• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Food Fun & Faraway Places
  • Start Here
  • Food & Drink
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Cocktails
    • Entrees
    • Dessert
    • Weight Watchers Recipes
  • Destinations
    • Florida
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Asia
    • Cruises
  • Work with Us!
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • Food
    • Breakfast
    • Entrees
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
  • Fun
  • Faraway Places
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • Food
      • Breakfast
      • Entrees
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
    • Fun
    • Faraway Places
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Travel » North America

    Best Beach Vacations in the US

    Published: Jun 7, 2017 · Modified: Mar 12, 2021 by Kelly Stilwell · This post may contain affiliate links 2 Comments

    Want to know where to go for the best beach vacations in the US? I am all about the beach, which is why I moved to Florida ten years ago.

    When I visited Jamaica a few years ago, I strolled each day on the oh-so-lovely beaches while looking out over the gorgeous turquoise sea.

    Montego Bay is absolutely beautiful, but right here in the good old USA, we have some pretty amazing beaches, too.

    Want to know where to go for the best beach vacations in the US? I am all about the beach.

    Best Beach Vacations in the United States

    Hertz knows a little bit about travel, and this year they are celebrating vacations with From Sea to Shining Sea: Guide to America's Best Beaches.

    I've only been to two out of the five recommended in the Guide, though we're planning a family vacation to Hawaii this year. I've been to OBX a couple of times and can tell you where to go for the best OBX restaurants!

    Some of my choices for the best OBX restaurants may surprise you. They aren't very expensive, and they are all pretty casual, as it should be when taking a beach vacation.

    I live about 30 minutes from Siesta Key, and living that close to one of the best beaches in Florida makes for some great photos.

    Want to know where to go for the best beach vacations in the US? I am all about the beach.

    Minutes away from Siesta Key you'll find another white sand beach with fantastic places to eat. Check out this list of best restaurants in Sarasota Florida so you know where to eat!

    And here's a tip for you if you're visiting Siesta Key. Point your GPS to Anna Maria Island and take a drive down scenic Gulf of Mexico Drive where you'll end up on another breathtaking white sand beach. Say hello to AMI!

    Anna Maria Island is less crowded as Siesta Key is almost always in Dr. Beach's top 10 beaches in the country, but it's nice for a change of pace. Think slow! Check out my ideas for things to do on Anna Maria Island.

    Because I want you to have a perfect day on Anna Maria Island, I thought it would be helpful to give you some ideas of what to expect and what to take with you. I hope this short list will make your visit to the beach more enjoyable.

    And speaking of slow, I think we all need to slow down and relax a little, enjoying all our wonderfully versatile country has to offer. I've been out of the US many times in the past few years, and there is so much I haven't seen right here.

    Why not go on a family road trip instead of just being concerned about getting to your destination? We took a trip a few months ago and drove from Naples all the way down to the Florida Keys and had a blast!

    If you live in the northeast, there is so much to see in Nantucket, Massachusetts. From lighthouses to wildlife refuges to beautiful beaches, there is something for everyone.

    Want to know where to go for the best vacations in the US? I am all about the beach.

    If you're further south, North Carolina has lovely beaches, too, like Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach (another of Dr. Beach's Top 10) but you can also fish, visit the wild ponies, shop and eat at the outstanding restaurants featuring the freshest seafood around. Look no further for one of the best beach vacations for families.

    And if you want to get on a plane, you can head to stunning Oahu, Hawaii, another of the Top 10 beaches on Dr. Beach's list. There you can snorkel, stand up paddle, kayak, and when you've had enough of the water, visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation.

    Want to know where to go for the best beach vacations in the US? I am all about the beach.

    Are you planning your summer vacation yet? Share in the comments! I'd love to know what you're thinking!

    • Where to Stay on Anna Maria Island Beaches
    • Hawks Cay Resort Duck Key Florida
    • Best Luxury Hotel in Naples Florida
    • Vacation on Longboat Key Florida
    • Things to Do in Panama City Beach Florida
    « Hotel Vancouver: Where to Stay in Vancouver
    4 Small Changes For a Better Life Starting Today »
    48 shares
    • 6

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Food, Fun & Faraway Places participates in the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cassie

      June 11, 2017 at 8:35 am

      The beaches in Florida are a favorite for residents and tourists. The weather conditions in Florida make visiting the beach a year round attraction. Come to Florida.

      Reply
    2. Shannon Gurnee

      June 09, 2017 at 12:47 pm

      We love visiting the beach and these look like some good ones to check out! We live on the California Central Coast and the beaches here are super sandy (i.e. Pismo Beach). The beach on the hotel strip in Cancun is amazing too!

      Reply

    Share your Thoughts! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kelly eating on a cruise ship.

    Welcome! Food, Fun & Faraway Places® is a travel and food blog written by Kelly Stilwell. From delicious recipes to world travel, we’ve got you covered! Contact Kelly at kastilwell@gmail.com.

    More about me →

    More Fall Recipes

    • Easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
    • 27 Homemade Pumpkin Desserts
    • Best Bread for Soup
    • 20 Delicious Soup Recipes

    Travel Ideas

    • Best Restaurants in Disney Springs Florida
    • Costa Smeralda Ship Mediterranean Cruise
    • 20 Best Restaurants in Sarasota Florida
    • Culinary Adventures on Rocky Mountaineer Canada

    Join the Family!





    Footer

    ^ back to top

    as seen in banner

    About

    • Start Here
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Kelly Stilwell