Waterfront Living in New England

From Castleton and Rye to Morris and Brunswick, New England’s unique setting along the Atlantic is one of its defining features. Cities and towns like Colchester, Tuftonboro, Goshen, and Biddeford have oceanfront locations that set them apart. There is so much to see in New England, with small towns like Alburgh and Holderness and bigger cities like New Haven and Portland.

This Atlantic setting has made New England a tourism hotspot, a picturesque area filled with ocean views and incredible seaside trails. Whether it is Vermont, with towns like Saint Albans and Isle La Motte, or Connecticut, with Salisbury and Clinton, people flock to the New England states for the one-of-a-kind scenery.

While we can’t cover all the many oceanfront towns in this region, let’s explore some of the many waterfront communities that make up New England.

Vermont is a small, sparsely populated state, but it has numerous beautiful waterfront communities, from Franklin to Swanton. It may not be located on the Atlantic, but Vermont is filled with scenic lakes and towns perfectly located to give residents endless waterfront enjoyment.

Grand Isle and South Hero are two great Vermont towns with easy access to the water. Grand Isle is a town on Grand Isle in Lake Champlain. It is a quiet but beautiful area. To the south, on the same island, is South Hero. South Hero is a tiny town with a history stretching back to the 1700s. It is a scenic town popular amongst tourists.

Burlington and Newport are two more great Vermont towns. Burlington is a bustling and historic city along the shores of Lake Champlain. It is famed for its museums and shopping. Newport is a city near the Canadian border situated around Lake Memphremagog. It has top-notch outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

New Hampshire is known for its picturesque New England towns like Gilford and Meredith. It has a small stretch of land on the Atlantic but is also filled with lakes that give it lots of waterfront real estate, with areas like Newbury and Alton coming to mind. Let’s explore some of New Hampshire’s waterfront communities.

Newmarket, Portsmouth, and Hampton are all areas defined by their beautiful settings. Newmarket is set along the Great Bay. It is a quiet town with lots to do, with great shopping, eating, and entertainment.

Portsmouth is a historic port city on the Piscataqua River near the Atlantic Ocean. It has a quaint seaside feel and top-notch seafood. Hampton is an Atlantic Coast town with great beaches popular for its summer tourism.

North Hampton, Durham, and Bristol also provide incredible waterfronts. North Hampton is set just north of Hampton and shares the Atlantic setting. It has picturesque oceanfront trails and great restaurants. Durham is set along the Great Bay, with a mid-sized population. It is best known as the site of the University of New Hampshire. Bristol is a historic town near Newfound Lake, a well-known resort area. It has beautiful hiking and watersport opportunities.

Connecticut is positively filled with cities and towns on the water, from East Haddam and Branford to Niantic and Mystic. This southern New England state borders Long Island Sound, where towns like Guilford, Westbrook, and Milford are set. There are also smaller bodies of water throughout Connecticut, where towns like New Milford and Essex are set. Let’s explore some of Connecticut’s many waterfront locales.

Old Saybrook, East Hampton, and East Haven are all stunning towns on the water. Old Saybrook is set along Long Island Sound, with a historic downtown and picturesque lighthouses and views. East Hampton is situated on the Connecticut River and Pocotopaug Lake. It has top-notch hiking trails and a quaint, quiet feel. East Haven is a small suburb of New Haven set along the Long Island Sound. It is known for its delicious Italian food and welcoming community.

Madison, Old Lyme, and Waterford are three other excellent Connecticut towns. All three are situated on Long Island Sound with beautiful coastal settings. They are popular destinations for summer homes but are beautiful year-round.

Maine is a New England state in America’s far northeast, with stunning forests and coastal Atlantic settings. Towns and cities like Wells and York are famed for their ocean views, but many other communities have incredible waterfront areas for those seeking life on the ocean or lake.

Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, and Old Orchard Beach are unique and historic areas with incredible beaches. Ogunquit and Old Orchard are famed as summer tourist towns with sandy brown Atlantic beaches and delicious seafood options. Kennebunkport has rocky coastal views and a history stretching back to the 1700s. It also is famed for its great fishing.

Lastly, we have Belfast, Vinalhaven, and Lubec. Belfast is set on Belfast and Penobscot Bay. It is a quiet town with a suburban feel and a welcoming community. Vinalhaven is a unique town on the Fox Islands with a tiny population. It is a hotspot for boating and fishing, and the population swells in the summer. Lubec is the furthest east town in the United States, with classic New England small-town looks. There is a large lighthouse and a state park perfect for hiking.