You sound too anxious to vacation there OP.

I wouldn't try to do the Hamptons. the parking at the beach is too annoying ($50 a day) and too many rich people

York Beach, Maine is worth the visit- it has a quaint little town and you can watch taffy being made steps from the beach. There is a lighthouse to see and shopping is just a short drive away in Kittery, ME and Portsmouth, NH. Highly recommend eating at Margaritas in Portsmouth if you like Mexican food and fun decor.

Most of Maine and Cape Cod are low key.

And some parts of MV and Hamptons.

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of options on the cape and lots to do. You won’t be in a waterfront house but most people aren’t. Even Chatham has good options (try South Chatham).

We have a house there so we do the drive a few times a year. Just time it right. No worries about the cape bridges because we are typically getting there after the backups.

Not sure where the rocky beaches PP mentioned are, but there are plenty of sand beaches, and beautiful National Seashore beaches.

+1. We used to have family in Dennis/Yarmouth and would stay with them when we were kids and go to the bayside beaches. In recent years we rented a house with my parents/siblings and there are definitely options at lower price points, you just have to drive to the beach, and get there early as the lots fill up. Yeah the water is colder than here but the Dennis beaches have a really long tidal zone so when the water comes back in over the warm sand it's really not that bad. I love the Cape.

Anonymous wrote:We made the trip to Oconquit a few years ago. Acela to Boston with a stay over both ways. Oconquit was boring! Huge wide beach that disappears by 3pm every day. Freezing waters.took day trip to Kennebunkport, boring. Really only enjoyed the rushed Boston part of the trip. We went in early August too so I imagine the warmest time.

Maybe go further north? IMO, Maine is special around Rockland, Camden, and the Acadia NP area. One year we also went to Monhegan Island over Memorial Day. We were the first guests to sign in for the season at the main hotel.

PP: Forgot to add! I also go to Maine in the summer and your money will go further. I typically just stick to Portland, and I think I only go back because I've never had a bad meal there (and I love Peaks Island.)

Normal, and went to Martha's Vineyard last summer. Stayed in Vineyard Haven, so not super close to Edgartown or Oak Bluffs.

The place we rented had two twin beds in the bedroom and a pullout sofa. You make it work!

Plenty of options on the cape and lots to do. You won’t be in a waterfront house but most people aren’t. Even Chatham has good options (try South Chatham).

We have a house there so we do the drive a few times a year. Just time it right. No worries about the cape bridges because we are typically getting there after the backups.

Not sure where the rocky beaches PP mentioned are, but there are plenty of sand beaches, and beautiful National Seashore beaches.

We have a house in the Hamptons . . . it's lovely out there and there are "normal" people despite the reputation, but there are some things you should know:

• it might be hard finding accommodations for just one week because many of the towns have restrictions on rentals under two weeks
• the beaches are very beautiful, but most of them restrict parking to permit holders, making beach access is more annoying than it should be
• the towns are historic and quaint, with lots of shopping, restaurants, cafes, and excellent people-watching
• the traffic in the summer is nightmarish, so keep that in mind when you choose your location

It probably works best if you rent a nice house that has a pool, game room, etc; you're into farm stands and amazing fresh produce; and you look forward to cooking in most of the time you're there. If you want to be able to walk to the beach and prefer a little more peace and quiet, consider Amagansett.

Normal couple went to Maine for a week, but we went in October and not for a beach vacation, so maybe not relevant to your situation, but wanted to chime in that a week was certainly in reach for a "normal" couple and our trip included airfare and a rental car.

I LOVED Maine.

I've always wanted to see Martha's Vineyard (and Nantucket) but haven't made it to either so can't comment on that or the Hamptons.

We've been to Martha's Vineyard a number of times. You can drive and take the ferry there (or fly but much more $). In terms of housing, there is everything from high end to economical (tend to be older homes but many are near Edgartown). I think there is plenty to do with teens (and have teens myself).

We made the trip to Oconquit a few years ago. Acela to Boston with a stay over both ways. Oconquit was boring! Huge wide beach that disappears by 3pm every day. Freezing waters.took day trip to Kennebunkport, boring. Really only enjoyed the rushed Boston part of the trip. We went in early August too so I imagine the warmest time.

Anonymous wrote:My parents were middle class. Think nursing and office jobs. We were able to go to Maine and Cape Cod. I really didn’t enjoy going in the water at Cape Cod. The tide was full of rocks. I think it must be where they get cobblestones from. Think of dozens of rocks, the size of sweet potatoes, clobbering you in the ankles repeatedly. Maybe it’s different now? Maybe we went to the wrong place? Don’t get me wrong, it was a lovely break from southern heat. I just won’t go in the water again.

The Cape has hundreds of beaches, many without rocks. They have cold water with waves on one side and warmer calm water on the other side. Try going to the tip of the Cape, Provincetown. It’s got a lively artsy downtown with beaches and nature.

Martha’s Vineyard has a variety of beaches too. It’s just annoying if you drove a long way to get there then waiting for the ferry, getting off, finding your place to stay.

Maine water is freezing, ice cold.

The beaches in New England can be scenic, but they are freezing. Like in the 60s in the height of summer. Maybe low 70s if you are super lucky. So don't go to swim.