10 Unforgettable Coastal Villages in North America

McClellanville, South Carolina

Population: 459

The tiny fishing village of McClellanville, South Carolina, is doing its part to keep the shrimping industry alive. Known for its seafood, the village's lifeblood is its catch, from the standout fresh-caught shrimp to oysters, clams, and crabs. Make the 45-minute drive from Charleston during summer shrimp season, generally from May through August, to watch trawlers haul their nets onto the docks. Then stroll through the tiny downtown (McClellanville has no traffic lights) for little shops and historic churches.

Local Eats: T.W. Graham & Co. is more than simply the only restaurant in town: It's been recognized everywhere from the Travel Channel to Southern Living magazine as one of the best seafood restaurants in South Carolina. With a menu stuffed with local catches, you can't go wrong with anything you order. But we hear the blue crab, shrimp, and corn chowder—with crab from the bay nearby and shrimp fresh from McClellanville's docks—is the stuff seafood-loving dreams are made of.

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

Population: 64

The lighthouse is the draw in this rustic cove just an hour outside of Halifax on Nova Scotia's South Shore. After photographing and admiring the famous beacon and the breathtaking views that surround it, meander back down Peggy's Point Road toward the village's working harbor. Art galleries and shops beckon with locally made crafts and trinkets, and friendly fishermen will stop to chat while they pile up lobster traps on the docks.

Local Eats: The hike up to the lighthouse will leave you hungry for a scoop or two of Dee Dee's ice cream. The family-run shop sells scrumptious flavors like local Haskap berry and buttered almond alongside savory fare like homemade chili with cornbread.

Mendocino, California

Population: 894

A haven for artists and filmmakers, Mendocino's beauty is an inspiration to residents and visitors alike. This coastal gem offers countless sketchpad-worthy vistas, from secluded bluffs overlooking the Pacific to hidden grottos on cliffside trails. The artistic journey continues in Mendo's eclectic downtown, where galleries flourish alongside theaters and boutiques. Worth a visit is The Mendocino Art Center, an institution that breathed life back into Mendocino in the 1950s after the community fell on hard times.

Local Eats: Ravens' Restaurant serves sustainable and delicious vegan fare; much of the produce on the menu is grown on-site. To top it off, the dog-friendly restaurant offers magical views of the Pacific coast.

Rockport, Massachusetts

Population: 6,952

Just an hour outside of Boston, Rockport is a romantic getaway destination for busy city dwellers. Stroll through the historic downtown for boatloads of shopping in small stores of every type. Make your way to Bradley Wharf, where you can't miss the famous fishing shack known as Motif Number 1. The icon is reportedly the most-painted building in America, and for good reason: A quintessentially New England scene, the red, weather-beaten shack is surrounded by docked fishing boats and piles of lobster traps.

Local Eats: Roy Moore Lobster Co. serves uber-fresh seafood; hit the restaurant at the right time and you might catch a glimpse of local lobstermen coming straight from Rockport's docks to deposit their catch into the restaurant's tanks.

St. Michaels, Maryland

Population: 1,029

This historic seaport on Maryland's Eastern Shore provides a glimpse into the past while offering plenty of modern-day amenities. The downtown area feels like a 19th-century village, with red-brick sidewalks and Victorian homes leading to the pier. At the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, learn the area's stories through interactive exhibits and a collection of more than 100 boats and boat models. When the call of the ocean becomes impossible to resist, set sail on Selina II or the skipjack H.M. Krentz for a sunset champagne cruise or a guided excursion complete with fascinating information about the Chesapeake Bay.

Local Eats: Have dinner on the harborview deck at Harbour Lights Restaurant. Judging by the number of crab dishes on the menu, we gather that's the thing to order.

Homer, Alaska

Population: 5,003

Visit the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" for world-class halibut and salmon fishing right off the Kachemak Bay. The village is also a treat for nature lovers, with opportunities for bear, moose, and whale sightings. The outdoor fun never ends in Homer, with hiking in nearby Kachemak Bay State Park and countless watery adventures in the bay. Downtown Homer, with its quaint Old Town, is dotted with farmers' markets and shops and even features live music during the summer.

Local Eats: Out on the Homer Spit, Fresh Catch Cafe is the place to go for amazing views of—and halibut fresh from—the bay. Get dessert to go and eat it dockside before taking an evening stroll on the beach at the end of the spit.

Lubec, Maine

Population: 1,359

The easternmost town in the contiguous United States, Lubec's proximity to Canada has shaped the friendly relations between Mainers and their neighbors to the north. As such, U.S. and Canada jointly administer Roosevelt Campobello International Park on New Brunswick's Campobello Island. From Lubec's rugged shores and rocky beaches, take the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge to the island, once the summer home of the Roosevelt family. Back on Lubec, tour the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse; the surrounding state park offers more than 481 acres of scenic hiking trails.

Local Eats: Take in a pre-dinner drink on the deck at Cohill's Inn, with spectacular views of the bay (and maybe even a frolicking seal or two). Then head directly across the street to Water Street Tavern, where must-eat dishes include moqueca (a Brazilian seafood stew), lobster mac 'n' cheese, and anything with haddock.

Cortez, Florida

Population: 4,491

This Manatee County fishing village comes with a side of historical local lore. Claiming to be the oldest remaining fishing village in Florida, Cortez dates back to the late 1800s, and many of its current inhabitants are descendents of original residents. Today, commercial fishermen in the village still make their livings catching fish, crab, and shellfish in Sarasota Bay's blue-green waters. Learn more about the area's proud history by visiting Cortez's Florida Maritime Museum, which displays historic vessels, houses a research library, and even runs boat-building programs.

Local Eats: Star Fish Company takes a laid-back attitude toward eating, so don't worry about peeling off those sandy clothes or changing out of your flip-flops before entering. Picnic tables right on the water provide casual seating to enjoy the day's catch.

Ilwaco, Washington

Population: 936

This charming port's focal point is its 800-slip marina, from which visitors can take in beautiful scenery: docked fishing boats, the endless blue waters of Baker Bay, and Oregon's Saddle Mountain far off in the distance. Stroll along the waterfront area, stopping in at the shops and galleries that dot the marina. Ilwaco is home to two lighthouses: Cape Disappointment, the oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast, and North Head, just a few miles north. The surrounding Cape Disappointment State Park offers wide views of the Pacific Ocean as well as hiking trails, two miles of beaches to explore, and plenty of events running throughout summer and fall.

Local Eats: Right on the Ilwaco marina, Beach House Cafe & Catering serves hearty lunch and breakfast, including their signature waffles (try the pecan), all with views of the water.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Population: 2,313

This UNESCO World Heritage site is a destination for history buffs, shoppers, and food lovers alike. Begin by taking a tour with Lunenburg Town Walking Tours (led by a seventh-generation Lunenburger) to learn the fascinating history of the area, from its beginnings as a Catholic Acadian and Mi'kmaq settlement to its heyday as a major player in the salt-cod industry. The tour takes visitors from the landmark 19th-century Lunenburg Academy, on one of the highest points of land in town, down to the wharf at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Picture-perfect streets are lined with plenty of locally owned shops selling art, crafts, and clothing.

Local Eats: French restaurant Fleur De Sel serves scrumptious, high-end fare in an adorable converted house near the water. Any dish that includes local scallops is not to be missed.

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