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 Fork, Long Island
Often 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: