From Lighthouses to Boardwalks: Iconic Coastal Destinations in the U.S.
- Nikhil Rana
- March 26, 2026
- Travel
- coastal destinations
- 0 Comments
You know that feeling. Driving forever. Kids complaining. You’re tired. Then you come over the hill and there it is. The ocean. Car gets quiet. You breathe. Feels good. I still love that.
Iconic Coastal Destinations in the U.S.
Lighthouses
I had no idea about how much there is to love about lighthouses when I was younger. They were just pictures on postcards or pictures of my family when we used to go on vacations together. Now that I am getting older I understand what lighthouses mean; they are the ones that endure everything; they are the ones that are working hard when things are bad.
I went to Portland Head Light in Maine on a very cold and windy day. The wind was cutting through my jacket as I stood on the rocky coastal land and was watching the water hit the bottom of the lighthouse. Next to me was this older man who has lived in Maine his whole life; he looked like he was made of the granite in Maine. He was looking out at the lighthouse and he was like “That lighthouse has been through a lot!” And I was like “For sure”. We stood there together in silence for about 10 minutes without a word. That type of comfortable silence with a stranger does not happen often!
Cape Hatteras has stripes. I have gone to the top of this lighthouse, but I don’t enjoy heights. I had to take a couple rests about halfway up, but when I got to the top and looked out, all I saw was water all around; I forgot all about being afraid when I got to the top.
They moved the entire structure of the lighthouse to the west and moved it inland from the beach. If they can do that, what can we do?
There are some really cool old historical lighthouses along the coast of this country.
Boardwalks
The boardwalks are basically the total opposite of lighthouses. They are noisy, chaotic, and filled with lots of laughter, suntan lotion, popcorn, and possibly even regret from all the fried things you ate way too fast, but they are all the same thing, fun to be around!
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is my ultimate favourite. I went with a friend who was going through a rough patch, not so much wanting to talk about what was going on, but rather to escape from all his thoughts for a while. We went around the boardwalk, and I noticed a lot of kids and that everyone had trays full of french fries from the booths. Above us was the roller coaster, and as it rattled through the air, the whole area trembled, and we could feel the vibrations on the ground beneath our feet.
While we were at the boardwalk, we tried out the Giant Dipper which is an old, wooden roller coaster that creaks, moans, and groans while you ride it, giving you the impression that it could fall apart at any moment. After our first ride, my friend laughed genuinely, whereas before he was merely laughing out of politeness; he was really enjoying himself, so we got back in line to ride it again and again! By the time we rode it the third time, we were simply screaming out of excitement, not fear of falling off the ride!
That’s one of the big reasons why these boardwalks are among the best around the United States for reminding us how to have fun, just like a kid again!
The Towns
Found Carmel-by-the-Sea by accident. Just driving. No plan. Turned down a street and there it was. Little town. Cute houses. Bakery with huge cookies.
Kid kept throwing too hard. Plunk. Dad kept showing her. Finally she got one to skip. She spun around. Dad spun her too. Made me smile.
Bar Harbor, Maine. Stayed at a little place where the lady made pancakes. One morning I went to Acadia and sat on a rock. Watched the fog. Watched the boats. Didn’t think about nothing.
Got a lobster roll. Sat at a picnic table. Seagull landed. I gave him some bread. He was happy.
Tybee Island, Georgia. Slow. Walked into a shop and talked to the lady there. She told me about her garden. Her tomatoes. I liked listening.
Went to the beach. Family building a sandcastle. Little girl was the boss. Telling her dad where to put sand. He did what she said. I sat there till the sun went down. Quiet.
Summing It Up
I keep going back cause these places make you slow down. Standing at a lighthouse watching waves, you ain’t thinking about work. Walking a boardwalk eating something fried, you ain’t worrying about tomorrow. Sitting on the beach with sand between your toes, you just stop.
That’s what these iconic coastal destinations in the U.S. do.
So if you go somewhere, keep it simple. Go see a famous lighthouse in the U.S. Hit one of the best boardwalks in the United States. Just stand there. Enjoyed the article, follow dturban for more travel updates.
