8 Affordable Summer Beach Destinations
Virginia Beach
This lively beachfront city is one of the best summer vacation destinations on the East coast. In addition to being home to almost 30 miles of beautiful public beaches, Virginia Beach is also home to several top notch attractions including the Virginia Aquarium, a number of gorgeous state parks and wildlife refuges, and the famous Virginia Beach boardwalk.
The Virginia Beach boardwalk is one of the most beautiful and active boardwalks. It is clean and well-maintained and bustling with entertainment and energy during the summer months. Be sure to take your picture by the famous bronze Neptune statue.
The gorgeous boardwalk is one of the few that is conveniently separated into a separate pedestrian walking and biking path. This is a great idea as it allows cyclists a smooth ride without the distraction of zigzagging between walkers and runners. Surrey and bike rentals are available by the hour if you do not have your own. As an added bonus, the boardwalk is lit up at night, allowing you to take a safe leisurely night stroll.
3 miles of gorgeous views of the Atlantic coast – really, it doesn’t get much better than this! Along the way, you have the opportunity to stop and take a break at one of the handful of waterfront restaurants. Kick back and enjoy a few drinks and fresh seafood on one of the outdoor patios and enjoy the views. You will find a number of quality seafood restaurants such as Waterman’s Surfside Grille and Catch 31 Fishhouse.
Ongoing summer boardwalk events include concerts, fireworks, art shows, and much more! You will never run out of things to do during the prime summer season.
While in town, also be sure to check out the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. This is a fantastic mid-size aquarium which doesn’t draw as many crowds as the bigger city aquariums. Great exhibits including a beautiful fish tunnel, shark tanks, interesting IMAX shows, and beautiful on-site nature trails will keep you occupied for at least a few hours. Thus, this is a great air conditioned escape during the day!
Other fun attractions & activities in the Virginia Beach area include: kayaking with the dolphins, Ocean Breeze Water Park, surfing and stand up paddle-board lessons, and cruises.
Where to stay: There are plenty of resorts (both moderate and pricey) located directly on the boardwalk. Best Western Plus Oceanfront offers affordable lodging and great amenities, including: individual terraces with great views of the coast and boardwalk, an on-site waterfront restaurant, and convenient access to the beach.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater, one of the most popular beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is well known for its’ beautiful white quartz sand and clear waters. In 2013, Clearwater won “Best Beach Town in Florida,” (USA Today). Clearwater offers 3 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. In addition, these beaches are much wider than other choices in the Bay.
The sand here is very smooth with barely any shells or trash lying around.
The waters are clear and warm. Swimming here is great any time of the year.
Clearwater Beach is a prime sunset watching hotspot. The pier is a great spot to capture amazing photographs.
This lively beach is best suited for those seeking an active beach vacation. Weekend nights are almost always packed with the popular year-round Sunsets at the Pier festival. Here, you will be treated to live entertainment, live music, movies on the beach, and vendors lining the pier.
A handful of waterfront dining options, including pubs, seafood restaurants, Cuban food, and beachy themed cafes, are available. Columbia Sand Key is an excellent option featuring authentic Spanish food served in an attractive waterfront setting.
Additional things to do…
Numerous cruises are offered. Here, you will find everything from a pirate themed adventure to a lunch buffet aboard a luxury yacht. Tropics Boat Tours offers dolphin, sunset, and party cruises. These cruises are a great opportunity to get an overview of the area, while enjoying magnificent views that you could only otherwise experience with your own boat. The sunset cruise is a great time – filled with fun music, entertaining narration, and great views.
A ride on the Sea Screamer – the world’s largest speedboat is another must-do. On this fun boat ride, you will get to enjoy gorgeous views and see dolphins playing in the wake of the boat!
The Pinellas Trail, rated one of the best rail trails in the country, can be accessed in Clearwater. Riding a section of this 45 mile recreational path is a convenient way to visit a lot of areas on Florida’s Gulf coast in a short period of time. This diverse path crosses through many unique cities and landscapes, including both urban and rural areas. Along the way, there are many detours to access parks and beaches, including the highly rated Honeymoon Island State Beach in Dunedin.
Other fun activities in Clearwater Beach include: The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (filming of A Dolphin Tale), Beach Walk (a 1/2 mile paved path along the beach), volleyball, parasailing, jet skiing, and much more!
Where to stay: There are no shortage of resorts in the area, with many spectacular waterfront options lining the beach. A stay at one of these resorts is a major plus for the direct access to the beach alone (especially in an area where parking is extremely hard to find). The Sandpearl is a highly regarded resort. However, it is quite pricey to stay here. Fortunately, there are options for every budget.
