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GA has 2 of the best beach towns on the East Coast, Travel + Leisure says. Here’s where

A view of sunset at St. Simons Island is seen from a pier.
A view of sunset at St. Simons Island is seen from a pier. Special to The Telegraph

Summer vacation is here, so pack your bags and get ready to head to some of the best beach towns.

According to Travel + Leisure, beach towns like Ocean City in Maryland, Palm Beach in Florida and Newport in Rhode Island are some of the best on the East Coast.

However, two Georgia beach towns were also recognized, so which ones were they and why? Here’s what to know:

Best GA beach towns on East Coast

Tybee Island

Tybee Island “is an extremely family-friendly destination that offers something for everyone,” said Travel + Leisure writer Lydia Mansel.

From the tallest and oldest lighthouse in the state to dolphin tours and several seafood restaurants and bars, it’s no wonder Tybee is a top beach destination for in-state residents and tourists.

St. Simons Island

A view of sunset at St. Simons Island is seen from a pier.
A view of sunset at St. Simons Island is seen from a pier. Mark Ballard Special to The Telegraph

St. Simons is yet another beach town in the Peach State recognized by Travel + Leisure because of its beautiful scenery, walkable downtown area and pristine golf courses. The island is also very family friendly, with year round activities for every age, but let’s not forget the luxury hotels on the island ready to pamper and entertain guests.

What’s your favorite beach town? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "GA has 2 of the best beach towns on the East Coast, Travel + Leisure says. Here’s where."

Chelsea Madden
The Telegraph
Chelsea is a service journalism reporter who began working for McClatchy in 2022. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth. She attended Wesleyan College for undergrad and a few years after that, went to SCAD for an MFA in writing. Outside of work, Chelsea likes to watch Netflix, read books in the thriller genre and chase her toddler around.
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