Beautiful facts of travel USA_Top 11 UNKNOWN Coastal Towns in America
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#TravelUSA
#HiddenGems
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#DiscoverUSA
#TravelDiaries
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TravelTranscript
00:00Did you know that the U.S. has over 95,000 miles of shoreline?
00:04And despite it being way more expensive to live,
00:0740% of Americans live in a coastal area.
00:10When someone thinks of vacation,
00:12most people imagine palm trees and pina coladas
00:14on a private beach somewhere.
00:16It isn't just living near the coast that is expensive.
00:19You will also find that it's more expensive
00:20to stay in a beachfront property
00:22than even one or two blocks further back.
00:24Access to a body of water has historically
00:26been a determining factor of cities that survive,
00:29thrived, or died out.
00:31So why are so many Americans drawn to the ocean?
00:34When surveyed, more than 80% of respondents
00:36chose either a beach or cruise
00:38as their preferred vacation destination.
00:40With that in mind, let's look at some American hidden gems
00:43nestled along the expansive shoreline.
00:45And forget Malibu and Miami,
00:47this list will dive deeper into more undiscovered spots
00:51to experience the beach with less of a crowd.
00:53Whether you are planning the ideal vacation
00:55or hoping to relocate, these towns are for you.
00:58Number 11 is Northport, New York.
01:01Who knew that New York would make this list?
01:03Many people forget that Long Island
01:05is part of the Empire State
01:06and makes up 1,600 miles of America's shoreline.
01:09Unlike the Hamptons, which are overpriced and overcrowded,
01:13Northport is what it sounds like.
01:15It's north, on the North Shore that is.
01:17The town has old-world charm
01:19with some buildings dating back to the 1700s.
01:21In addition to the beach on the Long Island Sound,
01:24there are vineyards, antique shops,
01:26fresh seafood restaurants, a quaint main street,
01:28and picturesque harbor.
01:30The crime rate is nonexistent.
01:32With the national average being ranked at a four,
01:34Northport has a crime score of only 0.14.
01:38That's 28 times lower than the national average.
01:40For those that want more than just a vacation,
01:42the downside is that it is New York
01:44and cost of living is higher than the national average.
01:47But you're less than an hour from New York City
01:49and have access to the Long Island Railroad.
01:51Whether you want a weekend getaway with beachfront vineyards
01:54or hoping to resettle to a lesser-known beach town,
01:57then check out Northport.
01:59Number 10 is Block Island, Rhode Island.
02:02Head to America's smallest state,
02:03nicknamed the Ocean State, and check out Block Island.
02:07It's New England, so you know the fall will be pretty.
02:10In fact, this island is perfect to visit year-round.
02:14Getting to Block Island is part of the adventure
02:15as you have to take a ferry to get there.
02:18There are boats departing daily
02:19from Rhode Island and Orient Point, New York,
02:21although the Rhode Island ferry is the only service
02:24that will transport a vehicle on the ferry.
02:26Check out the Lighthouse because it's New England
02:29and they have some of the oldest
02:30and most unique lighthouses.
02:32When you're done swimming in the Atlantic,
02:34head back to shore for one of the various
02:36health and wellness spas.
02:38Check out local theaters and museums for art and culture
02:41like the Empire Theater or Spring Street Gallery.
02:44With a population of just 1,000 people,
02:46crime is low and traffic is non-existent.
02:50The cost of living is higher than most people
02:51would want to move to,
02:53but stay in one of their cottages, inns,
02:55hotels, or guest houses,
02:57and enjoy New England any time of the year.
02:59Number nine keeps us in New England
03:01by heading up north to York, Maine.
03:03York is the first town in Maine when you leave New Hampshire
03:06and defines everything you think of
03:07when you think quaint, historic, New England charm.
03:10It is home to three 18-hole golf clubs,
03:13four sandy beaches, and Mount Agamemnticus,
03:16also known as Big A.
03:18Famous English colonial explorer Captain John Smith
03:20first explored York, Maine in 1614.
03:23With a town of 13,000, there is virtually no crime.
03:26To be fair, Maine is already one of the safest states.
03:30If you visit York in the summer, then head to Fun-O-Rama.
03:33It's a beachfront arcade that will take you back
03:35to a time gone by.
03:36And of course, there is bowling, but not just any bowling.
03:39Candlestick bowling is unique to New England
03:42and the Canadian Maritime Provinces, so it's a must-see.
03:45If you are there any other time throughout the year,
03:47then check out the antique stores, Fisherman's Walk,
03:51the York Wild Kingdom, one of the distilleries,
03:52or get some Maine lobster.
03:54And of course, don't miss the Nubble Lighthouse,
03:56built in 1879, because it's New England.
04:00In fact, this lighthouse is so iconic
04:02that it is featured on the Voyage Golden Record,
04:04which is literally a golden record sent into space in 1977.
04:08It is a time capsule of sounds and pictures
04:10from life on Earth.
04:12And part of York, Maine made the cut.
04:14Number eight is Capitola, California.
04:17Capitola is six miles east of Santa Cruz,
04:20but with far less tourists.
04:22The town is known for its multicolored houses
04:24lining the coast.
04:26It looks more like a painting from Greece or the Caribbean
04:28than it does Northern California.
04:30In Esplanade Park, visitors will find the beach.
04:33The seawall is an attraction in itself,
04:35highlighted by tiles painted by locals.
04:37Once there, you can surf, kayak, and swim,
04:40among other water activities.
04:42Capitola Village is filled with eclectic shops
04:44and tasty restaurants, which are not to be missed.
04:47The town is pretty mild year-round,
04:49so there's no bad time to visit.
04:50Crime is lower than the state and national averages,
04:53and while it's costly to live there,
04:54it's much cheaper to visit than nearby Santa Cruz
04:57or even San Francisco.
04:59For those hoping for more culture,
05:01check out the Capitola Historic Museum.
05:03Capitola isn't too far from Napa,
05:05so it's no surprise that there are wineries
05:07to sample local California wines.
05:09And of course, all the usual nature activities
05:11that accompany the beach.
05:13Number seven is Cannon Beach, Oregon.
05:16This stretch of beach looks a lot like
05:18the rocky shores of New England,
05:19and it requires a short climb down to the shore.
05:22Located just about 80 miles north of Portland,
05:24Cannon Beach is best known as home
05:26to the iconic Haystack Rock.
05:28The beach has massive rocks, several stories high,
05:31jetting out of the ocean,
05:33creating a serene and unique viewing experience.
05:36If you visit from October to May,
05:38you will feel like you have the beaches to yourself
05:40in this quiet town.
05:42The town has only 1,500 residents,
05:44so you'll never feel overwhelmed with congestion,
05:46let alone tourists.
05:48If you come between December and January,
05:50you can whale watch during peak season right from the shore.
05:53While there, check out one of the craft breweries
05:55or craft distilleries,
05:57where you can not only sample local beer,
05:59but also locally distilled spirits,
06:01all with an oceanfront view, of course.
06:03History buffs can head to the Cannon Beach
06:05History Center and Museum,
06:06and visit the cannon that gave the town its name,
06:09and learn about the Lewis and Clark Expeditions
06:10connection to Cannon Beach.
06:12Number six is Edisto Island, South Carolina.
06:15Located just an hour south of Charleston,
06:17this town is very underrated.
06:19Edisto is perfect for a nice, traditional beach vacation
06:22without all the crowds and costs of mainstream beaches.
06:25Start your vacation by exploring Botany Bay,
06:28the island's unique nature reserve
06:29that's covered in driftwood and seashells.
06:32For those who enjoy the outdoors,
06:34go hiking or biking through live oak and palmettos,
06:37and be sure to check out a 4,000-year-old
06:39Native American shell mound.
06:41It's one of the few things left
06:42of the people who inhabited the land for millennia.
06:45Don't forget to check out the town's farmer's market,
06:47and have a meal at Whaley's, which is a former gas station
06:50that's been serving up fried oysters and crab cakes
06:52since the 1940s.
06:54If you are into wildlife, don't miss the Serpentarium.
06:57Yes, that's a real word.
06:58And meet turtles and alligators.
07:00Number five is Sanibel, Florida.
07:03Sanibel is situated on Florida's west coast
07:05on the Gulf of Mexico,
07:06about 130 miles due north of Key West as the crow flies.
07:10Sanibel Island is a paradise for nature lovers,
07:13sunbathers, and swimmers alike.
07:15Visitors can enjoy collecting shells on Bowman's Beach.
07:18The island's geography makes it the perfect place
07:20for seashell deposits.
07:22Sand dollars also litter the beaches
07:24and are fun to find and collect.
07:26A huge chunk of the island is protected,
07:28including a wildlife refuge,
07:30which is great for people who enjoy birdwatching,
07:32kayaking, fishing, and even picnicking.
07:35Particularly fun if you come with a family.
07:37There is also a culinary scene
07:38with local spots for custard and seafood,
07:41as well as the obligatory
07:42local farmer's market in the summer.
07:44For anyone wanting to relocate to Florida,
07:46which seems to be a trend these days,
07:48the crime is virtually non-existent,
07:50coming in at only a tiny fraction
07:52of both the national and state averages.
07:55But don't get too excited
07:56because you certainly get what you pay for,
07:58and you will pay dearly to live on the island,
08:00with average home costs in the million dollar range.
08:03But it won't break the bank just to visit.
08:05Number four takes us across the Gulf of Mexico
08:08to Port Aranas, Texas.
08:10Port Aranas is the self-proclaimed
08:12fishing capital of Texas.
08:14For those who love the sport or hobby,
08:16they can enjoy 18 miles of beach,
08:18as well as chartered deep sea excursions,
08:20which can be fun for fishers and non-fishers alike.
08:23If swimming isn't your thing,
08:25like many beach towns,
08:26there's also kayaking, parasailing, golfing, and more.
08:30One amazing thing that this town has to offer
08:32is dolphin watching.
08:34That's right.
08:35Forget whale watching in Oregon,
08:37because here in Texas, you can dolphin watch.
08:40If you find yourself traveling here in January,
08:42don't miss restaurant week,
08:43where you can pay a flat rate price
08:45to experience local Texas coastal cuisine.
08:48The town also boasts a vibrant nightlife
08:50and thriving art scene with museums and galleries.
08:54For those who like to shop,
08:55check out one of the many boutique shops
08:57and support the local economy.
08:59Number three is Cape May, New Jersey.
09:02New Jersey, often called the armpit of America,
09:04to be fair, it's mostly New Yorkers that say that,
09:07but alas, you get the point.
09:08Not many people think of New Jersey
09:10when they think of a beach vacation.
09:12Of course, there's Atlantic City,
09:14but that is known more for its gambling than its beaches.
09:17It's cliche to keep using the word quaint,
09:20but there really is no better word
09:21to describe Cape May's downtown.
09:23Nestled in the southernmost edge of New Jersey,
09:26Cape May is a perfect destination for beach lovers
09:28that also have a love of history and architecture.
09:31The town's architecture is dotted with iconic Victorians,
09:35cottages, hotels, summer homes,
09:37all giving off the vibe of a time gone by.
09:40While in the proverbial quaint downtown,
09:43walk down the brick sidewalks
09:44or take a horse-drawn carriage tour
09:46to marvel at the architectural wonders
09:48and pop into the local mom and pop shops
09:50for saltwater taffy.
09:51The Chalfont Hotel is the town's oldest hotel,
09:54but even if you decide not to stay there,
09:56then at the very least,
09:57plan a fried chicken dinner on its wraparound porch,
10:00which often features live music.
10:02Number two is Bar Harbor, Maine.
10:05Bar Harbor is up there, like way up there.
10:08It's situated about three hours north of Portland, Maine,
10:11and four hours and 45 minutes north of Boston
10:14for some geography perspective.
10:16Bar Harbor is a coastal town, but not a beach town.
10:20This isn't the place to come to sunbathe and swim,
10:22as the ocean is going to be too cold to swim,
10:25even in the August heat.
10:27Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park,
10:30as well as some of the most amazing
10:31whale watching in the country.
10:33Take a trolley tour of the harbor
10:34or go on the Lulu Lobster boat ride.
10:36It wouldn't be Maine if you didn't have fresh lobster.
10:39Make sure when you are there
10:40that you get to witness the awe
10:42of the ocean tides at Thunder Hole.
10:44Thunder Hole is visited year round.
10:46It's a carved out inlet along the rocky shoreline
10:48of Mount Desert Island.
10:50When a storm or the turning tide pushes waves
10:52into this narrow channel,
10:54the air escapes with a thunderous sound
10:56that is definitely worth checking out.
10:58And number one is Provincetown, Massachusetts,
11:01known as P-Town.
11:03New England stole the show with this list,
11:05and for good reason.
11:06Provincetown is a sleepy town
11:08with only 3,500 permanent year-round residents.
11:12During the high season, the town has 60,000 residents.
11:15This can be a blessing and a curse,
11:17depending on if you want a quiet vacation
11:19or an energetic one.
11:21So choose your time of year to visit wisely.
11:24Provincetown is at the tip of Cape Cod,
11:26about a two-hour drive from Boston.
11:29Provincetown earned its spot in American history
11:31when it was the first land seen
11:33by the pilgrims on the Mayflower.
11:35In fact, the Mayflower Compact was drafted
11:38while the ship was anchored in the Provincetown Harbor.
11:40This can be seen on the Mayflower Trolley Tour.
11:44In terms of things to do,
11:45Provincetown will not disappoint.
11:47It's also the first town on this list
11:49known for its LGBT-friendly atmosphere,
11:51with places specifically catering to that community.
11:54There's a hip art scene and, of course, clam chowder.
11:57Check out the natural beauty of the sand dunes,
11:59the man-made wonder of the lighthouse,
12:02and stroll down Main Street
12:03to see the colonial architecture.
12:05This hip town also has craft breweries with local hops
12:08and a fun nightlife.
12:09This historical town has everything you'd want
12:12in a coastal city,
12:13even some ocean beaches for swimming,
12:15if you can handle the chilly water.