, including the historic Tybee Island Lighthouse, said to be haunted by the ghost of a former keeper. There are plenty of other upsides to skipping the June–August high season, from the Pirate Fest (October 8–11)—where Jack Sparrow impersonators run through pub crawls and parades—to the start of wild oyster season. Swimming is still on the table as late as October, and bike rides around the salt marshes of Fort Pulaski National Monument are even better when the weather offers a comfortable breeze.Where to stay in Tybee Island and Savannah:If you're lucky, you might spot a right whale from Amelia Island. GettyAmelia Island, FloridaLocals on Amelia Island refer to fall as the “secret season,” thanks to fewer crowds and cooler temperatures (though we’re still talking mid-70s to 80s). Kayak through Lofton Creek without the summer bugs, or witness the fall bird migration at Egan’s Creek. There’s no shortage of events in October, starting with the Island Hop Craft Beer Festival (October 3), followed by the Amelia Island Jazz Festival (October 4–11). Later in the month, the Ritz-Carlton hosts the Amelia Island Cookout (October 15–18), which extends into Fernandina Beach with bourbon sunset cruises and Southern-style oyster roasts. Visit in November, and you’ll get to witness the Right Whale Festival, which celebrates the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to Amelia Island’s waters by way of educational exhibits and beach cleanups. With fewer than 380 of the whales remaining, there are protections against commercial boat tours, but you might be able to spot one from the shores of Burney Park at American Beach or Main Beach Park.Where to stay in Amelia Island:This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.