By Audrey Pavia

High cliffs, white sand and views of the vast Atlantic—all this and more awaits visitors to seaside resorts along the Eastern seaboard. Although winter weather in the East can be daunting, the summer months can be a wonderful time to take in the splendor of Atlantic beaches. Whether you prefer the rugged beauty of Maine, the Southern charm of South Carolina or the laidback atmosphere of the Florida Keys, there is a great vacation waiting for you in the far eastern states.

The northernmost state of Maine is known for its rugged beauty. Sheer ocean cliffs, historic lighthouses and pristine oceans are the biggest draws for visitors to the Pine Tree State.

One of the best resorts to provide the Maine experience is the Cliff House. Located in southern Maine between Ogunquit and York, the resort is only an hour drive from Boston, and sits right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

Guests can relax and enjoy the ocean views, swim in the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, take advantage of a luxury spa or play golf at the adjacent Cape Neddick Golf Club. For a little bit of nature, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve is only 10 minutes away, and provides seven miles of trails across woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, salt marsh and sand beach.

Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States, and the largest town in the Florida Keys. The island of Key West is four miles long and one mile wide, and is surrounded by warm, blue waters where the Atlantic meets the Gulf of Mexico.

The best way to enjoy Key West is to stay in a cottage. Sunset Key Cottages offers one, two, three and four-bedroom cottages designed to capture the tranquility and charm of the Key West lifestyle.

An outdoor pool surrounded by a tropical garden, a private white sand beach and yoga on the beach are among the amenities. Snorkeling, diving, deep sea fishing, parasailing and sailing excursions are all available to guests of the Sunset Key Cottages.

There’s no shortage of other activities in Key West. The Ernest Hemingway House, the Tennessee Williams House and the Winter White House are specialty museums open to the public. Art galleries, historic sites and cultural tours are just some of the others ways to spend time on this beautiful island.

Coastal South Carolina combines Southern charm with beautiful beaches. Known as the Lowcountry, this part of the Palmetto State contains salt marshes and estuaries, along with natural ports like Georgetown and Charleston.

One way to enjoy the Lowcountry is as a guest at the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort. Nestled along the scenic May River, the resort is set within a 20,000-acre community between Hilton Head and Savannah. Amenities include an extensive nature preserve, two picturesque villages with nine Southerninspired dining options, a riverfront marina and a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.

The nearby town of Savannah features the Georgia State Railroad Museum, a historic district and a number of ghost tours.

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